Advanced Assembly Techniques-NX4

Advanced Assembly Techniques

MT30620January 2007

NX4

Publication Numbereada_mt30620_nx4

Manual History

ManualRevision

NXVersion

PublicationDate

Version 16.0 January 2000Version 17.0 December 2000Version 18.0 February 2002NX May 2003

A NX 2 December 2004

A NX 3 May 2006NX 4 January 2007

This edition obsoletes all previous editions.

Proprietary & Restricted Rights Notice

This software and related documentation are proprietary to UGS Corp.

© 2007 UGS Corp. All Rights Reserved.

All trademarks belong to their respective holders.

2 Advanced Assembly Techniques eada_mt30620_nx4

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Advanced Assemblies/Large Assembly issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1Activity: Race car design change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2

Set your load options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3Open the assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3Open the Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4The Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5Change Load Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6Find the component in the Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8Use Show Component Groups to load parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8Retrieve a previously created component group . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9Solid or a representation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110Edit the mounting brackets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Replace the current spoiler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Clearance analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Component groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Introduction to component groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1Assembly Navigator component groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1Component groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2Component group types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2Terms and definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3Activity: Creating and using component groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4

Open the part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4Create a Component group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5Apply the Component group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5

Zone definition and use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6Zone definition and use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8True shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9True shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210Create box zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210Create plane zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210Edit zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211Rename zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211Delete zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Advanced Assembly Techniques 3

Contents

AutoGenerate zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212AutoGenerate Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212AutoGenerate Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213Component groups with zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Create a box zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214Create Automatic Box Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214Create Automatic Plane Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217Create Automatic Plane Zones along the YAxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218Create Component Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Bookmarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220Create and apply a bookmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220Functional Component Groups Add Zone to Component Group . . . . . . 221Add Proximity Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Textbook Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Organizing Component Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223Match any of ... Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224Exclude from Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225Component Groups with Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

Create a Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227Apply the Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227Create a Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228Apply the Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Using Component Groups with Attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229Add Attribute Search to Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229By State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230By Attribute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231From List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231By Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231Update Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231Component Groups with Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232Create a Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233Add Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233Create a Bookmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234Reset the Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234Practice Creating Zones and Component Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Open the Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Optional: Create an Attribute Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Task 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Task 1 Solution: Create a Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Exclude the floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Task 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Task 2 Solution: Create a Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239Isolate the Grouped Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239Task 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239Task 3 Solution: Create a Component Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240Grouping components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

4 Advanced Assembly Techniques ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved eada_mt30620_nx4

Contents

Frequently Asked Questions on Component Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1Define Representations Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2Edit Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3Object Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4Reference Sets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5Using Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5

Method 1 MockUp Level Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6Method 2 Major SubAssembly Level Representations . . . . . . . 3 8Method 3 Piece Part Level Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 9Method 3 Piece Part Level Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310

Valve Assembly Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311Setup the Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311Create your Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311Enable Partial Shading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312On Your Own . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313

Valve Assembly Representations (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314Setup the Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314Create a View of the Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315

Representations Created At The Piece Part Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316

Wrap Assembly and Linked Exterior Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Wrap Assembly Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1Wrap Assembly Dialog Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2

Wrap Assembly Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5Editing Wrap Assembly Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5Create a Wrap Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6

Create a Wrap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 7Define a Splitting Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 7Decrease the Distance Tolerance to Produce more Facets . . . . . . 411

Linked Exterior Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412Linked Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412

Creating the Linked Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413Checking the Linked Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417

Assembly Clearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Clearance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1The Clearance Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2The Clearance Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2Clearance Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 4


Contents

The Basic Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5Interactive Clearance Analysis Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513

Setting up for the Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514Clearance Browser and Clearance Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514Ignore components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515Set Up the Clearance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515Run the Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 516Examine the Interferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517Examine the Interference Geometry on Layer 100 . . . . . . . . . . . 518

Batch Clearance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 519Batch Clearance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521

Create a Clearance Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522Create a Temporary Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 523Reviewing a Batch Clearance Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 524

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525

Assembly Weight Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Assembly Weight Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1Benefits of Assembly Weight Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1When to Use Assembly Weight Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2

Optimizing Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2Assembly Weight Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4

Verify a Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4Check Weight Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4Bottomup Approach to Assembly Weight Management . . . . . . . 6 6Continue with the activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6

Assert Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7Set the Maximum Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 9Calculate the Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 9Change the Wall Thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611Calculate the Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611

Update Weight Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613Update Weight Calculations on Save . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 614

Enable the Generate Weight Data during a Save . . . . . . . . . . . . 615Change Load Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 616Check the Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617

When Multiple Solids Exist in a Part File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 617Trim the New Solid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 618Create a Reference Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619Calculate the Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619

Standard Weight Reference Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620Define the Reference Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621Calculate the Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622

Common Misunderstandings and Mistakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624


Contents

Applications for Advanced Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Users of Large Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 1

Appendix A: Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 1Opening the Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 1The Assembly Navigator Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 1Node Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 2Assembly Navigator Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 3Expand/Collapse Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 3Checkbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 3Selecting Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 4Identifying Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 4

Activation/Use of the Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 5Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 5Assembly Navigator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 6

Specify Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 7Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 9

Appendix B: Command line batch submission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1

Appendix C: Assembly weight management accuracy setting . . . C1

Appendix D: Zone Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D1

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E1


Introduction

This course will show you how to reduce the time required to open, manipulateand evaluate large assemblies. This will be accomplished by using simplifiedrepresentations and by opening only designated portions of the assembly.

Audience

The Advanced Assembly Techniques course is intended for users who havebeen using NX assemblies and are ready to expand their skills and make useof the functionality provided by the Advanced Assemblies module.

Prerequisites

Complete the following selfpaced courses before beginning this course.

• TheGetting Started with NX courses (if unfamiliar with NX user interface)

• The Feature Modeling courses

• The Assembly Modeling courses

Some lessons require that certain customer defaults are set in order for you tocomplete the exercises. These requirements are described within the lessons.

Course content

Overview— An overview of Advanced Assemblies.

Component groups—Manipulating assemblies using Bookmarks, Attributes,Component Groups and Zones.

Representations — Defining and using faceted representations of yourassemblies and their use with reference sets.

Wrap Assembly and Linked Exterior Feature—Wrapping assemblies, editingwrapped assemblies and developing linked exterior features.

Assembly Clearance— Defining clearance sets, running interactive analyses,editing clearance sets, and understanding the results of analysis runs.

Assembly Weight Management— Setting up and running interactive weightmanagement on components and assemblies. Also an introduction to thedifferent types of analysis available.

Applications for Advanced Assemblies— Potential applications for AdvancedAssemblies and ideas of possible approaches for these applications.


1Lesson

1 Overview

This lesson is an overview of Advanced Assemblies. Upon completion, youwill be able to:

• Use Representations

• Use Component Groups

• Use the Assembly Navigator

• Perform a simple Clearance Analysis

Advanced Assemblies/Large Assembly issues

It is a commonly held belief that, generally, big jobs are made easier if theyare broken into smaller and simpler tasks. That is what advanced assembliesis all about – allowing you to work on, or in the context of, large assemblieswithout devoting time to retrieving and displaying data you do not need.

This is accomplished using several tools, including:

• Representations: Faceted objects associated to the parent solid.Representations can typically be retrieved and or shaded in a fractionof the time it would normally take to do the same with the solids.Representations can be used for display only or can be used to performClearance Analysis or Hidden Line Removal.

• Component Groups: Provide a way to select or work on parts that meetcriteria set up by the user. Criteria can be based on spatial location(Zones), attribute values, Component Sets, or any combination of thethree.

• Assembly Clearance: Lets you compare components to determine if theyinterfere or encroach on a minimum clearance distance that you define.This can be conducted interactively or in batch mode.


1

Overview

• Assembly Weight Management: Calculate and control the weight andother mass properties of parts, components, and assemblies based ontheir solids.

In this lesson you will work through an activity that will briefly introduceyou to these tools. In later lessons you will learn about each of these toolsin greater detail.

It is not the intent of this activity to teach you how to perform each of thesefunctions, but rather to give you an overview of what is possible when usingAdvanced Assemblies.

Activity: Race car design changeIn this activity, you will get a handson introduction to the tools previouslydescribed. This activity does not show you how to set up your assemblies butillustrates the power of using Advanced Assemblies once parameters areproperly set up. An explanation of how to set up assembly parameters follows.

Set Up / Design Intent:

During this activity you will simulate the actions of a designer whoneeds to perform design changes to the "Benetton Race Car".

Required Changes:

• Replace the current rear spoiler for a newer model.

• Move holes on the cyan mounting bracket to reposition the spoiler forward.

• Perform a clearance analysis to determine acceptability of design changes.


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Overview

Set your load options

Choose File→Options→Load Options.

In the Load Options dialog box, from the Load Components list, selectNo Components.

Click OK.

Open the assembly

Open the demo_mockup.prt part from the car directory.

Notice that this assembly retrieves very rapidly. This is because the assemblyhas had Representations created for it. The Representations will displaywhen the solid is not loaded or is excluded from the reference set. That is whythe Load Components option is set to the No Components setting.

To see the increase in speed for other operations, you can quickly shade orperform a hidden line removal on the assembly.

To see more detail of the car, you could hide the representations for the rearcowling (see figure below).

Choose Edit→Blank→Blank or press Ctrl+B.


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Overview

Select the cowling.

Click OK .

The cowling is removed from the display.

Open the Assembly Navigator

On the Standard toolbar, choose Start→Assemblies.

In the Resource Bar, click the Assembly Navigator tab .

This is the Assembly Navigator. You have access to all the components viathe Assembly Navigator even though they are not loaded or currently shown.Notice the Master Model technique was used to build this part file. The part"demo" was added to "demo_mockup". This was done because many of theadvanced assemblies "objects" are stored in the top assembly.

Use the “pin” to keep the Assembly Navigator open. Otherwise itwill collapse when the cursor is moved away.


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Overview

The Assembly Navigator

Rightclick in the graphics windows and choose Rendering Style→Static

Wireframe .

In the Assembly Navigator, click the plus sign in front of the democomponent to expand its component list.

Move your cursor over any Assembly Navigator node (all componentslisted in the Assembly Navigator are nodes).

In the graphics window, you can see that components containing solids (e.g.spr_003) display a bounding box. Notice that subassemblies do not havebounding boxes (e.g. ckp_001).

If necessary, open the Assembly Navigator toolbar.

On the Assembly Navigator toolbar, click Expand All .

All nodes in the Assembly Navigator are completely expanded.

Again, move the cursor over the Assembly Navigator nodes.

As you move the cursor over a component, a red box appears in the graphicswindow, indicating the location of the component and the "minimum volume"


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Overview

surrounding that component. This minimum volume or "Bounding Box" isimportant and will be discussed later.

Next you will perform some design changes in the context of the assembly.You will replace and move the rear spoiler as a result of wind tunnel testing.Engineering analysis indicates the spoiler should move forward and changeshape.

You will also use Bookmarks and Component Groups to find and load allthe components located near the cyan mounting bracket in order to changethe context of the assembly. Then you will perform a Clearance Analysis todetermine if the changes have introduced any interference problems.

Change Load Options

You need to find the component name of the cyan mounting bracket for therear spoiler, then load that component. To focus your search, you need tochange your Load Options.


In the Load Method section, click Search Directories (#1 in the graphic).

Click Define Search Directories (2).

The dialog box expands.


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Overview

Click Session Directories (3).

The directory the part was loaded from is added to the Search Directories list.

From the Search Directories list, select the directory you just added (4).

This places the directory path in the New Directory box.

You will need to specify in the search path that you want it to search allsubfolders under the folder specified in the path.

In the New Directory box, go to the end of the directory path and type \...,then press Enter (5).

Click OK (6).


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Overview

Find the component in the Assembly Navigator

Choose Tools→Assembly Navigator→Find Selected Components .

The Find Component dialog box appears.

In the graphics window, hold the cursor over the small cyan mountingbracket on the right as shown below (it will not prehighlight).

Notice that the name of the component is highlighted in the AssemblyNavigator.

Select the bracket.

The name of the component appears in the Find Component dialog box.

Click OK.

Use Show Component Groups to load parts

Now you are going to make use of Component Groups to load all the partswithin 8 inches of your work part but not members of the engine componentset or the body panels component set. A filter was created for you. The stepsyou are about to follow will be discussed later.

In the Assembly Navigator, select the check box next to upper_mount


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Overview

This loads the upper mounting bracket.

Choose Tools→Assembly Navigator→Show Component Groups.

The Assembly Navigator now shows the component groups at the top.

You can also rightclick in the Assembly Navigator and choose ShowComponent Groups or, on the Assembly Navigator toolbar, click Show

Component Groups .

Rightclick the upper_mount node and choose Make Work Part.

Retrieve a previously created component group

On the Standard toolbar, click Open .

From the Files of type list, select Bookmarks→Pre NX4 (*.bkm).

Select work_part_area.bkm, then click OK.

Expand the 8_around_work node and its components, to show thecharacteristics of the component group.


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Overview

This component group can be read to include:

• All parts within 8 inches of the work part volume.

• Excluding the BODY_SHELL and MAIN_ENGINE component sets.

Select the check box next to 8_around_work.

The status line displays messages that several parts are being loaded. Noticethe parts that are loading are only the ones in the immediate vicinity of yourwork part but do not include any of the engine parts or body parts.

There are a couple of methods you can use to give you visual cues as to whichcomponents are loaded, showing their solid geometry, and which are notloaded but showing the representations.

Solid or a representation?

Here are two ways to determine if you are viewing a solid or a representation.

Rightclick the demo node and choose Make Displayed Part.

Now, since the representations are stored in another part file, demo_mockup,the representations are no longer visible and the only parts you see are loadedcomponents displaying the solid model.

Rightclick the demo node and choose Display Parent→demo_mockup.

Rightclick in the graphics window and choose Rendering Style→PartiallyShaded.

This is only available when you have hardware shading available. The effectis that your loaded solid models will appear shaded and the representationswill be shown in the normal wireframe display.


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Overview

Edit the mounting brackets

You will now make changes to the mounting brackets to bring the spoilerforward.

Make sure that upper_mount is the work part.

In the Standard toolbar, choose Start→Modeling.

Choose Tools→Expression.

