When placing iParts into assemblies, Autodesk Inventor uses the parameters you've specified earlier as keys to generate the correct iPart family member, as shown in Figure 2. Once you have defined all of the values required for your family of parts within the iPart table, you need to flag the parameter(s) that you want to use as key(s). Keys are used to properly configure an iPart family member when it is placed into an assembly, as shown in Figure 2. You can have up to nine keys per iPart, with one being a primary key and eight being secondary. To set a parameter as a key, right click on the parameter name in the selected items list box and select a key number. For example, you've selected a bearing iPart for placement into an assembly, and the primary key flagged is the bearing series. When placing the iPart, you must first configure what bearing series you would like to insert, fulfilling the first key. Now that you've narrowed down the series of bearing you want to use, you can select the outside and inside diameters, which are your secondary keys.

If one of the parameters is to vary on placement, convert that parameter into a custom parameter within the iPart table. You do this by right clicking over the desired column or on the parameter name in the Selected Items list. Next, select Custom Parameter Column. A custom parameter column will appear in blue within the iParts table. By right clicking again over the same column or parameter, you can set a range of valid values that limit what the user can input, thus enforcing company standards. Extruded stock is a great application for this, as the profiles have standard values but the length can vary.

Properties such as material, supplier, and cost often vary among a family of parts. To ensure correct content, you can embed the appropriate information within your iPart table. To access this information, select the Properties tab within the iPart author. Here you will find all of the meta-data commonly stored within a component's iProperties, as shown in Figure 3. Simply select the properties you would like to include within the iPart and move it to the selected items list. This will generate new columns within the iPart table, similar to how the dimensional parameters worked, as explained earlier.

Figure 3. Intellectual properties, such as cost, manufacturer, and material, may vary through a family of parts. Autodesk Inventor allows you to capture that meta-data through the iPart Author, ensuring consistency among engineering, manufacturing, and purchasing.