Servo Erector Set 3-D Models Database

[robli67-2]

chris it’s just years of doing this sort of stuff.

I have asked for part numbers and descriptions from Jim and am waiting on beth to get back to me. I wan to name the parts the same as their items, at least the lexan, brkts, etc. I have my hex stand off in two files one FF an FM, with configurations. That way I can easly change the length to see how something will look. The configuration are name the part numbers from the web page.
I set the Alum tube the same way so I could change the lengths easly in the assembly.
The fasteners are named to an old standard that I picked up from a company I worked for 2-56 x .250 BHCS.sldprt. So my fasteners may not be what other people want.
But either way. We should decide and get each other the fasterners and stand offs we want to use. That wayy we are using the same files. As for orginizing dir. I wouldn’t worry about it. Let Beth orginize her files the way she sees fit. People can setup their own structure and have SolidWorks look for the files by the Reference Files - in the system settings. Then it would be asking for help finding the files unless they didn’t download them.
So if you and I are the only ones doing assemblies and using the fasteners, hex stand offs, alum tube, threaded rod. Lets decide and which and share the those files. I say nuts and bolts have their own files, because that’s how I do it. The Standoffs, threaded rods, Alum tube are in a single file with configurations. This was people can quickley change between the lengths to see what they like.
As for the assembly, I would say that we need a note to tell people to down load the Fasteners, Standoffs, other zipped files, plus the main peice parts.

[snailkeeper]

I’d like to prefix this reply with a disclaimer. I am not an avid Solidworkser, nor, for that matter, have I ever used the program. Keep that information in mind, ok?

@crx78g

just upload the assembly files and part files separately. This will avoid duplication of common parts used in multiple assemblies

Agreed. Of course, as I’m the one who would have to upload all the duplicate parts, I may be a bit biased.

@crx78g

Here’s a possible start to a directory structure:

I agree with most of your suggested directories. However, I’d like to submit a few changes:

\Servos\ - servo assemblies and internal parts, servo horns, arms
\ASBs\ - SES brackets
\Hubs\ - aluminium hubs
\Tubing\ - tubing
\Feet\ -
\Lexan\ - Lexan frames
\Misc\ - threaded rod, hex standoffs, square bars, rubber end caps
\Bearings\ - bearings, pillow blocks
\Hardware\ - nuts, bolts, screws, ball links
\Assemblies\ - All assemblies, no subdirectories

@crx78g

As I was thinking about it, it became quite hard to classify all the parts. Are there too many categories? Should it be made much simpler?

Personally, I am a fan of very in-depth organization with directories; however, this is a personal bias and I don’t really know what would be most practical for this application.

@crx78g

I think whatever the final decision is, its might be easiest to have a small FAQ at the start of the section

Not a problem. I’m working on the download page today, so I’ll begin implementing an FAQ.

@crx78g

• provide the fastners all together in one zip file, since they’re needed in almost all the assemblies etc.
• provide the hex standoffs sizes as individual files (instead of a configuration) in one zip file.

My only problem with using zip files is that if there is ever a new fastener model added, users will have to re-download the entire zip file as opposed to one sldprt file.

Remember, I don’t really know what would be the most convenient for this application. I’m more than willing to set up the models download page however we need to, but I need help to know how we need to set the page up.

[robli67-2]

I vote for Beths setup. So let’s deside on the files for hardware, misc stuff. Use configs or not. I can quickley change all of my stuff to single files not a problem.

[robli67-2]

Chris I am not sure what you have done for hardware and fasterners. But if no one else is offering. I will make all of the Bolts, screws, nuts, standoffs, threaded rod, other and post them to Beth.
What I would like first is a listing of the fasteners and what not that they are using. I can knock these off in the next day or so.

Let me know.

[snailkeeper]

Ok, I’ve made some changes to the model download page, and added some of the requested features (version number, FAQ)… (You may have to refresh the page.)

lynxmotion.com/ViewPage.aspx?ContentCode=sesmodel

If you hover your mouse over the tiny http://www.lynxmotion.com/images/jpg/thumbs/sesmodel/facey.gif and http://www.lynxmotion.com/images/jpg/thumbs/sesmodel/faceg.gif images, you’ll see who made each model. Please check the credits, as I did most of it by memory and may have made a mistake.

Yellow face means a beta version, green face means a checked non-beta version. Most of the models I made non-beta; again, if this is incorrect, let me know.

Anyway, this is what I’ve done so far… Feedback?

[crx78g]

All sounds great. I agree, go with Beth’s setup.

@Snailkeeper

My only problem with using zip files is that if there is ever a new fastener model added, users will have to re-download the entire zip file as opposed to one sldprt file.

Beth, good point, no zip files then, except maybe for things like Servo assemblies etc i.e. standalone 3rd party assemblies that have no shared parts?

@Robli67

So let’s deside on the files for hardware, misc stuff. Use configs or not.

Rob, let’s go with what you’ve done; individual files for fastners, configs for standoffs, tubing, rods etc.

@Robli67

Chris I am not sure what you have done for hardware and fasterners. But if no one else is offering. I will make all of the Bolts, screws, nuts, standoffs, threaded rod, other and post them to Beth.
What I would like first is a listing of the fasteners and what not that they are using. I can knock these off in the next day or so.

