Solidworks Assembly - Using Mass Properties of part instance to control dimensions of parts in assembly

[kirkreineke]

Hello - I am creating a top-down assembly in which component dimensions need to be driven by equations using global variables. The Global Variables were defined in one part and reference the mass properties of that part for one of its instances. The problem is that when I import the .txt file to the assembly, the global variables relating to mass properties fail.

Here is the situation. I have part1 with multiple configs. One of the configs is "HOT"; which "scales" the model about centroid to reflect thermal expansion. I must design multiple parts to define the forming progression from stock material to final shape. These progressions are designed at elevated temperatures and must all have the same volume. Therefore, I need to drive dimensions with equations that utilize SW-Volume from each of the configurations of Part1. The components are all designed within the assembly for visual overlay purposes.

Here is the problem. When I import the equations.txt file from Part1 into the assembly, the equation manager now reference the default display state of the assembly, which causes my Global variables to fail.

I need to drive the length of Part2 in the assembly with the equation Length@Sketch1=SW-Volume of Part1(HOT <Display State>)/Area(<-- which is a defined global variable of Part1). So how do I use mass properties of part configurations to drive component dimensions within an assembly?

Please and thank you for any help that you can offer.

 

[jassco]

Why do you need to "import the equations.txt file from Part1 into the assembly"? Your equations in your assembly can reference any variables or feature dimensions in your parts so long as they are loaded to memory.

 

[kirkreineke]

Jassco,

Thank you for the reply. Occum's Razor...I made it too difficult for myself.

Thanks.

 

[jassco]

A part "A" can "talk" to a part "B" via their parent assembly.