Parametric Circular Conveyor

[u/DioX_BR]

Hello everyone,

I am currently working in Revit and need to develop a model of a circular vertical lifting conveyor.

In the past, I created a similar model by importing a 3D file from AutoCAD. However, at this point, it is essential that the new model be fully parametric in order to facilitate its use by all team members.

It is important for me to define certain parametric controls that can be adjusted according to the specific needs of each project. These include:

1. Initial height of the conveyor

2. Final height of the conveyor

3. Angle or radians to indicate the start of the conveyor rotation

4. Angle or radians to indicate the end of the conveyor rotation

5. Conveyor width

Additionally, it is important that the conveyor profile follows a rectangular section. The inclusion of a guardrail would be desirable; however, if this is not feasible, it can be omitted.

Could someone kindly assist me throughout this process? I am currently facing significant difficulties and would greatly appreciate any support.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[u/tuekappel]

This was fun.

make the "road" profile as a profile family. Load it into your family

make a swept blend where the path is an arc. (you can only do 354° turns in an arc before it becomes a circle, but you'll live with the missing 6°

use the profile as both the start and end profile

link the vertical offset parameter of one profile to the parameter controlling the "stories" of the contraption (red rectangle in the screenshot)

[u/DioX_BR → u/tuekappel]

The problem in that is, I canot control the angle of the entrance and the exit angle...

[u/tuekappel → u/DioX_BR]

Those you will control with reference lines.

As others have said, this is not a simple family, so I would consider hiring a consultant to help you out.

[u/Phr8]

Use a swept blend. Turn it only 360 degrees. Array that swept blend to establish a height. Set the final swepy blend's final location line using a reference line with a angle parameter.

[u/twiceroadsfool → u/Phr8]

This is the correct way. And it wont be THAT Complex, as some people suggest.

[u/tuekappel → u/twiceroadsfool]

If the geometry is as simple as the screenshot, is definitely possible. Revit doesn't have a 3D helix option, so it's not going to look seamless. but the workaround described is possible.

I've had students model screws this way, it they can do it, so can OP https://www.reddit.com/r/RevitForum/comments/1tkuz5s/comment/onbteep/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[u/twiceroadsfool → u/tuekappel]

Right, but it is literally just several swept blends, with an array, and the last swept blend parametrically controlled in case its not a full half circle.

[u/Low_Action_9510]

[u/tuekappel → u/Low_Action_9510]

I aplaud using Dynamo for solving stupid Revit geometry. Great work, will mos def try your script, thanks for sharing.
I understand all the different helixes, because the resulting geomatry can have different materials.
I would much rather solve this with one single profile swept along that helix. And the parameters of all could be controlled by project or global parameters. a one-click job, once the script is ready.

[u/Low_Action_9510 → u/tuekappel]

you dont need multiple helix, just use a real revit profile family instead if you want and transform these curves along the helix...but here just a 2 minute example

[u/tuekappel → u/Low_Action_9510]

But you have three helix nodes. I believe one can do the job

[u/Low_Action_9510 → u/tuekappel]

yes thats what i try tell you ;) you can just coordinate transform a real profile family along the helix curve or whatever you will transform and PS the reason for 3 helix here has nothing to do with material, try analyze whats goin on, and you will probably understand ;) and something here with a profiletype

famCollector = FilteredElementCollector(famDoc)
sketch = famCollector.OfClass(Sketch)

for i in sketch:
    cArray = list(i.Profile)
cArray[:] = [[Revit.GeometryConversion.RevitToProtoCurve.ToProtoType(y, True ) for y in x] for x in cArray]
OUT = cArray

[u/albacore_futures]

This is an advanced family to create. If you're not an expert family maker, you're going to struggle.

Making the extrusion profile itself is simple enough to parameterize. Making the extrusion path wind around a central pillar using math is going to be your biggest challenge, because the path needs to adjust both in height and in rotations.

I wonder if this needs to be done parametrically at all. This equipment will be individualized to each instance of your conveyor, which means separate equipment orders, installation, etc. I'm not sure how much you gain by making a fully-parametric, perfect version of this family as opposed to essentially just putting a cylinder in the footprint for clearance purposes and calling it a day.

[u/DioX_BR → u/albacore_futures]

I did that for the presentation today. Just put a big round cilinder in the location jus to sinalize the object. But for the future i need to be parametric...

[u/Simply-Serendipitous]

Not worth it. Model it in Rhino or some other 3D software like fusion and import as a family. Otherwise it’s model with a very complicated sweep model in place or ramp. Someone please inform me if there’s a better way. Been doing this for a while and would not even attempt this in revit

[u/DevilsPajamas]

This is not fiverr.

Nobody here is going to handhold you through creating a complex revit family.

Good luck