Can I array another associative array?

[xnguyenY935A]

I have a member with a variable length. If the overall length is over 120", it would give me two pieces at half the overall height. The problem I'm having is laying out the fasteners. I need 1 fastener at the end of each piece 1.5" from the edge and X number of fastners in the middle at 9" apart. I tried to array my array again but it removes my previous parametric formula.

[h_s_walker]

Post your block

[xnguyenY935A]

I've attached my block. So anything over 120" it would divide my extrustion in half. What I need is to place a fastener at 9" oc. and at 1.5" at the ends of each piece. I've tried to array the fasteners a second time but it fixes the count of the first array when I do so.

[h_s_walker]

How's the attached. I've put my block above yours

[xnguyenY935A]

This isn't exactly what I'm looking for. When the overall height exceeds 120 inches, I need to create a splice, which I did. At the splice location, a fastener should be installed 1.5 inches away from the splice point. From that 1.5-inch mark, a new array should begin.

[h_s_walker]

@xnguyenY935A 

Ah I think I understand now. Unfortunately I don't think it's possible. It might be with a lisp, but I'm not 100% sure

[MMcCall402]

You could try using a User Parameter with a formula to determine when the length exceeds increments of 120" and return an incremental value. You could then use that value in a block properties table to trigger different Visibility states with their own set(s) of arrays that work with spliced members. Below 120" it returns 1, over 120" is 2, over 240" is 3 and so on.

Update:  This dosen't work.  The block properties table won't allow you to specify values for the User parameter.  You could still choose the visibility state manually.

[xnguyenY935A]

I had to put this project on hold for now, but here’s my current idea: to ‘push’ the fasteners to the array when the length exceeds 120". The overall length range is 60" to 240". The concept is that, for lengths over 120", the last two fasteners will be assigned to the second half, while the first two will be spaced on the first segment of the array. I believe I'll need to work with the array item count expression and add some extra construction lines to make it all work.