Beginner, Modeling, Product design, Tutorials

Modeling cinch connector

You will learn how to easily and fast a 3d model of cinch connector in Rhinoceros in this quick help.
I have left out some parts and details, so you can try that out by yourself.

Resources

cinch_connector.pdf

STEP 1

Ok, lets begin. First, using circle command you make one circle with center in origin of coordinate system (that is 0,0). Start in Right viewport. As I usually use my slide rule tool to measure dimension, I have my round measures in diameter, not radius. So, when you clicked where the center of circle will be, next you need to specify in command line that you want to input Diameter (you can, of course, divide my diameter by two, and input radius, if you feel like doing more work). Now, input our first diameter, so type in command line 3mm (that is 1.5mm radius in case you were wondering). Note that I used millimeters, so one box in grid is one millimeter.

Next, we need another circle, with the center positioned like the last circle, but bigger diameter. So, start circle command, type in 11.5mm and hit enter.

Next, we need the third circle, that one will be the same diameter as last one (11.5mm) but we will move it by 15mm right looking from Front or Top viewport. Using copy and past commands you can copy that circle, and using move command, you can move it by 15mm. Now, another circle, just 3mm to the right from the last one, and make that circle 7.4mm in diameter. Copy that circle, and move it to the right by, again, 15mm. Now, copy the first circle (the one with 3mm diameter) and move it right so its center is in the same place as the last circle (that is 33,0). You should have a series of circles like on the image below:

Now, using Loft command, start clicking on circles the same order as we created them. When prompted with loft options, select from drop down menu Straight sections, and click on Closed Loft check box. That should make you a base model like on the image below:

STEP 2

In this step we will be making some details. So lets start from the right side.

First, create in Right viewport a rectangle 1mm high, and make it longer than the smaller diameter part.

Move that rectangle by 2 mm left, and position it in the middle of our base model:

Next, create another rectangle, and position it like on the image (here you will find very useful snap turned on, and in osnap End property.

Copy that rectangle, and move left by 2mm. So there is 1mm between each rectangle. Keep doing this step until you have six of them. Then, you have to mirror them according to the middle of your base model. Check the image below:

Now,using ExtrudeCrv command extrude those rectangles so they go outside of your base model. Make sure you have Both sides to Yes, and Cap to No.

We will use that extruded rectangles to trim our base model. So, using trim command, trim off outside of your rectangles (easier if you do it from Top Viewport), and base model too (easier from Front viewport - look the image below, where the red dots are, you need to click [while in trim command of course]).

Using FilletEdge command, fillet the upper left edge of our base model. Set the fillet radius to 0.3mm. You should have something like on the image below:

Pages: 1 2

Commands: Arc, Circle, Copy, ExtrudeCrv, FilletEdge, Hide, Join, Loft, Mirror, Move, Paste, Polyline, Rectangle, Show, Split, Sweep2, Trim

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm and is filed under Beginner, Modeling, Product design, Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

COMMENTS

Comments RSS 2.0 feed.

7 Responses to “Modeling cinch connector

Rich Says:
April 21st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Nice tutorial, what about the 4 finger grips?
Ivan Vuzem Says:
April 21st, 2008 at 6:32 pm
thanks. Yeah, I’ve been meaning to make a tutorial for that as well, as one of the visitors requested it. But you will notice that I usually leave some parts out, just so you can try something on your own. After all, you will learn much more if you go and discover things on your own…
leyla Says:
May 10th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
hi.
how can i do the last sweep2 comment?> to close the cap between inner and outer surfaces?bcz i cant draw a line between them so sweep2 isnt working thanks
Ivan Vuzem Says:
May 10th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
if you are referring to “Using Sweep2 command, fill the gap between the inner and outer cylinder and two polar arrayed parts.” then you actually don’t need any lines. You already have those 4 parts that we arrayed polar, and two tube surfaces. All you need is their edges.
Wagner Lip Says:
May 11th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Indeed good hints and tips.

You give me inspiration to try my own RCA jack male plug.

Several work was doing differently, but the result is astonishing, thank you for the push.

I don’t know why, but TRIM doesn’t work as it should. For all the “escavations” I use [Solid, Difference] when the second solid disappear leaving the “difference”, it works anyway.

You can see pictures at http://www.ustr.net/rhino

I wonder how can I make reflections with Rhino, as for example one RCA jack appears reflected at the shinning metalic grounding at another jack, or at the base surface (as you did).

cheers, thank you.

Wagner
Peter Says:
March 27th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Nice tutorial. I just started using Rhinoceros (have used it for about 2 hours so far) and I feel that I am slowly picking it up.

Just one question. For step 3, I cant seem to get the Sweep1 command to work for me. What lines do I have to select on the extruded cylender and what values should I enter at the Sweep1 prompt?

Thanks.
Ivan Vuzem Says:
March 27th, 2009 at 10:45 am
well you must use that arc profile curve and “drive” it on the circle. But, you could also create sphere in the center of that curve, and then split the sphere in half…