flexible assembly mates question

forgive me if this subject has been beat to death, but I haven't used
flexible mates before.
I did some searching of the archives, and I only saw advice which I've
already tried with no success.

I have a subassembly, like a die set with configs "Open, Closed, Floating".
Pretty basic.
When I have this (sub)assembly file open, I can move the platen like one
would expect.

In one of the top level assembly configs, when the "Floating" config is
used, I have checked the Solve As Flexible box in the subassy's properties.
The die set is still being solved as rigid, apparently. Other mates that
are trying to move the subassembly parts caused overdefining mate errors.

Is there something I need to do in the other top level configs? In the
other subassy configs? Any other gotchas?

Thanks, Bill

 

My advice, and opinion, would be to stay away from flexible assemblies.
We do quite a bit of design where I work, and I actually did a die job
a few months ago, and we never use flexible assemblies. One of our
customers developed the beginnings of a design for us and used flexible
subassemblies. They just called maybe 10 minutes ago with problems
with the robot mates.

Sorry I don't have any big solution, but I thought I would just let you
know, we stay away from flexibles.

 

Flexible subassemblies in previous versions of SW had some pretty severe
limitations and problems. The rules for using them were not obvious to
say the least. In the 05 and 06 things have improved a lot. As far as
the mates go, I don't believe there are any systematic problems beyond
the "normal" things that are wrong with mates.

 

My guess would be that you have mates which are locking your flexible
components in place. To find out try suppressing all mates in top
level tree and then move the subassembly components. If they move then
you found out what is wrong. You will need to address your mates that
control the subassembly so that they play nice. Remember that setting
an assembly flexible essentially pushes its mates top-level. So you
must account for this in your design.

 

I found it. The files were from a customer, and it appears that a top level
mate was forcing the floating mate past a limit.
Now I need to find out why.
Thanks for getting me looking that direction.
Bill