I have heard Inventor users say that the Design Accelerators are great, but they can be frustrating if they don’t automatically update with model changes. “Bolted Connections” for example don’t update when you move one of the bolted objects, leading to misaligned bolt holes, wasted time, expensive rework etc. In some cases I’ve heard that designers leave the bolted connections to the last possible minute in the hope that nothing else will change, but then they run out of time and drawings get issued with no bolt holes at all.
The solution to automatic updates has been been there all along. You just need to know where to click.
Right-click a bolted connection (either in the graphics area or in the browser) and find the “Component” fly-out menu, you will find a series of bolted connection specific options:
- Calculate
- Solve Off
- Manual Solve
- Automatic Solve
The solution to automatic-updating bolted connections is right there. Now moving or changing any part of the model that the connection passes through is no longer a worry because the connection just updates accordingly.
The following are a few selected extracts from the Inventor help file that explain each option:
Manual Solve: The icon is displayed in front of the name of the Design Accelerator component in the browser. It represents the selected option as well as state of update. The icon does not represent an error – there is nothing wrong with Design Accelerator component.
Automatic Solve: The automatic update recognises any changes made within the assembly that should affect the components inserted by Design Accelerator commands and such components are updated automatically. For example, if you change a part within your assembly that should affect the length of your bolted connection, the bolted connection is updated to reflect the changes in your assembly. If a strength check is not required, the generator updates the data. If a strength check of the design is performed, the calculation check is required and then the data is updated. If a check fails, the icon is displayed, and you must perform the change manually.