Fast placement of duplicate adjustable parts in assembly

[NZMark]

Dear All,

I am looking for a way to quickly duplicate (copy) adjustable part instances in an assembly.

As a concrete example of my problem, I am trying to assemble a simple box frame (with adjustable height, width, depth) using multiple instances of a single adjustable part (a profile with square cross section and adjustable length).

I have not found a procedure to create a set of duplicate parts (e.g. the vertical "pillars") with a linked value for the adjustable length.

"Move/Copy Multiple Parts" and "Mirror Components" both don't seem to do what I need (copied part has a fixed displacement, and mirror components needs assembly planes, but then these need to be associatively locked to certain parts).

Do I need to use a part family? Or can I link the parts variables in the Assembly?

(In the end I also want to generate a part list with a quantity for each length...)

Many thanks, MT

 

[karmoh]

Hi

Sounds like you need to be using the structural frame command.

To create a structural frame, click the Structural Frames button in the Assembly environment. This is where you create the skeleton. An associative path for the frame section to follow. You can also associate path segments to existing assembly geometry. You can define the size of the segments using dimensions, variables, etc

After you create the frame skeleton, click the Frames button. This command lets you build the frame by choosing segments of the frame skeleton and selecting specific cross sections.

You can automatically create a parts list that includes cut lengths for each component and choose how you want to organize the list.

 

[NZMark]

Dear Karmoh,

Many thanks for the advice - yes the Frame Design seems to be the way to go!

However, I am having a real headache getting the frame set up with the correct Corner Treatments and offsets for my task at hand (I'm using V20).
In order to demonstrate the problem, I have attached a JPEG of a frame I constructed *manually*.
As shown, the vertical pillars should run the complete length from floor to roof, with the width and depth profiles fitting in between.

However, with the Frame Design, despite reading the help and trying different options, I can't seem to get this behavior working (I got close, by building up the frame first with the vertical pillars, then the horizontal, but one profile always gets messed up).

If anyone could provide a clear set of instructions how to achieve these types of corners, I would be most grateful.

Regards, MT

 

[Gemnoc]

In this case, I suggest making a first frame made of the vertical profiles, then a second for the horizontal members.

You will have 2 frames entries in the PathFinder under Frame Components. Not sure about those terms, as you can see in the attached JPEG, my SE is in french.

It is possible to make it in one frame and working with corner/end treatments, but doing it in 2 sequences is simpler, you don't have to specify end treatments.

I was struggling with Frames at first, but now that I learned its quirks, I find it easy and fast to use. I tested SW and Inventor for this feature, and it is one reason why I recommended my boss we choose SE.

Hope this helps,

Norm AKA Gemnoc

 

[Gemnoc]

I re-read your last message, and realized that you already tried the 2-step approach. I don't know why it went wrong for you, never had this problem...

 

[karmoh]

Hi NZMark,

I agree with Gemnoc, it's easier as 2 seperate frames within the assembly. And it does take a little time to get used to the frame command, butit's very easy to use once you get a routine.

 

[beachcomber]

I used 3 frames - vertical legs first, then top, then bottom.
Works fine and would be easy to change sections for each frame.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[NZMark]

Hi there All,

Many thanks for the feedback.

(I should possibly restart this post with the Subject "Difficulties with Frame Design"...)

So, I tried the same approach *using a profile from the "Standard Parts Library"*, and then everything worked as desired.
After some sniffing around, I found a mention of using a reference point to guide the frame design function (a thread somewhere in this forum), and looked more closely at the profiles in the Standard Parts Library.

In the profile definitions of these standard parts, there is a Point object included, with the user data StringAttribute "FRAME WIZARD DEFAULT HANDLE POINT". Adding such a point to my profile in the appropriate corner solved (most of) my problems.

BTW, is there a menu option to give the Point this attribute (without typing it in manually)?

I still manage to produce some unwanted behavior, but I guess with practice (and my new HANDLE POINT) I will get things worked out...

Does any one know of a UGS Tutorial for the Frame Design tool? (I didn't find this in the standard Tutorial list, but maybe it is hiding in a folder somewhere...like the Feature Recognizer tutorial with my Academic version...)

With kind regards, MT

 

[beachcomber]

MT,
The thing I found difficult at first was editing the frame to get the profiles in the right place and orientation.
For example when you select the frame, Edit Definition and then Modify Cross Sections, all the sections will highlight.
Some may be correct, some not. What you then need to do is remove the correct ones from the select set (by CTRL-Click), or if it's quicker click the red cross to deselect all then click the ones you want. When you just have the ones to edit selected click the green cross and you will get the option to edit handle point or the file used for the section.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[teebarr]

Thanks for that tip bc, never knew that!

I have been using the frame too a fair bit recently and have found the sequence that the frame elements are applied makes a big difference to the ability to change the end condition.
Tony

 

[beachcomber]

Yes, sequence is important and may take a bit of trial and error to get right.
I think the secret is not to try and do too much in one go.
The end conditions can take a bit of time to get your head around.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.