I want to simulate hoses in my models using swept spline features and I would like to report the length of the hoses in the BOM's. Can I put the spline length in the quantity of a bom instead of the number of parts? Is there an easier way in solidworks basic?
I'm not sure about reporting in a BOM, but SW2014 now allows for "fixed length" splines.
http://blogs.solidworks.com/solidworksblog/2013/09/new-in-solidworks-2014-fixed-length-spline.html
This will at least allow you to dimension them correctly in your drawings.
With 2014, the answer is yes. If you create a path length dimension in your spline sketch (you can have it driving or driven) and set a custom property to that value. Now in your custom property manager, set the BOM quantity pulldown to your newly created custom property.
In anything older, would require you to use line segments and arcs rather than a spline. You would then dimension these (again, they can be driving or driven) and then create global variable with an equation that adds all the segment dimensions up. Set a custom property equal to that global variable and the BOM quantity pulldown to the custom property.
Whew! That's quite a workaround. I'm exhausted just typing it up.
With 2014, the answer is yes. If you create a path length dimension in your spline sketch (you can have it driving or driven) and set a custom property to that value. Now in your custom property manager, set the BOM quantity pulldown to your newly created custom property.
In anything older, would require you to use line segments and arcs rather than a spline. You would then dimension these (again, they can be driving or driven) and then create global variable with an equation that adds all the segment dimensions up. Set a custom property equal to that global variable and the BOM quantity pulldown to the custom property.
Whew! That's quite a workaround. I'm exhausted just typing it up.