Standard Parts

[corey_danielson]

I am creating a standard Channel part, with all sizes built in. Parameter have been set; my issue is trying to capture the length. It is a parameter called LENGTH. But when I go into "Create iPart" I cannot tie the length in anywhere. 

The plan was to be able to open the channel part, save it as, the pick from the table which channel I needed. I would change the length when I knew what I needed, and my BOM (sorry, parts list) would reflect the current length.

I have a square tube set up that works great. Where can I add <LENGTH> so it works with channels?

[blandb]

Is there a reason you are redrawing vs what is already in content center?

[corey_danielson]

I was looking in the content center, I did not have a sketch to edit when I pulled it out. And the plan was to try to have 1 channel to start with so my folder with start parts is clean. 

I would be open to exploring content center some more, if I could set what I wanted to part and description to look like.

[blandb]

The default libraries you cannot edit, but you create a company specific read/write library, you can copy structural members as independent to your library. Now you have the ability to make it your own. Either place the members as custom or use with Frame generator. You can alter material, color, descriptions, etc

Thing we always change is the angles. They separate them as unequal and equal. We put it all into 1 library, then use keys to choose from which we want. To swap materials you will have to have your own custom material library for say A36 because that is not a default material, unless it is under a different name.

Simple example "placing from CC"

[Frederick_Law]

You can copy CC and change part number, description, add and remove size.

I copied and make CSA standard.  Same size as ANSI but in metric.

[blandb]

Keep in mind that these are just out of the box options, no programming involved. If you want to proceed in making your own, I know @chris has done some pretty cool ilogic stuff that is NOT out of the box if you are into that for his structural models. I don't know what you are trying to achieve or what your projects are lol.

[chris]

Did someone say structural member templates... don't tease me!

[corey_danielson]

Chris, I have a channel for a start part. I have done this at 2 previous jobs in solid works. But with inventor I am struggling to tie in the length.

I want one channel start part that I can open, save as, and pick what I am using. Insert into an assembly, change the length at needed. But I want the parts list to update real time when I change the length.

[corey_danielson]

The profile changes just fine, so just trying to add the length

[chris]

@corey_danielson  Not a problem, do you just want screen shots or do you have time to jump on Zoom?

[corey_danielson]

screen shots would be better, just tell me what you need to see. (I can't do zoom from my workplace)

[chris]

I assume from your jpg, you want this whole thing to exist as an iPart? Your Length is already included since you extruded it. Will the user always and only hard type the length? or will the possibility exist that the designer may choose to use adaptability for the length? (either is fine, but some code is needed if you want to ensure that the BOM?Part's List always see's the correct geometric length of the part)

[corey_danielson]

I would really like the parts list to update automatically, this worked really well at my previous job (using SolidWorks)

Trying to remove any chance of someone typing in the wrong number (I am one of the handful of people at my current job using inventor. I see the value in 3D modeling (more people here are using AutoCAD Mechanical, And lisp routines. Typing in every column of every item in the BOM. I am trying to get away from that.

[Frederick_Law]

Attach your iPart file.

Try make one your iPart with different length.  IV should pickup and add length to the table.

Or you can select Length and add it to the table.

[corey_danielson]

Square tube, Rectangle tube, and Angle work perfectly, I have set those up already. Channel is the one I am struggling with. I need the length in the description, and channels have the extra text (3 x 4.10, 4 x 5.4, Etc.)  I am trying to add length to the partial description. (CH 3 X 4.10 x <LENGTH>) This does not work.

I have square tube set up as (=TS <THICKNESS> X <SIDEA> X <SIDEA> X <LENGTH> LONG) in the I properties description.  These work exactly as needed

[chris]

Your square and rect tubing should be the same part, (no need to have them separate, same goes for equal and un-equal angle. Channel is no different, the channel size and weight are the same, (just another number that gets mapped), you'd most likely have something like this: (=CS <CSize>X<CWeight> X <Length> LONG). But how will you solve the "potential" problem of a user choosing a length and then either performing an addition extrusion or cope, or another user doing the same thing that would affect the actual length from the chosen length?

[corey_danielson]

I don't mind creating iparts like this. The channels could be set up like this, just wanting to tie in the length.

For the first one, description is 45" long. but the part is actually 14" long. Is there something I could type in where it says 45" ? I tried <LENGTH> but that doesn't work.  I have only been using inventor for the past 6 months, while also training myself in Revit and Civil 3D. So, I have not had a long time in it.

[corey_danielson]

the Length parameter is correct (14") This changes whenever I change the length. 

[chris]

@corey_danielson Can you share a screenshot of your parameters window? I'd like to see which dimensions you have or have created, you should have something that looks like this: 

[corey_danielson]

Remember, I am still fairly new to Inventor. So, I am guessing my parameters need some work for channels.