Explode Patterned Components

[Anonymous]

I've been working with some large plant scale assemblies where we use a lot of shrinkwraps that get grounded in place and all constraints deleted to help keep the file "workable".

We have found that patterned components also increase the overhead involved, and it would be a great time saver if patterned components could be exploded and then grounded in place, vs. the only option now of deleting the patttern and placing in each instance as required.

[Anonymous]

I believe this would be one of the most powerful tools if it were enhanced.

Currently, I have an assembly that has a part that is patterned by a number of 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 20.

Using patterns makes accomplishing this task easy. The problem arises when I need to have specific features added to certain members of the pattern.

For example, I change the assembly to have 8 of these parts in the pattern, but I need to have parts in position 2, 3, 5 and 7 to have a hole thru them (also have a new part number because of it), but the rest to be plain. How do I accomplish this task?

I must now change my assembly to have 20 of these individual parts, use ilogic to turn the features required on or off, make 12 of these parts "invisible" (while also controlling the mates or they will cause an error), configure my assembly, then during the "Save out" routine, delete the "invisible" parts that are not needed, update the weight, and save.

Whew! See what I mean? If I could have the correct number of parts patterned, then "Exploded" the patterned "block", then turn the appropriate features on or off, then save. Much easier.

Please take this request seriously, as I know other Inventor users would love to have this option, once they discover this type of workflow.

Thanks,

Len

[Anonymous]

I would like to have this command. Each instance of the pattern may have many components in it. In the process of "exploding" at least one of the components should be marked and later become grounded. The rest of the components should retain their constraints to each other.

[inv.ideareview]

Thanks for sharing your Idea. We use this forum to guide product development and help users in the best way we can based on voting. We occasionally merge Ideas or archive old ones to keep the forum working properly - it ensures there is room for people to review new Ideas and that the most relevant and meaningful ones can gain votes. We’re archiving this Idea because it's been on the board for well over a year and hasn't received many votes from the community. If you want to raise it again and try to gain more support, you're welcome to do so. We’ve found that pictures and mock-ups can help get concepts across and win more votes from other users. If you have questions or see a connection between this Idea and others, let us know. - Inventor product team (Inv.idea review)

[dusan.naus.trz]

Hi, This function could already be in Inventor. Does the code exist what is waiting for?

https://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/ilogic-code-for-exploding-a-component-pattern-in-inventor-tip926...

Sub Main()
        Dim oDoc As AssemblyDocument
        oDoc = ThisApplication.ActiveDocument

        Dim oPattern As OccurrencePattern
        oPattern = GetPattern(oDoc)
        If oPattern Is Nothing Then
            MsgBox("Nothing for explode")
            Return
        End If

        Dim t As Transaction = ThisApplication.TransactionManager.StartTransaction(ThisDoc.Document, "Pattern explode")
        Try
            'MAKE EACH ELEMENT INDEPENDENT, STARTING AT THE SECOND ELEMENT.
            Dim i As Integer
            'COUNT HOW MANY ELEMENTS ARE IN THE PATTERN, AFTER 2
            For i = 2 To oPattern.OccurrencePatternElements.Count
                'MAKE ALL ELEMENTS INDEPENDANT
                oPattern.OccurrencePatternElements.Item(i).Independent = True

            Next
            'DELETE THE PATTERN, LEAVING ONLY THE INDEPENDENT COPIES AND THE ORIGINAL ELEMENT
            oPattern.Delete()
            t.End()
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Critical)
            t.Abort()
        End Try
    End Sub

    Private Function GetPattern(ByVal oDoc As AssemblyDocument) As OccurrencePattern
        Dim pattern As OccurrencePattern
        'pattern = oDoc.ComponentDefinition.OccurrencePatterns.Item("Component Pattern 1:1")
        pattern = ThisApplication.CommandManager.Pick(SelectionFilterEnum.kAssemblyOccurrencePatternFilter, "Select pattern for explode")
        Return pattern
    End Function