How can I control my part and sketch dimensions from an assembly configuration?

joshtargo

I want to make a geometrically simpler MAXTube for assemblies where it has sketches for hole placements rather than hundreds of actual holes.

How do I set up a configuration variable that affects the part and sketches at the same time?

Currently the sketches are based on the part size by being drawn on its faces.

When I change the part size in the assembly, the sketches don't update.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/fedda7d876a3272f4cf37980/w/f482e6ab5578bc0f10886eb5/e/228563a72506b4a23af724b9?configuration=default&renderMode=0&uiState=671fb0af6fd9557cc31e5d29

rick_randall

@josh_targo - Are you using variables in you part model? I may not have understood the question well enough, but you might try this - use variables to tie the sketch and model length together at the part level. Make all possible variations of configurations at the part level, then insert those configurations into the assembly - Once that one part (or more) are inserted you can make assembly configurations of part configurations. Sorry for the bad over simplified explanation, but I hope part of that made some sense.

rick_randall

After digging a little deeper, I think I see what you're running into - It's the sketch that loses all x-references to the current configuration. Yeah Josh, sorry but I don't have the answer to that one. Maybe others can help.

andrew_kleinert

@josh_targo , would applying linear pattern to features instead of sketch elements allow you to generate the outcome you need? (eg: create a cylinder, and pattern the cylinder to remove material from the tube)

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/ef6f117860ac79b9a0a51b11/w/fe522fd83151bddfa380fb79/e/a511043cc90f0c9056db24ed?configuration=default&renderMode=0&uiState=671ffd60458c490f0c9d7820

joshtargo

no, the whole point of the exercise is to use sketches instead of geometry to speed things up.

julian_julian372

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/25653/how-can-i-control-my-part-and-sketch-dimensions-from-an-assembly-configuration

Is the issues because each part you bring into a assembly, Part or sketches, when you update a "configuration" each part in the assembly is not linked to related parts. in turn they all have the own configuration profile.
when you hover over the part is the instance view you can see the associated configuration variables.

Part 1 has a configuration of length 5

all the other parts have a configuration of 12

if you group select and then right click change configuration so they all update to the requested configuration

andrew_kleinert

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/108873#Comment_108873

Fair enough.

A general comment - there's already a tonne of expertise and work required to create good design and to effectively capture design intent. Having to also optimize "to speed things up" adds an undesirable layer of complexity to all of that - which I've totally ignored but I'm now starting to suffer for my sins.