Question regarding dimension variables

[Istre]

Ok, I'm rough modeling a series of drawer slides for some applications that we have and the geometries of the slides are functions of the slide travel length. For the slide to work properly, the lengths of each of the three members are driven as functions of this slide travel, and the relative positioning of each of the members is also dependant on this.

To achieve the proper range of motion in the model, I have two limit mates that position each part relative to the other two and allow the proper range of motion to get the correct drawer stroke. I've managed to get all of the dimensioning and other mates using equations that will take a change made on the main slide member and recalculate and position the remaining parts correctly. However, I'm stuck on getting the limit mates to work correctly. When trying to create an equation to drive this mate, the only dimension variable I can find is the base dimension of the limit mate. It appears that Solidworks creates a limit mate by using a distance mate, but using a distance with a limit tolerance. I need to know under what variable name the tolerance is stored so that I can have an equation drive that as well to set up the proper limit mate from the initial input.

Oh, and I'll head off the design table suggestions now. This isn't feasible, as I have the need to be able to quickly create custom slide lengths, and it's much easier to drive everything via equations and changing the overall stroke than going in and editing the design table each time I need to see a new slide length.

Thanks for your help, guys. Hopefully someone knows where this variable is stored and how to get to it. For that matter, I have a followup question. Is there a command that will go through a part/assembly and give a listing of all the dimensioning variables used?

 

[Istre]

Wow, I hope that this question isn't stumping everyone. It seems to me that if the tolerance is stored somewhere, it might be accessible. If anyone has problems understanding what I'm asking, let me know and I'll try to explain it better.

Thanks

 

[ShaggyPE]

I hate equations. I love design table formulas. Just because you have a design table doesn't mean you have to manually fill in every cell. You can do everything an equation can do and more by using cell formulas. However accessing the distance mate tolerance will still be an issue.

I didn't really help to solve your problem, but hopefully I may have given you another posibility on a direction to take. good luck.

 

[Istre]

I don't think I can even use a design table. This is an assembly, not a part, and the help file says that a design table in an assembly cannot change dimensions of parts contained in the assembly. Equations can. A table would be easier, but it doesn't appear to be the answer. I just need to figure out how SolidWorks handles the tolerances on a dimension. It's gotta be a variable somewhere, the question is whether or not it's accessible.