Frame generator - part numbers do not always update

[michaeldemunnikPT3ZY]

Hello,

I'm having the following issue with frame generator.

I create skid frames with content center square and rectangular tubes which are customized to rename the part number to e.g. Square tube - 40x40x2 - G_L .

This way i can make a sawing list which shows how many tubes must be cut in the same length because the same part numbers are added up in the qty column. Usually this works perfectly fine.

The issue i'm having is that sometimes when i trim the tubes, the G_L changes to the correct length but the part number does not update to the new G_L. The display name does update correctly. 

I guess this is a bug because most of the time it does update the part number correctly.

I'm looking for a quick work around. What i do now is change the frame members from e.g. 40x40x2 to 40x40x2.5 and back again. This way the part numbers update to the correct G_L but this is very time consuming.

Is there a quick way to refresh/regenerate the part numbers? I tried rebuild all etc. but this doesn't dot he trick.

Thanks in advance,

Michael

[CGBenner]

@michaeldemunnikPT3ZY 

Hi Michael, on the tubes where you are seeing this issue, are any other end treatments involved, such as a Notch?

I noticed years ago that when using both a Trim and a Notch, the order matters.  I don't know why, but if you Notch first and then Trim, the G_L will not be correct.  Could this be happening for you?

[michaeldemunnikPT3ZY]

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your reply. No, on these tubes only the trim end treatment is used.
The G_L updates correctly, but the updated G_L does not show in the part number which is supposed to show the G_L. It seems like it's stuck on the old G_L and when triggering it to update by changing the frame member back and forth the correct value G_L is shown.

[CGBenner]

@michaeldemunnikPT3ZY 

Ok, thanks for the clarification.  That is odd.  Do you always see this on the same Family of profiles?  

I use the same expression in my Custom square tube Family, and so far I haven't been able to make it NOT update.  I was hoping I could so I could offer you some ideas.  🤔

[michaeldemunnikPT3ZY]

Yes, it always happens within the same family. Here is the expression i use for the part number column.

Most of the time it works like it should.

Problem is the only way to find out if the correct value is shown, is diving into the iproperties of each frame member.

Would be nice to trigger an update in some kind of way. Switching members back and forth works, but takes a long time because of the recalculations and this crashes inventor if i select a lot of members to change at once.

 

[CGBenner]

@michaeldemunnikPT3ZY 

In your expression you are using B_L.  I recommend at least testing this with G_L instead.  On the test piece I was using earlier to look into this, G_L updated with Trim, but B_L did not.

[michaeldemunnikPT3ZY]

Thank you Chris,

Unfortunatly it won't let me change to G_L. It's not in the list which pops up when i press the "..." button, and if i enter it manually the rule turns red and i cant click OK. Probably why i used B_L instead. Is there any way to add this parameter?

[CGBenner · Accepted solution]

@michaeldemunnikPT3ZY 

Hi again.  Sorry for the wait... I had to play around with it a little to remember how I used to do this in a different life... 

In my Part Number column, I created a custom expression that included some existing Parameters from the list, and then added G_L in "carats". <> (see the image below).  Put the = in front of this whole string and Inventor will concatenate the parameter values from the Family Table with the generated value of G_L when the part is created.  You can tweak what I show below as needed to get the Part Number to look like what you need.  I hope this helps, I feel like I need more coffee.... 😂

And the result in Inventor...

[michaeldemunnikPT3ZY]

Hi Chris,

Thanks so much, seems you've had enough coffee after all!

This is the formula and how it shows up in the family table;

And when creating a new frame;

So that's perfect. Now before i get told we make skids and not watches, is there any way to change the precision to no decimals on the G_L parameter?

Fixed this. For people who see this in the future having the same issue;

- Open random frame member after deleting any end treatments or other edits to the member

- In the fx menu of this, right click user parameter G_L.

- Choose Custom property format and set this how you want it to appear and save it

- In content center editor, right click on the family, select replace family template and select the saved member.

Done.