This is not an "As Designed" function of MDT but yes it can be done,
but it requires a little trickery. You can array parts using the
AutoCAD ARRAY command but this is not parametric and requires you to manually
erase the array and redo it each time the model is updated. The
reason that you can't array a part using MDT's AMARRAY command is that
you can't select the BASE or First Feature (Profile) of a part. Everything
after is fair game however. The trick here is to create a BASE feature
with essentially no purpose (a Dummy Feature if you will...) other than
to act as an anchor for the part. You then construct the 'real' part
BASE feature and constrain it to the 'dummy'. This will then allow
you to select the pseudo base feature from within the AMARRAY command,
allowing you to create an array of the part. Any feature that is
'dependent' on the 'base' feature selected for arraying will also go along
for the ride. The only limitation to this work-around is that the
part is counted as one 'instance' thus reporting only a quantity of one
in any BOM generated from the assembly. Mass properties and other functionality
works as advertised. For a more detailed tutorial on this technique,
visit http://www.leacar.com/mdhint_2.htm
As with all 'work-arounds' there are some limitations and dead ends. When using this technique, I have found that it is best to set up the part array after you have established the 'base' feature set of the part and before you start adding 'changeable' features (i.e. other feature arrays, features that are suppressed etc.). There are some situations where true part arraying can't be accomplished such as a parametric feature array (an array whose dimensions may change based on other values) on the base feature. You can sometimes overcome this with a parametric toolbody so all is not lost. This is due to some of the 'quirks' of arraying using the ACIS kernel found in MDT 2 and 3 (I have yet to thoroughly test this in MDT4). Feature reordering does not correct this situation so a little planning up front can save re-work down the road. - Robert Williams