Insert Assembly Copy (IAC) is a command that takes as input an external assembly file and places it’s top-level structure as an assembly feature in the active assembly document. The assembly copy can be associative to the original assembly or can be frozen so that changes are not incorporated.
An associative assembly feature is added to the child assembly, such that any changes to the parent assembly propagate to the child assembly on update.
General Uses for Insert Assembly Copy:
Assembly structure reuse (Pipes, Frames, Tubes)
Bill of Materials has identical components of the parent assembly.
Creation and definition of Assembly Process States.
Associative mirror creates inserted assembly copies.
Publish Multi-Body part files - uses this function to generate an associative assembly of the design bodies.
The following items can be included in an IAC:
Subassembly occurrences
Part occurrences
Adjustable parts
Adjustable subassemblies
Assembly driven part features
Assembly features (On/Off option)
Weld beads.
Note:
For these to appear the child assembly has to be a weldment assembly and the assembly features option has to be set to On.
Embedded frame and pipe bodies
Tubes
Occurrence patterns
Fastener systems
Fastener system pattern
Insert Assembly Copy feature in parent assembly
Note:
Adjustable parts and subassemblies are placed as adjusted in the parent assembly.
Tip:
By using the more→freeze button on the pathfinder shortcut menu for the insert assembly copy will not update when the parent changes. This can be used to reflect process states when using the assembly. A component can unfreeze and all the changes to the parent are reflected in the insert assembly component.