How to create link between base part and machined variants without breaking assemblies.

[george0621]

We work with aluminum profiles that are machined differently depending on the article used.

All articles are based on a common base profile. The base profile models were received as a STEP files from an external company. These STEP files have been imported into Inventor and saved as a iparts.

When modeling the machined articles, the previous approach was to use the step file to copy a sketch, recreate the profile and add the machining features (cut length, holes etc.) 

The problem is that when we make changes to the profile tool, we update the base profile model—but there’s no link between that and the machined article models. So, the machined variants don't update.

Our machined variants are already used in a lot of assemblies, is there a way to link the machined variant to the base profile without breaking the links in the assembly?

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi George,

I was thinking maybe Reference Import (associative STEP import) could help. But I am not 100% sure. It largely depends on what is changed in the profile. If the change involves topological change (added/removed edges or faces), the associativity will be broken. This is also true in Derive workflow.

Please share an example that illustrates the change to the profile. Then I will be able to tell if there is a workflow keeping the associativity when such change occurs.

Many thanks!

[george0621]

Hi Johnson,

Thank you for reaching out! The changes can be minor changes geometry changes such as increasing the size of a protrusion (1 in fig below) but also topological changes such as the addition of a new feature (2 in fig). However a method that would create a link between our base models and variant models that is only viable for geometry changes would still be valuable, as those changes are more common than topological changes. Any suggestions would be appreciated! 🙂

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I think the associativity can be kept when the changes are like #1. But when there is any change like #2, more than likely the associativity, regardless of workflows, will break.

Many thanks!

[george0621]

Hi Johnson,

Just to clarify, can the Reference Import (associative STEP import) function be used even when my base model and variant models have already been created? (I'm not familiar with this function).

Many thanks,

George

[johnsonshiue]

Hi George,

Yes, I believe so. The Reference Import works under the assumption that the STEP file is structured similarly from the same export system. Even when the STEP file has been exported again (updated), Inventor should be able to update the geometry accordingly. However, as I pointed out earlier, when there is topological change, the downstream associativity will break.

Many thanks!