Detect invalid toolpath or missing references

[justin_kloth]

Is there a way to detect whether a given operation has a valid toolpath or if it has no selected geometry?  As an example:

I have the above setup (obviously simplified for demonstration).  There are three sets of holes (green circles) whose location is determined by a form field.  They can fall within one of three zones.  There could be multiple sets in a zone (ie, all three might fall into zone 2) or there may not even be three sets.  This could result in a particular zone having no holes in it.

Now, the operations I have set up use diameter selection with a containment boundary (each zone above is a boundary).  What I'd like to do is, in iLogic, detect whether a particular operation has any valid holes.  So if zone 1 (operation named Drill1) has no holes, then Drill1 would be invalid because there aren't any holes within it's containment boundary.  If it has no holes, I want to suppress it.

Hopefully that made sense...  Any help would be much appreciated!  Thanks!

[justin_kloth]

Nobody has any input on this?  Am I missing information?  Is something unclear?  Let me know and I'll try to clarify.

[lenny_1962]

which CAD? Inventor, Fusion or SW?

[justin_kloth]

We're using Inventor HSM

[lenny_1962]

ask @jeff.pek

[jeff.pek]

Why do you need to suppress the operation? Is it not sufficient to let it have nothing to do?

  jeff

[justin_kloth]

I suppose maybe I could just let it do nothing.  I just wanted to make absolutely sure that it was, in fact, doing nothing.  Also, the red Xs annoy me... 🙂

[lenny_1962]

in SW\HSMWorks i make configurations of the part then I put each config into an assembly and have a tool path for each config.

I just copy\paste the path to each config and regen, no red cherries (SW) or red X in IVCAM. That way toopath is connected to only that config, works great!

[justin_kloth]

would you be able to provide a screenshot of your setup?  I'm still learning Inventor and having trouble visualizing what you're trying to tell me.

[lenny_1962]

simple, you add the part as many times as you have configuration of the part. then display that config state at each instance of the part, again mine is SolidWorks not IV

https://www.google.com/search?q=using+cofiguration+of+components+in+an+inventor+assembly&rlz=1C1GCEB...

[justin_kloth]

Never thought to use assemblies, though I'm not sure it would work in this case.  There aren't any "standard" configurations in the sense that each part is unique.  There is "standard" processing though, in that a particular set of holes is always a set distance from a specific edge or face.  The spacing down the length of the part is always different though.  Would I be able to do assemblies like this without having hundreds of unique files?

I am intrigued by the model states though.  I'll have a look into those and see if they may be useful.  Thanks for the link!