Custom Fastener Assembly Configuration (8020)

[Dikuza]

Hey all,

Sorry if this has already been answered somewhere but I've done a good amount of research and haven't found a good solution.

I have a large assembly of 8020 aluminum extrusions and am looking for an easy way to quickly add all the necessary fasteners (screws and slider nuts), of which I've downloaded as STEP files from 3D ContentCentral. I've looked through the Fastener Assembly Configurations and am still confused on how to add my own into this. Preferably, I would like to be able to click the surface of the part with bolt holes, select the screw and nut, and have them automatically be mated into the assembly. I know this is a bit different since I'm using 8020, so the nut isn't exactly entirely flush with the back side of the stack. Has anyone done this?

I am using NX8.5, any help is much appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[Dikuza]

Or at least is there a way to quickly constrain multiple nuts to their corresponding bolts such that they are fully constrained?

In CREO, there is a "repeat" constraint tool in which you can select which constraints you want constant and which you want changed.
For example, to fully constrain a bolt in a hole requires 3 constraints:

1. Coincident axes
2. Coincident face
3. Parallel face

Given a plate with several holes, the CREO tool can remember the Coincident Face and Parallel Face constraints. All you have to do at this point, is "Repeat" the axis constraint by quickly clicking on every hole's axis.

This is similar to NX's "Remember Assembly Constraints," which however, still requires all three constraints be applied on the assembly level (it remembers the faces on the part, not assembly)So basically, NX requires 3 clicks where CREO requires 1.

Anything to speed this up process? I have hundreds of fasteners and Component Arrays do not fully constrain them. I could fix them after doing making a Component Array, but then if the holes every change/move, the bolts/notes won't move with them.

 

[cmacca]

Unfortunately you are not using using nx9 or higher. There is a new component array command that can array a single fastener stack to all holes created in a part where the holes have been created by one hole feature. It only requires a few clicks and all fasteners are fully constrained to all the holes. If you are able I would recommend upgrading.

NX 9.0.3.4 mp12, TC 10.1