function get_aabb()
    global vac;
    global tip;
    global base;
    
    %% lets define an axis-aligned bounding box (AABB) gift wrapping the vacuum capsule
    vac.AABB(1:3,1) = [-vac.RB; -vac.RB; 0];
    vac.AABB(1:3,2) = [+vac.RB; -vac.RB; 0];
    vac.AABB(1:3,3) = [-vac.RB; +vac.RB; 0];
    vac.AABB(1:3,4) = [+vac.RB; +vac.RB; 0];
    vac.AABB(1:3,5) = [-vac.RB; -vac.RB; vac.HH];
    vac.AABB(1:3,6) = [+vac.RB; -vac.RB; vac.HH];
    vac.AABB(1:3,7) = [-vac.RB; +vac.RB; vac.HH];
    vac.AABB(1:3,8) = [+vac.RB; +vac.RB; vac.HH];
    vac.CENTER(1:3,1) = [mean(vac.AABB(1,:)); mean(vac.AABB(2,:)); mean(vac.AABB(3,:))];
    'Vacuum capsule AABB known'

    tip.AABB(1:3,1) = [-tip.RB; -tip.RB; 0];
    tip.AABB(1:3,2) = [+tip.RB; -tip.RB; 0];
    tip.AABB(1:3,3) = [-tip.RB; +tip.RB; 0];
    tip.AABB(1:3,4) = [+tip.RB; +tip.RB; 0];
    tip.AABB(1:3,5) = [-tip.RB; -tip.RB; tip.HH];
    tip.AABB(1:3,6) = [+tip.RB; -tip.RB; tip.HH];
    tip.AABB(1:3,7) = [-tip.RB; +tip.RB; tip.HH];
    tip.AABB(1:3,8) = [+tip.RB; +tip.RB; tip.HH];
    'Tip bulk volume AABB known'
    

end

