Frames: Difference between revisions
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{ type: 'float', name: 'beam_width', caption: 'Beam width', default: 40 }, | { type: 'float', name: 'beam_width', caption: 'Beam width', default: 40 }, | ||
{ type: 'float', name: 'hole_radius', caption: 'Radius of holes', default: | { type: 'float', name: 'hole_radius', caption: 'Radius of holes', default: 6 }, | ||
{ type: 'choice', name: 'length', caption: 'Frame length (holes)', values: [2,3,4,5,10,15,20,25,30,40,50], captions: ["2","3","4","5","10","15","20","25","30","40","50"], default: 10 } | { type: 'choice', name: 'length', caption: 'Frame length (holes)', values: [2,3,4,5,10,15,20,25,30,40,50], captions: ["2","3","4","5","10","15","20","25","30","40","50"], default: 10 } | ||
]; | ]; |
Revision as of 12:06, 16 June 2021
Tools: | Drill presses, Automated drilling machines, CNC routers, Punch presses, Sanding blocks |
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Techniques: | Bolting, Tri joints, Shelf joints |
Introduction
The modular frames in this system are constructed using only one component, repeated and assembled in a variety of configurations, with nuts, bolts, and washers. These frames assemble quickly, intuitively, and squarely in all dimensions and on uneven surfaces, under water, or in zero gravity. Frame members are easily manufactured from renewable and widely available raw materials such as trees, square steel, aluminum, and other metal tube, even bamboo and recycled thermoplastics. Aluminum frame members retain perfect interchangeability and reusability after years of intense sun exposure, submersion in water, etc. Wood frame members retain near-perfect interchangeability and reusability across lifetimes when stored in a home, or other controlled environment.
Challenges
Most projects require a physical structure. Sizes, shapes, and configurations vary widely.
Approaches
Construct projects using a standardized space frame kit optimized for local production. Unlike Isaacs or Jergensen frames, Replimat uses only lengths that are multiples of 5 segments: 200 mm or approximately 7.5 inches. Frames of two, three, and four segment lengths are included to allow for the construction of additional joints and assemblies.
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Flat pack frame by Ian Willey
Profile
Replimat frames are constructed using standard lengths of material with a square profile or cross-section. Frame sections may be solid or hollow, constructed from a single piece, laminated, or joined. All Replimat frame sections share the same 40mm width. Frames of larger or smaller widths may be produced, and work with all of the construction techniques found here. Frames of evenly divisible widths interoperate.
Spaceframes constructed similarly are possible using other profiles. Hexagonal profile frame may be capable of building sections of Weaire–Phelan structures.
Hole Pattern
Holes are centered on each face of the frame and spaced regularly in a repeating pattern at a distance equal to the width of the frame. This geometrical arrangement allows the frame members to reliably produce rigid joints in three dimensions.
Widths
Frames of larger cross section require fewer holes than frames of smaller cross section that are the same length. Counterintuitively, thicker frame is sometimes faster or less expensive to produce than thinner frame. Thicker frame also creates stronger tri joints and requires fewer nuts and bolts to create frames of equivalent size and strangth as compared to frame of reduced width. Thinner frame can allow accurate and reproducible model building before final assembly at larger scale. Thinner frame also allows for a finer resolution in the hole pattern, easing complex mounting problems.
Lengths
Frame lengths are intentionally limited to 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 holes per side. These lengths have been chosen to allow for the creation of all necessary joint configurations (using lengths 2, 3, 4, and 5) as well as to allow for lengths with a center hole and lengths which are evenly divisible by two. The reduced set of lengths allows for improved reuse from project to project, easier identification in photographs and diagrams, and simpler production, handling, and shipping.
8mm width | 20mm width | 25.4mm width | 38.1mm width | 40mm width | 50mm width | 60mm width |
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8mm | ||||||
16mm | ||||||
24mm | 25.4mm | |||||
32mm | ||||||
40mm | 40mm | 40mm | ||||
48mm | 50.8mm | 50mm | ||||
56mm | ||||||
64mm | ||||||
72mm | ||||||
80mm | 80mm | 76.2mm | 76.2mm | 80mm | ||
88mm | ||||||
96mm | ||||||
104mm | 101.2mm | 100mm | ||||
112mm | 114.3 | |||||
120mm | 120mm | 120mm | 120mm | |||
128mm | 126.6mm | |||||
136mm | ||||||
144mm | ||||||
152mm | 152.4mm | 152mm | 150mm | |||
160mm | 160mm | 160mm | ||||
168mm | ||||||
176mm | 177.4mm | |||||
184mm | 180mm | |||||
192mm | 190.5 | |||||
200mm | 200mm | 202.8mm | 200mm | 200mm | ||
208mm | ||||||
216mm | ||||||
224mm | 220mm | 228.6 | 228.6 |
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2 hole frame - smallest frame useful for making tri joints
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3 hole frame - often useful to create spurs, mount points, and clevis fasteners, smallest of the frames with center holes
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4 hole frame - sometimes required for linkages and structural elements
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5 hole frame - count by fives which have center holes and can accommodate two tri joints each
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10 hole frame - "a ten"
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15 hole frame - this size works great for larger pivoting mechanisms thanks to it's center hole
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20 hole frame - desk or counter top height
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25 hole frame - the largest of the frames with center holes
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30 hole frame - makes great shelves
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40 hole frame - like 30 but bigger!
