Viewing Assemblies in Multiple Positions

This tip was inspired by my frustration at having to constantly modify assembly dimensions and regenerate in order to move components around. My specific problem was the hinge area for the T900 messaging device. I couldn’t figure out if something were going to interfere when the flip was opened. It is important to know how far the flip would extend so the user has a good viewing angle (120º-160º).

The top-level assembly for the T900 project consists of three main components: flip assembly, base assembly and a PCB assembly. The flip assembly rotates about the base assembly (0º, 45º, 90º, 145º).

An angular datum plane created in the flip assembly makes it possible to open the T900 at various angles. It is created through the hinge axis at an angle to a reference plane. The angle dimension is used in Step 1 of this procedure to create family table instances. Step 2 of this procedure uses the angular datum plane to assemble either a single instance (Option A) or all the instances (Option B).

1. Create a family table of the part or subassembly that will be moving. From within the component or assembly to be moved (in this case, the flip assembly)

Figure 1. Column Icon		Figure 2. Row Icon

• Choose Family Table.
• Click on Add/Delete Table Column Icon (Fig. 1), and select Dimension from the Add Item section. Select the angled datum plane, and then the angle dimension. You will see the single entry shown in Figure 2.
• Click on the Instance Icon to add additional rows (Fig. 3). Next, edit the instance angles.

Figure 3. Family Table Window

From this point, the recommended approach is the Family Table Option (2A), which requires the subassembly be assembled to the top-level assembly only once. Although the Family Table/Simplified Rep Option (2B) lets you perform an interference check simultaneously at all positions, it also requires periodic regeneration of the master representation to ensure all components are properly placed. For this reason, this approach is better suited for individual design studies rather than a concurrent engineering environment.

Next: Looking at the Options >>>