Drive parameter of one part based on another part

[Anonymous]

I'm making handrails.. And lots of them. They're all the same height and construction. I'd like to be able to place one in my master assembly, be prompted to enter ONE dimension (the span of the handrail) and have it change all of the individual lengths necessary to make that handrail. I have done some reading on iParts, iAssemblies, and iLogic, but haven't really figured out how to do what I'm looking for here.

If each handrail was simply a single part (made of sweeps or something) then this would be an easy iPart solution. But What I need is an assembly of individual cuts of pipe. How can I change one length dimension, and have it also change the lengths of the two midrails (a part parameter), and the position of the supporting vertical rail (an assembly constraint parameter). 

Is there a screen cast floating around out there somewhere showing how to do this?

It sounds from his or her question that this individual has figured it out, so I believe it is possible. http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-general-discussion/set-part-parameters-in-assembly/m-p/569168...

[CCarreiras]

Hi!

Yes, is possible, and actually, not so difficult.

I think you will manage this well with a skeleton sketch and using frame generator (using standard profiles instead sweeps or something).

Or, using skeleton sketch and adaptative parts.

Read about frame generator and adaptative parts, and since you create the model, we can speak how to link parameters betwenn main assembly and other parts. 

[Anonymous]

ccarreiras,

Thanks for your reply! 

Will the method you suggested allow me to save each individual cut of pipe as a new part after all of their lengths are changed? Or would it just change the dimensions of all the existing parts? How would this work?

[CCarreiras]

Yes, of course... this will be the main goal... the production documentation ( besides a correct 3D model).

This is not a Inventor "special function", the model must be design with the "intelligence" parameters and rules by the user, and the way depends from the model specificities.

Do you have some sketch that i can see? Which rules to apply to the model? Something where we can start to work?

[Anonymous]

Also, I can't seem to figure out how to do what you're talking about. I could do it with frame generator, but I don't see how I would get it to save a new part every time that I change the skeleton, so that it doesn't also change all of the other handrails I have in the master assembly. The only option I can think of is doing a save as on the skeleton, which would require me to create an entirely new handrail assembly every time right? Isn't there a way to use iParts or something so that I just say "input this handrail subassembly into this assembly" and inventor says "sure, how long do you want it to be?" and I say "70 inches" and inventor says "great, let me make a version of that handrail with parts that fit together to make it 70 inches long". There's gotta be some sort of ipart/ilogic combo that makes this happen. It doesn't seem like it would be too complicated. My knowledge of inventor is just still in the developmental stages.

Sorry if I'm totally missing your solution.

[Anonymous]

and here's an example of the assembled handrail.

[CCarreiras]

Lets call your initial assembly as "FATHER"

The Father will produce a lot of children changing parameters or rulesç.

Everytime you change the Father, you will have new parts... (or not new parts, but with different sizes). Therefore, if you want to keep the "CHILD" Assembly to continue working, you have to export the model (a copy). Then you can continue working in the copy (Child), and also configure new variations in the "Father" model, to produce new copys.

This will be the same workflow, no mather if you are using iParts, iAssembly, iLogic or whatever.... 

[CCarreiras]

If you are happy with the workflow, send me the model and i'll insert some inteligence in it, and then you can test...

[Anonymous]

Is there any chance you could record a screen cast as you do this, so that I may learn the process?

[CCarreiras]

Whats happens if the handrail become bigger (or smaller), new elements will appear (or disappear)?
Or the model will be always with this configuration? (except sizes, of course)

[Anonymous]

The middle Vertical rail (cut 4) should only appear if the span is greater than or equal to 72 inches. If the span is greater than or equal to 144 inches, there should be another vertical support rail added. And so on. The vertical rails should always be equally spaced. And if the span is less than 72 inches, there should only be the two vertical rails on the ends, and two horzontal mid rails, and the one top rail. Is that a feasible code to write?

[CCarreiras]

That was what i had asked before... now i have to rebuild the model due these conditions.

You are not helping, you are making me waste time and i don't have that so much.

Any other condition that i need to know, or it's only it?

Please, don't make me waste time. I don't have it.

[CCarreiras]

This was how to create the frame, ready to be parametric... but now, due the new rules, it must be slightly different.
I will repair the model, but i will not make another video for the new conditions. Sorry, no time.

[CCarreiras]

Check the model... is this it?!