Select the expression forward_hole_offset, change its value to 1.5 andpress Enter.

Click OK.

Since you have mating conditions in place, the spoiler will move to the newdesired position automatically.

Replace the current spoiler

You will now replace the current spoiler with a newer model. The trick here isto put in a new spoiler without losing any mating conditions.

Change your work part back to demo_mockup.

Select File→Close→Reopen Selected Parts.

Select the Open As check box.

Select spr_003 from the component selection list.

Click OK.


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Overview

Select spr_003_new from the spoiler_rear subdirectory.

Click OK.

An Information window appears verifying your changes.

Dismiss the Information window.

Clearance analysis

You will now perform a Clearance Analysis to determine if the new spoilerinterferes with any other parts or encroaches on their minimum distancerequirements. The engineer determined that 4 inches clearance is necessaryto prevent the wheels from rubbing the spoiler. That requirement was set upin the Clear Zones dialog box under the title Wheel_Spoiler_Clearance.

In the Assembly Navigator, select the check box in front of both rear_tirenodes to load them.

Choose Analysis→Assembly Clearance→Clearance Set→Set.

Select theWheel_Spoiler_Clearance clearance set in the dialog box, thenclick OK.

The Clearance Browser appears showing the Wheel_Spoiler_ClearanceClearance Set.

Rightclick the Clearance Set in the Clearance Browser and choosePerform→Analysis.


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Overview

The clearance analysis finds two soft interferences. In other words, it findstwo areas violating the clearance zone. This is displayed in the ClearanceBrowser.

Rightclick on the Clearance Set node and choose Summary.


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Overview

Close all parts.


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Overview

SummaryThis introduction to Advanced Assemblies was an introduction to the subject.In a brief amount of time you:

• Loaded assembly representations.

• Loaded parts within eight inches of the work part excluding parts fromthe "engine" or "bodypanel".

• Changed a design in context.

• Replaced the new spoiler for the original.

• Checked for interferences as a result of your edits.


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Lesson

2 Component groups

In this lesson, you will manipulate assemblies using Bookmarks, Attributes,Component Groups, and Zones.

Introduction to component groups

NX provides a way for you to manipulate assemblies based on predeterminedcriteria. The criteria available for use include:

• Attributes

• Component Lists

• Zones and spatial location

In this lesson you will work with several assemblies using each of thedifferent methods of manipulation.

It is important to understand just what component groups are and whatthey are used for.

A component group is used to filter or strain unwanted or unneededthings out of your assemblies by making use of zones and attributes as thecomparison criteria.

Assembly Navigator component groups

Component groups are displayed in the Assembly Navigator by using theshortcut menu or the Component Grouping toolbar. Component groups letyou conditionally apply actions to all or part of the assembly structure.

Component groups let you navigate an assembly and locate parts thatinterest you, without opening the entire assembly. You can locate parts basedon spatial properties (such as proximity to a specified component) or based onpart attributes and properties.


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Component groups

Component grouping, by itself, does not differentiate between differentsolids in a part file. If you need to do this, you should make use ofreference sets.

In order to see and use component groups in the Assembly Navigator,Component Grouping must be selected. You can do this in one of the followingways:

• Choose Tools→Assembly Navigator→Show Component Groups.

• Click Show Component Groups on the Assembly Navigatortoolbar.

• Rightclick in the Assembly Navigator and choose Show Component

Groups .

Component groupsThe component group nodes are separated in the Assembly Navigator fromthe standard nodes.

1. Two component sets created prior to V16

2. Session Component Groups and Component Groups in Part

Component group typesThere are two categories of component groups:

• Functional component groups


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Component groups

• Organizing/combination component groups — allow groupings andcombinations of functional component groups

Functional component groups

Add Attribute Search to Component Group

Add Proximity Component Group

Add Zone to Component Group

Organizing/combination component groups

Match all of ... Component Group

Match any of ... Component Group

Exclude from Component Group

Terms and definitionsComponent Set — A named list of components contained within an assembly(preV16 term).

Zone — A named region of space within your assembly model.

Attribute — Annotations that can be "attached" to components. Examplesinclude color, layer, material, weight, cost, etc.

Component Group — Analogous to the class selection dialog box, identifieswhat components will be acted upon. Components to be acted upon aredetermined by use of the comparison criteria described above.

Session Component Group — If you create component groups but youdo not have write access to the assembly files, create them in the SessionComponent Groups folder.

Component Groups in Part — When creating component groups (and youhave write access to the assembly file) place them in the Component Groupsin Part folder. Everyone who opens the assembly file will have access to thecomponent groups that are saved in the assembly file.


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Component groups

Activity: Creating and using component groupsThis activity will familiarize you with the creation and use of a componentgroup used to select components.

This activity makes use of a simple assembly to illustrate the conceptspresented.

Open the part


In the Load Method section, select From Directory.

From the Load Components list, select All Components.

Click OK.

Open the assembly aa_cset from the act1 directory.

Open the Assembly Navigator .

Rightclick inside the Assembly Navigator and click Show ComponentGroups.


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Component groups

Create a Component group

Make sure the Component Grouping toolbar is on.

Click Create Component Group .

Type the name Tubes for the new component group.

Select all of the tube components from the Assembly Navigator.

Drag the tube components into the Tubes component group.

Click once on the check box to show count (should be 11).

Click again to hide and once more to show.

You now have a component group ready for use.

Apply the Component group

Move your cursor over the aa_cset assembly node, rightclick and chooseSelect Assembly (all components highlight).

With all components still highlighted, rightclick again and chooseClose→Assembly.

Click on the Tubes check box. If it is checked, you will need to click ittwice.


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Component groups

This demonstrated your ability to open and close components that belong toa specific component group.

Close your part file.

Zone definition and useNX allows you to define and name regions of space that can be used later asfilter criteria. These regions of space are referred to as Zones. An assemblymay be broken into several zones. A user could choose to open an assemblylooking at one or more of the zones. This dialog box is found by choosingAssemblies→Advanced→Zones.


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Component groups

AutoGenerate Zones

Create Box Zone

Create Plane Zone

Delete Zone

Rename Zone

Edit Zone


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Component groups

Zone definition and use• NX gives you the option of either autogenerating zones for your entire

assembly or explicitly sizing and placing a zone in the desired location.

• Zones can be used within component groups. An example might be, acomponent group containing components within a "box zone" and lieabove a "plane zone.”

• NX determines if components intersect or cross a zone based on the"Bounding Box" that envelops the bodies within each component.

Bounding boxes

A bounding box is defined as the minimum box shaped envelope that couldcontain your part. If a component is unloaded in an assembly, the systemuses the bounding box for that component in consideration for zone inclusion.The bounding box size and orientation are determined by the absolute CSYSat the part level.

If you have more than one solid in your part, the way the system defines yourbounding box is defined as follows:

• The bounding box will be sized to accommodate all solids and or sheetbodies regardless of whether they are hidden or in your current referenceset.

• You can also specify a reference set to determine which bodies contributeto the overall bounding box of a part, by setting the customer defaultvariable. Go to: File®Utilities®Customer Defaults®Assemblies®SiteStandards®Reference Sets tab to the name of that reference set. If thatreference set does not exist in a part, all solids/sheets will be used. Thisis useful to exclude construction or tool solids from the bounding boxcalculation.

• You can view the bounding box of an unloaded component by movingthe cursor over its node in the Assembly Navigator or by using theInformation®Object®Type®Component method. This is not true forsubassemblies or wireframe parts.


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Component groups

True shapeAn unloaded component’s size and location are approximated by the boundingbox definition for that part. Due to the simplified nature of bounding boxesthis can drastically exaggerate the relative size of a component as shown inthe figure below.

NX allows for a more refined "bounding box" definition using True Shape.

True Shape divides space into a grid of cubic cells. The size (or edgelength) of these cubic cells is defined by the customer default path:File→Utilities→Customer Defaults→Assemblies→Site Standards→TrueShape tab. A component’s "refined bounding box" becomes the conglomerationof the small cells that contain a portion of the component.

True Shape evaluation can take longer than bounding box evaluation, but ifthe component group is being used to open components, using True Shapecan save time by reducing the number of extraneous components that areloaded and opened. This is particularly true when dealing with tubes, wiring,cables, and thinwalled parts like skins.


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Component groups

True shapeIf this functionality is desired to be used it is recommended that systemadministrators set the following customer defaults for their entire site. Thesedefaults are needed to enable True Shape:

• In the customer defaults dialog box, select File→Utilities→CustomerDefaults→Assemblies→Site Standards→True Shape tab®and selectGenerate Component Shape Representations on Save.

• Define a cell size.

• Define the units for the cell size.

You may need to restart your NX session for these changes to take place.

True shape can then be enabled by:

• Choose File→Options→Save Options and select Save True Shape Data.This allows occupancy data to be generated upon saving a component.

• Choose Preferences→Assemblies and select True Shape Filtering.

True Shape can later be deselected if you wish to use regular bounding boxes.

Create box zoneThis tool allows you to create a box shaped zone. Following are methods todefine the size of the box zone.

• Edge Lengths, Corner

• Height, Two Points

• Two Diagonal Points

Once the zone has been created you can use the rename option to give it alogical name.

The box orientation will be relative to the WCS. Once the zone has beendefined, the system will show a temporary display of the zone boundariesin the current system color.

Create plane zoneThis option allows you to create a plane zone. The definition options are thesame as you get with any plane subfunction dialog box. Once the plane zonehas been defined, the system will temporarily display the plane as well as its


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Component groups

normal vector and name. The direction of the normal vector is important aswill be seen shortly.

Edit zoneIf you select an existing box zone from the list, the system will allow you toChange Box Lengths or use Transform to translate, reposition, or rotatethe zone.

If you select an existing plane zone, the system will allow you to useTransform to translate, reposition, or rotate the plane or use Flip Normal toreverse the direction of the normal vector.

Rename zoneYou can rename existing zones. Following are some zone naming rules:

• 29 character maximum

• Spaces are allowed

• Zones are not case sensitive; the system will only convert autogeneratedzones to upper case when using a name prefix

• Valid leading characters are limited to the letters , _, and .

• All zones must have unique names

If you wish to view a zone that you have created, select the zone fromyour list and it will temporarily highlight in your current system color.

Delete zoneYou can delete an existing zone. By deleting a zone you will not lose anygeometry, just the zone definition.


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Component groups

AutoGenerate zonesNX allows you to "AutoGenerate" zones to partition your assembly intoregularly spaced box zones and/or plane zones. The system will generatethe zones oriented relative to the WCS. When you choose this option, NXwill prompt you with the following:

AutoGenerate BoxBox Count Allows you to input the number of box zones you want generatedin the X, Y, & Z directions. (Relative to the WCS orientation)

Name Prefix Allows you to input a string of characters that will precede allthe autogenerated zone names. For example, in the above dialog box thesystem would generate eight zones named BZ1, BZ2, ........, BZ8.

Use Existing Part Volume evaluates the minimum box envelope that wouldcontain the assembly, then divides that volume up into the specified numberof zones.


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Component groups

Use Specified Volume when this options is selected, you will then be requiredto define the size and location of a "total volume" box that will be subdivided.The orientation of the boxes will coincide with your current WCS.

AutoGenerate Plane

This option allows you to autogenerate equally spaced plane zones normal tothe ZC axis.

Plane Count Allows you to input the number of plane zones you wantgenerated in the ZC direction.

Name Prefix Allows you to input a string of characters that will precede allthe autogenerated zone names. For example, in the above dialog box, thesystem would generate five plane zones named PLZ1, PLZ2, ........, PLZ5.

Use Existing Part Z Displacement This option evaluates the displacement ofthe assembly in ZC direction, then divides that distance into equally spacedplane zones.

Use Specified Z displacement This allows you to input the amount of ZCdisplacement you would like to have divided up into plane zones. The systemwill prompt you to enter a distance along the WCS Z axis.

Component groups with zonesIn this activity, you will be creating zones and using them within filters.You will become familiar with the creation and use of zones and be able toutilize them within Filters.

Using this assembly, you will practice using zones to isolate portions of theassembly.


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Component groups

Open assy2.prt from the act2 directory.

Choose Assemblies→Advanced→Zones.

Create a box zone

Click Create Box Zone.

Click Two Diagonal Points and select the two diagonal corners of thebase in the graphics area.

Select NEW_BOX_ZONE listed in the Zones dialog box and rename itBASE.

Change the display to Static Wireframe .

Create Automatic Box Zones

Click AutoGenerate Zones and select Boxes from the Choose ZoneType dialog box.

Enter the following values for your zone generation:

Box Count in X Direction=2


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Component groups

Box Count in Y Direction=2

Box Count in Z Direction=1

In Name Prefix type Box_.

Make sure Use Existing Part Volume is selected.

Click OK.

Click Create Plane Zone in the Zones dialog box.


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Component groups

The Plane dialog box appears.

Click Two Lines , and select the two diagonal opposite vertical edgesof the base (1 & 2).

Select NEW_PLANE_ZONE and rename it CROSS_CORNERS.

Refresh your screen.


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Component groups

Create Automatic Plane Zones

Click AutoGenerate Zones .

Click Planes on the Choose Zone Type dialog box.

Rotate the WCS so the new Z direction is along the longest, front edgeof the base (absolute X direction).

For Plane Count in Z Direction of WCS type 3.

For Name Prefix type X_. Select Use Existing Part Z Displacement.

Click OK.


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Component groups

Create Automatic Plane Zones along the YAxis

Now repeat the process to create plane zones along the absolute Yaxis.

Rotate the WCS so the new Z direction is along the shorter, rear edgeof the base (absolute Y direction).

Choose AutoGenerate Zones .

Click Planes on the Choose Zone Type dialog box.

For Plane Count in Z Direction of WCS type 3 again.

For Name Prefix type Y_. Click OK.

Create Component Groups

You will now create component groups for the balls and boxes.

Choose Tools→Assembly Navigator→Component Grouping→Create.

Type the name Balls for this component group.

Select all of the assy2_ball components from the Assembly Navigatorand drag them into the Balls filter.

Be sure to also select the ball at the bottom of the tree.


