FANCYWIRES

Of ongoing letterly interest has been finding a single line font for use in various fabrication fun.  We’re still looking for a truly GH compatible solution, but in the meanwhile here’s a hack of a hack that works with at least one machine tool font.  The true type fonts (there seem to be five floating around) can be found here among many other places.

Credit must again be given to Giulio of Grasshopper Tools in C# and specifically txtLines (the link on the page is dead, but you can still get the source definition from this direct link).

Label with care.

DEFINITION

singleLineText_gh6-59.ghx (Right-click on link and “Save link as…”)

Gallery installation designed and fabricated in collaboration with SOFTlab.

Laser cutter utility definition to section a blob, project registration lines from layers above or below, hollow out the sections, label each piece from each section and lay out the sections (mirroring the sections from below) in a grid.  Blob by Maya.

The definition has neither been cleaned up, nor annotated with the intention of others using it.  Buyer beware.

Until I add documentation see here for some screenshots of the definition in action.

More to follow on the making of…

DEFINITION

blobSECTION.ghx (Right-click on link and “Save link as…”)
blobSECTION_clean.ghx (Updated and documented for 0.6.0059)

All-in-one definition will work with horizontal-type polysurfaces or any closed polysurface, notch trimming included!

FEATURES

• Specify the uniform spacing for each of two (A = Above, B = Below) orthographic cut planes or define a custom spacing.
• Specify the rotation (angle) of the orthographic cut planes to the reference object.
• Fine tune the start of A or B cut planes by shifting each independently.
• Specify rib height and notch thickness for A and B cut planes independently (beam/girder style grillage).

• A “defaultGrillage” state has been saved under the “Solution” menu for quick start-up (single ply chipboard and imperial units).
• Pre-saved “input” and “output” views to easily navigate the definition.
• Automated layout of the rib sections for fabrication including notching and labeling.
• Visual 3D reference guide for construction.

LIMITATIONS

• Polysurface grillages are generated from a vertical extrusion downward.  A surface with extreme geometry may not work well, if at all.  Don’t fret.  In such cases offset all surfaces manually to create a closed polysurface and try again!
• May… work… a… bit… slowly…

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

• Shelling of polysurfaces would be nice, but since Rhino can’t even do this it’s not an easy thing.
• Automatic substitution of labels with a single lines for quicker fabrication.  This might be possible, but in the meanwhile see this BIOS post for a RhinoScript that will do the substitution.

DEFINITION

gFAB_v3.2.ghx (Right-click on link and “Save link as…”)

You get the idea…

FEATURES

• Specify uniform vertical (N = iNside) spacing and radial (T = ouTside) sections for perpendicular cut planes.
• User defined vertical spacing and radial angles.
• Fine tune the start elevation of the N cut planes by shifting.
• Fine tune the center location of the T cut planes by shifting.
• Fine tune the start section of the T cut planes by rotation.

• A “defaultGrillage” state has been saved under the “Solution” menu for quick start-up.
• Pre-saved “input” and “output” views to easily navigate the definition.
• Automated layout of the rib sections for fabrication including notching, labeling and notch trimming.
• Visual 3D reference guide for construction.

LIMITATIONS

• Works only with closed BReps.
• Center of radial grillage must be located within a hole (temporary or otherwise) through the BRep.

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

• Same as for gFAB…
• Move the center outside the BRep for fan-like sectioning patterns.

DEFINITION

gRadFAB_v1.2.ghx (Right-click on link and “Save link as…”)