Flexible assemblies

A kinematic subassembly, such as a hydraulic piston, is often used several times in a design. Each occurrence may be shown in a different position to represent the current kinematic state of the design. Using the Flexible status, each occurrence can be shown in a different position within the context of the parent assembly.

To toggle the Flexible status for a subassembly, right-click on the component and select Flexible. Weldment assemblies cannot be made flexible.

A subassembly cannot be Flexible and Adaptive at the same time.

What are some guidelines for using flexible assemblies?

• Unlike Adaptivity, when you modify the position of a flexible subassembly, it is not modified.
• Parts cannot be flexible.

How can flexibility be used with positional representations and design representations?

Flexibility is often used in conjunction with positional representations to save an assembly in various states that can be recalled and represented in assembly modeling and drawing views.

Each instance of an assembly may be displayed in a different position, but the BOM is not affected.

How does flexible compare with adaptive in assemblies?

A component cannot be both flexible and adaptive. The states are set by options in the context menu, and can be turned on and off as needed.

These two methods are used to evaluate component kinematic configurations:
Adaptive assemblies	The assembly itself adapts by changing the position and size of its components. Degrees of freedom are left open. All instances of a component are affected equally by an adapted size, shape, or position. Changes are saved to the individual component files when they are required to adapt in the assembly.
Flexible assemblies	Flexible assemblies behave in a similar manner to adaptive subassemblies, but each instance can have a unique position. Further, the subassembly is not modified, unlike an adaptive subassembly. Degrees of freedom are left open so that the components can change position. The flexible state for each instance is stored only in the consuming assembly, not in individual components.