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Component groups

Repeat the previous three steps except the component group should benamed Boxes and should contain all the assy2_box components.

Click on the check box for each component group three times. First, toupdate the object count, second, to hide the objects, and third to showthe objects.

Component groups can be moved between the Session ComponentGroups and the Component Groups in Part folders using Cut, Copy,and Paste.


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Component groups

Save your work

Component groups and zones are saved with the part. They can also be savedin a "bookmark" file so they can be used with other assemblies if desired.

BookmarksSometimes you may want to duplicate a current assembly state in a later NXsession. A bookmark can help you do this without having to perform all theintermediate steps (such as reapplying component groups).

Bookmarks can record, communicate, and reuse the working context from aNX session. A bookmark file records:

• Currently defined assembly component groups

• Current load options that relate to the configuration

• Search directories and associated load options (in NX Manager, therevision rule will be recorded)

• Allow Substitution setting

• Default reference sets

• Apply to All Levels reference set option

• The current displayed part and the set of visible components

Create and apply a bookmarkTo save a bookmark, choose File®Save Bookmark. The Save Bookmarkdialog box appears, with the following options:

To open and apply an existing bookmark:

• Choose File®Open

• Choose Bookmarks (*.bkm) from Files of type

• Select the bookmark


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Component groups

This will retrieve the working context of the session where you saved thebookmark. Depending on the information you recorded, the bookmark mayload filters, reset load options, load parts, or change the displayed part.

To save a Bookmark of Component Groups, Options and Structure:

• Choose File®Save Bookmark

• Enter your home directory: assy2.plmxml

• Click OK

Functional Component Groups Add Zone to Component Group

Add Zone to Component Group selects components according to theirposition relative to boxes or planes defined with the component groups zoneoptions.

When you add a zone the Add Zone to Component Group dialog box appears.

Refer to Appendix D for more information about Box Zone and PlaneZone options.

Add Proximity Component Group

Click Add Proximity Component Group on the Component Groupingtoolbar to select all the components within a specified distance of thebounding box of a selected component.

You can modify the distance by rightclicking to select within 10.0 inches ofthe Component Group and choosing Edit from the shortcut menu.

Textbook ActivitiesInside Selects all components that are entirely contained within the zone.


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Component groups

Interferes This option will select all components whose bounding boxinterferes with the given zone.

Outside Selects all components that are entirely outside the zone.

Above Selects all components that lie completely above the specified planezone. Above is relative to the vector normal direction of the plane. If theplane touches the bounding box, it will be considered above the plane.


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Component groups

Intersects This option will select all components that intersect with thegiven plane zone.

Below Selects all components that lie completely below the specified planezone. If the plane touches the bounding box, it will be considered below theplane.

Note: The Work Part zone and the Proximity Zone are currently the onlyzones that will exhibit spatial associativity. In other words they willautomatically update their size to reflect geometry changes when thecomponents are edited and saved.

Organizing Component GroupsRefer to the Venn diagrams for the following examples.


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Component groups

Match all of ... Component Group

Match all of ... Component GroupSelects components only if they meet all of the conditions specified under itand are not excluded by an exclude component group.

• Match all of A and B.

• Match all of A, B and C.

Match any of ... Component Group

Match any of ... Component GroupSelects components if they meet any of the conditions specified under it, aslong as they are not excluded by an exclude component group.

• Match any of A or B.


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Component groups



Excludes selected components or portions of a component group.

• All of B except A.

• All of C except A and B.

Component Groups with ZonesThe first component group you create will be designed to select only thoseparts that come in contact with the base.

Continue using assy2.prt from the act2 directory.

Select the Component Groups in Part node.

On the Component Grouping toolbar, choose Create Component Group

.

Type in a new name:Touch Base and press Enter.

Click Add Zone to Component Group .


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Component groups

Select the Box BASE zone from the list (1).

Choose the Zone Comparison option, Interferes (2).

Click OK.

The zone creation technique used for the Base zone explicitly definedthe zone size. If the base were to "grow" the zone would not do soautomatically. A better method would have been to create a "proximityzone" for the base. That way any size changes made to the base wouldautomatically be reflected in the base zone.


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Component groups

Create a Component Group

Create a component group called Left Front that will selectcomponents in the left front quadrant of the assembly as shown below:

Select the Components Groups in Part node.

This will be the destination for the next component group.

Click Add Zone to Component Group .

Select Plane X2.

Select the zone comparison option of Below, then OK.

Change the name of the component group to Left Front.

With the new component group still highlighted, choose Add Zone toComponent Group.

Select Plane Y2.

Select the Below comparator and choose OK.

Without using a "Match..." condition in the component group, it will behaveas if the two zones were combined in a Match any of... .

Apply the Component Group

Click the Left Front component group’s checkbox 3 times.

Notice any components below either plane are selected. This is not theintent. You must add an organization level to this component group.


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Component groups

Select the two lines of the component group, Below plane X2 and Belowplane Y2.

Choose Match all of... .

Test the component group by doubleclicking on the name.

Blank the contents of the component group by deselecting the checkbox.

Create a Component Group

Create a component group called Right Rear Balls that selects only theballs in the right rear corner.

Select the Component Group in Part node as the destination for the nextcomponent group.

Choose Add Zone to Component Group.

Select Plane X_2 as the zone and choose Above, then click OK.

Enter the name Right Rear Balls.

With the Right Rear Balls component group still highlighted, choose AddZone to Component Group.

Choose Plane Y2 as the zone and choose Above, then choose OK.

Rightclick on the Balls component group and click Copy.

Rightclick on the Right Rear Balls component group and click Paste.

At this point if you activate the component group, you see the default behaviorof Match any of... . Everything above X2, above Y2 and in the Balls set isselected. You need to put all three of these filters in a Match all of... level.


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Component groups

Apply the Component Group

Select Above Plane X2, and Above Plane Y2, and the Balls componentgroup.

Select Match all of... .

Save your assembly.

Using Component Groups with AttributesIn order to use attributes within component groups, they must be previouslydefined.

Attributes can be assigned to a reference set within a part, thecomponent part and or the component object. If there are attributesassigned at all three levels, the system will read the object attributefirst, the reference set attribute second and the part attribute third.

Add Attribute Search to Component GroupFrom the Component Grouping toolbar, you can select Add Attribute Search

to Component Group .

This opens the Add to Component Group dialog box, which you can useto create an attribute search group.


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Component groups

The attribute search group will actively include components that meet thecharacteristics set forth by the component group. The term “actively” is usedsince any new components added to the assembly that match the definedcriteria will be automatically included.

Options on the Add to Component Group dialog box:

• By Name: This option will allow you to input a string of characters andwill include any parts whose name matches the character string.

By StateThere are several system defined component groups, including the following:

• All Components: The default. This state component group holds allcomponents.

• Loaded Components: All fully or partially loaded components visible ornot visible.

• Visible Components: Fully or partially loaded components that arevisible.

• Work Part: The current work part.


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Component groups

By AttributeThis option allows you to select an Attribute from the list, followed by anoperator and a value. All components that meet that criteria will be includedby that component group. For example; you could find all the componentswhose calculated mass is greater that .05 pounds.

Note: Only system defined attributes will appear in the list. User definedattributes will need to be manually entered like: MAT = aluminum.

From ListThis option allows you to select from all of your components which to beincluded. The Search Text box allows you to component group the list basedon your inputted text string.

By SizeThis option allows you to include components based on their size which ismeasured as the largest diagonal of the bounding box for each component.You can toggle between Larger Than and Smaller Than and adjust the valueusing the slider bar.

Update StructureYou might be asking yourself the question: How does my assembly knowwhat attributes an unloaded component has or what zone it resides in orhow large is its bounding box? How is NX able to filter components based oninformation found in unloaded components?

The answer is that an assembly file stores a "snapshot" of the structurebeneath it. For each component in the assembly, the snapshot stores theattribute and bounding box information. This way it is possible to open partsbased on their attributes.

However, it is important to remember how this snapshot of the assemblystructure, bounding box, and attributes is updated. The update can occurin two ways:

• If you open the components in that assembly, the assembly updates itssnapshot of that part in the assembly structure as well as any changesto the bounding box or attributes.

• When you choose Update Structure on the Assembly Navigatortoolbar or choose Tools®Assembly Navigator®Update Structure, the


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Component groups

assembly will update its snapshot by querying any unloaded componentsin the assembly which have changed since the assembly was last saved

You can see that this updating procedure is important if you want to reliablyexecute a component group using zones or attributes. In fact, it is highlyrecommended that you run Update Structure before using a zone or attributefilter, unless all of the assembly is loaded.

Another benefit to Update Structure is to bring your Assembly Navigator upto date. For instance, you load an assembly with load components set to NoComponents. The Assembly Navigator will show you all components thatmade up that assembly the last time it was saved. However, a subassemblybelow it may have had components added or removed. The top assemblywould not know that until the subassembly in question was loaded or untilyou chose to Update Structure.

Upon executing the Update Structure command the system will generate areport detailing how many components were added, modified, or outofdate.

Component Groups with ZonesYou will now create a component group that selects parts that are in 2 inchproximity to the work part.

Highlight the folder Session Component Groups to designate thedestination of the new component group.

Choose Add Proximity Component Group.

Change the name of the component group to 2" Around Work .


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Component groups

Highlight within 10.0in of... and rightclick choose Edit to change it towithin 2.0in of....

Highlight within 2.0 in of ... then rightclick and choose Add toComponent Group→By State→Work Part then choose OK.

Now, experiment, change your work part to one of the components and clickon the check box to hide and show the "filtered" parts.

Note: A common mistake made when working with a component groupcontaining Work_Part is to try and use or preview it when the work part isset to the displayed part. When this is done, nothing happens.

Create a Component GroupYou will now create a component group named Exclude 2" Around Work thatwill leave only those parts near the work part displayed after its execution.

Rightclick on the 2" Around Work component group and click Copy.

Choose the main component group node in the Assembly Navigator as thedestination, then rightclick and click Paste.

Change the name of the copied component group to Exclude 2" AroundWork and expand the component group.

Exclude the components. Select the within 2.0in of... filter and clickExclude from Component Group on the tool bar.

Add ComponentsNow you need to add a set of components from which the 2" Around Workwill be excluded.

Select the component group Exclude 2" around work, rightclick andchoose Add to Component Group→By State→All Components thenchoose OK.

Change the Work Part to any one box or ball.

Blank and show the Exclude 2" around work component group to see itsresults

Save Bookmark as before (you can overwrite a previous Bookmark).

Continue with your part in the next activity.


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Component groups

Challenge: See if you can create, edit or copy existing component groupsto hide everything except balls within 3 inches of the work part and belowthe cross_corners plane zone.

Create a BookmarkIn this activity you will practice the bookmark functionality.

Save your assembly and, if you have saved your bookmark, close all parts.

When you saved your bookmark, the record method was set to ComponentGroups, Options, and Structure. The bookmark remembers the loaded partsso rather than open the assembly part, you only need to open the savedbookmark.

Choose File→Open.

In the open part dialog box, change Files of type to Bookmarks (*.plmxml)and select your saved bookmark.

Notice the assembly opened and all of your component groups are againavailable. If your assembly was already open and you opened this bookmark,the system would load the parts (if necessary) and retrieve your componentgroups.

Reset the FilesYou will now reset the Files of type option and open the assy2 assembly,without loading its components

Choose File→Open.

Set the Files of type widget back to NX Part Files (*prt).

Select the Do Not Load Components check box and open the assy2assembly

Notice all of the components show in the Assembly Navigator, but you do notget the component groups.

Using File→Open, open the bookmark again.

The Bookmarks now appear and the components loaded when you saved thebookmark (all of them) are opened.

If the bookmark had been saved with the record option set to componentgroups only, the components would not have been loaded.

Close your part file.


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Practice Creating Zones and Component GroupsIn the following activity, you will practice using what you have learned so far.

You will be given a list of tasks to devise solutions for. The specific steps toaccomplish those tasks will be given at the end of the activity. You shouldattempt to work through these tasks on your own to maximize the learningprocess. As you finish each of the tasks, compare your solution with the oneprovided.

The assembly you will work with has some user defined attributes alreadyassigned.

Each component has been classified as to whether or not it can be replaced inthe box:

Open the Part

Open assy3 from the act3 directory. If desired, list the components, listthe attributes, and shade the part to become familiar with the design.

line_maint =1 means field replaceable

line_maint =0 means not field replaceable

Each component has also been classified by function.

• usage=structure

• usage=hydraulic

• usage=fuel

• usage=electrical

Optional: Create an Attribute Report

Optional: Create an Attribute Report listing the existing userdefinedattributes assigned to the components of the assembly.

Choose Information→Other→Attributes Report.

Next, select Multiple Key Report, from the Report Writer dialog box.

Click Class Selection to open the Class Selection dialog box.

Click Type to open the Select by Type dialog box. Select Component,choose OK. Click Select All.

OK the Class Selection dialog box.


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Choose the Variable Length Character option.

Enter usage for the Key Title, then OK.

Enter structure for the String Value, then OK.

Repeat using the Key Title of usage, click OK, then assign the StringValue of hydraulic. Repeat this process two more times entering the KeyTitle of usage and one String Value of fuel and the final String Value ofelectrical (3 more entries).

Next, enter LINE_MAINT as the Key Title, then OK

Enter 0 as the String Value, then OK

Repeat using the Key Title of LINE_MAINT and assign another stringvalue of 1

OK when finished designating the multiple key entries, then OK severalmore times to invoke the report.

Task 1Using whatever means necessary, devise a way to open only those componentswhich are attached to assy3_blkhd2.prt. This does not include the floors.

Start with the assembly open and all components visible.


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Component groups

Task 1 Solution: Create a Component Group

Note: The solution you found may be different from the one displayed here.

Create a Component Group that isolates the desired components.

Highlight Session Component Groups, rightclick and choose AddProximity Component Group.

Click the New Component Group and enter the new name task1.

Click within 10.0in of..., rightclick and choose Edit.

Replace the distance 10.0 with 0 (zero) and press Enter

Click on assy3_blkhd2 and drag it into the component group within 0.0in of....

Exclude the floors

Now you will exclude the floors from the new component group.

