I'm interested to know how people set up designs so that
components component dimensions can be changed by changing only one
dimension. As a simple example consider three part blocks that have
one equal dimension in an assembly. How do you set up the assembly
so that the dimesnion only has to be changed once?
So far I've tried or heard about a number of different methods. They include:
- Converting off a common sketch or creating an external reference to a common sketch. This can get messing and confusing. I know of several people who try to avoid this on big assemblies and do all bottom up design.
- Inserting a common block. Can get messy and confusing.
- Possibly reference a value on a design table. Haven't tried this but someone may confirm if this is possible.
- Possibly using an equation though my attempts indicate that you cannot reference variable labels outside a part. Someone may be able to confirm this or suggest a work around.
- Using API.
Any others suggestions. I'm looking for the most simple and robust mehod. Thanks.
So far I've tried or heard about a number of different methods. They include:
- Converting off a common sketch or creating an external reference to a common sketch. This can get messing and confusing. I know of several people who try to avoid this on big assemblies and do all bottom up design.
- Inserting a common block. Can get messy and confusing.
- Possibly reference a value on a design table. Haven't tried this but someone may confirm if this is possible.
- Possibly using an equation though my attempts indicate that you cannot reference variable labels outside a part. Someone may be able to confirm this or suggest a work around.
- Using API.
Any others suggestions. I'm looking for the most simple and robust mehod. Thanks.
Even I usually avoid this and prefer to do a bottom up assembly.
- Inserting a common block. Can get messy and confusing.
I don't feel this can be messy or confusing. Create configuration in the part mode with different name (to avoid confusion) and equal dimension. Then you can insert them in the same assembly.
- Possibly reference a value on a design table. Haven't tried this but someone may confirm if this is possible.
Check the post by M. G. Martinez on "DT driving an entire Assembly"
- Possibly using an equation though my attempts indicate that you cannot reference variable labels outside a part. Someone may be able to confirm this or suggest a work around.
This doesn't work in part editing mode. But you can double click on the part to reveal the dimensions and create equations.
- Using API.
Can be a good alternative but you need to have idea how API work and how to handle the macros.