How to edit the dimension of instance that is the merge of two instances?

[Mohammed Nagy]

Hello All,
I'm working on optimizing the performance of a soft pneumatic actuator. So I need to be able to change the dimensions of the actuator.
The actuator is formed by merging an instance of the part "tube" and 2 instances of the part "Cap" and thus forming the "Merged_Actuator".
How can I edit the dimensions (Inner radius, Outer Radius, Length..) of that merged actuator?

TUBE

CAP

Merged Actuator

 

[FEA way]

You can’t edit merged part but if you leave default option to suppress original instances then you will be able to merge modified instances again. Otherwise consider using tie constraint instead of merging instances. Or model this as a single part.

 

[Mohammed Nagy]

Is there a way to draw the last part (Merged Actuator) directly without using the merge feature?

 

[FEA way]

From what I can see the caps are simply attached to the ends of the tube. Thus you can draw the tube first and then extrude the caps (Create Solid: Extrude) selecting ends of the tube as planes for extrusions.

 

[Mohammed Nagy]

Thank you very much, sir.