Under the assy3 assembly nodes, select the two assy3_floor componentgroups®rightclick®Copy

Rightclick on the task1 component group ® Paste

Select the two assy3_floor component groups ® rightclick®ExcludeComponent Group.


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Now test the component group.

Select the assy3 assembly node, rightclick→ Select Assembly.

Rightclick→ Close→ Assembly

Select the task1 checkbox.

This opens the components defined by the task1

Choose File→Save Bookmark. Set Record to Component Groups Only.Set File Name to assy3.

Task 2

This assembly has redundancies built in. Create a component group that willdisplay only components that are part of the primary system. All componentsthat are members of the primary system can be seen below:

You will continue working with the assy3 part file.



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You will create a component group with the primary system components.

Select the Session Component Groups node and choose Create Component

Group .

Rename the component group to task2.

Select and drag the desired components into the component group.

Isolate the Grouped Components

On the task2 component group node, rightclick → Components →Blanking → Isolate.

Save your bookmark using the same name so it will overwrite the oldcopy (assy3).

Task 3

Create a process using component groups etc., that will load only fieldreplaceable structural components.

You will continue working with the assy3 part file.


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You will create a component group that will isolate the desired components.

Select the Session Component Groups node of the Assembly Navigator.

Click Add Attribute Search to Component Group .

Choose the By Attribute tab.

Enter a Name of usage and a Value of structure, then click OK.

Enter task3 as the new name of the component group.

Select task3 and rightclick and then click Add to Component Group...

Click the By Attribute tab.

Enter a Name of line_maint and a Value of 1, and choose OK.

Select USAGE = “structure” and LINE_MAINT = “1”.

Click Match all of... .


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Component groups

Now test the component group by isolating its components

On the task3 node, rightclick and chooseComponents→Blanking→Isolate.

Save your bookmark again.

Grouping components

It is a good idea to group components under several component groups anduse them in the solutions to the previous tasks.

Create the following component groups:

• Tubes containing all fuel and hydraulic tubes

• Floors containing the floors

• Elec containing all electrical boxes

• Clips containing all the clips

• Blkhds containing all bulkheads

Frequently Asked Questions on Component GroupsQ. How are component groups saved?

A. Component groups are saved by creating a Bookmark.


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Component groups

Q. At what level of an assembly can the component groups be accessed orused?

A. All component groups can be accessed from any level of an assembly aslong as the Bookmark was saved and retrieved accordingly.

Q. What is a bounding box? How is it used? How is its size and orientationdetermined? Do subassemblies have bounding boxes?

A. A bounding box is defined as being the minimum size box shapedcontainer that could contain the component it belongs to. The system mayuse the bounding box volume in determining whether a given component isin a specified zone or not. Depending on the version of NX the part was lastsaved in the bounding box may be sized to contain all or part of the solids orsheet bodies within that part. Subassemblies contain no immediate geometryand do not have a bounding box.

Q. What zones retain associativity to the "spatial" model size?

A. Only components or the Work Part have spacial associativity when usedin a proximity component group.

Q. Can zone definitions be modified?

A. An existing zone can be modified by choosing Component Group ® DefineZone, and selecting the desired zone from the listing. A box zone may beedited by changing box lengths and / or transform. A plane zone may beedited by flipping the plane normal direction and/or transforming the plane.

Q. Can a "spatial" Zone other than a box shape be defined?

A. By choosing Zone® Box, and defining a box with a zero height you cancreate "bounded" plane , that when used with the Intersects With operator,will limit the amount of data highlighted to only those components that fallwithin the confines of your "bounded plane" (instead of a true plane zone thatwould be unbounded in its definition and highlighting). Be aware that becausethis is still a box zone the operators above and below are not available.

SummaryIn this lesson you:

• Used a Bookmark

• Used Component Groups

• Used Zones

• Create Bookmarks and Component Groups

• Used Zones to Manipulate Assemblies


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Lesson

3 Representations

This lesson will introduce Representations which create faceted bodies inthe work part.

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Use Representations.

• Know the advantages and disadvantages of creating Representations.

• Know when to change tolerance settings for Representation creation.

OverviewWhen working with large assemblies, often the most time consumingactivity is waiting for the assembly to retrieve and display. When usingrepresentations, the time required to initially retrieve and display yourassembly can be dramatically reduced. Representations are very useful foropening assemblies quickly and visualizing their components. They are alsovery useful for clearance analysis.

Representations are faceted objects which are associated to the defining solid.By maintaining this association, the representations can be automaticallyupdated whenever the underlying solid changes. A facet is a planar polygonthat is sized and oriented to represent a face or portion of a face.

Representations can be created and stored in two different ways.

• You can create representations in the detail part containing the definingsolid, then add the resulting faceted bodies to a reference set.

• You can create representations in the assembly part which contains thecomponent objects.

Representations will only be visible when the solid body is not visible, eitherby not being in the current reference set or by being unloaded. The systemwill not display the representation if the solid is on an invisible layer or ishidden. A representation will display if it has been disassociated from itsdefining solid.


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Representations

Define Representations DialogThe Define Representation dialog box is accessed throughAssemblies®Advanced®Representations.

Create: Allows you to select objects using the class selection dialog boxfor faceting. The system will create the facets according to your currentParameters settings. The system will then allow you to select or define thereference set you want the representations to reside in.

Note: A given solid occurrence can have only one representation associatedwith it within a part file.

Parameters: This option allows you to set the creation parameters forfaceting. The parameter settings are stored with a representation so thatfuture updates will be done using the same parameters.

When creating representations for piece parts, you normally will not need tochange the default parameter settings.

However, when creating a representation at the assembly level, you have achoice as to how accurate you would like your representation to be. Yourchoice will affect speed of retrieval, display , and hidden line removal, as wellas its usefulness in certain modes of clearance analysis.


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Representations

If you leave the tolerance settings alone, your representations will be createdusing tolerances that were determined for each component individually. Theresulting representations will have a higher "resolution" allowing you tozoom in on them with little graphic distortion; however the performanceis slightly decreased.

Information: Allows you to select a representation and get a listing windowdisplaying information about an existing representation including the part itrepresents and the tolerance settings used in its creation.

Rename: Allows you to rename an existing representation. The default namefor a representation is dependent on the object to which it is associated.

Update: If your solid geometry changes, the Representation will automaticallyupdate the next time you save the part containing the representation. Insome cases, the Representation updates as soon as a modeling update occurs.If the update does not happen automatically you may choose to force anupdate by choosing the Update option on the dialog box. In either case, youmust have the defining solid loaded in order for the update to occur. You havethe option of having them updated using their Original parameters or thecurrent Default parameter settings.

Edit ParametersBy selecting the tolerance switches, the system will determine the bestsetting for viewing the assembly as a whole. The resulting representationswill appear fine when viewed within the entire assembly, but as you zoom inon them you may see reduced resolution of graphics.


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Representations

Tip: To ensure the correct tolerances are used, it is a good idea to "FIT" theassembly within your screen before creating your representations.

Another parameter that may need to be changed is " Double Precision". Youmay want to use double precision if you are doing a Clearance Analysis andyou have small components which are a long distance from the origin.

Object DisplayObject Display: choose between As Solid and Current.

• As Solid resets display characteristics (such as the current color andthickness) to that of the owning solid when the display is updated.


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Representations

• Current keeps the display characteristics as they were in the facetedrepresentations just before the update.

Delete: Allows you to delete selected representations. This differs from usingEdit®Delete in that you can delete hidden representations with this optionwhich you cannot do with Edit®Delete.

Note: If you delete a solid that has an associated representation, therepresentation objects will also be deleted. The same is also true in the caseof removing a solid from an assembly in which representations have beencreated.

Disassociate: Allows you to break the association with the defining solid.The representation becomes just a faceted object from that point.

Note: A disassociated faceted object can and will display at the same time asa solid.

Reference Sets

Add: Allows you to add additional faceted objects to reference sets.

Remove: Allows you to remove faceted objects from reference sets.

Display Members: Allows you to display all the representations that aremembers of the selected reference set.

Using RepresentationsYou now have to choose where you will create your representations. Yourchoices for where to create representations are:

Method 1 In the Mockup part above the master assembly

Method 2 In each of the major subassemblies

Method 3 In each of the piece parts (in a separate reference set)

The method you choose should be based on your requirements and will affect:

• (A) In which assemblies you will have access to the representations

• (B) How they can be used


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Representations

• (C) Assembly opening time

• (D) Update of representations

• (E) How you control what you will see (facets or solids)

When determining which method you follow, you should consider thefollowing questions:

• Who are the main users of the large assemblies?

• What types of activities will they be involved in?

• Will they be altering the structure of the assemblies? (i.e., adding orremoving components)

• Will clearance analysis be used?

• Is the main objective the visualization of the large assembly?

• Are there data creation standards for your company?

• How long can I wait for my assembly to retrieve using solids?

Method 1 MockUp Level Representations

1) Representations created and stored at the top level.2) valve_assm is Master Assembly level

(A) The faceted representations are only accessible when the mockup partis the displayed part. Anyone accessing the assembly at a lower level won’tsee or load the representations, or be burdened by the memory overhead ofcarrying the representations.

(B) Main use is for extremely rapid retrieval and clearance analysis. Sincecomponents initially are not loaded, most normal component operations arenot available.

(C) This yields the fastest load time of any option since all of the data iscoming from one file.


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Representations

(D) To maintain accuracy of your representations you should regularlyload all changed components and the mockup. You can then update therepresentations and save your mockup part.

(E) When loading the mockup part, you will load all representations andyou will see them all on your screen unless you adjusted the layer settingsto make some layers invisible. Once you have loaded components from yourassembly, you can change your displayed part to the master assembly tovisualize only loaded parts.

Representations are only seen when the solid geometry is not loaded or is notwithin the displayed reference set. You can view the Representations byloading an assembly using the load "No Components" option or by using the"Default Reference Set" option and loading the empty reference sets (bothsettings are found in File®Options® Load Options). This will make theretrieval and display very fast. You can then work on selected componentsby either opening them from the Assembly Navigator or by replacing theirreference sets depending on the load method chosen for initial retrieval.

The assembly display can be switched back and forth between solids andrepresentations by replacing reference sets between empty (representationdisplays) and BODY (solid displays). You can also use Open and Close fromthe Assembly Navigator or Component Filters. An assembly can also mixand match its display, so some components are displayed showing solids andothers are displayed with representations.

Tip: Since faceted bodies are visually indistinguishable from solids, it canget confusing trying to determine what is loaded and what is not. A goodway to make that distinction is to make use of the partial shading function.This requires that you previously edit the object display and enable partialshading for either your solids or your representations.

This method is good if you often need to see the whole assembly. It hasthe advantages of allowing a nonowning user to create and use therepresentations as well as being straight forward and easy to implement. Thisapproach will not be of much benefit to those users who frequently work onassembly subsystems since they would get more data displayed than desired.


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Method 2 Major SubAssembly Level Representations

1) Representations are created and stored in the Major SubAssm then putin reference sets.

(A) Any assembly that contains the major subassembly can view therepresentations for that subassembly.

(B) This approach is helpful if you want to see the entire assembly but mightconcentrate your efforts on one of the major subassemblies.

(C) This method is very fast since the operating system need load only a fewparts in order to see the entire assembly. You could also use a filter to loadonly some of the subassemblies saving additional time.

(D) This method is similar to Method 1. The representations will requireupdating via the same type of process discussed for that method.

(E) You will be able to "turn off" the display for various subassemblies byclosing them or replacing the current reference set with the Empty referenceset.

One drawback is that if you are using filters to load components, any parentsubassembly will be loaded and you will see all of the representations forthat parent subassembly.


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Method 3 Piece Part Level Representations

(A) Any assembly that contains the component can view the representationsfor that component.

(B) This method can be used for most any operation except solid basedactivities, most notably mating conditions and promotions. For example, youmight use filters to select which components you want to load, and identifycomponents for Edit Structure operations and Exploded View operations.

(C) Time required to load the assembly is significantly reduced compared toloading solids, but is still much slower than the previous methods discussed.This is because the operating system must still locate each component andload the faceted data from it.

(D) Updates of your representations is almost a nonissue since each time youchange and save the component the representation will be automaticallyupdated.

(E) You can control whether you are seeing the solid data or therepresentations by replacing reference sets as well as opening and closingcomponents.

This method may be the most commonly used. It is relatively easy for usersto understand and use. The main drawbacks are decreased performance andthat everyone has to remember to create the representations for all partshe or she makes.


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Representations

The above methods can be mixed and matched to suit the needs of the userswho will need to retrieve the model. For example, you may decide you wantrepresentations defined at the detail level and also at the major subassemblylevel. This would offer many of the benefits of both worlds but would add alevel of confusion.

Method 3 Piece Part Level Representations

The following table summarizes the methods and repercussions ofrepresentation creation.

Method 1(MockUp)

Method 2(SubAssembly)

Method 3 (PiecePart)

A Accessible only ifthe displayed partis the mockup.All or Nothing.

Accessible by anyassembly to whichit belongs.

Accessible byany referencingassembly.

B Fast loading andvisualization,clearanceanalysis.

Quickvisualization ofentire assemblyand easy transitionto working onsubassemblies.

Increasedretrievalperformance andmost componentoperationsavailable.

C Fastest load timeoption.

Very fast load time Fast load timecompared withsolids retrieval.

D Requires regularupdate by loadingthe changedcomponents andupdating.

Similar to Method. Updates occurautomaticallywhen editing yourcomponents andsaving them.

E Use partialshading, orAssy Nav. treemethod, or changedisplayed part tomaster assemblylevel, or layersettings.

Turn off displayby closingsubassembly or byreplacing referencesets to the emptyset.

Control of visiblerepresentationsis controlledwith the use ofreference sets

F Can not exploderepresentations

Can explode eachsubassemblycomponent

Eachrepresentationin a componentexplodes

G Clearanceanalysis won’tshow names

SubAssemblyname will appear

Shows parentcomponent name


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Representations

Additional Application: Simplified Display Representations

If your assemblies contain complex parts (those with many features), youmay consider first suppressing some of the features in the underlying solid,creating the representation, then disassociating it. Disassociation is requiredsince upon unsuppressing your features in the solids, the representationswould update to reflect that change. Now you can swap reference sets andsee the simplified version or the full blown solid.

