Bolted connection in assemblies not working properly

[alessio.luis]

Hi everyone,

I am having trouble using the bolted connections in assemblies. 

In the previous versions, when I created a bolted connection, it was shown as a feature in the assembly tree:

Now when I create it following a pattern, all the components are shown in the tree individually:

How can I make it show as a feature again?

Another question is, it is only possible to follow a pattern for holes made in parts and not in assemblies. Does it mean that it is not possible to follow a pattern of holes made in a Content Center part, saved as a custom part? I saw other users asking to have this function over a decade ago but it is still not possible. Any idea why? Is there a workaround for it?

When working with assemblies and sub-assemblies, having the ability to bolt everything together by following a pattern will make things much easier and faster.

I tried to create a sample file showing my problem, but I don't know how to include the content center files. These are the screenshots of the part if it is enough.

The black part is the one I created with the holes, the angle bars are from the content center.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Kind regards,

Luis

[mikejones · Accepted solution]

The functionality of the BC changed recently and you now have the option to create individual parts or create as a sub assembly as before. The option is controlled by the button circled below.

Mike

[alessio.luis]

@mikejones thanks for your reply. It's good to know about the new way of showing the bolted connections.

Do you know any solution for the bolted connections in Content Center parts using pattern?

[mikejones]

I'm not sure what you mean sorry. Can you give an example of what you're trying to do or achieve?

Mike

[alessio.luis]

@mikejones, what I am trying to do is to use bolted connections in content center standard files. In my model, I use a lot of parts from the content center as standard, not custom, so I can't modify the parts. I make my assembly with the standard parts and create the holes making a pattern of points in a sketch in the assembly. So far, everything works fine. But then when I create a bolted connection, I can't do it in the pattern, because Inventor won't accept it (the option is grayed out). I am wondering why that is not possible and if there is any way I can do bolted connection within the pattern of the holes I created in the assembly. 

The only way I can think of is by using a dummy part with the holes in it, but it can be a lot of extra work.

[mikejones · Accepted solution]

You're right that the follow pattern function isn't available when you have created and patterned features at the assembly level. The way around it is to use a normal rectangular or circular pattern and drive the quantity and spacing distance based on the assembly parameters used to create the pattern in the first place. Hopefully, that makes some sense.

Mike

[alessio.luis]

@mikejones that makes perfect sense. Thanks for your help.

[tyas.swinnen]

@alessio.luis you can also create a phantom part containing only workpoints following a sketch pattern. You can then pattern your fasteners and stuf allong that pattern then 🙂