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Forgive the silliness of the attached example - we don't typically run hydraulic lines between ports on a piece of plate, but it's an easy way to show what is happening. If you get any Unresolved References, it is probably just an iPart child looking for its mommy, and isn't really part of the problem.
The sample file set consists of an assembly containing a plate with a couple of SAE ports. Elbows are installed in the ports, and a hose subassembly connects them. When viewed from the Top view, the upper left elbow is constrained angularly, while the lower right one is not. For the purposes of the example, a message box has also been added to let you know when the "Hose Assembly Number" rule runs, so you don't have to check the iProperties every time.
Test 1
- Look at the iProperties of the hose subassembly (Test-HS-01.iam). The last portion of the part number is a cut length for the hose material. In the sample provided, the initial length is 73.50 inches.
- Use Grip Snap (or add an angular constraint) to rotate the elbow in the lower right port by any arbitrary amount you choose. Note: The cut length is rounded to the nearest 1/4", so don't make the rotation angle extremely small or the cut length update might disappear into the rounding error.
- Save the assembly.
- Check the Part Number of the hose subassembly again - note that the cut length has now changed. You should also see the message box.
This test demonstrates that the rule runs as intended when geometry changes are forced by the top level assembly.
Test 2
- Note the cut length obtained by your change from Test 1 for comparison.
- Edit the hose assembly in-place, then edit the hose part (Test-HS-01.ipt).
- Under the "HoseSweep" feature, edit "3D Sketch1". This sketch makes up most of the sweep path for the hose.
- The spline has a control point added to it. Move that point (or delete it) to change the path length by a noticeable amount.
- Finish the sketch, then Return to Top without making any changes at the subassembly level.
- Click Save. Note that Test-HS-01.iam defaults to "No", which results in the rule not running, the cut length not updating, and no message box.
This test demonstrates that the rule does not run after an in-place edit on the hose part.
As for software versions - This has been a known issue we've been living with in Inventor 2016. We are in the process of updating to 2018. My test laptop is up to date with 2018.2.3, with no change in the behavior we've been used to from this rule.