Note: Since the faceted objects are no longer associated to the solids, stepsshould be taken to ensure that the facets are recreated at appropriateintervals. This may be worthwhile if you have complex parts with smallfeatures that take a long time to display.

Valve Assembly RepresentationsIn this activity, you will be creating representations for the components of theValve Assembly using Method 1 described previously.

Setup the Part

Create a new part called valve_assm_rep using inch units in the act4subdirectory.

Add the part valve_assm, found in the act4 directory, to it as a component.

Replace view in layout to the TFRTRI view and Fit the geometry to yourdisplay.

Next you will set your parameters for your Representations.

Choose Assemblies →Advanced→Representations, then selectParameters.

Select Specify Surface Tolerance and Specify Curve Tolerance.

Choose OK to accept the parameter settings and to dismiss the dialog box.

The system will evaluate your geometry and set your parametersappropriately.

Create your Representations

The Define Representations dialog box is still open.

Click Create.

Click Class Selection.


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Representations

Click Select All from the Class Selection menu.

Choose OK to accept.

The next menu will ask you for the reference set name in which to hold therepresentations. If the reference set does not exist, you can type the namein. In this case since you are at a top level assembly, a reference set is notrequired. If you select Cancel without typing in a name, the Representationswill not be added to any reference set.

Cancel the Representations dialog box.

Cancel the Define Representations dialog box.

You now have representations in your part file.

Enable Partial Shading

Now you will modify your Representations so they have partial shadingcapability. This will help distinguish which parts on the screen are loaded.

Partial Shading is only available if your work station is logged in using a3D driver. If you are unable to partially shade proceed to the next page.

Choose Edit→Object Display.

Click Class Selection.

Set your Type filter option to Faceted Body.

Choose Select All.

Notice the status line tells us that no objects are selected. Even though youjust created your faceted representations, they are not available for display orselection because their associated solids are being displayed.

Cancel the Class Selection dialog box.

Open the Assembly Navigator and replace reference set to Empty forthe valve_assm.

Notice the geometry disappears then reappears. You should now be looking atyour representations. The geometry does not appear any different. This couldbecome confusing if you had some of the components loaded and others thatare not. Let’s try again to enable partial shading.

Choose Edit→Object Display.

Set your Type filter option to Faceted Body.


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Representations

Choose Select All.

Choose OK.

Set the Partial Shading Option to Yes.

Choose OK.

Replace Reference set back to Entire Part.

Save your assembly, then close all parts.

On Your Own

Now to test and become more familiar with how representations are affectedby design changes try:

• removing a component from your assembly.

• adding a new component to your assembly.

In both cases check whether or not the representation is still accurate, thencorrect if required.

Representations and Drawings

While representations are not currently designed to be used with drawingsthere are some applications in which they can be very useful.

If you add a view containing representations to a drawing, that view will nothave the Hidden Line Removal (HLR) performed on it. However, you cancreate an HLR rendering using Representations imported onto your drawing.This view will not be associative to your solid geometry and therefore willneed to be managed manually.

To create such a view:

• From the Main Menu Bar select View® Visualization®Assembly HiddenLine.

This operation will use faceted representations to quickly create an HLRrendering. If representations are not available, the system will first createtemporary faceted representations. Upon completion of this operation, thesystem offers you the option of saving the HLR into a new file.

• Choose Save and then enter a name for your HLR rendering, e.g.temp.prt. This new file can then be imported into your drawing file andthen onto your drawing.

• File® Import®Part® then select your part temp.prt.


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Now you can create a view and add it to your drawing. Obviously this isnot the method you will want to use for most of your drawings. However,for very large assemblies that take considerable time to generatedrawings, this can be a big time saver. Since the resulting drawing isnonassociative, you will have to recreate the drawing when updates areneeded.

Valve Assembly Representations (optional)Create a drawing containing the Benetton car and the valve assembly. Hint:The drawing shown was done on a "E" size sheet, the car view is 1/4 scale.

Setup the Part

First, you will open the car assembly using Representations.


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Set your load options to load No Components.

Open demo_mockup from the car directory.

Next you will generate an HLR rendering of the car.

Choose View→Visualization→Assembly Hidden Line.

The Assembly Hidden Line dialog box opens.

Click Save, then enter ***_hlr.prt in your t# directory where *** denotesyour initials. Then choose OK.

Cancel the Assembly Hidden Line dialog box.

Now you will import the HLR part into your demo_mockup file onto its ownlayer.

Make your work layer 19.

Choose File→Import→Part and then OK the options menu.

Choose your HLR part

Choose OK twice

Create a View of the Geometry

Make all layers invisible leaving just 19 visible.

Choose View→Operation→Save As and then enter a name for your view.

Add that view onto your drawing.

Repeat the above steps to create an HLR rendering for the valve_assmbut import the geometry into the car file.

Close all parts.

Representations Created At The Piece Part LevelThe vise assembly, which many of you have worked with in the standardAssemblies Implementation class, is also available. This assembly has hadrepresentations created and added to "REP" reference sets at the componentlevel. To further your understanding of how working with an assembly set upin this manner is different, you should experiment with this assembly. Thisassembly can be found in the act4 directory. Suggested steps:

• Retrieve the assembly using the Load Options set to load No Components.


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• Retrieve the assembly using REP as the default reference set.

• Load part of the assembly using a filter you create.

• Create a filter to open only the fasteners in the vise assembly.

• Experiment with the Assemblies®Edit Structure menu to see whatcomponent operations are available.

SummaryThis lesson introduced Representations which create faceted bodies in thework part.

In this lesson you:

• Created Representations

• Used Representations


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Lesson

4 Wrap Assembly and LinkedExterior Feature

This lesson will introduce you to wrapping assemblies, editing wrappedassemblies and how to develop linked exterior features.


• Create wrapped assembly geometry and understand how to do isolatededits of the wrapped assembly.

• Develop a linked exterior feature.

Wrap Assembly OverviewThe Wrap Assembly function (also known as assembly envelope) simplifies acomplex assembly by computing a solid envelope that encloses the assembly.This effectively "shrink wraps" the assembly with a convex polyhedron ofplanar faces.

This feature is similar to the Wrap Geometry feature that is described in theModeling Help, except that the WRAP_ASSEMBLY feature allows interpartlinks in the input geometry. It is created in the context of the displayed part,but resides in the work part. Input data can reside anywhere in the currentassembly, because interpart links relate the data to the WRAP_ASSEMBLYfeature.

When you choose Assemblies→ Advanced→ Wrap Assembly, the WrapAssembly dialog box appears.


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Wrap Assembly and Linked Exterior Feature

Wrap Assembly Dialog Options

• Geometry to Wrap (Selection Step): Lets you select any number ofcomponents or geometry (solids, sheets, curves, or points) in the assemblyto be wrapped. Since the result is a solid body, the input should notbe coplanar. (Components will be selected if Select Features or SelectComponents is selected, while objects will be selected if Select GeneralObjects is selected. These options are available on the Global Selectiontoolbar and Edit®Selection)

• Filter: Limit the types of objects that are selectable.

• Close Gaps: Determines how to close gaps between offset faces.


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– Sharp: Each planar face is extended until it meets adjacent faces.

– Beveled: Planar faces are added in gaps to create a beveled effect. Toavoid creating tiny faces, bevels will not be narrower than the DistanceTolerance. Gaps smaller than this are closed using sharp edges.

– No Offset: Faces are not offset. This is faster, but the result usuallydoes not enclose original data.

• Distance Tolerance: Specifies how detailed the result should be.

• Additional Offset: Applies an additional offset to the faces of the resultingbody. This option is grayed out if the Close Gaps option is No Offset.

• Create NonAssociative: Lets you create an unparameterized feature.

• Confirm Upon Apply: Lets you preview what the results will look like.An additional dialog box will appear after you choose Apply that letsyou accept or reject the results, or you can choose one of the analysisoptions (i.e., Interference, Examine Geometry, Curve Analysis, FaceAnalysis, Deviation, and Section Analysis). See the Gateway Help formore information about the analysis options.

Splitting Planes (Selection Step Optional): Lets you logically subdividethe model into smaller pieces so the envelope is more precise. The geometryyou select is split at the planes. Geometry on each side of a splitting planeis wrapped separately and then reunited into a single solid. Since each sideof the plane is wrapped separately, the set of geometry on each side mustnot be coplanar.

• Each plane should make contact with and split at least one piece ofgeometry. This guarantees that the final set of bodies will contact oneanother and can be united into a single result. Otherwise, an error isissued.

• If multiple nonparallel planes are given, the planes will subdivide eachother. A plane which does not split any data within a subdivision isignored.

• To define a splitting plane, select a datum plane from the graphicswindow, or choose Define to bring up the Plane Constructor (see theGateway Help for more information).

• New planes are numbered and added to the Defined Planes list box. Theyare also displayed as numbered temporary planes in the graphics window.


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• You can remove one or more planes by selecting them in the DefinedPlanes list box and choosing Remove. When a plane is removed, the list isreordered, and the remaining planes are redisplayed. You can also useRedisplay Planes to regenerate the temporary display of the planes.

• Datum planes can be selected from anywhere in the assembly. Input forplane smart objects created using Define is restricted to the work part.

Split Offset: Applies this positive offset to each side of the splittingplane. Effectively, each plane becomes two overlapping splitting planes,guaranteeing that the result on each side of the splitting will overlap and willreunite without a nonmanifold condition. This is useful when the data oneach side of the plane meets at a single point.

Defined Planes list box: Lists the planes that have been defined.


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Define: Lets you define a new plane by bringing up the Plane Constructor.

Remove: Select a plane in the Defined Planes list box and choose Remove.

Redisplay Planes: Regenerates the temporary display.

Wrap Assembly NotesNote: In order to create an associative feature, the Assemblies_AllowInterPartcustomer default must be set. Otherwise, when you open the WrapGeometries dialog box, you will get a message that links created in the sessionwill be nonassociative. (This is also true for the WAVE Geometry Linker.)

When Delay Interpart Updates (on the WAVE Associativity Manager) isselected, component changes are not propagated to the WRAP_ASSEMBLYfeature until you update the assembly.

Updating the feature when any interpart links are broken causes the featureto become "dumb". The feature uses the body from the last successful update,and does not reflect any current changes made to the input geometry. If thelink was not broken deliberately (e.g., with the WAVE Part Link Browser), anupdate warning will be issued in the Edit During Update dialog box (see theModeling Help for more information about this dialog box).

Editing Wrap Assembly FeaturesFor a Wrap Assembly feature, the edit dialog box looks the same as theWrap Assembly dialog box used to create the feature, except that CreateNonAssociative and Confirm Upon Apply have been removed. The featureresides in the work part, but the feature’s original selections were made inthe context of the displayed part. If the displayed part has changed, it may beimpossible to relate some of the original selections to the current displayedpart. Selections that cannot be resolved are lost, and a warning messageis issued.


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Create a Wrap AssemblyIn this activity, you will be creating a Wrap enclosure for a hand held dustvacuum.

Start the Assemblies Application (if necessary).

Use File→Options→Load Options and set the Load Method to FromDirectory, Default Reference Sets to Body and Load Components to AllComponents (if necessary).

Open dust_vac.prt from the vac subdirectory.

Shade the assembly


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Create a Wrap

Create a Wrap for all of the components in the assembly using the defaultsettings.

Choose Assemblies→Advanced→Wrap Assembly.

With Geometry to Wrap selection step selected , drag a rectanglearound all of the components.

Choose Confirm upon Apply and select Apply.

The wrap was successful but it does not define the shape of the handle verywell. You will not accept the results. You will instead define a Splitting Planeto divide the Wrap.

Define a Splitting Plane

Reject the result and define a Splitting Plane where the handle meets thebody.

Select Back, on the Confirm Upon Apply dialog box.

Rotate and Zoom so that you can see where the handle meets the housing,then set the view to Wireframe with Hidden Edges.


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Click Splitting Planes then click Define.

The Plane Constructor dialog box opens.


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In the Plane Constructor dialog box, click Plane Subfunction.

The Plane dialog box opens.


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Choose the Two Lines method and then select any two intersectinglines on the planar face where the handle meets the housing

Choose Apply to see the results.

The Confirm Upon Apply dialog box opens. Leave this open for the next step.

Shade and Fit the Assembly.


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Decrease the Distance Tolerance to Produce more Facets

The new Wrap is more representative of the shape but the facet size is a littlelarge to give a good approximation of the shape. You will reject the Wraponce again to reduce the facet size.

Click Back on the Confirm Upon Apply dialog box.

The Wrap Assembly dialog box reopens.

Click Geometry to Wrap .

Change Distance Tolerance from a value of 2.54 to 0.254 (ten timesgreater accuracy).

Click Apply for the system to recalculate the Wrap.

The Wrap looks much smoother. The visual benefit is obvious but you alsoneed to consider that the file size has just grown because you now are viewing


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approximately 10x the number of facets more than the original Wrap. Yourgoal should not be to make the shape look exactly like the solid but it shouldbe a reasonable approximation.

Dismiss all dialog boxes, then Close all parts.

Linked Exterior OverviewThe linked exterior function allows you to extract faces of selected bodiesin an assembly. These can be associative and grouped if desired. Linkedexteriors can be used anytime you want to represent an exterior envelopethat is to be used in another, higher level assembly.

This is especially useful to coordinate development with other designdisciplines, but only spatial envelopes are needed for reference, and additionalassembly data would be superfluous. When you create a linked exterior a newfeature, a LINKED_EXTERIOR feature is created.

Linked ExteriorIn this activity, you will create a Linked Exterior feature that includes all ofthe exterior faces of a garage door opener remote.

Setting up the Model

Open remote_assm.prt from the remote subdirectory.

Check your load options to ensure that the Load Method is FromDirectory, and Load Components is set to All Components (if necessary).

Choose Start→Modeling (if necessary).


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Choose Start→Assemblies (if necessary).

Change the Work layer to Layer 15 where the Linked Feature will becreated.

