Solid Edge Bolt Hole Circle (PCD) Quantity 1

[JonGD]

Hi Guys,


In Solid Edge (V20) we often machine holes in the part or assembly and then pattern them around a central point.

When it comes to 2D-drawing (draft) of the components it is no problem to assign a Bolt Hole Circle to apply centrelines to this pattern.

What we are struggling with is to have a note take off the information from this bolt hole circle regarding quantities of holes on a bolt hole circle. We can, of course, smart measure a PCD for example and do the same or use a hole note for the relevant hole diameter, but we haven't figured a way to call up the quantity of holes. To manually type this information in leaves room for human error (as we have sadly encountered)

I am convinced Inventor had a command that called up this information, is there such a command or note I can place in Solid Edge?


Cheers


Jon

 

[swertel]

Solidworks and Inventory both have much easier way to achieve the result you are after. SolidEdge does, too, but not quite as nicely.

In the part model, open up the Variables Table and find the variable that lists the quantity of holes in your circular pattern feature. Give the variable a memorable name instead of V### and click on the "EXPOSE" option.

Back into your drawing, you can now use the annotation properties button to link the exposed variable to your bolt circle callout.

--Scott

http://wertel.eng.pro

 

[JonGD]

Scott,


Thanks for that, but what a PITA!!

Before our transition to 3D-CAD, tried to persuade them to buy Inventor but our parent company used SE so now so do we. Not that we actually share much with them, but apparently that's not the point...!

Oh well, no use crying over spilt milk (or purchased irritating CAD packages in this case)!!


Jon

 

[swertel]

It's always the little things that rob you of efficiency, yet they go unnoticed by development since they are market busters. Too bad for the user.

The good news is that you will find plenty of other places that SE outshines SW or IV so you will more than make up the time.

--Scott

http://wertel.eng.pro

 

[JonGD]

Scott - or others!!

We've managed to do that but can't figure out how to drop the called up quantity to to 0 .d.p. - currently claims X.XXX, holes Y dia which looks a little strange to say the least!! Any idea how to correct this?


Jon

 

[swertel]

You will have to change the dimensions style of that particular callout so the significant figures has 0 decimal places. I don't know what else may be affected by it.

For example, when doing a hole callout that has a counterbore, I want the C'Bore dia to be 3 place decimal but the depth only 2 - can't be done. The entire callout references the same setting for significant figures. If this becomes a problem, I can think of a work-around or two just off the top of my head, but at that point it's just easier to manually input the number of holes.

--Scott

http://wertel.eng.pro