"MASS" iProperty Precision

[marilyn]

Thanks in advance for any help with this problem. It has to be the most frustrating thing.

Using Inventor 2016 and we are using "MASS" in our BOMs in a formula so we group like parts created in "Frame Generator" together.  We have an equation using iProperties that create a "Part Number" to do this grouping, it is (=Material Size x <G_L> x <MASS>.  The "G_L" and "MASS" are Inventor iProperties, I find the "G_L" in my parameters but don't see the "MASS" anywhere (this MASS is different than the Mass under iProperties/Physical).  On the attached screen shot the fifth line has (11) parts that are the same size and <MASS> so groups them together.  The issue comes, when on this example, the first line the mass = "5571.219081" (don't have a clue what this MASS is, but don't care). When I created this frame generator part I had (6) with mass of 5571.219081 and (3) with mass of 5571.219082 so it did not match so did not group creating (2) lines on my BOM so I had to go into iProperties on each part and manually override "Part Number" to show same.

I have Googled this and come across some discussions and some say they are (4) places and some say they are (6) places like mine.  Would like to make it zero places if possible because the "MASS" is precise enough as you can see the third and forth lines are the same material and length but the part in the third line has a miter thus creating a different "MASS".

Does anyone know where I can control the (6) place precision for the iProperty?

[tschaeferZNBXX]

We have created an iLogic rule that runs at the close or right before save of a file.  Here is the snippet of it.  Of course this also will ensure that no matter what the file is modeled in your units are always lbsmass.

SyntaxEditor Code Snippet

openDoc = ThisDoc.Document
    MassUnits = openDoc.unitsofmeasure.MassUnits
              
    If MassUnits = kkilogrammassunits Then
        iProperties.Value("custom","Mass") = CStr(Round(iProperties.Mass*2.20462, 0))
    Else If MassUnits = kLbMassMassUnits Then
        iProperties.Value("custom","Mass") = CStr(Round(iProperties.Mass, 0))
    Else If MassUnits = kGramMassUnits Then
        iProperties.Value("custom", "Mass") =CStr(Round(iProperties.Mass*0.00220462,0))
       End If

[marilyn]

Thanks for the response, but I would rather not use iLogic to create a custom iProperty.  I am just looking for where I can control the precision of this iProperty.

[Curtis_W]

Hi marilyn,

See this link:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcartic...

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[marilyn]

Curtis,

Thanks for the help but this does not effect the "MASS" iProperty that is generated when you use frame generator.

[karthur1]

Marilyn,

The number that you are seeing for the <Mass> of the part is the mass in grams.... just so that you know.

I don't know of a way to format the Mass property the way you are wanting to do it.  If you copy the mass to a custom property...(like the code Tschaefner posted above), then you can format it and use it any way you like.

I don't see how what Curtis posted will help your situation either.

I am just wondering if you could leave off the <Mass> in your formula and still get the grouping that you are wanting.

Kirk

[Curtis_W]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Curtis,

Thanks for the help but this does not effect the "MASS" iProperty that is generated when you use frame generator.

---

Hi marilyn,

oops sorry for the misinformation.

I see where karthur1 asks if you really need to include the mass in the formula, and not doing so would be my thought as well, but maybe you have the need for it. Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to control the Precision.

Applogies again for the confusion.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[marilyn]

Thanks for the info, I did not know the MASS was in grams, I guess that is why the number is so large.  We do need the MASS so that we don't have items grouped together that have copes or mitres.  I have found a iLogic rule that takes the Mass iProperty turns it to PN_W custom iProperty with a 2 decimal place precision that I use in place of the MASS in the formula that works but I have to run a rule and that seems to slow my model down some and now I would need to impliment that rule on the other 20 or so custom content center items we use.  Was hoping for a quick change of unit precision that would do it.

[petestrycharske]

marilyn,

I'm sorry that things aren't working quite the way that you had hoped and I agree that there should be some sort of control over the precision of the units for mass.  If you have a moment, you might consider placing this in the idea station for Inventor (Link here) as I didn't see anything like it posted and would certainly vote for it.  This may not help much for the immediate concern, but will help Inventor get better over the long haul.  I agree that this would be an important feature and it should be feasible, as this capability exists within the text boxes already. 

Wish I could be of more assistance, but I believe iLogic will be your best bet in this instance.  Hope all else is well and have a most blessed day!

Peace,

Pete

[tschaeferZNBXX]

Think I found it.  

Go to document settings, "Units" tab and change "Linear Dim Display Precision".

[karthur1]

Does this not control what is displayed for the sketch dimensions? I dont see this having any effect on the mass precision.  Even if it does, I would probably not want the mass precision and my sketch dimensions to be the same precision.

[Curtis_W]

---

@karthur1 wrote:

Does this not control what is displayed for the sketch dimensions? I dont see this having any effect on the mass precision.  Even if it does, I would probably not want the mass precision and my sketch dimensions to be the same precision.

---

Hi karthur1,

It does control the mass precision in the physical tab of the iProperties dialog, but apparently it does not impact how that same information is displayed when brought into the BOM using a formula such as =<mass>

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[Davey_van_den_Berg]

Hi,

to edit the percision od the mass property you'll have to do this:

1. open you Parts list

2. right click on mass

3.  press format column

4. set pricision to ... 

i've added 2 pictures

Please click solved 😁,

Davey

[marilyn]

Thank you for the information, your solution will effect the the parts list and that is not our issue.  Our issue is in the IPT itself.  If you go to iProperties and put in "mass" you will get a big number (weight of part in grams) which in my case is 6 decimal places.  I want to make that 0 or 1.  All our issues come on the 5th or 6th decimal place being different by 1 or 2 max.  This would represent a weight difference of 1 or 2 ten millionths of a gram.  Thanks for trying to help me.

[Davey_van_den_Berg]

Hi,

Sorry for the late reaction.

this will be for people with the same problem.

This is possible, but it will effect all parameters within inventor.

what does this mean?

it means that if you link a parameter from another part, it will also use that precision.

(if d1 of part1.ipt =3.141592 than d1 of part2.ipt will be 3. if you set precision to 0)