SLS:compacting many items into small volume

Hi,

Working on a file with many, many small objects. Like rice in a box, but then ricegrains in different sizes!

Is there a tool/function in Rhino/Max/Grasshopper that separates all this small individual pieces on ± 2 mm. distance from each other for a very compact but not connected SLS volume.

Thanks,

Rickenbilly

regards,

ton

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Comment by Rickenbilly on August 14, 2010 at 10:39am: Hi all! I have tried Rhino 'nest' and woks quite good for me. Thanks for the advises.

R.

Comment by taz on August 3, 2010 at 4:53pm: For different sized sphere radii:

http://tobesch.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/sphere-packing-in-grasshopper/

http://object-e.net/?p=568

Comment by taz on August 3, 2010 at 4:45pm: Some type of sphere packing might be the easiest solution.

Create a dense packing of spheres based on the "size" of your largest piece (say bounding box + 1 mm offset) and use GH to translate all your pieces into the packing configuration.

Comment by Rickenbilly on August 3, 2010 at 2:38pm: Hi Nils,

Unfortunally all objects are different. For lowering the cost of SLS-ing I am lloking for a way to put the items as compact as possible 'in the box' . What I am looking for is a kind of + to + magnet to keeps items separated minimal 2 mm. of ech other but as close as it can be! Would it not be great to have this done with the software automaticly. Looking forward for a respones. Thanks and have a nice day.