Connect U13 Parametric Pad for Cylinder

There's likely to be many different approaches to modelling the Pad by using a Variable applied as a Dimensional Constraint to an Arc, Cylinder, or Sphere to control R3.

Create the controlling Variable ‘R3’ in the Variables dialog ( Modelling > Constraints > Dimensional > Variables )

Place an arc or circle in the file to be driven by the variable and use the Constraint tools to control its position required.

Select the Dimension Element Constraint tool and select the element, position the dimension with a data point and select the Variable ‘R3’ from the popup list.

Once the Dimensional constraint ‘R3’ is applied, verify its working as required by adjusting the Variables ‘R3’ value

 ( Alternatively, use a Cylinder or Sphere using the Variable ‘R3’ in the Tool Settings at time of placement )

Here's an example showing how 'R3' could be used and steps taken

1. Created the variables R1,R2,R3 to match those of your image and gave them some default values
2. Created additional variables Thickness ( To control the thickness of the pad ) and Cylinder_Length ( Used to control the length of cylinder used in construction (2*R1))
3. Set Attributes to ‘Construction’ ( Used so can construction elements can be turned of later )
4. Placed a Line to be used as axis and added Dimensional Constraint ‘R3’ and Fixed constraints

5.  Placed a circle constrained to the top of the axis line using variable ‘R3’

 6. Using the Solid By Extrusion tool, extruded the circle in both directions to form a Cylinder from the Circle using the Variable ‘Cylinder_Length’

 7. Placed 2 circles and constrained to the axis line one using Variable R1 and the other using R2 ( Not sure if you wanted these to be variable )  

  8. Used the ‘Cut Solid with Curve’ tool to cut through the Cylinder using the Circle with ‘R2’

9.  Used the ‘Cut Solid with Curve’ tool ( Tool Setting Cut Method : Outside profile ) to cut through the Cylinder using Circle with ‘R1’

10.  Used ‘Associative Extraction’ tool ( Introduced in Update 14 as Tech Preview ) to extract required Surface

      ( Tool Setting Keep Association on and Face Offset 0 ).

      Once the face was extracted changed it a Primary element and turned off Construction Elements in the view

               Having got the Face required you can test the variables to control R3 ( As well as R1 & R2 in this instance ) and create required Variations.

11.  Used the ‘Thicken Surface’ tool using the variable ‘Thickness’ in the Tool Settings to allow adjustment later if required.

Others may be able to offer better alternative construction methods, or if you have an alternative solution please post for others benefit. Thanks.

Thanks, I'll show that to my 3D colleague. We use these pads quite often, too.

Thanks, I'll show that to my 3D colleague. We use these pads quite often, too.