Derived parts, who, when, why?

[Ron Oldenbeuving]

I've been playing around with derived parts now for some time, and I've come to realize just how useful they are. The question is, do you agree with me, and if so/not, why? Do you use them, how often and in what context(s)? Also, do you have any useful suggestions on how to use derived parts, or how they might be improved?

[Ron Oldenbeuving]

Now for my answers first. I use derived parts on a regular basis for a number of reasons.

1. Outstanding for creation of mold tools, where shrinkage is required to be added to parts.
2. Right hand and left hand parts.
3. In press tools where I can model up a single master block for trimming, then create a nest of smaller derived inserts from this.
4. Interchangeable inserts where a die might be required to create 2 or more similar parts, the inserts can all be derived from the same sketch geometry, and then individually changed to suit the parts. Screws & dowels will always line up.
5. The old chestnut, skeletal modeling of frames, etc for machines.

[ADCON.ASTEN]

I'm also a Tooldesigner and the use of derived parts is very imported.
But i have very often errors when i use part from other cad programs such as "step or sat" files .
End the way of parting lines creating lijke in MDT is something that's missing in INV.


Guus

[robert.templeton]

I also use derived parts in many of my assemblies. I create a part file that contains the important parameters for my design. I use descriptive names for the parameters and mark them for export. I save that file with a recognizable file name, such as “Fixture ABC – Parameters”. When I create the other parts in my assembly, I use the Derived Part function to import the parameters.



Until recently, this had the disadvantage that the shared parameters were not available at the assembly level. I read somewhere that you can open the parameter dialog box in the assembly and link to a part file. I had assumed that you could only link to an Excel file, but I was wrong.