Can I use Equations in a Solidworks Assembly to Create Part Instances

[norseman83]

I am trying to create an assembly where I have to create more internal parts (ribs) in a assembly (door Panels) as the panels widen. I have used equations for dimentions and mates, but I haven't been able to generate part instances within an assembly using equations. Is this possible, or am I stuck creating configurations (and multiple linear patterns) for very possible door width?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You don't have to create multiple configs! In your part with the ribs, create an equation (or DT) which adjusts the linear pattern according to the parts length.
In the assy, In-context the parts length to a driving feature. Actually if you create a driving "skeleton" or "layout" sketch in the assy, it is often easier to use when manipulating subsequent parts.
Using this method though will change any associated drawings of the part with the ribs.

 

[Stoker]

Insert, Component Pattern, Feature Driven

 

[Stoker]

To expand on this, use equations/configurations to drive a feature pattern in the door panel and then derive a component pattern based on the door panel feature pattern.

 

[APPENG]

NOrse,

Certainly you can use equations to drive instances in the assembly. I do this all the time both in components and assemblies.

What you need to do is create an equation that sets the number of instance by whatever formula you may use whatever dimensions in the assembly that you need or you can create reference dims to help you. but the equation would look something line

"D1@LocalLPattern1" = "D1@Extrude1@partname.Part" / 60

fill in what you want to drive D1@locaLPattern though..

Hope that helps



Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[norseman83]

Thanks everyone for your ideas. They are helping out alot. I tried the feature driven component pattern and it works, but am having trouble locating the ribs, by putting together a phantom sketch, since the door panels have no features on them. I would really apreciate more help on those areas. Appeng, if I understand you correctly, the equation is basically: #of ribs = width of door panel/60 (or in my case divided by 6). Is this correct? If so, (I may be a total blundring idiot but I have to ask anyways) this gives me the total number of instances of ribs, but how do i locate (mate) them on the door panel from this equation? Thanks all for your help on this!

 

[J-C]

You only fully mate the original rib. The patterned ribs follow remain relative to it based on the equation value.

Jason Capriotti
Smith & Nephew, Inc.

 

[norseman83]

I realize I must fully mate the original rib, and that with the equation, the number of instances is created. My question then is how do I get that equation into the # of instance area in a component pattern? This is what I've done so far:
I created a new equation called # of Ribs.
I set that equal to the width (dimension) of the door panel, and divided by 6.

Now, how do I call up the '# of Ribs' equation in a component pattern? Or do I use something else? Thanks again for your help!

 

[CMcF]

Start a new equation, then-

Double click your component pattern in feature manager, and look carfully for the text that shows the number instances. (it will be near the seed component).

Click this text and it will automatically be inserted into the quation dialogue. then you can insert/type the rest of the equation.

Colin.

 

[APPENG]

Norse.

Yes that is exactly it, and no you are not an id-10-t. These things just happen and sometimes its god to get an outside perspective.

You can drive the the # of instances with a the length/6 and that is it for the instances. You can also control the spacing dimension within the pattern as well which would require two equations then. for example:

N_INSTANCES = LENGTH / 6
DISTANCE = LENGTH / (N_INSTANCES-1)

You need not worry about the "length/6" being and integer because solidworks will round the number off to the nearest integer. so if you had a value 3.333 SWX will treat that as 3 instances, 3.5635 will yeild 4 instances and the like.

Hope that helps


Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[norseman83]

I think I got it!!! I double clicked the # of instances dimension, from the component pattern, and I linked that dimension with the # of ribs equation I made earlier. But, it only works with the original length. I tried to narrow the door panel, and the number of instances stayed the same. I must have to suppress the extra part (rib) instances.

 

[norseman83]

Sorry, I figured out what I did wrong. The # of instances now change with the width of the door panels. Thank you all so much for all your help with this!!!

 

[APPENG]

Best of Luck Norse,

Sound at least like you are on the right path!



Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com