Triangles generation (19)

Tekla Structures
2021
Tekla Structures

Triangles generation (19)

Triangles generation (19) creates triangular plates, or profiles, for double-curved surfaces, for example, for spiral stair stringers. A double-curved surface is created by placing multiple flat triangular plates side by side. The triangular plates are welded together to enable unfolding of the plates. If needed, you can unfold the triangular plates using Unfold surface (21).

Object created

  • Triangular plates

Use for

Situation

Description

Curved surfaces consisting of triangular plates.

Before you start

Create points in the model which define the shape of the curved surface. A minimum of 8 points are needed.

Alternatively, you can define the coordinates of the points in an ASCII file, and use the file to create the triangular plates. In ASCII files, the values are separated by spaces, and the decimals in the values are separated by periods, for example:

0.0 0.0 0.0 6000.0 0.0 -0.0

1620.7 -2010.1 500.0 6995.1 -3159.4 500.0

The ASCII file for the coordinates of the points has a specific structure. A pair of coordinates is defined on each row with x-, y- and z-values.

The coordinates need to be placed at even distances from each other. Therefore, the first row contains a range of numbers that help to place the coordinates evenly.

The coordinate pairs are defined on the next rows. The first three values define the local offset (x-,y-, z-) from the first point, and the last three values define the offset from the second point.

Selection order

  1. Pick the points in the order shown on the Picture tab.

  2. Click the middle mouse button to create the curved surface.

Part identification key

Part

1

Triangular plate

Picture tab

Use the Picture tab to define whether the plates are created according to the picked points in the model or according to the coordinates defined in an ASCII file, and to set the global displacement.

Plate definition

Option

Description

With picked points

Shape of the triangular plate by picking the points that you have previously created.

Read points in ASCII file

Shape of the triangular plate by giving the coordinates in an ASCII file.

Offset

Use Global displacement to define an offset for the created plates or profiles in x, y and/or z direction.

Parameters tab

Use the Parameters tab to define the ASCII file, whether plates or profiles are created, and how extra points are handled.

Option

Description

File name

Enter the name of the ASCII file where you have defined the coordinates for the points.

The file is searched from the model folder.

Create plates profiles

Define whether plates or profiles are created.

By default, plates are created.

You can define the plate properties on the Plate tab and the profile properties on the Profile tab.

Plates are created:

Profiles are created:

Plates and profiles are created:

Number of extra points

Define whether extra points are automatically created between the picked points, or set coordinates, to smoothen the plates.

Number of extra points: 0

Number of extra points: 3

Method to calculate extra points

If the curved plates form an arc, define whether the arc is taken into account for extra point calculation.

The 1st order option does not take the arc into account for extra point calculation.

The 3rd order option takes the arc into account, and the extra points are placed in the same arc as the original points.

The Cardinal spline total length option uses Cardinal spline interpolation over all points.

The Cardinal spline in middle option uses Cardinal spline interpolation only for middle points.

Smoothness spline 0-1

Define the smoothing spline.

Coplane distance

Define the coplane distance.

Create points

Define whether points are placed on every coordinate.

Points are placed on every coordinate:

No points:

Close curve

Define whether the contour is closed.

Contour is closed:

Contour is not closed:

Plate tab

Use the Plate tab to define the plate properties and position.

Option

Description

Plate

Triangular plate thickness.

Option

Description

Default

Pos_No

Prefix and start number for the part position number.

Some components have a second row of fields where you can enter the assembly position number.

The default part start number is defined in the Components settings in File menu > Settings > Options.

Material

Material grade.

The default material is defined in the Part material box in the Components settings in File menu > Settings > Options.

Name

Name that is shown in drawings and reports.

Class

Part class number.

Offset

Define the position of the triangular plates relative to the picked points or the coordinates.

Join plates

Define whether the triangular plates are attached to each other.

Select the Welding option if you later need to unfold the triangular plates. The triangular plates form an assembly which can be flattened by using Unfold surface (21).

Profile tab

Use the Profile tab to define the profile properties and position.

Profile

Option

Description

Profile

Define the profile by selecting it from the profile catalog.

Option

Description

Default

Pos_No

Prefix and start number for the part position number.

Some components have a second row of fields where you can enter the assembly position number.

The default part start number is defined in the Components settings in File menu > Settings > Options.

Material

Material grade.

The default material is defined in the Part material box in the Components settings in File menu > Settings > Options.

Name

Name that is shown in drawings and reports.

Class

Part class number.

Profile orientation

Use Position in plane, Rotation and Position in depth options to define the orientation of the profile.

Chamfers tab

Use the Chamfers tab to define chamfers for the created triangular plates.

Select the chamfer shape.

X, Y

Enter the x and y direction coordinates.

Position

Select the relative position for each vertex.

Picked points are the input points of the component.

Extra points are points that the component creates. Enter the number of extra points on the Parameters tab to define the fragmentation of the result surface.

Angle conditions

Set the angle interval for each vertex.

For example, if you set > 0 and < 90, all angles are between 0 and 90.

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