Configure a hole wizard feature

[Adrian2]

Dear Folks;

Can I configure a hole wizard feature in SW2012 ?

That is, if I have a part with a 1-1/2" NPT pipe thread made by the hole wizard, can I configure it to 1/2", 3/4" or 1" NPT ?

That way I can cycle through the sizes without having to redefine or configure mates for parts such as pipe nipples connected to it in the assembly.

Many Thanks in advance for your consideration

Adrian Dunevein
AAA Drafting Services

http://www.aaadrafting.com

 

[Updraft]

Easiest way to find the answer is to try it. Make a second configuration and try to change it there.

 

[Adrian2]

Yeah I already have valves and fittings and all sorts of wonderful plumbing stuff with separate configurations for NPT size

But every time I swap one out in an assembly for a different size the mates have to be reconfigured for the new size

The thing is the geometry doesnt change for a tapped hole, just the dimensions. Yet the hole wizard creates the feature like its something totally new with each size.

I could fix this by making my own feature and configuring the dimensions and forgetting about the hole wizard, but I just wondered if I was just being dumb and not noticing something obvious

I could also use routing but thats a top down methodology which is not conducive to quick revisions due to customers who cant always make up their minds

Adrian Dunevein
AAA Drafting Services

http://www.aaadrafting.com

 

[samuelm]

Adrian,

Maybe someone will prove me wrong and I would welcome it but yes this is what I call "genetic difference". Even though Two fittings may have the same features except say thread size Solidworks is not able to equate a particular mating feature to the appropriate features in the swapped part. I had the same issue but mine was applied to fasteners i.e. socket cap screws. My solution although tedious was create a common ancestor for all my fasteners. The common ancestor is a model that is copied to create the next fastener I need. The trick is to create features that can be reconfigured for the other sizes. Doing this allows solidworks to seamlessly convert the mating relationships to the swapped file since the that model is "genetically" identical to the one being replaced.

Hope this makes sense.


Samuel