Go to Post the point is that FIRST is successful, in so many different ways - Pamela [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > Technical > CAD > Inventor
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
Closed Thread
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 11-02-2008, 15:23
naroarr naroarr is offline
Registered User
no team
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Ridgefield, NJ
Posts: 6
naroarr is an unknown quantity at this point
How do you manage larger assemblies?

do you create multiple .iam's and add them together into one final assembly?
or
do you constraint every single part together in one assembly?

haha sorry if my question was confusing..
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 11-02-2008, 15:39
usbcd36's Avatar
usbcd36 usbcd36 is offline
Registered User
AKA: "DOS"
FRC #2399 (The Fighting Unicorns)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Solon, OH
Posts: 151
usbcd36 is a jewel in the roughusbcd36 is a jewel in the roughusbcd36 is a jewel in the rough
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

I create sub-assemblies and place them into a final assembly.
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 11-02-2008, 16:22
Molten's Avatar
Molten Molten is offline
Registered User
AKA: Jason
FRC #1766 (Temper Metal)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,289
Molten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond reputeMolten has a reputation beyond repute
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

It really depends. I choose whichever way makes the most sense for the project. I apologize, but it seems my answer is just as confusing as your question.
__________________
"Curiosity. Not good for cats, great for scientists."- Numb3rs

"They can break your cookie, but... you'll always have your fortune."-T.W. Turtle, Cats Don't Dance

"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly - the ill deeds along with the good, and let me be judged accordingly. The rest... is silence."-Dinobot, Beast Wars

"Though the first step is the hardest and the last step ends the quest, the long steps in between are certainly the best."
–Gruffi Gummi, Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 11-02-2008, 19:07
rachal's Avatar
rachal rachal is offline
multipurpose tool
AKA: Rachel
FRC #1072 (Harker Robotics)
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: San Jose, CA -> Cambridge, MA
Posts: 172
rachal is just really nicerachal is just really nicerachal is just really nicerachal is just really nicerachal is just really nice
Send a message via AIM to rachal
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

I generally only use sub-assemblies when they're mildly complex and need to be used multiple times, like gearboxes and wheel assemblies.

I also make the grabber a separate assembly so I can move it around in the final assembly
__________________
2005 Sacramento Winners with 245 and 766
2005 SVR Semi-Finalists with 840 and 668
2005 SVR Judges Award
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 12-02-2008, 02:50
KINGOFCLUBS454's Avatar
KINGOFCLUBS454 KINGOFCLUBS454 is offline
Creamer Connoisseur
AKA: Andrew
FRC #0357 (Royal Assault) VRC #KTOR (Knights of the Olde Robotics)
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: May 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: Upper Darby
Posts: 34
KINGOFCLUBS454 has a spectacular aura aboutKINGOFCLUBS454 has a spectacular aura aboutKINGOFCLUBS454 has a spectacular aura about
Send a message via AIM to KINGOFCLUBS454
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

I always look at how the finished product will be assembled. For example, imagine a mecanum wheel(I'm partial to 357's, but thats just me ). It would make sense to me to make the roller and all of the bearings inside of it a single assembly, mostly because that is the way it is when it is attached to the final hub, which would be an assembly all in it's own once bushings and axles are attached. However, for a product such as an AndyMark Stackerbox, I would simply throw everything together in a single assembly because there are no noticeable pieces that would need to be pre-assembled before the final product.

Hope that was of some help.
__________________
PATENTed
VRCC KTOR - Captain
FRC357 - Alumni
FRC2023, FTC508 - Mentor
FLL5297 -Mentor
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 12-02-2008, 02:54
mlucas's Avatar
mlucas mlucas is offline
Registered User
FRC #1516 (Grizzlies)
Team Role: Mechanical
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: San Ramon
Posts: 14
mlucas is an unknown quantity at this point
Send a message via AIM to mlucas
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

My solution...ditch inventor, run Solidworks....


But the honestly...

My final assemblies are as simple as possible. Granted i run solidworks, but same concept, easier to use product. The only assemblies i do in the final asm. are each piece like it would be assembled on the robot. Therefore tranny's are assembled in their own file, on solidworks i like to save them as parts and not assemblies, unless they need moving components, saves time and all that.

All in all, if you attach it to the robot assembled, assemble it in its own file, if you assembly it on the robot, say...oh a frame and some sheeting on top of the frame, the assemble it in the final robot assembly.
__________________
Team 1516-Grizzlies
Architect

CNC Machining, Electrical, Pneumatics, Drivetrain, and mostly GOPHER


Last edited by mlucas : 12-02-2008 at 02:59.
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 12-02-2008, 03:07
Binome's Avatar
Binome Binome is offline
Programmer/Electronics/CAD
AKA: Patrick
FRC #2273 (SHIM)
Team Role: Leadership
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Surrey,BC
Posts: 105
Binome is a glorious beacon of lightBinome is a glorious beacon of lightBinome is a glorious beacon of lightBinome is a glorious beacon of lightBinome is a glorious beacon of light
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

Simplified Components, Large Assembly Mode, and Sub-Assemblies are what keep solidworks from crashing hard when loading some of our more complex drawings. Stationary things should almost always be in a sub assembly to keep RAM, Swap, and CPU load down when dealing with moving parts, and fixing components, removing redundant relations, and defining sketches properly the first time keeps you from remaking parts when your fabricators give you suggestions later.
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 12-02-2008, 09:13
JD Mather's Avatar
JD Mather JD Mather is offline
Registered User
no team
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Williamsport, PA
Posts: 135
JD Mather is a jewel in the roughJD Mather is a jewel in the roughJD Mather is a jewel in the roughJD Mather is a jewel in the rough
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mlucas View Post
Granted i run solidworks, but same concept,...

