Frame Generator - Curved Member Length

[dan_newman]

Is it possible to change the way that the length of curved frame generator members are measured?

Currently, it seems the length is measured on the centerline of the steel.  In a fabrication shop, this is not a practical way to measure these members.  For example, on a wide flange beam, rolled the easy way (like this), our shop would measure the length along the web of the beam, rather than the centerline.  As a result on some curved steel shapes (HSS for example), the G_L parameter that Inventor generates can be off by quite a bit.

Our work-around has been to add a sketch to the frame generator part, and use a driven arc dimension that replaces the G_L parameter to pull the cut length for our parts list/BOM.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Dan.

[bob_holland · Accepted solution]

Dan,

Thank you for contacting the Autodesk Inventor Forum.

At this time, I think that you work around is about as good as there currently is.

I think that this would be a good post on Intentor's IdeaStation

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Inventor-IdeaStation/idb-p/v1232

This is where the Inventor product managers look for future development.

Thank you.