how can i make a space frame in catia

[mohdomr]

i need to make a space frame for my university project in catia v5r20 but cant figure out where to start. ive searched the forum and the net but cant seem to find any thing. whats the best way to do this?

 

[jackk]

what is a space frame?

 

[mohdomr]

well im tryin to make a tubular truss fuselage

 

[wrightti]

Unless you have some sort of structural workbench, the way I do it is as follows;

1. In one part setup 2D sketches and lines representing the centreline of the tubes

2. Sweep circles through the centrelines to get surfaces representing the OD of your pipes

3. For EACH tube, make a part body and perform a 'thick surface' command to get a solid for each member

4. Copy/paste (with link) each member off into its own part file for manufacture if required.

Trimming of the pipes is a bit tricky and should be done at the surface stage to make sure the cuts are perpendicular to the outer surface.

Its actually a very time consuming process. Here solidworks would be the much better tool.

Tim