I have found no difference. Do it like it would be done in the real world. If subassemblies would be used then create subassemblies. The CAD program does not make a difference in the assembly strategy.
__________________
Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Certified SolidWorks Professional
AU 2007 Avatech Altogether Smarter Inventor Challenge 1st Place
http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/content..._tutorials.htm
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 12-02-2008, 09:59
Tom Bottiglieri Tom Bottiglieri is offline
Registered User
FRC #0254 (The Cheesy Poofs)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,188
Tom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond repute
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

We have a gearbox mounted on a raised rail which is mounted on the base of the robot.

Gears and plates - parts
Gears on shafts - assemblies
Gearbox - assembly
Gearbox on rail - assembly
base - assembly
whole robot - assembly of assemblies

Abstraction is your friend. The software is designed to be parametric and its a great help to use it that way.
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 14-02-2008, 20:44
pmax's Avatar
pmax pmax is offline
Registered User
AKA: Peter Maxfield
no team
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 67
pmax is a name known to allpmax is a name known to allpmax is a name known to allpmax is a name known to allpmax is a name known to allpmax is a name known to all
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

Ultimately the notion of using subassemblies or making "flat" assemblies is up to the user. I strongly recommend making a subassembly when in doubt. The biggest benefit is that another person can work with your files and likely get a better feeling for your intentions in how everything was put together.
__________________
www.autodesk.com/first
  #11   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 14-02-2008, 21:04
Tristan Lall's Avatar
Tristan Lall Tristan Lall is offline
Registered User
FRC #0188 (Woburn Robotics)
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Rookie Year: 1999
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 2,484
Tristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond reputeTristan Lall has a reputation beyond repute
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri View Post
Abstraction is your friend. The software is designed to be parametric and its a great help to use it that way.
That actually brings up an interesting question: when should you parametrize a model, and when should you keep it separate?

I find that it's quite helpful, every time I make a feature, to try to imagine what variations on the feature might come to exist, what other features might depend on this feature, and whether or not the part will be interchanged between assemblies.

For repeated parts, tempting as it might be to link their features to another assembly member, you may encounter difficulties when the first instance of the part (from which the dependencies are derived) is changed or removed. Also, for parts that can exist in different assemblies, you might inadvertently create a dependency to an outside assembly. This can be rather painful, especially if you don't have a robust data management system in place (either software-based, or just good control over the directory tree).

Then again, for parts which can't reasonably be expected to be reused, dependencies can make it much easier to pattern features and assure yourself that geometry is aligned. It makes assemblies that much easier to work with, and simpler to maintain (because when you change the parent feature, all the children are automatically regenerated in the new state).

But to answer the original question, yes, use subassemblies! In addition to all of the reasons listed previously, you'll have advantages like reduced memory usage in an editing session, if only some of the parts need to be modified (especially a problem in Inventor, it seems), and you'll be able to more conveniently make assembly drawings.

And like others have mentioned, when complex models are needed, I tend to use Pro/E instead.
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 15-02-2008, 14:40
grsnovi's Avatar
grsnovi grsnovi is offline
Autodesk Inventor Team - Portland,
AKA: Gary R Smith
FRC #2542
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: metro-Portland, OR
Posts: 21
grsnovi will become famous soon enough
Re: How do you manage larger assemblies?

It is often a matter of trial and error. It can be very easy to create a set of very simple sketches within parts and put them together as an assembly to do simple 2D kinematic analyses. If those parts are parameter driven, making changes gets so much easier. Remember, a dimension on a sketch might be the only parameter you need. Once you start fully constraining your sketches and making certain dimensions depend on other dimensions, adjusting a complex part can be a snap!

One thing to remember (in regard to the original question) is that you can start with a large "flat" assembly (no subassemblies) and "push" parts down into logical subassemblies when and if you need to. If you push (demote) ten parts into a new subassembly, all of the constraints between those ten parts will be kept. Constraints from those parts to parts outside the group will be lost, so you will have to create them again.
Closed Thread


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How do you manage code changes? ericand Programming 22 01-03-2006 03:56
How do you manage homework and robotics? legolas52 General Forum 125 26-02-2006 21:31
Putting assemblies into other assemblies Crewmmbr21 Inventor 3 10-02-2005 16:15
Powering a Larger Motor? arpus maximus Electrical 20 14-05-2004 21:02
How did you guys manage it? archiver 1999 1 23-06-2002 21:56


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 15:26.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi