I have a need to derive the dimensions of a prismatic approximation of non-prismatic components. That is, if I have a complicated assembly with all sorts of doodads and protrusions sticking out of it, I need to find a simple solid (ideally a rectangular prism) with the smallest dimensions required to fully contain the assembly. (I'm doing this in part to assist in managing volume allocations to subcontractors, if you're curious as to the "why".)
Is there some existing analysis that will provide the L, W, D dimensions of a prism like this? Or some way to program this into a user-defined analysis, etc.? I'd like it not to be a manual task, since there are so many parts to do, and my users are so resistant to doing anything like this if it requires more than a couple of steps.
Is there some existing analysis that will provide the L, W, D dimensions of a prism like this? Or some way to program this into a user-defined analysis, etc.? I'd like it not to be a manual task, since there are so many parts to do, and my users are so resistant to doing anything like this if it requires more than a couple of steps.