Mirror a part without creating a new part

[gert-leonvanlier]

I am trying to mirror a part in my assembly. The original part can be the same as the mirror part, just turn it 180 degrees. Unfortunately the only thing I can do with the mirror function in Inventor is to create a new part/file with the suffix "_MIR" or adding it (same file), but for some reason the part is then flipped upside down and not constrained. See pictures below.

Orignal part  ----->  Mirrored new part with "_MIR" as suffix

Orignal part 2  ------>  Mirrored part, no new file, but upside down, not constraint

In my previous job I worked with SolidWorks and there it works like I describe and is the mirror function a feature in my assembly. Is this not possible in Inventor? Why would I want to create a new part when it is effectively the same as the original or should I again constrain everything? What's the whole point of the mirror function in that case? It's definitively not behaving like a pattern in my opinion.

[JDMather]

You do not want or need a new part.

This is simply another instance of the same part (exactly the same as in SolidWorks).

You simply need a mirror constraint.

Attach simplified assembly here for demonstration.

[gert-leonvanlier]

I don't quite understand what you mean, so please use attached example to show me.

I can't seem to post with an attachment right now. An issue on the forum? I will post asap.

But now I think about your reply, I don't hope it means what I think. Do you mean to place another instance of the part in the assembly and then use the mirror constraint to place the second instance at an equidistance to the mirror plane?

[JDMather]

Same as SolidWorks.

[gert-leonvanlier]

Same as SolidWorks? In SolidWorks you create a mirror feature. Like this (till 41 seconds is what I am looking for) or like this video. Nothing with constraints/mates, adding of instances or creating a left/right-hand version. Is this available in Inventor?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Either way should work. You can simply place another instance of the part without creating a new part. Or, use Mirror Component command -> select the source part -> select the mirror plane -> make sure you change the option to "Reuse" (plus sign) as opposed to default "Create New."

Many thanks!

[TheCADWhisperer]

It is my opinion that you don’t fully understand what is happening in the videos you referenced vs the component in the image that you Attached.

Attach your assembly here and I’ll demonstrate the correct technique in BOTH SolidWorks and  in Inventor. 

[gert-leonvanlier]

I can't seem to upload an attachment. It won't post. Is there another way to share my assembly?

Edit:

Please use this link: https://transfernow.net/ddl/MirrorPartAssy

You can mirror on the YZ Plane for this example.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! We are encountering some flaky behaviors on the forum site. Please zip the files and attach it. It should work now.

Many thanks!

[gert-leonvanlier]

Ok, another try.

Sorry, still does not work.

[gert-leonvanlier]

We still can't upload attachments? It is still not working here.

[Marcin.Szklarek]

HI!

Was it resolved I also observe odd behaviour with mirror parts in assembly. I do not want to create new part, just reuse the part and miror RELATIONSHIPS. Then when I relocate the part the mirrored on relocates as well.

[gert-leonvanlier]

No, I did not find a satisfying solution for this. The only way is just to add the item again in the assembly and constrain it. The mirror function in Inventor is not as intuitive as in SolidWorks.

[Marcin.Szklarek]

I find the same problem as I also use Solidworks from time to time. JDMather suggested mirror constraints but it is not the same as with one feature-mirror part  you could get multiple constraints applied.

[JDMather]

@Marcin.Szklarek 

It would be best to start a new discussion thread (link back to this one), and Attach actual Inventor (and SolidWorks if possible) files.

I use both programs on a daily basis and do not understand the difficulty - I must be missing something obvious.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Gert,

I tried a simple case like you have shown in the image. I think I know the behavior. Indeed, Reuse Mirror Component workflows have room for improvement. The ability to detect reusability is limited.

A simple L-shape part (with equal length) can be mirrored and reused. But, if there is a flange added to the bottom (still reusable), reuse just fails. As you can see, the more features are added, the less likely the part can be reused.

I don't have a good solution at the moment unfortunately.

Many thanks!

[Marcin.Szklarek]

Hi. It is not the same by far. It is a whole lot different.

Please check screen cast bellow. What SW does is copy the movement of the original part as moved relocated etc. ,it is easier for designer to operate like that. Inv just adds another instance. You have to attach constraints to the part before mirror feature. If you attach constraints after Mirror feature it is not mirrored then on to the other one.

[gert-leonvanlier]

@johnsonshiue: that's exctly what it is.

@Marcin.Szklarek: Indeed, it's not the same.

There is a lot of room for improvement in thtis case for Inventor.

[Anonymous]

Hi, did you get a proper solution to this problem?

I am having the same problem now.

If I mirror the parts, the new files will have different part numbers. Since I have hundreds of parts to be mirrored, it's not a feasible solution to change the parts numbers of the mirrored parts manually.

I also tried the Reuse Mirror component. And, exactly as you said, the parts turned upside down. Got messier....

I've tried so many different methods. None of them seem to work.

[Marcin.Szklarek]

It has been explained just change th toggle when making mirror parts to reuse. Try also mirror relationship.