Table Driven Parts

[Panzer1970]

I just started using table driven parts for similar parts (ie same part different lenghts, different features threaded or non threaded end etc...) for parts instead of creating one part and doing a "save as". When I insert these parts into an assembly Inventor creates a sub directory and then creates mutliple part files for each of the parts that are in the table. Why does it do this? Doesn't this defeat the purpose of having a table driven part? Can this be turned off?

 

[aepeszel]

Try using iParts to make these parts. With iParts you can also fill out a description. One drawback I have found is that you cannot make each part as a separate material.

 

[Panzer1970]

iparts are table driven... what i like to know is why inventor created a sub directory under and created a part file for each and everyone of the part variations? isn't this info all ready in the part spreadsheet if so why did it generate the directory and then the parts?

 

[SeanDotson]

It creates children so that it doesn;t have to access the entire table each time the part is loaded. The next time you insert the same child part it will be much quicker to load.

see

http://www.sdotson.com/tutorials.asp

for more info on iParts

Sean Dotson, PE
Inventor Tutorials & More

http://www.sdotson.com

 

[Panzer1970]

just so i get this straight when using iparts you generate a table that contains part information regarding lenght, suppressed features etc... this is so one does not have to create multiple parts of a similar nature, saving time and resources (namely network space). when one goes and places this part into an assembly, inventor automatically generates a sub directory and then part file for each one of the part variations of the part inserted into the assembly. in other words if you have a part with ten variations inventor will generate one sub directory and ten parts files. what if this part is used in multiple machines? will inventor keep creating new sub directories under every directory where this part is placed? why generate a table in the first place if inventor doesn't use it?

 

[DesignerMike]

No. What happens is you generated the table driven part (one part file). When you place the part in an assembly (and choose a variation) it will generate a sub-directory (if not already generated) and place that variation of the part in the sub-directory. It only places a new file if you choose a new variation. If you only use one variation you should only have one file in the sub-directory. When you place that part it in a different assembly it will check for that variation in the specified sub-directory (and place it in the sub-directory if not there). You should only have variation files for parts that are being used in assemblies.

Sean has some great Tutorials about Iparts and how to set-up the file structure.