Content Center - AutoDrop and Fastener Size Questions

[bbeilke]

I have a few of questions pertaining to Content Center fasteners.

1.  The AutoDrop functionality works really well - when it works.  In most cases I can easily use it to place bolts and washers.  However, when it comes to placing nuts and mating them to the previously placed washers, it appears as if we are stuck placing them one at a time.  When we used custom iParts for our fasteners, we used Kent Keller's KwikSert utility which also allowed us to select a face with holes which then would be auto-populated.  (However, it doesn't work on derived parts.)  My work around for the washer problem was to just select the plate face again for the nuts but to also enter an offset equal to the thickness of the washer.  So in the end both the washers and nuts were mated to the plate but everything was still positioned perfectly.  Is there any way to specify an offset when using AutoDrop?  Is there some other technique altogether that I am missing?  (The Bolted Connection module doesn't sound to really be a fit for most of our work but maybe I'm missing something there as well.)

2.  When we create slots in parts, we generally add a work axis that makes the center of slot easy to select.  Is there any way to get AutoDrop to function with such work features or does it only work with holes?  (I know this may be expecting too much.)

3.  For whatever reason, whenever I select a 9/16" diameter hole, Content Center is determined to insert a 9/16" washer rather than the 1/2" washer I want inserted.  When placing a bolt selecting the same hole results in a 1/2" bolt.  Why the discrepancy?  Is there a tolerance setting or something that can be adjusted somewhere to correct this behavior?

Thank, Blane

[blair]

No tolerance that I know of for the selection. It's pulling the Hole meta data and as long as your Hole says 9/16", it's going to place a 9/16" fastner.

Probably why I still place my fastners manually without the Auto-Drop.

I've yet to come up with a great method of placing fasteners on a slot with the iMate. I guess part of the problem is that the item on the other side of the slot has a hole. So I end up using the iMate for the bolt & washer on that side and having to use mate surface constraints for the washer and bolt and axis constraints to the hole on the "other" side/part.  

I hate having a bolt not line up with the nut.

[bbeilke]

I get that it's using the hole diameter to determine the washer size, that's as it should be.  But why would the programming of this functionality give me a 1/2" diameter bolt and then a 9/16" washer when selecting the exact same hole?

[blair]

It's the programmers at ADSK, I'm teaching a T & P class next week at AU and in my class I'm editing a Family Table to create a new custom family. One of the hose sizes has a OD of 0.25" and an ID of 0.313". Go figure, the hose run still gets created, the data just looks funny. Good thing my class includes the creation and editing of CC Family tables. I do have a ADSK employee from the Q-A department registered. I might be able to get an answer from him.

[bbeilke]

Thanks, Blair.

[salariua]

1. I ussually place the nuts over the washers with the pattern command. http://blog.ads-sol.com/2014/05/placing-fasteners-in-inventor.html

2. On slots I use an axis just as you do. Can't think of something easyer but you can create the axis with work point from the slot sketch 😉

3. I get that on metric bolts as well :)) can't remmeber which one; M16 ? and couldn't be bother to look into it. I just change size of the bolt :))

[blair]

I pattern when ever as well when ever I get the chance. Just that many less items to place.

[bbeilke]

I/we do use patterns when it makes sense.  However, due to the irregular shapes of many of our plant components (like chutework for example) patterns often aren't practical or useful.  And we do use the same technique as Adrian suggested (create the axis with work point from the slot sketch) to create work axis that defines the center of a slot.  And when Content Center insists on giving me the wrong sized washer, I've just been placing them anyway and then going back and using "Replace from Content Center" to change them to the size I want all at once.

In addition, we can still use the tools we've always used for this type of work (like the KWIKsert utility).  I've just been trying to make sure that I'm utilizing the full functionality of Content Center (like making sure I wasn't missing someway to add an offset when AutoDropping fasteners) and that I understand the limitations of the Content Center functionality as well.  I do appreciate the feedback and suggestions I've received thus far.

[salariua]

You might be able to edit the imate and add an offset at the part level, then use Replace Family Template to update the family. What if you need to place the nuts wihtout washers like when you use double nut for locking or when you use different style washers (different thicknesses)?