L-Bracket

L-brackets are fundamental structural components. This recipe shows how to build one from two plates with mounting holes.

The Pattern

Build the bracket from two overlapping cubes (union), then subtract holes:

use vcad::{centered_cube, centered_cylinder};

// Vertical plate
let vertical = centered_cube("v", 40.0, 5.0, 50.0)
    .translate(0.0, 0.0, 25.0);

// Horizontal plate
let horizontal = centered_cube("h", 40.0, 30.0, 5.0)
    .translate(0.0, 12.5, 2.5);

// Combine into L shape
let bracket = vertical + horizontal;

// Add mounting holes
let hole = centered_cylinder("hole", 2.5, 20.0, 24);
let mount_holes = hole
    .rotate(90.0, 0.0, 0.0)
    .linear_pattern(20.0, 0.0, 0.0, 2)
    .translate(-10.0, 0.0, 35.0);

let result = bracket - mount_holes;

Step by Step

1. Create the vertical plate

let vertical = centered_cube("v", 40.0, 5.0, 50.0)
    .translate(0.0, 0.0, 25.0);

We create a centered cube and translate it up so its bottom is at Z=0.

2. Create the horizontal plate

let horizontal = centered_cube("h", 40.0, 30.0, 5.0)
    .translate(0.0, 12.5, 2.5);

Position it to sit at the base and extend forward.

3. Union the plates

let bracket = vertical + horizontal;

The boolean union creates a single solid where the plates overlap.

4. Create rotated mounting holes

let hole = centered_cylinder("hole", 2.5, 20.0, 24);
let mount_holes = hole
    .rotate(90.0, 0.0, 0.0)  // Rotate to horizontal (through Y)
    .linear_pattern(20.0, 0.0, 0.0, 2)
    .translate(-10.0, 0.0, 35.0);

5. Subtract the holes

let result = bracket - mount_holes;

Variations

Gusseted bracket

Add triangular reinforcement:

use vcad::Part;

// Simple gusset approximation using a rotated cube
let gusset = centered_cube("gusset", 4.0, 20.0, 20.0)
    .rotate(0.0, 45.0, 0.0)
    .translate(0.0, 5.0, 10.0);

let reinforced = bracket + gusset - mount_holes;

Symmetric bracket

Create both sides using mirror:

let half = centered_cube("arm", 40.0, 10.0, 5.0)
    .translate(25.0, 0.0, 0.0);
let symmetric = &half + &half.mirror_x();

Slotted holes

For adjustment slots, use elongated holes:

let slot = centered_cube("slot", 10.0, 5.0, 20.0)
    .rotate(90.0, 0.0, 0.0)
    .translate(0.0, 0.0, 35.0);

// Round the ends with half-cylinders
let end1 = centered_cylinder("end", 2.5, 20.0, 24)
    .rotate(90.0, 0.0, 0.0)
    .translate(-5.0, 0.0, 35.0);
let end2 = end1.translate(10.0, 0.0, 0.0);

let slotted_hole = slot + end1 + end2;

Complete Parametric Version

use vcad::{centered_cube, centered_cylinder, Part};

fn l_bracket(
    width: f64,
    vertical_height: f64,
    horizontal_depth: f64,
    thickness: f64,
    hole_dia: f64,
) -> Part {
    // Vertical plate
    let vertical = centered_cube("v", width, thickness, vertical_height)
        .translate(0.0, 0.0, vertical_height / 2.0);

    // Horizontal plate (extends from vertical plate)
    let horizontal = centered_cube("h", width, horizontal_depth, thickness)
        .translate(0.0, (horizontal_depth - thickness) / 2.0, thickness / 2.0);

    let bracket = vertical + horizontal;

    // Mounting holes through vertical plate
    let hole = centered_cylinder("hole", hole_dia / 2.0, thickness + 10.0, 24);
    let holes = hole
        .rotate(90.0, 0.0, 0.0)
        .linear_pattern(width - 20.0, 0.0, 0.0, 2)
        .translate(-(width - 20.0) / 2.0, 0.0, vertical_height * 0.7);

    bracket - holes
}

fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
    let part = l_bracket(40.0, 50.0, 30.0, 5.0, 5.0);
    part.write_stl("bracket.stl")?;
    Ok(())
}