Array in family constraints are not staisfied

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

I am looking for assistance with a simple family which is reporting as constrains not satisfied. The family has two vertical legs with a width parameter between. To support the legs there are a number of cross ties which brace the legs. These cross ties are at an angle from one leg to the other. The cross ties have been created as an array. Whenever I flex the family WIDTH parameter I receive a warning stating that "Constraints are not satisfied". The cross ties will work correctly when placed individually but not when an array.

I ultimately wish to drive the number of cross ties in the array with a formulated parameter relevant to the height of the legs but cannot continue until this issue is resolved.

The cross ties have been created by placing a Reference line with the ends constrained to the legs. A sweep with the appropriate profile is applied to the Ref Line. This maintains the cross ties to the legs allowing the length to change and also allow the angle to change as this occurs with the distance between the legs changing but the intersection heights of the cross ties constrained.

I have tried creating the cross ties as extrusions but they will not rotate with the angle changing as the width is amended between the legs.

Not sure if an adaptive component would present an answer to this scenario.

Short screencast video attached

Files used in video attached

[loboarch]

When you have an array in a family that changes with some kind of parameter, it will usually be easier to control and you will get better results if the arrayed geometry is placed as a nested family.

I would try creating a family for a single cross brace and then nest it into the other family, then array the nested instance. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the reply and information.

I have previously attempted this method, however, this created an issue in itself. The nested family was placed into the "leg" family and placed accordingly. The nested family when arrayed would not maintain the constraint attaching it at the ends to the legs. I believe this was due to the fact that as the distance between the legs increases then the angle of the cross tie changes as the end points need to stay at a uniform distance in height. Thus using a Reference Line and sweep/profile, as the reference line will maintain the constraint to the legs.

[ToanDN]

Must you do it under a Generic template?  Can you use a truss family or a adaptive family?

[Anonymous]

I have explored the adaptive component and nesting the families. Actually did not think of a truss family. Thank you I will investigate that option.