linked bossExtrusion lengths - how?

[qbipq]

hello everyone
i'm fairly new to solidworks and i'm trying to find ways to automate repetitive tasks in the modeling process so i've stumbled across this... in basic words what i need to do is to define a variable that is linked to the extrusion distance value > so my question is: is there already a feature included in solidworks that allows you to do just this which i am somehow missing / or, if not, can someone share a workaround?

thank you all for considering my trouble...

 

[Theophilus]

Sure! Drive your dimension with a Design Table. Check it out in Help. Do you have MS Excel?

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[GBor]

Another option is to extrude the first one, dimension the extrusion length and link it like you would any other variable dimension. If you are only doing a single dimension, this is probably easier than the design table option. If you are doing a family of parts, the design table is the way to go.

Garland E. Borowski, PE
Borowski Engineering & Analytical Services, Inc.
Lower Alabama SolidWorks Users Group

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Can you explain what you are actually trying to accomplish? It sounds like you are trying to do more than just create part configurations of different lengths.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[qbipq]

hi,
i think that what i'm trying to accomplish is what GBor mentioned: "family of parts"... i'm working in a great extent with assemblies and i'm constantly doubting my dimensions and values - not a very healthy habit btw - which means i have to constantly change parts and all that... so if it were a way to link these values centrally so that all of them get changed at once it would be great for me...

i'm gonna have a look at what exactly can be accomplished with a 'design table' till then all ideas are surely welcome

thanks

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Then you should look at using "Layout" or "Skeleton" sketches & planes.

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/july/200107_techtip_03.html

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/sept02/200209_techtip_03.cfm

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/july/200107_techtip_01.html

Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091