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Structural Member Lengths in Frame Generator

29 REPLIES 29
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Message 1 of 30
Cadmanto
3466 Views, 29 Replies

Structural Member Lengths in Frame Generator

I have created a few new structural parts that I am in the process of publishing to the content center.

I got one of them in and have it working very well except for one item.  If I place this structural piece

into an assembly as a stand alone part just selecting the length and the material as the key inputs,

it shows the proper length in the part number and the description just fine.  If I insert this same structural

piece in a skeleton using the frame generator, then the length that shows up in the description is the default

one that the part was originally created to.  How do I get the length to show up in the frame BOM correctly when parts are created using the frame generator?

This works using the structural members out of the box.

 

LENGTH.JPG

Best Regards,
Scott McFadden
(Colossians 3:23-25)


29 REPLIES 29
Message 21 of 30
Cadmanto
in reply to: alessandro.gasso

Ale,

Another tid bit you might find interesting.  We have a numbering scheme setup in vault that is five digits and a three digit suffix (i.e. P1001-100).  Typically when you place a structural member using the frame generator it comes in like

P1001-100, P1001-101, P1001-102 and so on with the numbering scheme automatically picking the next available suffix number.  What I stumbled on is because I have a column setup in the family table called "PART NUMBER" and this property is setup in my filename value sequence, as long as I have a value in the cell under the "PART NUMBER" column whether it is actual text or just spaces this value will trump the numbering scheme.  Not sure why, but it does.

 

numbers.JPG

Best Regards,
Scott McFadden
(Colossians 3:23-25)


Message 22 of 30
Invent-It_07
in reply to: Cadmanto

Hello -

Go to the parameters table found under the manage tab of the ribbon, then RC on the row where the value is found. After the RC you will then have the option to choose Custom Property Format. That is where you will find the options to change your displayed output (Decimal or Fractional) and the precision. Hope this helps...

 

Custom Property Format Options.JPG

Message 23 of 30
Cadmanto
in reply to: Invent-It_07

Thanks for the reply.

WIth your suggestion being in the part mode does that mean I have to republish this part back into the CC?

Best Regards,
Scott McFadden
(Colossians 3:23-25)


Message 24 of 30
alessandro.gasso
in reply to: Cadmanto

Hi Scott,

 

Invent-It_07 has suggested the right approach.

 

The good news is you don’t have to republish the part, but just edit the Family Template, as explained in the post below.

 

http://beinginventive.typepad.com/being-inventive/2012/04/edit-custom-property-format-for-a-standard...

 

The caveat is that, the change in the template will apply just to the new frames inserted with Frame Generator.

In fact, the command Refresh for the frames inserted with Frame Generator propagate to the ones already inserted just the changes in the Family Table and not in the Family Template.

 

About the last point, I’m sorry, but I really didn’t get it.

Not sure if the post below can help.

 

http://beinginventive.typepad.com/being-inventive/2011/05/frame-member-part-number.html

 

If not, please, provide more details about the issue, and I’ll try to provide some suggestions.

 

Thanks and regards,

Ale



Alessandro Gasso
Fusion 360 – Simulation/Generative Design Adoption Specialist
Autodesk, Inc.
Message 25 of 30
Cadmanto
in reply to: alessandro.gasso

Ale,

On my last point, I had that item check in my frame generator dialog window.  All I was saying was by doing what I outlined it gave me the part number in the BOM that I was looking for.  I don't think it was that check box seeing how it worked for the SS version, but not the carbon steel one until I added the spaces in the cell box I showed in my previous posting. 

 

I looked at the link you gave me about the precision units and the only thing I can see I might have an issue with is when it says after makeing the changes to the part and saving it, when you replace it in the CC does it eliminate all of the extra collumns as well as all of the equations I have setup with in those columns?

Best Regards,
Scott McFadden
(Colossians 3:23-25)


Message 26 of 30
Cadmanto
in reply to: alessandro.gasso

Ale,

Another interesting development is the one (only one of four) structural member when it is inserted using the frame generator, and the center orientation is selected comes in fine.

FG.JPG

Yet if any of the outside offset ones are selected (with the exception to the center ones) the part has a gap between it and the center line.  Can you explain why this is and how to fix it?

FG.JPG

Thank you again.

Best Regards,
Scott McFadden
(Colossians 3:23-25)


Message 27 of 30
alessandro.gasso
in reply to: Cadmanto

Hi Scott,

 

If you follow the procedure of my post for changing the precision of G_L, this won’t eliminate all of the extra columns as well as all of the equations you have setup with in those columns.

 

By the way, you don’t need to trust me blindly Smiley Happy.

Make a backup copy of one family and try the procedure with this family.

 

About the last issue, probably this could be related to the geometry of the part you have published, but it is not easy to say something without seeing the file.

 

If you want, you can attach the file you have published with the authoring settings already stored in the file and I’ll have a look to it.

 

Kind regards.

Ale



Alessandro Gasso
Fusion 360 – Simulation/Generative Design Adoption Specialist
Autodesk, Inc.
Message 28 of 30
Cadmanto
in reply to: alessandro.gasso

Hi Ale,

Well, you haven't given me any reason so far not to trust you!!!  Smiley Wink

 

I will try the precision steps you suggested.  I just had to ask, because I have invested a lot of work into these parts

to have them erase all of the settings I have made to this point.

 

Here is the file I published to the CC.  What is weird is this file has the planes and axis right down the middle

and was created using one of the other members I published that is fine in this same scenario.

Best Regards,
Scott McFadden
(Colossians 3:23-25)


Message 29 of 30
alessandro.gasso
in reply to: Cadmanto

Hi Scott,

 

I’m sorry, but I could not find the reason for this behavior.

 

I suspect the problem is file related and not a general one.

 

Probably, recreating the part from scratch it should work fine.

 

I’ll ask our development to have a look to this and get back to you once I receive any news.

 

In the meantime, besides recreating the part from scratch and republish it, I can suggest the workaround you can see in the image below.

 

wa.png

 

I know it’s not a great one, but I could not find anything better with the file you have sent me.

 

Kind regards,

Ale



Alessandro Gasso
Fusion 360 – Simulation/Generative Design Adoption Specialist
Autodesk, Inc.
Message 30 of 30
pbarker
in reply to: Cadmanto

Hi CADManto

I have exactly the problem you described here.

 

I have tried to wade through the treacle of this thread but I'm afraid my simple brain cannot follow the thread of it.

 

Could you describe in simple steps for me what the answer actually was?

I just want the Part Number Field to update in the same way that the standard Content Centre Frame Sections do i.e. by adding the BL lenght to the end of the parts list.

Many Thanlks

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