In this tutorial we will create a set of configurations that control the bolt diameter and bolt length. To do this you will learn how to create new families in configurations and how to have a family inherit properties.

Before doing this Advanced Configuration Tutorial you must first complete the the Basic Configuration Tutorial

This tutorial begins with a simple square bolt that has design rules that enforce the American Bolt standards (as shown)

Download the Starting Square Bolt

• Load up bolt.des

The important variables:

• Look at the Design Rules to confirm the American bolt standards Tools>Design Rules

Start by creating a configuration that varies the bolt diameter.

• Tools>Configurations
• Click the Properties button
• Move workplane\D (bolt diameter) to the selected box
• OK

Note that these configurations are in the INITIAL family

We will now add configurations that vary the bolt diameter from 1/8 to 1 stepping by 1/8

Use the New Config button to enter the following:

Now we will create a new family that will inherit values from the initial family. This will allow us to vary the bolt length variable while choosing from the available bolt diameters that were entered in the initial family

• Click the New Family Button
• Call the new family 'Length'
• Move the initial family into the Inherited box by clicking the right arrow button
• OK

Now, for the Length family add the bolt\distance (bolt length) variable to the list of properties to be varied

• Make sure length is in the family selection box
• Click the properties button
• Move the bolt\distance variable to the selected area by clicking the right arrow button
• OK

Look at the Configuration pop box. What this is telling you is the following applies to the length family

• The length family is inheriting values from the initial family
• The length family can vary the bolt\distance variable

Now we will create a new configuration that will make a 1" long bolt with a 1/2" diameter

• Click the New Config button
• Enter the name as '1 x 1/2'
• In the inherited family area click the value and use the pull down menu to select 1/2 (this represents a diameter of 1/2)
• OK

Change the bolt\distance value to 1.

You now have a configuration that represents a 1" long bolt with a 1/2" diameter

Add the following configurations:

When finished entering all of the configurations hit OK to exit the configuration pop box

• In the main Pro/D graphics pane, pull down the configuration selection box.
• Select one of the combined configurations like 1 x 1/2
• Hit the update button

Hopefully it is now clear how you can use this technique to set up a bolt so that all standard sizes are quickly available to the user