What method can be used to make components flexible in an assembly?

Making components flexible in an assembly is accomplished by applying "Flexible" constraints to subassemblies. When a subassembly is set to be flexible, it allows the individual components within that subassembly to move or change position relative to one another according to the defined relationships and constraints. This is particularly useful for assemblies where parts need to articulate or adjust in response to the overall assembly motion.

The flexibility allows for accurate representation of how assemblies function in the real world, especially in mechanisms where parts need to move together, such as hinges or sliding components. By toggling a subassembly as flexible, Inventor intelligently considers the assembly's origin position, enabling it to adapt according to movements without breaking the constraints that would otherwise keep it static.

Other methods such as adding connectors or changing materials do not inherently provide the functionality needed for components to be flexible within the context of an assembly. Likewise, manually adjusting the size of parts does not convey flexibility in terms of their movement dynamics within the assembly structure. Hence, applying flexible constraints is the most effective and correct approach to achieve component flexibility in an assembly.