CAD Forum

bnemec wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2022 3:19 pm Nice!
Is there a way to set an assembly to be set to Flexible whenever it is inserted into another assembly? Sub-assemblies like hinges or dampers are inherently flexible and should default to that most places they are used.

Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2022 8:17 am Not that I'm aware of, and I'm fairly certain there isn't one.

bnemec wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2022 9:53 am OK thanks.

Another question if you don't mind. What if I have several occurrences of one sub-assembly inserted and set to flexible, but they are used in different positions. For example, the same hydraulic cylinder used for several functions. Is there anything I need to do so that each occurrence can move independently?

Also, if the cylinder assembly model had several configs; extend, retract and float. Then in the upper-level assembly can one occurrence be using the "float" config and be set to flexible while another occurrence of the same cylinder sub-assembly is set to use the "extend" config to lock the connected linkage in the upper-level assembly?

I guess that was two questions.

bnemec wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2022 9:53 am OK thanks.

Another question if you don't mind. What if I have several occurrences of one sub-assembly inserted and set to flexible, but they are used in different positions. For example, the same hydraulic cylinder used for several functions. Is there anything I need to do so that each occurrence can move independently?

Also, if the cylinder assembly model had several configs; extend, retract and float. Then in the upper-level assembly can one occurrence be using the "float" config and be set to flexible while another occurrence of the same cylinder sub-assembly is set to use the "extend" config to lock the connected linkage in the upper-level assembly?

I guess that was two questions.

DennisD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2022 10:12 am Yes, you can have multiple instances of a floating subassembly and they are treated independently. I do this all the time using just the example you cite - cylinders. I have three configurations: Extended, Retracted, Free Stroke, where the Free Stroke has a limit distance mate that allows travel between the extended and retracted positions. I do this for springs as well.

In the top level assembly the flexible subassy is influenced by its mates in that top level, within the freedom allowed by that configuration of the subassy.

DennisD wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2022 10:12 am Yes, you can have multiple instances of a floating subassembly and they are treated independently. I do this all the time using just the example you cite - cylinders. I have three configurations: Extended, Retracted, Free Stroke, where the Free Stroke has a limit distance mate that allows travel between the extended and retracted positions. I do this for springs as well.

In the top level assembly the flexible subassy is influenced by its mates in that top level, within the freedom allowed by that configuration of the subassy.

bnemec wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2022 10:27 am Thanks Dennis. Do you model springs as assemblies? I assume to get better movement behavior in upper level assemblies?

bnemec wrote: ↑Mon Jun 06, 2022 9:53 am OK thanks.

Another question if you don't mind. What if I have several occurrences of one sub-assembly inserted and set to flexible, but they are used in different positions. For example, the same hydraulic cylinder used for several functions. Is there anything I need to do so that each occurrence can move independently?
Yes, this is entirely possible. Warning! With larger assemblies, flexible becomes flakier and flakier.

Also, if the cylinder assembly model had several configs; extend, retract and float. Then in the upper-level assembly can one occurrence be using the "float" config and be set to flexible while another occurrence of the same cylinder sub-assembly is set to use the "extend" config to lock the connected linkage in the upper-level assembly?

Yes, this is also possible. If you have 20 instances of an assembly, you can designate 15 of them to be flexible, but the other 5 can be specific configurations. You can even make a pattern of sub assemblies and designate SOME of the pattern instances as flexible and some as derived from a specific configuration. And when you move the flexible ones, they do not affect any of the others (this includes the original one).

I guess that was two questions.