How to convert versachassis 1x1 tubing into inventor frame

[tim-tim]

There are several ways to do accomplish the same task as the frame generator, one of the many useful design accelerators built within Inventor. You can definitely make a wire frame 3D/2D sketch, set of planes, axes, etc... The thing you will learn about CAD is there is almost always more than one way to complete a task, it is finding the most efficient method that becomes the challenge.

If I were tackling this problem, depending on what I was trying to accomplish (design intent), I would likely create multiple configurations (SolidWorks term), Inventor calls it iParts, of the rail and assemble using planes and other rails. This allows the assembly to be somewhat dynamic and easy to adjust. I think if I was doing a lot of weird (non-orthogonal) angles and planes I would stick to the frame generator, it makes trimming cleaning up the ends/corners of the members much easier. Again, I would try multiple ways and figure out how everything works, and then know what method to use as you tackle a problem.

Note, I have not used the iParts, iAssembly, or iLogic part of Inventor so I don't know much about it. However, I am a huge fan of SolidWorks' configurations (our team uses SolidWorks and the video posted above) and PTC Creo's family tables (the software I use at work) all the time. These really save a good amount of time on common parts (lengths of rail members, hole location relative to end of rail, etc.). I found this video of iParts and thought it was pretty informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNLCPaOqjaA. You can also look up videos and applications of SolidWorks configurations for more ideas of how to implement this feature (just know it is a different software package).

-Tim