Fastener Stack

[rmcanany]

@farfilli

Some users like this feature enough to put with Standard Parts to get it. It would be cool if we could do it.

One idea might be to create a temporary assembly and add the needed parts. Then add that to the assembly, disperse and group it, then activate the Place Part command.

Instead of a temporary assembly, maybe we could let the user save it to a FastenerStack directory. I doubt there are many configurations. We could even provide some.

• Bolt - Washer
• Bolt - Lockwasher - Washer
• Bolt - Washer - Washer - Nut
• Bolt - Washer - Washer - Lockwasher - Nut

We could open the saved assembly, replace the existing parts with the chosen ones and proceed as above.

Thoughts?

[farfilli]

It's been a while since I last used this function, it would be cool if it's programmatically reproducible. I doubt it anyway.

Will think about it a bit

[rmcanany]

More work to do, but making progress...

[rmcanany]

Closing as implemented and currently testing.

[rmcanany]

Closing for real.

[TeeVar]

Two issues. Not sure what is causing this. Might be related to API.

1. I get error pop up window with right click ending adding fastener stack.
2. The error or fastener stack turn off save pop up window. I had the same issue with completely different macro few years back.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EYbNJGM3mApVOkAaKGRnKbDawiSeHAJ9/view?usp=sharing

SK2025_PB10_2025-10-11.txt

[rmcanany]

OK, thank you. I'll take a look.

[rmcanany]

I'm still have work to do on this, but wanted to mention something before I forgot.

The way I'm currently patterning fastener stacks means that the first part in the FastenerStack templates must be the part that will contact the existing part in the assembly.

Edit: That previous statement may not be correct. It appears that whatever part is first in the file must be the one to have a relationship with the existing part in the assembly. I have always used the washer in positioning. When I tried it with your template, I used the fastener for the axial alignment, and it worked.

For example, if my top stack has a fastener and a flat washer, the flat washer must be the first part in the file, like so:

It's a limitation I'm looking to get around but don't have anything just yet.

Also, for the time being I'm pretty sure all constraints to the existing part in the assembly must be with that first part I mentioned.

Edit: I think the foregoing may not be true either.

[TeeVar]

I think it doesn't matter which part is first in the fastener stack template. It should works the same way as you copy parts between assemblies. Some relationships stay and you choose any part to create new one.

The culprit for both issues is auto pattern. If I disable auto pattern everything is ok. Maybe this is not supported by SE2019. Didn't test it on SE2021. I won't be using auto pattern and fastener stack because of my workflow so I don't really pay attention to it. Mostly testing compatibility with my DB.

[rmcanany]

I made several fixes based on your (helpful) feedback.

• Examine all occurrences in a fastener stack for relationships to an existing part. This cleans up the part order mess I talked about earlier.
• Handle the topology reference exception and issue a debug error. Please share if you see an error like Element2 Type not TopologyReference: '{ComType.FullName}' and/or Face2 = TryCast(Element2.Object, SolidEdgeGeometry.Face): {ex2.Message}
• Added new documentation for Auto Pattern. It has some info on limitations and workarounds.
• Fixed the missing Save dialog after a run (hopefully.)
• Changed always on top refresh time units to milliseconds. The minimum is currently 1000 ms. I can reduce it if needed.
• Changed error reporting from a log file display to a message box. The message box shows the location of the log file if needed for any reason.

Here's the link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LFhTx4J8IeI2MgSmbxn9ONXHY29aAsuA/view?usp=sharing

[TeeVar]

Handle the topology reference exception and issue a debug error. Please share if you see an error like Element2 Type not TopologyReference: '{ComType.FullName}' and/or Face2 = TryCast(Element2.Object, SolidEdgeGeometry.Face): {ex2.Message}

Fixed the missing Save dialog after a run (hopefully.)

should be ok

Changed always on top refresh time units to milliseconds. The minimum is currently 1000 ms. I can reduce it if needed.

I can input 500ms and there is no is warning about limitation to 1000ms. I would set limitation to 100ms and 1000ms as default value.

Changed error reporting from a log file display to a message box. The message box shows the location of the log file if needed for any reason.

I would prefer to have logs in SK folder instead of temp. Logging every message: material not selected, assembly not active ect., I think this is overkill.

Added new documentation for Auto Pattern. It has some info on limitations and workarounds.

If by Smart Patterns and User-Defined Patterns you mean what I show below than auto pattern doesn't work in SE2019.

[rmcanany]

Yeah, it won't be able to pattern without getting Element2 and Face2. I added an extra debug statement to maybe better see what's going on.

I'll take a look at the error messages and refresh times.

Here's the link to the preview.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16GCUDN1-2qPCbYybDSFzKSOqLO8e_9r_/view?usp=sharing

[TeeVar]

Fastener: Add to assembly, Config: F_FW_CO_FW_LW_N
    Create fastener stack group
        Face2 = TryCast(Element2.Object, SolidEdgeGeometry.Face): Nieokreślony błąd. (0x80004005 (E_FAIL))
        HCComObject.GetCOMObjectType(Element2.Object): Nieokreślony błąd. (0x80004005 (E_FAIL))

[rmcanany]

OK. We're not going to get around that. Bummer. Hopefully it will work on SE2021.

[TeeVar]

Not working on SE2021 as well. At least we know another limitation.

Could you record video with your workflow? Maybe Im doing something wrong.

[rmcanany]

I'm pretty sure Solid Edge is doing something wrong. The E_FAIL error is a big clue.

Anyway, just to be sure, I'll post a video, probably tomorrow.

[rmcanany]

Here's a link to the video clip I forgot to make last week.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17Ae0O52x7v4teunNfe7RngS9zYmF_bHB/view?usp=sharing

[TeeVar]

Auto pattern limitations: not working in SE 2019 and 2021. Can't confirm SE2022 and SE2023.

[rmcanany]

Thanks for the reminder. I just updated the readme accordingly.

[rmcanany]

Closing as complete.