Create a link between two components

[tallman5]

I have multiple components with the same name which are not linked. So, each show with the index in parenthesis, such as M5x10, M5x10 (1), etc. Is there a way to set the first as a parent and the others will update with changes to the first? Thanks in advance!

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

You really do not give enough information to accurately answer this question and you did not supply the model.  Are these components included inside an assembly?  I will assume so.  Your best best is to select the first component and use the Save Copy As command to make an external component.  Then use this external component to "replace", probably doing it manually by getting rid of the other components first.  Then all components will be related to the one external component.  Supply your model and someone will show you how.  If you do not know how to attach your Fusion 360 model follow these easy steps. Open the model in Fusion 360, select the File menu, then Export and save as a F3D or F3Z file to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section of a forum post to attach it.

[tallman5]

Thank you @jhackney1972 ! I've attached an example file. In it, there's three sets of screw/nut pairs. Set A has the first screw and nut. Set B and C have the nut as a reused component. The screws were copied and pasted as new. Changes to the nut are represented on all the nuts. Changes to the screw are not. I would like to change the screws to act similarly to the nuts. 

The solution above will work. However, the original model has about 100 screw/nut pairs (both the screw and the nut had been pasted as new). I'd hate to go through each screw and nut individually and manually replace and position them. Maybe a Python script?

Thanks again!

[jhackney1972]

I do not have any magic solutions for your assembly, maybe you will use a better structure in your next one so the task will be easier.  I am do not write Fusion 360 programming code so I cannot help you on that front.  Good luck.