Modify Component when brought into assembly

[ucfmech]

I'm currently creating a 3D model using SolidWorks 2010 for my company. I created a hinge, but I'm running into an issue. I want to be able to let the other engineers use my hinge for their models, but they all have different lenths. Is their any way for me to bring in my hinge assembly into another assembly, and have it ask me for a total length for the hinge? I'm thinking something like what happens when you bring in angle bar into an assembly from the toolbox, or an I-beam. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[SnowCrash]

I store common parts in a directory on the network (SWShare) which anyone can use. When I include a part in an assembly I save it to the (Local) assembly directory. The part you suggest could be done by configurations and driven from a table.

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2010 SP 2.1
HP Pavillion Elite HPE

 

[JMirisola]

Be careful with how you share the part. If each of those hinges has their own unique part number, you'd be better off having a different part file for each so that they can be accurately, and easily, captured in your BOM. It would also help in lessening duplicates.
If that's not a necessity, make sure that everyone understands how to create, and use, configurations. It wouldn't take much for someone to modify a shared part and blow up another's assembly.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Design Manager/Senior Designer
M9 Defense
My Blog

 

[Shamboo]

+1 SnowCrash

if the master part does get messed up, at least you can keep a copy to restore it.

 

[SnowCrash]

I get that from backups of the master drive, too.

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2010 SP 2.1
HP Pavillion Elite HPE