How to lock robotic parts

[sreinmann]

I have built a space station with robotic hinges, pistons, and servos to extend and position solar panel trusses (and other parts) that were stowed for launch (and future travel).  However the parts continue to flex and migrate from their set position and I’m worried about Krackeneffects. 
 

how can I lock robotic parts and once locked can they be unwelded to restore later?

[swjr-swis]

On 7/29/2021 at 11:06 PM, sreinmann said:

how can I lock robotic parts and once locked can they be unwelded to restore later?

Right-clicking on the robotic part brings up the Part Action Window (PAW). You have to look carefully, cause there are a lot of buttons and sliders, but one of the buttons is labeled 'locked', and will toggle between locked and unlocked state.

Bear in mind that there is a known bug with robotics parts slowly drifting off their locked state, apparently when starting/stopping time warp near the craft (not sure if also when loading a craft). Locking doesn't help this.

[maddog59]

On 7/29/2021 at 3:06 PM, sreinmann said:

how can I lock robotic parts and once locked can they be unwelded to restore later?

You may want to consider creating one or more action groups that include the 'Toggle Lock' function for each of the parts of interest. That way, if you come back to the station and find that they've unlocked (per @swjr-swis' answer), you can easily re-lock them. 

 

[ave369]

I prefer to strut them fast. After the station is deployed, these struts can be recovered by an engineer and re-used to fix the station's final shape and prevent noodling.

[khafhji]

On 8/10/2021 at 12:13 AM, swjr-swis said:

but one of the buttons is labeled 'locked',

I dont see that button

[swjr-swis]

15 hours ago, khafhji said:

I dont see that button

 

Quick-slapped four different robotics parts on a pod to test. The locked button is in the red squares:

 

You may need to enable 'advanced tweakables' in your game settings to see them.