Creating the Linked Exterior

Choose Assemblies→Advanced→Linked Exterior.

Click Candidate Bodies then click Select All to identify all of thesolids as candidates for linking.

Click Exterior Faces to advance to the second selection step.


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Confirm that Views is set to Six Standard (1).

Click Select Faces (2) to start the automatic face selection algorithm.

Change the Group option to One Group (3).

Click OK twice, to accept the rest of the defaults and initiate the creationof the feature.

The linked exterior has been created.


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In Customer Defaults, Assemblies, Site Standards, and ReferenceSets, you can specify a name in the Simplified Reference Set Namefield to have a reference set created with the Linked Envelope addedautomatically.

Checking the Linked Exterior

Blank all of the components to view the new feature.

In the Assembly Navigator, make sure the check box in front of eachcomponent is deselected.

Check the linked exterior by showing a section cut through the exterior

Choose View→Operation→Section.

The Sectioning Definition dialog box opens.


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Using the YZ rotation ball, rotate XY plane 90 degrees.

Note that the linked exterior shows just the outside surface of the remote.

OK the dialog box after checking the linked exterior.

Choose the Part Navigator tab. (UNIX users, choose ModelNavigator on the Navigators toolbar.)

Note the addition of the LINKED_EXTERIOR feature.

Close all parts


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SummaryThis lesson introduced Wrap Assembly and Linked Exterior features.

In this lesson you:

• Created a Wrap Assembly

• Created Linked Exterior features

• Realized the intent and where they should be applied.


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5

Lesson

5 Assembly Clearance

This lesson will allow you to determine the interferences of all componentsin one operation.


• Use the different modes of interference.

• Use different analysis modes.

• Perform a Clearance Analysis and interpret the results.

• Execute a batch Clearance Analysis.

Clearance AnalysisUsing NX, you can conduct a clearance analysis on all or a portion of yourassembly.

Clearance Analysis allows you to perform a clearance/interference checkbetween all or some of the components in an assembly. This check can be doneboth interactively or in batch mode. Clearance analysis does not take intoaccount any motion a part may have, only static conditions are evaluated.

You can input a clearance zone for all or selected components, which is used tocompare against the minimum distance calculated between the bodies. If thedistance calculated is less than the clearance zone, an interference is reported.

There are three states of interference that the system recognizes:

1. Soft Interference two objects are situated such that the minimumdistance between the bodies is less than the clearance zone, but the twoobjects do not touch. The system can create a line representing theminimum distance found between the two objects where the interferencewas detected.

2. Touching Interference Two objects are touching but do not interfere.When this type of interference is detected, the system will create a pointat the location the touching interference was detected.


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Assembly Clearance

3. Hard Interference When two objects intersect with each other, thesystem can create an interference solid representing the interference.

The Clearance Set

Whenever you do a clearance analysis, the results are stored in a clearanceset, which is stored in the part file from which it was run. Clearance setsare named so you can do multiple analyses between different sets of objectswithin the same part file and have each run named differently.

Assembly Clearance Sets Contents

®

• Objects to beanalyzed

• Clearancezones

• Pairinclusions/Exclusions

• Analysisresults

Clearance Sets can be created in two ways:

• Analysis®Assembly Clearance®Clearance Set®New.

• In the Clearance Browser, Rightclick®Clearance Set®New.

The Clearance Browser

With the Clearance Browser, you can access other functionality within NXto further analyze any clearance interferences. The Clearance Browser isaccessed by selecting Analysis→Assembly Clearance→Clearance Browser.


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Assembly Clearance

The Clearance Browser presents important information relating to anydefined clearance set.

Note the interference symbols in the Clearance Browser for the differenttypes of interferences.

• Soft Interference

• Hard Interference

• Touching Interference

Clearance data, along with important conditions relating to that data, isdisplayed in the various columns of the Clearance Browser.

Selected ComponentColumn shows the name and I.D. ofthe first component of any pair ofobjects that have been analyzed.

Interfering ComponentColumn shows the name and id ofthe second component of any pair ofobjects that have been analyzed.

Type

Column reflects type of interference:new/existing; soft, touching or hard.There is also an iconic depictionof the type of interference next tothe selected component: soft, hard,touching.

DistanceEnumerates the minimum distancebetween components being analyzed,if known.

Clearance Reflects any clearance zone that hasbeen specified.

Identifier A reference number for identification.


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Assembly Clearance

Out of DateReflects any out of date comparisonsbased on the last clearance analysisrun.

Unloaded Objects Indicates if component(s) are loadedor not.

Text Any text that you may want to add.

Clearance Properties

The main dialog box for specifying different aspects of your clearance analysisis the Clearance Properties dialog box. The information you designate in thisdialog box is part of your Clearance Set definition.

This dialog box can be accessed in three ways:

• Using Analysis®Assembly Clearance®Clearance Set®Properties.


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Assembly Clearance

• In the Clearance Browser, by placing the cursor over the Clearance Setnode then rightclick®Properties (existing clearance sets).

• In the Clearance Browser, by placing the cursor over the Clearance Setnode then rightclick®Clearance Set®New (during specification of anew clearance set)

The Basic Tab

In the Basic page, you can specify:

• the Clearance Set Name

• the Clearance Set Type (components or bodies)

• the number of Lists to Check

• the makeup of the list(s)

• a default clearance zone

• the analysis mode

Clearance Set Name

The Clearance Set Name box is where you designate the name of theclearance set for a particular analysis run. Any entries in this box are caseinsensitive; all entries will default to upper case.

When creating a new clearance set, the system will start with a default nameof SET1 and will increment automatically as new default clearance sets aredesignated. In cases where a specific name is designated and that name hasalready been used, the system will increment that name by 1 until a uniquename is determined.

Clearance Set Type

In the Clearance Set Type area of the dialog box, you specify whether youranalysis will deal with components or bodies. The default for new clearancesets is components.


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Assembly Clearance

Lists to Check

Clearance Analysis allows you to have your data evaluated in one of two ways:

One List: the system checks forinterference between all parts onthat list.

Two Lists: the system checks allparts on list one against all parts onlist two.

A possible application for two lists would be: As your assembly changesyou add any new or changed components to list 2 and keep everything elseon list 1. This way every time you add a component or make a geometricalchange you can double check yourself for any introduced interferences. Whenyou want to define the objects that belong on each respective list, select thepulldown for List One or List Two and you will see the following options:

• All Objects: Includes all parts that are currently loaded in your assembly.This is an active list; in other words the system reevaluates the list eachtime it is run to determine if new parts have been added or removed.

• All Visible Objects: Includes all objects that are displayed

• All But Selected Objects: Allows you to specify which parts are not to beanalyzed and then add everything else to the list.

• Class Selection: gives you the regular class selection dialog box to choosethe objects to add to the list.

Whether using one list or two lists, you can use the Show option to displayexactly what objects are to be included in the respective lists. In addition,any objects designated for one or two lists will appear in their own folder inthe Clearance Browser.


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Assembly Clearance

Default Clearance Zone

The default clearance zone box lets you define a value or expression thatis to be used as a default clearance area around components/bodies thatare to be analyzed. Once a default clearance zone has been specified for aclearance set, there is no way to delete it without deleting the clearance set.The value of the default clearance zone is, by default, set to 0, however thedefault value can be set in the customer defaults file: Assemblies®AssemblyClearance®Interference Geometry.

Analysis Mode

The system gives you a choice of what type of analysis will be executed.

• Facet Based: the fastest analysis mode. If there are any unfaceted solids,they will be faceted for the analysis, then deleted. Any detailed analysis ofthe results should be undertaken by using the Study Interference option.Note: Faceted geometry is created in the Work Part only; if a subassemblyis the work part, its component geometry will not be faceted.

Advantages: Fastest modeDisadvantages: Creates a lot of interference objects.Gives least information back to user. Only as accurate as facetingtolerance.

• Use Solids Where Available: (the default) will check loaded solids; anyfaceted geometry will be checked as in facet based mode. This mode isespecially suited for situations where only those objects which requiresolid accuracy are checked using solids.

Advantages: Optimum balance of performance / functionality.Facilitates narrowing of analysis to specified solids.Disadvantages: Generates facets only in Work Part. Does notcheck faceted objects created from faces.

• Use Solids: is based on the mathematically exact solid geometry withinyour model. Solid geometry will be loaded for any faceted geometry.

Advantages: Yields the most exact results. Yieldsintersection solids and minimum distances.Disadvantages: Slowest mode.


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Assembly Clearance

The Advanced Tab

The Advanced page of the Clearance Properties dialog box deals withcustomizing your explicitly defined clearance zones.


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Assembly Clearance

Pair Zones

The Pair Zones options brings up the Pair Clearance Zones dialog box:

Here you can explicitly designate a clearance zone to object pairs. When theAssign to Pairs, Reset Pair Zones and List Pair Zones options are selected, theSelect Objects dialog box appears to identify the object pairs affected.

List Pair Zones, in conjunction with the Select Objects dialog box, will presentan Information window delineating whatever pairs have been specified andthe explicitly defined clearances for those pairs.


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Assembly Clearance

Object Zones

The Object Zones options brings up the Object Clearance Zones dialog box:

Here you can explicitly designate a clearance zone to individuallyspecified objects. When the Assign to Objects, Reset ObjectZones and List Object Zones options are selected, the SelectObjects dialog box appears to identify the objects affected.List Object Zones, in conjunction with the Select Objects dialog box, willpresent an Information window delineating whatever objects have beenspecified and the explicitly defined clearances for those pairs.

Note: An object must reside on your "List" in order for it to be selectable forclearance zone assignment.

Additional Pairs

The Additional Pairs option is available if you want to add explicitly includedpairs other than those on your lists via the Select Objects dialog box. Oncespecified, you will see the Additional Pairs dialog box where you can specify areason why the designated pairs are being included.


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Assembly Clearance

Additional Pairs will be added to the Additional Pairs to Check folder inthe Clearance Browser.

Ignored Pairs

The Ignored Pairs options lets you specify object pairs or pairs that are not tobe considered for analysis via the Select Objects dialog box. Once specified,you will see the Ignored Pairs dialog box where you can specify a reason whythe designated pairs are being ignored.

Ignored Pairs will be added to the Ignored folder in the Clearance Browser.

Explicitly Ignored

One aspect of ignoring certain pairs is the ability to ignore classes of pairs:

• Mating Pairs: automatically excludes pairs of components that are matedtogether.

• Pairs Within the Same Subassembly: allows you to exclude componentsthat come from the same subassembly so they are not checked againsteach other.


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Assembly Clearance

• Pairs Within the Same Group: excludes pairs of components that comefrom the same group.

• Pairs Within the Same Part: allows you to exclude bodies that come fromthe same part so they are not checked against each other . Note that thisoption is unavailable when doing a componentbased analysis.

Clear Results

The Clear Results option deletes all the interference results and marks allthe objects in the clearance set as outofdate. This is to allow you to run acomplete reevaluation of the current clearance set.


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Assembly Clearance

Clearance Zone Hierarchy

Since there are multiple ways the system may assign a clearance zone value,there needs to be a hierarchy of sorts so the system will know what value touse for a given object. The rules are as follows:

• use the zone value assigned to the pair, if not defined then....

• use the larger of the zones of the two objects being considered, if neitherhas a zone assigned then .....

• use the default zone value.

• List Pair Zones: allows you to display clearance zone information forselected sets of objects.

Interference Geometry Tab

On this page of the Clearance Properties dialog box, you specify how you wantto view any interference geometry and if you want to save interference solids.All three options here can be controlled using customer defaults.

Save Interference Solids (determinesif interference solids are to be saved.) Assemblies_ClrAnlSaveInterf: yes/no

Layer (layer number on which allnew interference geometry is placed.A value of zero indicates that thework layer (at the time the clearanceset is created) will be used.)

Assemblies_ClrAnlInterfLayer: [ 0,1256]

Interference Color (the color assignedto all new interference geometry)

Assemblies_ClrAnlInterfColor:[1256]

Interactive Clearance Analysis ActivityIn this activity you will perform a clearance analysis on a simple assembly todemonstrate each type of interference. You should become familiar with:


5

Assembly Clearance

• Setting up a Data Set for analysis

• Defining Clearance Zones

• Analysis Modes

• Excluding Objects

• Review Functions

Setting up for the Activity


Be sure the Load Method is set to From Directory.

Change the Load Components to All Components.

Click Default Reference Sets.

Select Entire Part.

Click Move Up to place the Entire Part Reference Set at the top of the list.

Click OK

Open the assembly saw_cl_anl from the saw directory

The system will create interference geometry in your work part.Therefore, you are using the Master Model approach and analyzing theapplication specific part rather than the main assembly.

Clearance Browser and Clearance Set

Select Analysis→Assembly Clearance→Clearance Browser.

In the Clearance Browser window, rightclick and choose ClearanceSet→New.

The Clearance Properties dialog box opens.

You will set the Interference Geometry criteria.

Choose the Interference Geometry tab in the Clearance Properties dialogbox.

Select the Save Interference Solids check box.

You need to set the layer that the interference solids will be save on.


5

Assembly Clearance

Set the layer to 100.

Set the Interference Color to White.

Click Apply.

These properties are saved within the clearance set, and are persistentfor that clearance set unless edited.

Now you will set the Clearance Object Zone for the saw blade.

Choose the Advanced tab in the Clearance Properties dialog box.

Choose the Object Zones option.

Enter .25 in the Current Zone entry box.

Choose the Assign to Objects option.

Using the Class Selection menu select the saw blade from the graphicsarea.

Choose OK twice.

Since you have set a clearance zone of .25 for the saw blade, you shouldset up the clearance set not to check the saw blade against the componentto which it attaches.

Ignore components

Select Ignored Pairs from the Clearance Properties dialog box.

Using the Select Objects dialog box, select blade2 and the upper_arm.

Choose OK.

The Ignored Pairs dialog box opens.Type in the reason for exclusion of the pair e.g. blade attachment.

Choose OK.

Click Apply on the Clearance Properties dialog box.

Next, you will execute the analysis. Since this assembly contains both solidsand facets, you can use the Facet/Solid analysis mode.

