Driving part dimensions from assembly using parameters

[piotrekdoro94]

Hi, I'm trying to use linking parameters to drive dimensions of parts from an assembly. I've read some other threads about it but I still don't understand how to do it. Here is my simplified example:

I have two files:

• TestPart.ipt
• TestAssembly.iam

TestPart contains a simple cyllinder with diameter 10 mm and height of 100 mm. Height of the cylinder is defined by the named parameter "Height". TestAssembly.iam contains nothing other then a user parameter called "Extension" equal to 0 mm

I want to insert TestPart.ipt into TestAssembly.iam and increase the height of the cyllinder from 100 mm to 200 mm by changing the value of the "Extension" parameter in TestAssembly.iam from 0 mm to 100 mm.

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What I've tried so far:

• Linking "Height" parameter from TestPart to TestAssembly. Parameter is greyed out. Turns out you can't drive the geometry of a part directly from another file (per other threads about the subject),
• Reversing previous attempt. Setting "Extension" user parameter to 100 mm, linking it from TestAssembly to TestPart and setting Height in TestPart to "100 mm + Extension". I have no idea why it doesn't work but Inventor warns me about "cyclical references" and doesn't allow me to insert TestPart into TestAssembly
• Using both methods described above but using derived components as intermediaries (to the same effect).

I know one can use other methods (iLogic, iPart/iAssembly, external excel file), but I have a bunch of files I need to modify and because of a combination of factors It seems this method (If it's possible) should work best.

I've attatched both files. I would appreciate a detailed explanation of a workflow I should follow to reach my goal or solved example files I've attatched.

[CCarreiras · Accepted solution]

Hi!

You cannot link directly parameters from assembly to parts inside the assembly (cyclic dependencies error), but you can do the opposite: link part parameters with assembly.

To link Assembly parameters with parts, you can use an iLogic rule to do those links between the main assembly and every part inside the assembly.

Check the vídeo:

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

If you want to control parameters from the assembly level, you must use iLogic or Excel.

Parameter linking allows for exchange between parallel files, but does not allow for work in hierarchical systems.

[piotrekdoro94]

Thank you for your solution.

I guess there's no way to avoid iLogic or an external excel file then...

[CCarreiras]

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@piotrekdoro94 wrote:

I guess there's no way to avoid iLogic or an external excel file then...

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Yes, you can't avoid one of these options.

I prefer iLogic because the rules are inside the assembly file (no extra file needed), and i can do a form to control only the parameters i need, instead of opening the parameters chart to do changes.