"break" associativity

steven_van_luchene848

Is it possible to "explode" an assembly pattern as I want to alter the position of some of the insances, but not wanting to manually place each and every one of the parts. 

Some context: 
mad a configurator to quickly design a frame (using unistrut profiles). so positions are set initially (eg evenly spaced over a certain distance, a lot of positions are also relative to the origin) but afterward (to customer demand) position can still change slightly. 

so once the configurator is used to build a certain frame, can you then save the result as a seperate document assembly only retaining parts and position
It would best be to have the assembly and the parts it consists of  "exported"/ copied  to another document.(also as a 3d reference drawing to that specific customer order)
. I've tried exporting en importing as step files but that was a hassle and generated a lot of parts, instead of instancing a single part. also part history is obviously gone.  

glen_dewsbury

@stvnvl_8501
If you're using the frame tool, then individual instances can be added or removed manually after. Here I used an array then offsets with in the sketch to do this. Construction line for those to be removed. Use the composite part generated for cut list in the assembly and it will update.
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/81ec749f5adf8cd074462b0b/w/6d99167436cbf98f1ef54399/e/cdd696fab8dbd83497ba2b44

eric_pesty

I agree with @glen_dewsburythat if your are using the frame tool then you have more options. You can also use a "transform" on one member to adjust its position after doing a linear pattern (or after defining it as its own frame member), this does not affect the cutlist (as long as your transform is before the cutlist feature...)

If you are in an assembly however, the closest you are going to get is by suppressing the instance from the pattern (expand the pattern and right click on the instance you want to remove) and then copy/paste (or insert) the original instance to place it in a different location.

An intermediate option would be to use a layout approach (like a layout "helper" surface for example controlled in a part studio) and a replicate feature instead of a linear pattern. Then you can use patterns and transforms to shape your "layout" and the assembly will automatically update.

steven_van_luchene848

@glen_dewsbury @eric_pesty
great suggestions. 
Will check these out. Frame feature might not be totally suitable here. as I am also using imported parts to build the frame and I absolutely need the BOM list, which only Assembly studio seem to offer so far. Replicating to features of a dummy part  might indeed also do the trick.
thanks, 
Steven  

glen_dewsbury

You can if need be put both a BOM and a cut list on the same drawing.
Usually I'd have 2 drawings for frame/cutlist/weldment and assembly/BOM.
The frame composite will have  part number applied for he BOM.