Rapid Design through Virtual and Physical
Prototyping
Rapid Design through Virtual and Physical
Prototyping
You can modify the layout of the model for easier construction when the following are true:
In many cases, the model which you are building will require the use of subparts to construct correctly. Subparts are a way of breaking up and manipulating your model's sections so that in the final building process, the model is more likely to come out as planned. The following are situations in which the use of subparts is needed. The following pictures of models are examples of when subparts would be necessary.
Align Sections
This allows for the modification of individual sections. It also allows the user to change the number of sections for the prototype. While this may increase the number of sheets used, it is sometimes helpful for making an accurate part. The case in which a part may contain a portion that "overhangs" or has unsupported slices, Align Sections is of particular use. The following is a step by step explanation on how to modify a section.
Step 1: Choose Prototype. Under Prototype, pick the option called Align Sections.
Step 2: Using the arrows on the left side of the screen, scroll through each section checking for any indication of problems.
Step 3: Once you have found a section that needs to be modified, the following options are available:
SHIFT SLICE UPWARD- If the problem slice is at the top of the section, click on this option to move the slice to the section above it.
SHIFT SLICE DOWNWARD- If the problem slice is at the bottom of the section, click on this option to move the slice to the section below it.
Your goal in using this option is to give slices that are unsupported a foundation. You accomplish this by moving slices to sections above or below so that similar slices are placed in the same section.
You may find it useful to alter the number of rows/columns on a sheet or to change the number of sections. JPSys5 is set to put the maximum number of rows/columns and sections on a sheet.
This is used to "break" the 3-D model into subparts for easier construction because at times the building of a tall part and parts with rounded surfaces are impossible to create without subparts.
How to create a subpart:
Step 1: Click on MODIFY NUMBER OF SUBPARTS. Enter the number of subparts that you want for the model.
Step 2: Scroll through the sections. Depending on the properties of the section, click on SHIFT SECTION UPWARD or SHIFT SECTION DOWNWARD to add the section to the appropriate subpart.
Step 3: Determine if any of the subparts is building such that larger sections are adhering to smaller section. In which case, it might be advisable to INVERT BUILD DIRECTION.
Orient Section
Sometimes there are sections that are difficult to build because slices with larger surface area are being placed on top of smaller slices. This option allows the user to remedy this problem.
Step 1: Click on Orient Section.
Step 2: Scroll through the section using the arrows to the left of the screen. Click on INVERT BUILD DIRECTION.
This section will now turn green on the screen and when you use the VIEW SHEETS options within the prototype submenu. Also, the minor registration holes for the section will not be on the Sheet 1. Instead, you will have to manually cut out this section during building (see step 5 in Building the Prototype).
This option will signal the plotter to cut a large block around your slice. This is so that you can remove the paper around the slice to allow for easier placement of the slice. This is helpful when slices are particularly complicated. JPSys5 automatically places enclosures around sheet 2 and 3 so that the starting of the building the prototype is easier. To remove the enclosure, simply peel of the block leaving the slice intact.
