Measure loop on inside edge of milled contour

[thomas]

Hello,

In my line of work I often have to measure the inside loop of a milled contour, to determine the inside diameter of an o-ring. In the current version of Inventor, it is a bit of a tricky thing to do. I have figured out a work-around by creating a new sketch and projecting the needed geometry. Then measure that to determine the loop lenght and calculate that back to a diameter. 

I was hoping that anyone could advise me on a quicker way to get the measurement i need, because creating, and afterwards deleting sketches just doesnt seem like the proper way to do this for every o-ring. For some designs i have to do this dozens of times.

In the attachments i tried to explane better what happens when I try to use the measure tool and select the loop. In the second image i have shown the projected geometry method that does work for me, however i feel like this is a lot of trouble for a single measurment.

Appreciate any reply, thank you

Kind regards,

Thomas

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

... and afterwards deleting sketches just doesnt seem like the proper way to do this for every o-ring. For some designs i have to do this dozens of times.

Thomas

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I would preserve these sketches for future reference and hide by simply dragging the red EOP above the sketches.
(I would probably name the sketches as well.)

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

Just hover over the face and use select other.. The proper loop can be selected without having to project anything. 

[mpatchus]

No need to create a sketch, use the MEASURE LOOP function and simply select the inside edge of the contour on the model. 

If need be, use the SECTION VIEW features to be able to select the geometry.

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

No need to create a sketch, use the MEASURE LOOP function and simply select the inside edge of the contour on the model. 

If need be, use the SECTION VIEW features to be able to select the geometry.

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Yes.. Now mike starting adding the other geometry (including fillets/chamfers) like the OP's image and you will see where the confusion can come from..

But as I stated "select other" works to allow you to select that specific loop without any sketches/proj geo. 

[mpatchus · Accepted solution]

OK I see the issue after adding the chamfers.

It does make selecting the loop more difficult.

You have to select the face, then SELECT OTHER to get to the correct loop.

[thomas]

Thank you all for the quick replies, my problem is now solved.

Cheers!