Hi,

I have a case to controll a simple structural part length in an assembly.
The way I build the assembly is,
- a layout part which has the center lines of members
- simple extruded structural member as [i]part[/i] (with dummy configuration, say L1 and L2)
- insertred the layout part into an assembly
- then inserted the structural[i] part [/i]into the assembly and set the part configuration as L1
- Now I have an another instance of the [i]part[/i] and set the part configuration as L2
- I need to controll the length of the structural member in assembly so I am using Equations to calculate.
- There is no problem for fixing the first instance length.
- But when I try to equate the length of the 2nd instance, SW don't allow me to do this. It says [i]part's[/i] length is linked to another equation, would you like to change that?

How could I overcome this?
Please help me.

The way to do this would be to ion-context the part if you want to control the distance of a part 1. Configuration no longer is part of the assembly if you want to vary the length. See KBA on Assembly mates and best practices

Regards,

_________________
Scott Baugh, CSWP

Scott,

I couldnot look into KB->SolidWorks->Assembly mates and Best practices, when i click the link it shows me the following error...
"Template->make_filename(): Error - file does not exist".
(I couldn't view any topics, is there anything to do at my end?)


Thanks,
JRat

Oops my fault. I'll have to see what is the matter.

_________________
Sean Dotson, PE
RND Automation & Engineering
Free 30 day trial of iPropWiz v5
Follow @seandotson & @mcadforums & @rndautomationon Twitter

Should be working now.. sorry

_________________
Sean Dotson, PE
RND Automation & Engineering
Free 30 day trial of iPropWiz v5
Follow @seandotson & @mcadforums & @rndautomationon Twitter

Thanks Sean, I could read it now.

Hi Scott,

I go thru your valuable tips, thanks.
As you said I have controlled the mates mostly using the PLANES.

I will explain more about my case now,

- Layout part (LAY.SLDPRT) having many reference planes to controll the TIE beams.
- tie beam (TIE.SLDPRT) length will vary for every insatance.
- In new assembly (ASSY.SLDASY) i have inserted the LAY first.

Now,
Cond 1: I need various instances of TIE part in ASSY with different lengths.
Cond 2: I don't like to have more than one TIE part file.
Cond 3: Lengths should in-context with the LAY dimensions in ASSY.

Hope this will helps to get deep in to my case.

Regards.,
JR

I have made an example - Took a look at it and let me know if that's what your looking for?

http://www.scottjbaugh.com/Tie.zip

Regards,

_________________
Scott Baugh, CSWP

Thanks for your time Scott ,

Your example sounds good.

Finally I got the solution for my case. I have attched my sample with this.
Change the dimensions for the PLANE1, PLANE 2.... in LAY part. It will controll the length of the respective TIE. Even you can change the SKETCH dimension it will also work.
Files are in SW2004 version.

Any suggestions, please let me know.

I am going to use this concept for more applications. Hope it will not give me any trouble.


Thanks
JRat