Multiple adjustable parts

[onefjef]

I have a 3/8" diameter rod that will occur many times in an assembly but each time the length is different. Is there a way to draw it once and control a variable to vary the lengths for each one or do I have to develop each part file one at a time?

I thought I might be able to make an assembly pattern, drop the pattern, break the links and then change the lengths but it maintains a link somehow.

The assembly is a rolled square tube 40" diameter with the rods placed parallel to each other spaced 1-1/2" apart setting on the face of the tubing. The rods ends are cut so they do not extend beyond the diameter of the tubing.

Jef

 

[fredericmenage]

Yes, there is an adjustable part command.

Edit the part, click 'adjsutable part' in the tools menu. choose the variable that will change in the assemblies. Save.

In the asm, RMB on the part, click 'adjustable part' and enter the value, choose a var. or measure a dimension.

Fred

 

[fwc]

I prefer to use Adjustable Parts on items like springs, o-rings etc.

I think Family of Parts would be appropriate in your case.

 

[beachcomber]

When you drop a patterned part you will get a grounded instance of the original part at each position.
If you wanted to change any instance to a different part, you would have to use the 'replace' command.
I think fwc is correct in this case - family of parts
Or just create one base part and make multiple copies then change the parameters of each one as required.
I'm having difficulty visualising what your assembly looks like - you say a SQUARE tube but 40" DIAMETER.
Do you mean a square tube that's rolled into a circular rim ?

bc

 

[donyoung]

Hi,

as far I've got it right thenone solution with the rod as
adjustable part might be:

1) define the rod as adjustable, use the length as variable
the rod should be extruded symmetrical (to ease placement
in asm)
2) in ASM place the tube and dimension the diameter to which the
rods should be cut
3) place the rod as adjustable use the var of 2) as value
constrain the part (i.e. tangent to face, and planar to planes)
4) continue placing/constraining the other rods same item as in 3)

5) do a cutout as Assembly Feature, use the tube's face as plane
include the outer diameter --> return
- (re)select all rods to be cut
- do the cut
6) save the assembly, important otherwise individually saved
models will otherwise be empty

Now each rod can be individually saved --> Save selected Model
and it will reflect any changes made in the assy (length, placement)

BTW: placing 26 rods is not the task one is fond of. Unfortunately
pattering the first rod will not pattern it as adjustable, and
dropping the pattern will leave all items as grounded. If that's
OK, fine then the only task ist to make them adjustable and cut
to length as in 5)

dy

 

[onefjef]

After trying both family of parts and adjustable part I've decided that the best way to control 32 seperate rod lengths is to place all rods tangent to face of rolled tubing, develop a sketch that is the cut boundary and use a assembly level cut feature.

Having the instances variable is nice but I still need to constrain each rod. I just patterned one rod and "cut" in the assembly file.

Jef

 

[onefjef]

Here is the finished part:

http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=grillassygo2.jpg

jef