So I've got a part that has a horizontal and a vertical offset, I need 2 halves of a base bolt cover to go around a HSS column. I thought I was being clever and created a single part with 2 configurations using a single variable I called "Side Modifier" with 1 or -1. I multiplied my offset by the modifier, and the equations wouldn't change the direction of the offset. I don't know what my next step should be. Any help is very much appreciated. Using SW 2016
Arthur,
Nice idea, but not sure if that -1 thing is possible or not though. Have you thought about just using a mirror feature?
Another way you could do it is create it as one full box shape, then do an extrude cut for each half. Do a different cut for either configuration
My solution has been to use two dimension mates and toggle them on or off with the configurations.
This is what my solution became in the end. I still think being able to do the direction change would be useful, I have a background with C++ and 3D Calculus so it seemed like a logical step.
Arthur McRae wrote:
and 3D Calculus
Now that sounds scary, I thought three semesters of calc. was bad enough without 3D calc.
I have first year engineering. I couldn't afford the tuition for a second year. I've left the darkside behind but some of it's tools come in handy.
I have done some work with "flipping" dimensions using sketches which I thought might work. However, after looking at your assembly, it is not clear to me what you are attempting to do. Can you upload the model?
The attached file is what I needed in the end. Sometimes the columns are offset on the plate to match existing bolts. This is what I got to work in the end, but I was not successful in my initial tactic of flipping the offset dimension between configurations.
So here is my first attempt at "flipping" your cover using 1 & -1; take a look and see if it might work for you. I still do not quite understand what you were trying to do with the double flip with the x & y offsets (I was thinking you only needed to do the x offset because the part is symmetrical in the y offset direction) but when I have more time, I will take another look.
This is the situation I find myself in sometimes with it offset in 2 directions so the flip you used wouldn't have worked.
Okay, now that I understand what you are trying to do. Attached is my second try. It assumes positive x offset is to right and y positive offset is up when looking at top view. So in the case of your attached sketch x_offset = -3 and y_offset = 1.25 I did not change the width of the base plate to 23 as you have shown because it is not a factor in how I set up the equations (they should adjust to any length or width changes of the cover).
Beautiful. This forum is great for that other set of eyes when you get too close to a project and are stuck.
Okay, now that I understand what you are trying to do. Attached is my second try. It assumes positive x offset is to right and y positive offset is up when looking at top view. So in the case of your attached sketch x_offset = -3 and y_offset = 1.25 I did not change the width of the base plate to 23 as you have shown because it is not a factor in how I set up the equations (they should adjust to any length or width changes of the cover).