topic Using a feature in one part to create a feature in another in Inventor Forum

Using a feature in one part to create a feature in another

Anonymous — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 00:17:52 GMT

Hi I'll try and make this clear, it is probably really easy for the experienced people on here but despite numerous searches I cant seem to find a solution.

I have a part that has a swept component not unlike a coil. This part sits inside another part that is basically a cylinder. I need to make a hole in the cylinder that is normal to the end of the coiled part, this coiled part does not meet the cylinder there is a gap.

I have tried temporarily creating a loft on the end of the coil that then passes through the cylinder when in the assembly. The hole formed by this "extension" is what I need but I cant copy the feature back to the cylinder part. Any ideas? Thanks

kelly.young has embedded your image for clarity.

Re: Using a feature in one part to create a feature in another

SBix26 — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 18:36:35 GMT

FYI: please use the Photos tool to embed images instead of attaching them-- much easier for readers to comprehend.

You have several choices: Adaptive modeling, Copy Object, or Derive.

Adaptive modeling would, in this case, mean editing the cylinder in the context of the Assembly, then project the features required from the coil to be able to create the opening in the cylinder.

Copy Object would be similar: edit the cylinder inside the assembly, then use Copy Object to copy the coil as surfaces into the cylinder.

Derive could be done a couple of ways: Derive the coil into the cylinder part (probably as surfaces) and design the cylinder around it; or create both parts as separate solids in a master part file, deriving them into separate part files from there and then placing into your assembly.

My overwhelming preference is the multi-solid "layout" file, because all features are contained in the same file and cross references are nearly bullet-proof. Adaptive workflows (Copy Object is also an adaptive workflow) are more fragile, and a part can only be adaptive in one assembly.

If this is all new to you, post some sample parts & assembly, and several of us can probably show you how these different techniques might work in your situation.

Sam B
Inventor Pro 2019.0.0 | Windows 7 SP1
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Re: Using a feature in one part to create a feature in another

Anonymous — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:11:12 GMT

Thanks Sam for the reply.

I managed to do it by editing the part from inside the assembly. It proved to be straight forward once I realised that it only works if the part is not already opened.

I shall bear in mind the kind offer to post some parts for those times when I get stuck, which at the moment is quite often 🙂