Set Up the Clearance Analysis

Choose the Basic tab in the Clearance Properties dialog box


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Assembly Clearance

Type saw_analysis_1 for the Clearance Set name.

Make sure Clearance Set Type is set to Component.

Make sure Lists to Check is set to One List.

Make sure Analysis Mode is set to Use Solids Where Available.

Click OK.

Run the Analysis

In the Clearance Browser, select the SAW_ANALYSIS_1 clearance set,then rightclick and choose Perform Analysis.

Once the analysis is run, the results are available in the Clearance Browser.

Click on the Type column in the Clearance Browser.


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Assembly Clearance

Note the soft interference and the distance of encroachment into the.25 clearance. Also note the components in the Ignored folder and thecorresponding text. In addition, you can review summary information usingthe Clearance Browser.

Next you will review the summary report of analysis data.

In the Clearance Browser, place the cursor over the Clearance Set node;rightclick and choose Report.

The results contain a Summary of the analysis (pairs checked, type of analysisetc.) and a more detailed report delineating where the interferences occurred.

The same information can be attained outside of the Clearance Browserby using Analysis®Assembly Clearance®Analysis®Report. You canalso save this report as a text file.


In reviewing and analyzing the results to your clearance analysis it is helpfulto visualize each of the interferences.

Examine the Interferences

In the Clearance Browser, select the hard interference node between thehousing and the cover_plate.

Rightclick and choose Study Interference.


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Assembly Clearance

The housing is shaded and the cover_plate is displayed in highlightedwireframe with the interference in white. Note the rightpointing arrow inthe Clearance Browser signaling the node under examination.

With the cursor still over the selected node, rightclick and choose FlipShading.

Note your other visualization options by rightclicking: Blank Left/Right,Wireframe Left/Right, Reset Shading

With the cursor still over the selected node, rightclick and choose RestoreComponent Visibility.

Experiment using these options with other interference nodes within theClearance Browser.

Examine the Interference Geometry on Layer 100

Using the Layer Settings dialog box, make Layer 100 the Work layerand make Layer 1 Invisible.

Examine the interference solids and points. (Remember, Touchinginterferences will show as points and Hard interferences will be solids.

Close all parts.


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Assembly Clearance

Batch Clearance AnalysisAs you have experienced, a clearance analysis can occupy some time whenexecuted interactively. When working with larger assemblies it is probablypreferable to have the analysis done in the background so your productivityis uninterrupted.

The Batch Clearance Analysis dialog box can be accessed by rightclickingthe Clearance Set node in the Clearance Browser.

Batch Clearance Analysis locates the components using the saved LoadOptions.

During a batch submission, the system will internally open the designatedassembly and analyze the selected data set using the parameters andpreferences stored within it. The results of the analysis are also saved withinthe part file.

From the main Clearance Analysis dialog box, you may select Batch to begina batch submission.

Batch Submission

Batch submission options:


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Assembly Clearance

• Choose Part File allows you to choose what part you want analyzed. Thepart need not be loaded interactively.

• Specify Report File allows you to designate the file name that theclearance analysis textual data will be stored in.

• Assembly Zones: This option allows you to specify that an assembly bedivided up into zones and the zones analyzed one at a time. You wouldinput the number of "box" zones in the X, Y, and Z directions. The systemwould load only the components in the first zone and analyze them, itwould then unload those components and load the components for thenext zone and so on. This option is recommended to be used only whenyour assembly is so large that it can not be loaded all at the same time.If performed on a smaller assembly, this option actually lengthens theprocess.

• Send Mail When Done tells the system to send you operatingsystem mail upon the completion of the batch program. Thecontent of a typical mail message would include the following:Batch Clearance Analysis completed....... successfulPart: .........../your.prtData set: ALL Report File: .........report.log

• Submit to Batch Starts the batch process.Note: Permission for batch submission is controlled by the files/usr/lib/cron/at.allow and /usr/lib/cron/at.deny. If your user name isnot properly configured in these files, your batch command will not besubmitted and an error will be displayed. Your system administratorcan make those changes for you.

If you find that you do not have batch submission privileges as described inthe above note, there are two alternate methods of submitting a batch job:

• Alternate Option 1: Creating, then submitting a batch script from aterminal window.

Save Script creates a script which can be executed from a terminalwindow. The system will prompt you to name the script and designatewhat directory it is to be created in.

• Alternate Option 2: Command line submission done from a terminalwindow.

This option is discussed more fully in Appendix B.

Both of the alternate options require the environment be configuredproperly. One criteria the batch clearance analysis program depends onis that you have the "ug libraries" in your PATH. A good way to ensurethat your terminal window environment variables are set up the same


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Assembly Clearance

as NX is to spawn a terminal window from the UniProducts dialog boxas shown below.

There is an alternate way of setting your environment.The following command executed from a terminalwindow will set your environment properly:$ export SHLIB_PATH=/usr/lib:$UGII_BASE_DIR/ugii/uglibsor depending on your shell type;$ setenv SHLIB_PATH /usr/lib:$UGII_BASE_DIR/ugii/uglibs

Tip: If you find yourself using this method often, you should considercreating a script that sets your shared library path for you.

Batch Clearance AnalysisIn this activity, you will concentrate on the steps to initiate a clearanceanalysis in batch mode. The intent is to give you practice working with abatch clearance analysis and how to view and use the results.

During this activity you will simulate the steps you might take if you werereviewing an assembly that you did not create (i.e. you do not have writeaccess to it).

Create a new (millimeter) part called "dust_cl_anl".

Set your load options to From Directory.

Add the part "dust_vac.prt" from the "vac" directory to the new assemblyas a component.

This is the assembly on which you will execute your clearance analysis.


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Assembly Clearance

Next set up the preferences and parameters for your data set inside yourassembly. If you preferred, you could just accept all of the default parametersand preferences, however; it is probably more useful to designate what youwant.

Create a Clearance Set

Invoke the Clearance Browser, from the Analysis menu, then chooseAnalysis→Assembly Clearance→Clearance Browser.

In the Clearance Browser, rightclick and choose Clearance Set→New.

Set the Basic properties: Set List 1 so that it contains all objects except thenozzle.

Set the Clearance Set Name to batch_test_1.

Make sure One List is selected.

Choose the All But Selected Objects option in the List One pulldown,choose Edit.

Pick the Nozzle from the screen, then OK.

Choose Apply. Cancel the dialog box.

Set your Interference Geometry Properties.

Using the Interference Geometry tab, set your interference layer to 15.

Set your Interference Color to White.

Set Save Interference Solids to on.

Choose Apply.

Save your assembly.

In order to access the batch submission menu for clearance analysis, a partmust be loaded.

Remember the system actually loads the assembly internally. It willuse your saved load options found in the file load_options.def. If theassembly is unable to load the part file using those load options, youwill get a failed clearance analysis.

Close all parts.


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Assembly Clearance

Create a Temporary Part

Create a new part, you can name it anything you like, it will not be saved.

Open the Clearance Browser, then choose Analysis→AssemblyClearance→Clearance Browser.

Rightclick in the Clearance Browser and select Clearance Set – New,then OK.

A new Clearance Set has been created.

With the cursor over the Clearance Set node, rightclick→Batch.

The Batch Clearance Analysis dialog box opens.

Click Choose Part File.

Choose your dust_cl_anl partfile

If you do not Select a Report File, and specify a file name the system willname the new file "report.log" by default.


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Assembly Clearance

Select Choose Report File, then select your My Documents folder.

Click OK.

Confirm any confirmation messages you will get.

Your batch process has now been submitted.

If your Batch Submission was not successful execute the following steps:

Select Save Script and enter the name "clranl.cmd".

Create a terminal window using the method

Execute the Script by typing at the prompt: $ ./clranl.cmd for a UNIXmachine (type $ ./clranl.cmd for an NT machine).

When your clearance analysis finishes, you will normally receive operatingsystem mail notifying you of its completion. The message tells you the statusof the analysis, whether it was successful or not, the part file checked, thename of the data set checked, and the location of the report file.

Reviewing a Batch Clearance Analysis

You can review the result of a Batch Analysis from the operating system byinspecting the file "report.log". This can be done using the text editor of yourchoice or by the OS command: $ more report.log.

You can also retrieve the part that was analyzed and inspect the interferences,report, etc. within the part file.

Open your clearance analysis file and review the results. How many Hardinterferences do you find?

A batch analysis can also be initiated from the command line of the OS. Thetechnical documentation for this process has been included in the appendix.


5

Assembly Clearance

SummaryThis lesson taught you how to determine the interferences of all componentsin one operation.

In this lesson you:

• Used various modes of interference.

• Used various analysis modes.

• Performed a Clearance Analysis and Interpreted the results.

• Executed a Batch Clearance Analysis.


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6

Lesson

6 Assembly Weight Management

In this lesson you will learn how to use Assembly Weight Management tooptimize the process of monitoring the mass properties of large assemblies.


• Generate caches of analysis information on piece parts.

• Assert the mass of a component with a known weight.

• Set a "Not to Exceed" weight limit on an assembly.

• Define a reference set for calculations

Assembly Weight ManagementUsing Assembly Weight Management provides an alternative to the existingfunctionality found in the Analysis® Mass Using... options. You will learnhow to calculate the weight of components that are not loaded and howto define the properties of parts that may not be accurately modeled (likepurchased parts).

Benefits of Assembly Weight Management

NX Assembly Weight Management provides support for users wishing toevaluate weight and other mass properties in large assemblies. By usingAssembly Weight Management in the intended manner, customers are able toquickly calculate the mass properties of assemblies even if :

• some of the components are not loaded.

• the assembly is large and complex.

• some of the components have published mass properties but no accuratesolid model (eg. purchased parts).

It is also possible to set weight limits on individual parts and to be alertedif the limits are exceeded.


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Assembly Weight Management

When to Use Assembly Weight Management

Assembly Weight Management is part of the Advanced Assemblies module.It complements the existing Analysis®Mass Using... options. It is not areplacement for it. The Analysis®Mass Using... options do not providethe performance and flexibility benefits of Assembly Weight Management.It is suitable for casual use in smaller assemblies. It requires the solids tobe loaded and visible.

This contrasts with Assembly Weight Management, which uses othermethods to specify which solids are included in the calculation and does notusually require all of them to be loaded or visible.

The performance of Assembly Weight Management calculations is greatlyimproved when NX is able to reuse the results of previous calculations(Caching of Results is discussed later). This is possible for components wherethe following three conditions apply :

• NX has previously calculated and stored the weight of a component.

• The component has not changed since the calculation was made.

• The previous calculation was performed at an accuracy at least as high asthe new calculation.

Default Accuracy

Although the value of accuracy can be controlled interactively in the AssemblyWeight Management menu, the initial value is set by the customer default:Analysis®Weight Management. It is therefore recommended that a suitabledefault value is entered in the customer defaults file and used wheneverpossible during weight calculations.

Optimizing Performance

Caching of Results

NX Assembly Weight Management enables the fast generation of assemblymass property information by storing and reusing the results of previousmass property calculations. This technique is known as "caching". By makinggood use of caching, it is possible to quickly generate mass properties foreven the largest of NX assemblies. To make the most of caching, it helps tounderstand how caches are created and maintained, and when they are used.

Generating Caches

For simplicity, assume for a moment that only piece parts contain solid bodiesand that assemblies reference components without having any solid bodiesof their own. If your work part is a piece part and you calculate its mass


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properties using Assembly Weight Management, a cache will be createdfor that piece part. Piece part caches are saved with the piece part. If theGenerate Weight Data save option is used, NX will ensure that an up to datecache is saved with the piece part (discussed later in this chapter).

Piece part caches are available for reuse in the subsequent calculation ofmass properties for that piece part or any assembly referencing that piecepart as a component.

If your work part is an assembly, an Assembly Weight Managementcalculation will create a cache for all of the components involved in thecalculation. These caches are usually stored with the work part, not withthe piece parts.

These component object caches are only available for use in subsequent massproperty calculations for the same assembly. They cannot be accessed bycomponents of that assembly, higher level assemblies, or by the piece partitself.

If Assembly Weight Management is used for an assembly, NX will use anyavailable component or piece part caches which are accurate enough, in orderto speed up the mass property calculation. Update Structure should be usedprior to the calculation to ensure that caches for unloaded components areall available and up to date.

Invalidating Caches

NX generally knows when a Assembly Weight Management cache isno longer valid (for example when the solid geometry is modified).When this happens, NX deletes the cache to prevent it from being used.An Assembly Weight Management cache will become invalid if its relatedcomponent is modified. Therefore, run Update Structure before calculatingthe assembly mass properties to ensure all caches are current.

Asserting Properties

When you use the option to assert the mass properties of apart, you have the option to assert some of the propertiesas "unknown". For example you can specify the weight of apart, but declare that the volume and density are not known.However if you do this, the same properties will be reported as "unknown" forany assembly which contains that part. In order to prevent too many caseswhere some assembly mass properties are unknown, it may be best to insistthat certain weight properties are specified for all parts with asserted massproperties. This would need to be set up as a company standard practice. Asthis activity continues, you will witness the behavior of Assembly WeightManagement when some of the values are asserted as "unknown".


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Assembly Weight ManagementIn this activity, you will assert the mass of a purchased component, set aweight limit and calculate the weight of the vacuum. Then you will make amodeling change and check the weight again.

Choose File→Options→Load Options→Default Reference Sets.

Type in BODY then Enter.

Choose OK.

Choose File→Open.

Choose the dust _vac part file from the vac directory.

Loading the BODY reference set has no effect on what is used for anAssembly Weight Management calculation. The reference set used isdetermined by setting the Define Reference Set button in the AssemblyWeight Management dialog box.

The two large components of this assembly (housing and nozzle) andthe switch button have had their density defined as a plastic.

Verify a Density

Choose Information→Object and select the nozzle or the housing (checkthe cue line to be sure you pick the solid body).

Choose OK.

The density should read : Density (G/Cu Millimeter) = 0.00140


The system caches the mass data by assigning a system attribute $mass.

Note: The $mass attribute cannot be listed in any report.

