assembly arrangements

[moog2]

does SE have "assembly arrangements" so that the same sub-assembly of parts can be used in different assemblies, which use different positioning for the parts within that sub-assembly

 

[KENAT]

Depending exactly what you mean adjustable assemblies or even families of assemblies may be what you're looking for.

If you mean something like a hydraulic piston that may be modelled extended different distances or something then I'd look at adjustable assemblies.

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[beachcomber]

Adding to kenats response - if you have an assemby that has several known positions then you may be best using family of assemblies. You can then set constraints to give you the positions you require.
If the assembly is required to adjust to any position, as in Kenat's hydraulic piston example, then use adjustable.
Even if you use families of assemblies, you can always make one of the members adjustable by removing some constraints for that member.
I have done this with hydraulic cylinders by having 3 family members - Fully Extended, Fully Retracted and Adjustable.

bc.
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[moog2]

the type of sub-assembly i mean is, lets say a kit of mounting brackets, which are scattered within assembly-A, in certain positions, but in assembly-B & C, the same set of brackets are in all different positions, what would you suggest?

 

[KENAT]

There are a number of ways around this. You could probably do it with adjustable assy's just having no constraints active in the bracket sub-assy but I'm not sure how well it would work as I haven't tried it.

One way may be to just use each individual bracket and in occurance properties exclude them from the parts list, then have a non graphic part with the file properties to feed the parts list. Or, a subtle variation is to make one bracket the 'prime' one that feeds the parts list, then exclude the others in occurance properties.

However, this leeds to auto ballooning issues.

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[moog2]

the drwg is not a problem, it's just the positioning in the asm file so it is correct in the main assemblies

 

[beachcomber]

I think I see what you mean -
the brackets are supplied as a kit so you have modelled them as a sub-assembly, but require fixing in different positions in each higher assembly.
I don't think there is a way of doing this other than familiy of assemblies using "alternate position" option.
What you will need to do is work out how the brackets are related in each "kit" and build your constraints accordingly.
Your drawing will also be correct because alternate position assemblies are recognised as being the same part.
Note:
If the brackets are NOT SUPPLIED as a kit then you should really just position them individually in the higher assemblies.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[KENAT]

My point was, a kit may be a part number from a parts list/item list/BOM point of view, but from a physical model point of view, it isn't an assembly.

So, unless you have some real driving reason for insisting on treating them as a sub assy I wouldn't bother and would fudge the parts list/BOM if necessary.

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[moog2]

Beachcomber, Yes this is exactly the type of senario I'm refering to..
So, does the "family of assemblies" create a new file, parametrically linked to the original, or is it handled within the same file?

 

[donyoung]

> or is it handled within the same file?

it's handled within the same file. Only a family of parts (FOP)
will create separate files for it's members

dy

 

[beachcomber]

I've just re-read kenat's posting and I think you could use an adjustable assembly. As he says, all you would do is add the parts into the 'kit' assembly without any constraints.
Then in the higher assembly make the kit adjustable and add constraints onto the kit parts to position them.
This is where an understanding of adjustable assemblies is required.
Normally you apply constraints to an assembly in order to position it.
With adjustables, the assembly is ignored and constraints are applied to the individual parts.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[moog2]

Great,thanks again for your input,is this procedure covered in the help/tutorials etc ?

 

[KENAT]

Adjustable assemblies is in help, but I pretty much had to teach myself and won't claim to be an expert. I did ask an 'expert' once during some training a while back and he knew less than I.

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