Calculate the physical properties for an assembly


The physical properties of an assembly depend upon the physical properties of the parts that make up the assembly. As the physical properties of the parts change, the physical properties of the assembly also change.

You can calculate the physical properties for an assembly or update the physical properties of an assembly.

To calculate the physical properties of an assembly:

  1. Choose Inspect tab→Physical Properties group→Properties.

  2. On the Physical Properties - Entire Assembly dialog box, click the Update button.

    Note:

    The Quantity override mass feature allows you to control the value that is stored and returned for the mass of an assembly. When you activate the Use as Assembly Mass option, the Mass value of the assembly is set equal to the value computed using component quantity overrides. Using this value reports the mass as function of the count of components in the assembly, it does not affect geometric values such as assembly center of mass position.  You only need to turn this option on for assemblies that have quantity overrides. You do not need to turn this on for all assemblies. When you deactivate this option, the value of the geometric mass is returned as in releases prior to ST8. The deactivated state is the default setting.  

To update the physical properties of an assembly:

  1. Choose Inspect tab→Physical Properties group→Properties.

  2. On the Physical Properties - Entire Assembly dialog box, click the Update button.

Tip:

  • You can use the Physical Properties Manager command on the Inspect tab to view and edit the physical properties for the parts in an assembly. For example, you can assign a material to a part using the Physical Properties - Entire Assembly dialog box.

  • Changes made to a part in the assembly make the physical properties for the assembly out-of-date.

  • When an assembly's physical properties are out-of-date, its physical property symbols change color.

  • You can select one or more assembly components and calculate their physical properties, but the information is not stored. To store property data for a selection set, use the Save As option on the Physical Properties dialog box.

  • When using User-defined properties for a part or subassembly within an assembly, updating properties has no effect. The value defined by the user-defined property is used.

  • Properties can be set to be saved at the time the document is saved with Update on Save File.

Physical properties of parts and assemblies Physical Properties command

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