Link parameters
- Step/stringboard links
- Step/newel post links
- Newel post/stringboard links
- Newel post/handrail links
- Stringboard to stringboard links
- Banister links
Link parameters describe the way the parts are assembled to each other.
As normal in StairDesigner’s parameters, you can modify the stair globally or select individual parts and edit any link that is applicable to that part.
Here are the global link parameters with the whole stair selected:
Here are the available link parameters for a single stringboard, in this case its link to the steps and to the upper stringboard.
Step/stringboard links
Here we look at the assembly between steps and strings, in other words how the steps and risers are housed within the stringboards.
You can adjust the depth of the groove within the strings, independently modify steps and risers, even create step cut outs to create a tenon joint.
Below we’ve clicked outside the stair design to view parameters for the whole stair.
Then go to Properties menu > Link parameters > Step/stringboard links:
Available parameters:
- Mode:
- Penetration: the step extends into the stringboard
- Recess; the step is set away from the stringboard
- Front/rear/upper/lower recesses (Penetration mode only): step recesses in these directions apply just to the element of the step housed within the stringboard
Although not typically used, below and for illustration we have the front, rear, upper and lower step recesses all applied to create a mortise and tenon effect:
To continue, riser parameters include:
- Mode:
- Penetration: as above for steps; extra option ‘Perpendicular penetration’ Yes/No, see below
- Recess: as above for steps
- Wedging, also see below
Riser perpendicular penetration
When set to No, the riser will remain straight. This does not affect the stringboard machining, only the riser shape (left side of image below).
When set to Yes, the riser will create a perpendicular connection to the stringboard (see right side of the image). CNC machining will provide the possibility to bevel the riser face to fit properly.
Wedging
Wedging is a specialist link parameter feature that extends the step and riser housing to the edge of the stringboard at a pre-defined angle.
Normally you would apply this to the step but you can add it to the risers as well if required.
Wedges are used extensively in some countries to create a very strong joint and are particularly helpful for assembly of a stair on site that sits between two walls.
When activated, the housing is visible in the Stringboard display mode (but not in the 3D view):
Note that the angle of the housing as it extends behind the step and below the riser can be modified as well. These angles can be changed independently.
Generally speaking, the thinner the wedge the better the holding power.
Step/newel post links
Now let’s take a look at the link between the steps and risers, and the newel posts.
We can see two steps and their risers penetrating into the corner newel.
Although rarely used, it’s possible to select Recess instead of Penetration.
The front/rear/upper/lower recesses can be used to create a mortise/tenon effect where the step penetrates the newel post.
Newel post/stringboard links
The penetration of the stringboard into the newel post is shown below.
Note that we have a single lateral recess value.
The upper/lower/lateral parameters are commonly used to create a mortise/tenon assembly, and are only accessible when a penetration value is set.
Newel post/handrail links
Very similar to newel post to stringboard links, we can set a penetration and if applied, set upper, lower and lateral recesses as required:
Stringboard to stringboard links
We can also adjust the assembly details between two adjacent stringboards.
We have a Priority option which allows us to determine which stringboard has priority or overlaps the other. The upper stringboard has priority in the image above.
Alternatively, we can select a mitre joint:
Note, when modifying a single stringboard link, the options are the same but worded differently:
- Overpassing = priority to selected stringboard
- Underpassing = priority to adjacent stringboard
Banister links
The assembly between the banisters and the handrail and also between the banisters and the stringboard can be adjusted to your preferences. We will look at both these link parameters together:
- Banister/handrails links
- Banister/stringboard links
In both cases we can set a penetration depth.
There are three different options for the machining or chamfer associated with the penetration.
- Perpendicular with 1 chamfer: the banister penetrates on one side only
- Perpendicular with 2 chamfers: the banister penetrates on both sides, this is the most common setup in stair building
- Vertical: no chamfer, this is commonly used for metal rods instead of banisters
As usual, you can adjust all banisters at once, or select a single banister and edit just that.
