Are there any standard ways to create modular 3D designs ?
Hi,
I've got some ideas for a modular hook/clip system for bathrooms, which will attach to a horizontally mounted aluminium rail.
I can design the modules that slide onto the rail (each module being a different "holder" or clip of some sort), but I was wondering if I could also do the following:
1. Design a single base element to slide onto the rail, and include some common fitting point on it.
2. Design a variety of clips, hooks and covers which attach to the fitting points.
This means you can move things around without dismounting the rail to slide the base units out.
So, if possible, I'd like to find some sort of standard attachment designs I can use as the interface between the base elements and the hooks/clips.
And this way, if someone else wanted to reuse the hook/clip designs with a different base element, they only need to design a single new base element.
Are there any libraries of well tested "couplings"/"joints" for this sort of thing. Ideally something I can just load up, scale appropriately and design around?
In my case, each base element would be subject to a minor vertical load (e.g. toothbrush/hairbrush holders, face flannel rail, soap dish ...) but I'd want a firm "click in" type connector with no risk of wobbling.
I can provide a quick hand-drawn sketch of the idea if people need more info on what I mean...
Cheers,
David
RE: Are there any standard ways to create modular 3D designs ?
standard ways
3D designs
Two phrases that are not be used in the same sentence….
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Are there any standard ways to create modular 3D designs ?
If you already have the "common rail + selection of clip-on modules" approach, it seems a bit redundant to make each of these modules a "common slider + detachable hook/clip/whatever". That additional connection is one more failure point which can break, come loose, wobble... and I do not quite see the benefit?
If you want to replace individual elements which sit in the middle of the rail, without having to slide all the neighboring elements off the rail, I would rather look for a "slider" design which can be clipped onto the rail at any point (without having to slide it in from the side).