3D Measuring

[rgsparber]

Have you ever needed to measure in 3D where accuracy was important but the actual numbers were not? I was faced with this recently. I needed to capture a 3D space in order to make a part but was out at a storage facility, far from my workshop. This article demonstrates how I solved the problem.

If you are interested, please see

http://rick.sparber.org/R3DM.pdf


Your comments are welcome. All of us are smarter than any one of us.


Thanks,

Rick

rgsparber.ya@gmail.com
Rick.Sparber.org
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rgsparber1
KG7MQL

[mklotz]

I've occasionally adopted the cabinetmakers' "story stick" approach to capturing dimensions but I've never thought of doing it in three dimensions. Good idea, indeed. Of course, here in the LA suburbs, we don't see a lot of soft iron baling wire. Nevertheless, there's plenty of florists' iron wire - smaller gauge but that makes it usable for smaller tasks - and copper house wiring scraps.

[kngtek]

Hi Rick,

Brilliant idea!
Another option (to avoid having to rely on either the existing plastic post or catches at all) would be to fabricate two supplementary U-shaped metal brackets together with a new U-shaped metal wire post (similar to your existing design).

One new supplementary bracket would be installed under each existing catch using the existing mounting screws (one under the trailer body catch and one under the door catch). Each supplementary bracket would mimic the shape of the trailer body bracket i.e. be U-shaped with two ears sticking out slightly beyond the existing catches at a right angle to the base. A hole in each ear would allow each U-end of the new metal wire post to be inserted into the two mating supplementary bracket ears at each end - and be held in place by a tight sliding friction fit.

Gary (kngtek)
Calgary, AB Canada

[rgsparber]

Gary,

Although not mentioned in the article, modifying the trailer was not an option. However, your approach does sound like a great idea.

Rick

[rgsparber]

I've occasionally adopted the cabinetmakers' "story stick" approach to capturing dimensions but I've never thought of doing it in three dimensions. Good idea, indeed. Of course, here in the LA suburbs, we don't see a lot of soft iron baling wire. Nevertheless, there's plenty of florists' iron wire - smaller gauge but that makes it usable for smaller tasks - and copper house wiring scraps.

Do you have any metal coat hangers?

Rick

[Toolmaker51]

3D'ed indeed. It verifies fitting and/or attachment issues before investing time or material. Far as a shock absorber goes, surgical tubing should offer good resistance once a correct length is determined. The resulting wire is nicely formed. I wonder if a coil wound [or spliced in] near the middle would provide the action needed.

[rgsparber]

Toolmaker51,

My fear is that a gust of wind would tear the attachment bar off of the trailer wall so a mechanical fuse would be preferred to a shock absorber. It would be ok if the door slammed shut as long as no damage resulted.

Rick

[DIYer]

Thanks Rick! We've added your 3D Measurement Method to our Measuring and Marking category, as well as to your builder page: Rick's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

3D Measurement Method by Rick Sparber

tags: measurement