How to create differently sized instances from a generic part?

lars_andersson

Newbie question.

Tried to make a generic part with variables for the main dimensions.
Then I realised that when I change the variables in the part definition, all instances, even older references change.
Thinking some more, that is of course the way it should work.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/c90604e98a644367954e2dcb/w/e803d1da78c441d69fe8f9f6/e/4c64e9abf026404d83bc2db3

So, my question is, how do I create a generic base part that can have differently dimensioned instances?

 

andrew_troup

Depending what you're trying to achieve, another workaround until we get proper configurations might be something along these lines: 

Build a parent part with the essential (shared) features

Derive that part into multiple Part Studios
In each studio, use direct editing tools to adjust the dimensions, and use conventional modelling to add individual features

It seems possible that there could be a further level, where a grandparent part was derived into several parent part studios (with different features added in each case) with each parent having a family of child parts sharing its features, but not all of its dimensions.

florian

Hi Lars,

have a look at my similar loosely related question on configurations for some hints. However, there isn't a robust solution yet.

Cheers, Flo

andrew_troup

Depending what you're trying to achieve, another workaround until we get proper configurations might be something along these lines: 

Build a parent part with the essential (shared) features

Derive that part into multiple Part Studios
In each studio, use direct editing tools to adjust the dimensions, and use conventional modelling to add individual features

It seems possible that there could be a further level, where a grandparent part was derived into several parent part studios (with different features added in each case) with each parent having a family of child parts sharing its features, but not all of its dimensions.

lars_andersson

"Derive that part" would that be done by Duplicate in the Part Studio tab? Then I guess ordinary dimensioning would do as well as variables?

I played with exporting the part as Parasolid and reimporting the part in a new Part Studio, then changing the variables in my mother part and then repeat export/import.

If that process could be automated ...

andrew_troup

@lars_andersson
I was thinking more in terms of a live link than a dead one.

Duplicate results in a dead link: changes to the parent are not reflected in the child.
"Derived" creates an associative link, as described here :

https://cad.onshape.com/help/#derived.htm?TocPath=Modeling%20in%20Onshape|Part%20Studio|Feature%20Tools|_____25

christophe_ribal

Hi !

I'm wondering if there has been any improvements on this, such as a function: "Import As" where the set of modifed variables could be set independently from their state on the mother part, even if larger design changes could happen there and be reflected to the child.

Is this on the to-do-list for Onshape ?

NeilCooke

@christophe_ribal

https://cad.onshape.com/help/Content/configurations.htm