1. Input Data

ID:

Any strings. (Leave it blank if you don't need whiffletree ID.)

This will be used to show each whiffletree ID.

Number of Loading Point:

Whole number only.

Enter number of items (lowest level of loading points).

Loading Direction:

Select loading direction from X, Y, and Z.

Warning Length:

Any numbers.

Warning message will appear if whiffletree length (either side) becomes less than specified value.

Factors:

Any numbers separated by "*".

This will be a factor to be multiplied into the weight when making whiffletree.

You can input more than one factor separated by "*".

For example, entering "2" means output load will be weight x 2.

For example, entering "2*1.15" (literally means 2 times 1.15) means output load will be weight x 2 x 1.15.

You can enter as many factors as you want separated by "*".

The above example shows 3 x 1.15 x 1.1 (which gives you overall factor 3.795).

Space:

Select space from 3, 4, and 5.

This is an initial space of items shown in whiffletree diagram.

Input Dialog:

Select either "Up-left" or "Center".

This is a location of Input Dialog box when making whiffletree.

Recommended value is "Up-left".

Catia Scale:

Any numbers.

The value is used to scale the dimensions when output to Catia.

Unit L:

Any strings.

Specified unit will appear in whiffletree diagram for length.

Unit W:

Any strings.

Specified unit will appear in whiffletree diagram for weight.

Decimal L:

Select one from 0, 1, 2, and 3.

This will be a significant digit for length shown in whiffletree diagram.

Decimal W:

Select one from 0, 1, 2, and 3.

This will be a significant digit for weight shown in whiffletree diagram.

2. Making Whiffletree

You will be using the following buttons.

1. Enter items, weight, and locations.

You need to fill out yellow cells only.

ID:

Must start from 1 and increased by 1.

The last ID should be equal to "Number of Loading Point" in the top input field.

Name:

Enter description of items.

Weight:

Enter weight of items.

X, Y, Z:

Enter location of items.

Dimensions same as "Loading Direction" in the top input field may not be left blank.

2. Click "Start/Start over"

You will see the first level of whiffletree is drawn as well as "Load" in the table.

3. Click "Whiffletree" or "Multi-Whiffletree"

"Whiffletree" is just to make one whiffletree connection.

"Multi-Whiffletree" is to repeat "Whiffletree" until all whiffletrees are complete or use cancel it without clicking "Whiffletree" for each connection.

In the dialog box, enter the first ID. In this example, we will connect ID=2 and ID=3.

Then, enter the second ID.

Table and Whiffletree Diagram will be updated.

You see new ID=8.

4. Repeat the same process until all whiffletrees are connected.

5. Once all whiffletrees are connected, you will be asked if you want to complete the whiffletree.

Clicking "Yes" finalize the whiffletree.

If you click "No", then you can do the same thing later by clicking "Finish/Update".

6. You can modify the whiffletree.

After completing whiffletree, you can change the followings:

Weight

Factors

In this example, we modify the Structure weight (ID=1) from 250.00 to 300.00.

Once you change it, click "Modify".

Program automatically asks you if you want to update the Whiffletree (Click "Yes" is recommended.).

Then, Table and Whiffletree Diagram will be updated.

3. Clear and Clear All

1. "Clear" means you clear everything except for initial loading items.

First-level items will not be cleared.

2. "Clear All" means everything will be erased. (Confirmation dialog will appear.)

Everything (except for top input field) will be cleared.

4. Using ID

The "ID" button toggles ID on and off on the whiffletree diagram.

This ID will be used.

ID will appear.

5. Using Material Function

1. Enter material data first. Click "Data" to go to material data entry page.

Data entry page:

Entering "D" and "F_max" will calculate P_max.

Entering "Iyy", "c", and "F_max" will calculate M_max.

Choose "x" if the material is available.

2. Click "Material" and available rod and beam will be displayed in whiffletree diagram.

Material will be chosen for rod and beam from weakest material to the strongest material.

If no "x" mark is chosen for a particular material in data, the material will not be used and never appear in the whiffletree diagram.

If there is no material that meets strength requirement, it will be displayed like this:

Material will be displayed.

3. Check load and bending moment.

When "Material" is toggled, you see "MT" button (usually the button appears as "Data").

"MT" means moment or bending moment in whiffletree beam.

Clicking "MT" will show load and bending moment in the diagram.

Bending moment in the beam.

Once clicking "MT" button, the button becomes back to "Data" button.

6. Export to Catia

1. Enter Rod

Click Rod to change the whiffletree diagram to edit mode.

Rod length appear in reds as well as X (or Y or Z, depending on the selected loading direction) appear in blue.

2. Enter rod length in the very first level.

A. Directly enter rod length (without units) in the diagram.

B. Enter rod length so that X dimensions are the same between the connected rods. (Don't enter X values, see the next step.)

Enter rod length directly in the diagram.

8.79 = 618.47 + 20 - 629.68

3. Click "Edit/Update Tree"

Diagram will be updated with new X dimensions.

4. Repeat it for the 2nd level, 3rd level, and so on.

5. Click "Check" when all rods length up to the highest level are complete.

If everything is good, then, you will see the following diagram and Catia button will be activated.

Otherwise, you will see such a message. Check the rod length.

6. Open "Catia Part" in Catia.

7. Click Catia.

8. Whiffletree geometry data is created in the Catia Part by points and lines.