topic Re: Combining Bodies in Inventor Forum

Combining Bodies

kmginc — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:18:59 GMT

I am trying to combine 2 bodies into one in my inventor part file. The Combine function worked fine for one instance of my part file but is giving me an error for the second instance, even though it should be the same scenario.. I am unable to resolve why inventor is having a problem doing this.

Would anyone be able to help or have a work around or anything?

If it is unclear, the bodies I am trying to combine are the two pipe segments on the "right" side of the arm. Bodies 10 and 44.

I have attached the part file for reference. The combine function I am having difficulty with is the very last one on the design tree.

Thanks!

Austin

Re: Combining Bodies

JDMather — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:25:08 GMT

Zip to Attach here.

Re: Combining Bodies

kmginc — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:27:56 GMT

Now I am unable to attach the part file... Mondays...

Re: Combining Bodies

JDMather — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:32:06 GMT

Right click on the file name.

Select Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder.

Reply to this thread.

Attach the resulting *.zip file here.

Re: Combining Bodies

kmginc — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 19:38:25 GMT

Ah, Thank you very much!

Re: Combining Bodies

JDMather — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 20:17:35 GMT

There are multiple issues with your technique - right from the start (first sketch underconstrained).

Unresolved issues for each i in a circle.

I recommend resolving these issues as they occur rather than continuing on.

I would start over from scratch using what was learned from this attempt.

Re: Combining Bodies

kmginc — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 20:34:41 GMT

Alright, I hear you..

I'll comb through the part file and sort out unresolved errors and see where that gets me. I'll check back after.

Thanks

Re: Combining Bodies

JDMather — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 20:41:27 GMT

First thing I would do is go to Environments tab and select Convert to Standard Part (this is not a sheet metal part).

The drag the red End of Part marker to just below the first feature.

Edit sketch and edit feature (if needed), make repairs and then

drag the red EOP marker to next feature and so on.

Step-by-step.

Re: Combining Bodies

johnsonshiue — Mon, 07 Oct 2019 23:54:24 GMT

Hi! I have to agree with JD. The geometry is very sloppily constructed. You will run into modeling issues sooner or later. Please note that Inventor is a true-scaled feature based parametric solid modeler. It is precise up to 0.00001mm. The geometry has to be tight and the intersection has to be clean. Looking right does not mean it is precise.

I personally think you will be better off using Surface Modeling workflows. The issue with Solid Modeling is that you cannot control the intersection easily.

This model can be done much more easily and cleanly if you start from scratch.

Many thanks!

Re: Combining Bodies

kmginc — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 16:09:42 GMT

Hi,

Yes, thank you all for helping out! You were right, there were previous errors that were interfering with the function. I am fairly new to Inventor and am much more familiar with SolidWorks, so yes I agree with you both, there are parts to the model that are done rather sloppily. It is also a part built off of an "old" design which I'm sure you can imagine never goes well. I will be more aware of fully defining features, and fixing any errors as I go. I have not found the snap constraints and general sketch tool user friendliness to be on par with Solidworks which is where a lot of my frustration comes from. I plan to do a full sweep through and "reconstruct the model" here fairly soon, if that means starting from scratch, so be it. It is not a simple geometry part so there are things that can be tricky.

Thanks for your time!

Austin

Re: Combining Bodies

aurel_e — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 16:32:21 GMT

Try to save as Step file - open the new file and Combine. See attached.

Re: Combining Bodies

johnsonshiue — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 22:21:45 GMT

Hi Austin,

I would be surprised if SWX could yield better result using the same technique. The model you are trying to create is not complicated. There are better techniques. Some experts may be able to show you how to do that easily in Inventor. I will try to take a look too.

Many thanks!