Beginner: Part vs component vs assembly

[Anonymous]

Hello cummunity,

I'm really a beginner don't understand how to structure my solution. Here my basic use cases. Hope you can enlighten me 🙂

So basically what is a part, a component and an assembly?

I created a tire where I can define the properties relative to each other using projected geometry.
So I can create e.g. a tire 185/65 R15
I assume, this is a part?!? Blocks don't support projected geometry...

Also I created a part axis with the properties length and diameter
I assume, this is a second part.

Now I want an axis including tires on both ends.
Tire size and axis properies should be configurable and 2 tires are mounted on the end of the axis.
When I change the length of the axis, the tires should be placed acorrdently.
Is this done in an component?

In case want a specific axis (e.g.diameter=1 and length=10) and specific tire size 185/65 R15,
is this an assembly?

If I change a part e.g. tire size, is a component/assembly affected that uses the component affected?
If I change a component is an assembly that uses the component affected?

Thanks a lot. Although it might sound stupid, I don't get the point...

[JDMather]

A part is a part - just like the real world.

An assembly is an assembly - just like the real world.

An assembly might be built from parts (components) and/or sub-assemblies (components).

So you see - components of an assembly can be parts or assemblies, but assemblies are not parts and parts are not assemblies.

Clear as mud?

[Anonymous]

OK. What I've understood:
A part can usually be ordered in a shop like a tire.
I build my assembly like a car using parts.

Components I an abstraction level higher than parts and assemblies. So as a Newbie I propably first stick to parts and assemblies.

When I build a car and want to change the tire size, I do this within the assambly.

Ok so far? Thank you 🙂

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:
Components I an abstraction level higher than parts and assemblies. So as a Newbie I propably first stick to parts and assemblies.

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Exactly what software program are you using?
You must not have understood my definition of a "component".

You cannot build an assembly in Inventor without using components.

Are you using Fusion 360 rather than Inventor?

[Anonymous]

I'm using Inventor 2015.

I can select Manage=>Make part and Manage=>Make component and don't have the overview, to see the impact.

I've done the basic Inventor tutorials but still have issues how to compose my stuff.

I see that I need to follow more tutorials. I was just so eager to start my own little project. In case you could recommend a tutorial, that might help alot.

Thanks for your time and you get my vote 🙂