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50 hole frame - 50 holes, the largest standard frame size
Variations
In the imperial version, popular hole sizes are 11/32 inch, and 7/16 inch and popular bolt sizes are 5/16 inch and 3/8 inch. For the metric frames, we can use a 6 mm bolt and 7-8 mm holes for the 25 mm frame; a 9 mm bolt and 10-11 mm holes for the 40 mm frame and 12 mm bolt and 13-14 mm holes for the 50 mm frame. Use the 8,11 and 14 mm holes for wooden frame, and the 7, 10 and 13 mm holes for metal frame. Bolt sizes (6, 9 and 12 mm)
Materials
Steel / Aluminum
United states
- Any construction steel supplier.
- 8020 Inc Ready Tube
- McMaster-Carr Bolt-Together Framing
- Allied Tube Telespar and Quick-Punch
- Allied Tube Square-Fit
- S-Square Square Post Perforated
- Ultimate Highway Products Ulti-Mate steel highway sign posts
- Hemptraders
- Markstaar recycled plastic lumber
Canada
- Any construction steel supplier.
- Unistrut
UK
- Any construction steel supplier. (Undrilled)
New Zealand
<sbailard_> VikOlliver, steel and aluminum box section down in NZ, is it metric, or '25.4 mm'? <VikOlliver> Strangley it's in approx 25mm increments...
- sbailard_ is beside himself in surprise.
<VikOlliver> It's sold as 25x50mm box section but you know what they mean...
- https://www.ullrich-aluminium.co.nz/extrusions/square-tube
- https://www.easysteel.co.nz/products/hollow-sections
China
Wood
Michigan
Finishing
Warning
In North America, wood which is called '1x1' or '2x2' is actually smaller than 1 inch or 2 inches in cross section. This is unfortunate but legal. Speak to a lumber yard or other supplier about getting 'wood which is actually sized 1 inch by 1 inch or 2 inches by 2 inches'. They will be able to help you, possibly by setting up a small order correctly sized material with a local mill, which may be a quick job. (If you are a woodworker, this paragraph is obvious, and we apologize. And you have a table saw.)
A common so-called "two-by-four" (38 mm x 89 mm, 1.5 inch x 3.5 inch) can be ripped and planed into two separate grid beams (each 38 mm square). Does it make any sense to do slightly less work, converting that so-called "2x4 board" into one beam that acts like those 2 grid beams permanently attached to each other, 38 mm x 76 (1.5" x 3.0") with a double row of holes on the 3.0" wide side?
- Nails - After checking carefully with a nail finder.
- Grit - Use a stiff plastic brush to clean off your wood. Stone pebbles will chip your saw blade.
Manufacture
- Cordless drill press attachment
- 3D printed automatic center punch
- Sanding Block (with comfortable handle and firm grip of sandpaper)
References
- Getting started with aluminum extrusions
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7BKXY7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_w83gFbG078T8M?tag=replimat-20
- Wikibooks: robot building materials implies that cardboard (!) is best for quick prototypes; for functional robots, "wood is probably the best material to start with."; where wood isn't quite durable enough, aluminum is the best metal -- better than steel for most robots.
- Is "edgeboard"[1] the same as corrugated cardboard? It's apparently strong enough to hold up full-sized humans; is it strong enough to hold up an extruder nozzle?
- Is it possible to build a FlatPack RepStrap mostly out of "Laminated Laser-cut Cardboard"[2]?
- Izhar Gafni has made a type of bicycle with a composite frame (cardboard & epoxy?/some polyester?) ("Cardboard Bicycle"). It is apparently waterproof and strong enough to hold up full-sized humans. It is definitely worth an investigation, if nothing else for the other end of the M8 threaded rod there.. are on several levels; Epoxy Granite.
- A How-To in Homebrew Design, Fab, and Assembly With Extruded Profiles
- SCAD Gridbeam Library
- discussion of frame production techniques
- Grand unification theory of modular units
- Toja grid pergola system - 4x4 brackets are 14-gauge and 6x6 brackets are 12-gauge steel, 10 year powder coating, 5 year warranty.
- Interactive Design and Fabrication of Wood Joints
- HOLLOW STRUCTURAL SECTIONS Beam Load Tables
CAD
Playground
You can try out modifications of the source code right here.