I’ve saved out individual files from the fastners toolkit, but haven’t really cleaned them up or named them correctly. It seems you already have a few, and as we’re going with no zip files, post what you’ve got so far. As for you modeling more, no objections here For the different fastner types, I’ve previously just looked through the SES assembly guides but maybe Jim or Beth are able to provide a list…

@SN96

I think for the naming convention, you should use Jim’s naming convention, such as ASB-16B as an example.

Yeah, it was mostly for those other bits and pieces. My concern was with assemblies listed with only 1 part # e.g. the ball link set has one part# BLS-03, but contains the socket, the ball and a shim. I realise they’re ordered as a set so no need for individual part #'s but for the models, each file has to have it’s own name.

Just for everyone’s info, currently I’m working on the HBK-02 chassis parts with the EH3A add-on deck in the pipeline. I’m kinda busy with real-world stuff at the moment (my sis is visiting from Australia ) but should have at least the chassis done by the weekend. If anyone’s in a big hurry for these, asking Jim to hand them on for someone else is no problem
And I wasn’t planning to build the chassis assembly until I could download Rob’s fastners and standoffs.

Cheers,

Chris

[crx78g]

Beth, page looks great so far, I like the yellow and green smileys

Chris

[robli67-2]

Chris - for any parts that Jim gets as asn assembly, like the links, I would name the assembly the number BLS-03, then name the parts that make up that assembly BLS-03-001, -002, -003. You get the idea. Then Beth can zip those files for easy download. This is a practise we do at this company for such parts.
Also, create some Custom Properties called ,
Description
Number

fill in those feilds with Lynxmotion information. This will come in handy as you learn about BOM in drawings and figuring out what you have in assemblies.
I screwed up I thought I had made the Alum tubes but I had downloaded them. So we will stay with those.

I was thinking the only real assemblies that I would worry about are the ones that they sell. As for the Robots them selfs. I would think that people would want to build their own assembly models to learn how things go together. I would say we should post what we build, but maybe have another section that are for people assemblies. Not the kits that are sold.
Just my thoughts.
I will work on the rest of the fasteners and get them to Beth ASAP.

[robli67-2]

After reviewing the Web page I see that there are a lot of other fasteners besides the ones in the kits. Should I name them the Lynxmotion names or have the file names be “4-40 X .500 LG SHCS”
With a common name like that it will be easy for people to find and biuld with than trying to remember the SHS-04.

Beth & Chris any thoughts.

[snailkeeper]

@robli67

Should I name them the Lynxmotion names or have the file names be “4-40 X .500 LG SHCS”
With a common name like that it will be easy for people to find and biuld with than trying to remember the SHS-04.

How about “4-40 X .500 LG SHCS (SHS-04)”? That way the part number and description are handy.

[robli67-2]

How about “4-40 X .500 LG SHCS (SHS-04)”? That way the part number and description are handy.

That will work great.

Beth could you get me the dimensions for the “L” Bracket for the Biped?

[crx78g]

Sorry for the late reply. Yep, what Beth said…

Chris

[nick_a]

Hey guys and Beth

after a bit of a hiatus ive come back to Lynxmotion and find some fellow modelers, and it seems we share the same lack of money which lead to the models in the first place. as i have no training on SW i would like to ask for a critique and any advice you more experienced guys have to offer.

on a side note, i have spoken with Jim over the new track system and hope to have these components modeled soon. the problem is, i have had some bad luck with the simulation function with previous track systems i have modeled. (mostly the drive gears hang on the track) Would either of you guys have any bit of insight

thanks
nick_a

P.S. Beth, i took some quick snaps for the missing pictures on model page. Where or who should i send them too?

[robli67-2]

Nick A,
Hello, and welcome back. I can answer almost any questions you might have about SW. But I am not that good at using the simulation function. We don’t use it much, here. We use sketches to drive motion, we have found that the simulation function works good for small projects. Personal I would not try to put the tracks in moition. Never mind that most people don’t have the computer power to get something like that to work.

[snailkeeper]

@Nick_A

P.S. Beth, i took some quick snaps for the missing pictures on model page. Where or who should i send them too?

Send 'em to me, please. webmaster (at) lynxmotion [dot] com.

[robli67-2]

Beth - I had sent you the images the other day. Did jim not pass them along? I know your were having server problems but I did get them to go to Jim.

[nick_a]

well now she has two copies and no excuses

Rob, im curious what your thought are on the models i did for Lynxmotion. as i said i have no training in SW and would like to know if i was on the right track or if certain things needed to or should have been done.

thanks
nick_a

[snailkeeper]

@robli67

Beth - I had sent you the images the other day. Did jim not pass them along? I know your were having server problems but I did get them to go to Jim.

Yes, I did receive them, sorry. I’ve been quite swamped. I’m working on the models page today; I’ll try to get everything sorted out.

[snailkeeper]

Oookay. Just did a big update to the models page. I have the majority of the models that I’ve received up, exeptions being some miscellaneous assemblies that I have to hunt for.

Please check to make sure I haven’t done anything silly, like forgot to change a link or completely mislabeled things. Not, of course, that I would do something like that.

I’ve zipped some of the hardware and lexan bits. Example: all of the 4-40 screws are in a zip file, and all of the lexan bits for the BT-03 are zipped.

A note on the assemblies: When you submit an assembly, please include a list of necessary components. I don’t know what your assembly needs unless you tell me.

Reply with feedback / comments / cookies / what-have-you.

[sn96]

Outstanding Beth!

I bet your fingers are numb with all that data entry.