Lock hinges/pistons/etc?

[Matt_In_Oz]

Hi again all

Quick question for the knowledgable... when you "lock" robotics parts such as hinges, pistons, and servos does it make them more rigid (ie: less floppy) or does it simply prevent them from being activated?

[AHHans]

Yes, locking a movable part does make it more rigid. Even better, the autostruts can traverse a locked part. So if you have an autostrut to root on a part behind a robotic part, then that autostrut will end at the robotic part if the robotic part is not locked, but will actually go to the root part of the vessel if said robotic part is locked.

[Matt_In_Oz]

24 minutes ago, AHHans said:

Yes, locking a movable part does make it more rigid. Even better, the autostruts can traverse a locked part. So if you have an autostrut to root on a part behind a robotic part, then that autostrut will end at the robotic part if the robotic part is not locked, but will actually go to the root part of the vessel if said robotic part is locked.

That makes things much easier. Thanks much.

[AHHans]

14 minutes ago, Matt_In_Oz said:

That makes things much easier.

Indeed! I used to add extra (radial-)decouplers with only some (manual-)struts to the movable parts to my crafts to tie down everything for launch. But that is not needed anymore. And autostruts being what they are, this now also works on my craft already in space. Happy times!