With all of the components loaded, you can calculate the weight of theassembly. However, this creates a $MASS cache on the component objectswhich will not be available in any other assembly. It is more desirable to havethe $MASS cached on the piece parts so that the $MASS is accessible forother assemblies using these parts.

Check Weight Status

Choose the Assembly Navigator tab. (UNIX users, choose AssemblyNavigator on the Navigators toolbar)


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With the cursor over the column descriptor banner, rightclick and chooseProperties to invoke the Assembly Navigator Properties dialog box.

Choose the Columns tab on the Assembly Navigator Properties dialog box.

Turn on (check) the Count, Units, Weight (g) and Weight Status columns,then choose OK.

Note that the current weight status of the rear_housing is deemed to be"unreliable". All this weight column information will be useful as go throughthis lesson.

Column Symbol/Status StatusWeight Status Unreliable Value

Weight OKWeight Limit ViolatedAsserted Weight


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Bottomup Approach to Assembly Weight Management

To make the most of the caching capabilities of Assembly WeightManagement, a "bottomup" approach to Assembly Weight Management isrecommended. By ensuring that all parts maintain caches, precalculatedmass property data is always available for Assembly Weight Managementcalculations. The only components that require a live calculation from thesolid data are those which have been modified in that session.

To implement a bottomup approach, you need to:

• ensure that the weight reference set is correctly set and maintained foreach part

• ensure that the Generate Weight Data save option is used for all parts(discussed later in this chapter)

• agree on a standard accuracy, so that caches are accurate enough to beused

Continue with the activity

Now you will create a cached $MASS in the "rear_housing", "examplenozzle"and the "button" components.

Make the "rear_housing" the work part.

Choose Analysis→Advanced Mass Properties→Advanced WeightManagement.

Under the "Calculation" text, choose Work Part.

Note the mass properties delineated.



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Note in the Assembly Navigator that the rear_housing now has a reliablevalue.

Note: If multiple solids exist in a piece part and you do not want theadditional solids to contribute to the weight, you need to set the weightreference set definition in that piece part. By defining which referenceset contains the appropriate solid body, the system will create the cachebased on the one solid rather than all of the solids.

Repeat the process for the examplenozzle and the button (found underthe micro_switch component).

Make the dust_vac the work part.

Choose Save.

Assert PropertiesThe only component that does not have a $mass at this time is the microswitch. Since it is a purchased part, you will assert a mass to it based onthe suppliers catalog.

Make the switch the work part.


Under the Assert Values text, choose Work Part.


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Set the Mass to 4.25 grams.

Choose OK.

Note in the Assembly Navigator how asserted values are symbolized.

Choose Save.

Make the dust_vac the Work Part.

There is a weight that this assembly cannot exceed. You need to set themaximum weight limit for the assembly.


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Set the Maximum Weight

Set the maximum weight of the assembly to 600 grams. If the weight exceeds600 grams, you will be notified in the report.


Under the "Set and Clear Weight Limits" text, choose Work Part.

Enter 600 as the maximum weight limit.

Choose OK.

With all of the preliminary set up completed you are ready to calculate theweight of the assembly.

Calculate the Weight

Calculate the weight of the assembly using the work part (dust_vac)


Under the Calculation section, choose Work Part.


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Note again in the Assembly Navigator that the status of all weights havebeen validated.


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Note: Because the mass of the microswitch was asserted but the otherproperties of the switch were set to unknown, the only usable value is themass.

Now you will make a modeling change to the rear_housing and the nozzle tomake them thicker. Then you will check the weight again.

Change the Wall Thickness

Change the wall thickness of the rear_housing and the "examplenozzle" to3.5 mm

Choose Make Work Part from the Assemblies toolbar or chooseAssemblies→Context Control →Set Work Part.

Select either the rear_housing or the examplenozzle and choose OK.

Choose Start→Modeling (If necessary).

Choose Edit Feature Parameters.

Doubleclick on the Hollow feature.

In the Hollow dialog box, type a Default Thickness of 3.5.

Click OK (3 times).

Repeat this process for the remaining component.


Calculate the weight of the assembly using the work part again.

Choose Assemblies→Context Control →Set Work Part.

Choose the Displayed Part option.


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Under the Calculation section, choose Work Part.


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Save and close all parts

Update Weight CalculationsNotice that a warning was generated because the changes now cause the partto exceed the maximum weight that was defined for the assembly. NX did notneed to recalculate the mass for many components as most had uptodatecaches. In fact, it would have been possible to calculate the weight of theassembly even if many of the components were not even open.

In this section, you will open the "rear_housing" and "examplenozzle"and modify their hollow back to the original thickness without havingthe assembly open. You will then open the assembly without loading anycomponents and recognize the behavior of the cached $MASS value on eachcomponent.

Open the rear_housing part file and change the hollow value back to 3mm.

You will now update the $MASS cache to recognize your change. There aretwo ways to accomplish the task:

• By calculating the weight of the part using the Assembly WeightManagement dialog box and then save the part.

• Or by selecting File®Options®Save Options and select the GenerateWeight Data option.

Earlier in this activity you created the cache by asking for the weightcalculation and then saving the part. Now you will update the cache by thesecond method.


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Update Weight Calculations on SaveThe weight properties of a part can automatically be updated and stored withthe part each time the part is saved with modified geometry. This is achievedby switching on the part’s Generate Weight Data save option. Although theresults of the weight calculation are not displayed during the save operation,they become available for reuse in subsequent Assembly Weight Managementcalculations involving that part.

Therefore if a majority of parts use this save option, Assembly WeightManagement calculations for an assembly can become much faster asuptodate weight data is available for most or all of its components. For thisreason it may be best to use this save option by default.

By setting Analysis®Weight Management®Generate Weight Managementto yes in the customer defaults file, all newlycreated parts and parts whichwere last saved in a prev13 release of NX will initially have the GenerateWeight Data save option set.

Turning on Always Generate Weight Data will have this option turnedon and grayed out in the Save Options dialog box.

In cases where the weight recalculation has a noticeable affect on theperformance of saving a part, the save option can be turned off for that partand may be restored when the design has stabilized and is saved less often.


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Enable the Generate Weight Data during a Save

Choose File→Options→Save Options.

Turn the Generate Weight Data option ON and choose OK.

Save the rear_housing.

Open the examplenozzle.

Change the hollow value back to 3 mm.


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The Generate Weight Data toggle is part file dependent. It must beturned on in each file that you want to have the cache created in.

Choose File→Options→Save Options.

Turn the Generate Weight Data option ON and choose OK.

Save the examplenozzle.

Close all parts.

Change Load Options

Set your load options so that no components are loaded when you open anassembly.


Be sure your Load Components are set to No Components.

Choose OK.

Open the dust_vac assembly.


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Check the Weight

Check the weight of the assembly without having its components open

Choose Analysis→ Advanced Mass Properties→Advanced WeightManagement.

Under the "Calculation" text, choose Work Part.

You receive an Update OutofDate Assembly Structure? message apprisingyou that two component parts (the two hollows) are changed. It asks if youwant to update the cached component weight properties before calculation

Choose Yes.

Notice that the caches have updated and the report is showing the originalweight of the components before the wall thickness was changed withouthaving the solids loaded.


When Multiple Solids Exist in a Part FileIn the next portion of the activity, you will create an associative extractedsolid in a component part and experience the effects of the Assembly WeightManagement function.

First you will open all of the components of the assembly.

Choose the Assembly Navigator tab. (UNIX users, choose AssemblyNavigator on the Navigators toolbar.)

Rightclick on the dust_vac node and choose Open→Assembly.

Make the rear_housing the Displayed Part.

Next, you will use the Extract Body feature, create an associative copy onlayer 10

Change the Work Layer to 10.

Choose Application→Modeling (If necessary).

Choose Insert→Associative Copy→Extract.

Select Body from the Extract dialog box.

Select the solid as the target.

Choose OK.


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Set layer 1 to Invisible (the original solid).

Trim the New Solid

Trim the new solid to the Datum Plane, keeping the back half.

Choose Insert→Trim→Trim Body.

Select the solid as the target.

Choose OK.

Select the Datum plane.

Check the Normal. If it points to the right, accept the default direction,otherwise, reverse the direction.


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Create a Reference Set

Create a reference set named "pattern" and add the solid.

Choose Format→Reference Sets→Create .

Key in pattern as the new reference set, then OK.

Select the trimmed solid, the OK.

Close the Reference Sets dialog box.

Make layer 1 the Work layer and layer 10 invisible.


There are now two solids in this part file. One is in a reference set namedBODY and the other is in a reference set named PATTERN.

Make the dust_vac assembly the Displayed Part and the Work Part.

If Automatic Reference Sets are enabled and named “Body” this willresult in the extracted trim body being added to the reference set. Ifthis is the case, edit the Body reference set to remove this additionalsolid from the reference set.


Calculate the weight of the assembly again.


Under the "Calculation" text, choose the Work Part button

Examine the weight information.

Notice that even though you are viewing the BODY reference sets for all ofthe components, the new extracted solid is being added into the weight.

Note: Loading the BODY reference set has no effect on what is used for aAssembly Weight Management calculation. The reference set used is selectedunder the Set Reference Set button in the Assembly Weight Managementdialog box.


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BODY reference set PATTERN reference set

Standard Weight Reference Set

By default, all nonsheet solids in a part contribute to its weight properties(including invisible solids and solids excluded by reference set). In some casesthis is not appropriate as parts can contain solids which do not represent theactual part (eg. reference geometry).

For this reason, in each part it is possible to specify a reference set to usein weight calculations. When that part is involved in a weight calculation,only the solids included in the specified reference set will contribute to theresult. The weight reference set must be properly set up for any part thatcontains "extra solids", if there is any chance that the part will be involvedin an Assembly Weight Management calculation.

Therefore, unless it can be guaranteed that a vast majority of parts onlycontain solids that represent the real part, it is recommended a standardweight reference set is used for each part. This reference set should have astandard name and should contain only those solids that are to be used inweight calculations. Some customers may be able to use an existing standardreference set that includes the same data.


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Define the Reference Set

Define the reference set to be used by Assembly Weight Management in therear_housing part

Change the Work Part to the rear_housing.


Choose the Set Reference Set button

Choose BODY.

Choose OK.



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Make the dust_vac the Work Part.


Calculate the weight of the assembly again.


Under the Calculation section, choose the Work Part button.

Examine the weight information.

The weight is once again correct in that it shows only the desired componentsare being used to evaluate the weight.

Common Misunderstandings and MistakesSince Assembly Weight Management calculation results are expressedmainly as numbers and have very little graphical representation, it is notalways obvious when you have made a mistake setting up the calculation.This section describes some cases where misunderstandings can lead to thegeneration of results that may look feasible, but which are in fact not whatyou wanted.

Selecting the Wrong Set of Solids

For each component involved in an Assembly Weight Managementcalculation, the calculation will involve the solids which are included in theweight reference set for that component. There is a tendency to think thatit will use the solids which are visible, but visibility actually has no bearingon the calculation. It is therefore critical that the weight reference set iscorrectly set for every component in the calculation, otherwise incorrectresults might be generated.

For example, the wrong results would be generated in the following twosituations:

• Some components contain reference geometry but their weight referenceset is still set to Entire Part. This causes the reference geometry to beincluded in the mass properties of the product. The implementation ofappropriate standards can prevent this problem (see Standard WeightReference Set earlier in this chapter).

• The user creates reference sets of a standard name (eg. WEIGHT), butonly sets the weight reference set to WEIGHT in the top level assembly.The WEIGHT reference set must be set in every component whichcontains solids, unless the default (Entire Part) is appropriate.


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Selecting the Wrong Set of Components

The set of components used in an Assembly Weight Management calculationis determined either by the user selecting components, or by the currentsetting of the Assembly Weight Management Component Set in the work part(all components, by default).

It is not determined by the set of visible components, and it can includecomponents that have been excluded by reference set.

The wrong results would be generated in the following two situations, forexample:

• The user has loaded the top level assembly with no components and thenhas loaded all of the components in one of the subassemblies. Theywant to find the mass properties of the subassembly, and assume thatby running an Assembly Weight Management calculation on the workpart, it will only use the loaded components. In fact it would use all ofthe components in the top level assembly, unless the Assembly WeightManagement component set has been changed.

• The user has used subassembly reference sets to deliberately excludesome components (to see only those components which are used in aparticular variant of a product, for example). To ensure that only theright components are included in the Assembly Weight Managementcalculation, they use the active subassembly reference sets as theweight reference set for those subassemblies. This would again generatethe wrong results. The Assembly Weight Management reference setonly determines which solids from that component are included in thecalculation, it does not determine which lower level components areincluded.

Using an Out of Date Assembly

When using Assembly Weight Management for an assembly which doesnot have all of its components loaded, it is possible that out of date cacheswill be used. If you want to get the right result without loading all of thecomponents, you should use the recommended procedure.

Promotions

If you include a promoted body in an Assembly Weight Managementcalculation, you must make sure that the base component for the promotionis also included. The technique that Assembly Weight Management uses todeal with promotions relies on this being the case.

Therefore when you use the Selected Components or Set Component Setbuttons to specify a set of components which includes a promoted body, besure to include the base component for the promotion. Otherwise incorrectresults might be generated.


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Access to Cached Results After Changing Work Part

Component caches are only available to the assembly in which they werecreated. Therefore, if you the change work part or displayed part during asession, different sets of cached results might be available at different times.This can sometimes cause confusion.

If you have generated the mass properties for an assembly and you want toinquire the mass properties of a subassembly:

Instead of changing work part, use the Selected Components or SetComponent Set buttons to specify the set of components you want to includein the calculation (i.e. all of those in the subassembly)

The first of these approaches is generally preferable as up to date componentcaches become available. Then you will not have to load any extra parts.

Low Accuracy Results

Occasionally a solid can have an unusually high error estimate. This meansthat NX is not confident that the results of its Assembly Weight Managementcalculation for that solid are close to the real values.

It is therefore a good idea to periodically check the error estimates. Asmentioned in Appendix C, these estimates are sometimes overcautiousand can be unduly alarming. However if the error estimate is particularlyhigh, it is worth tracking down the components containing the solids whichare causing the problem and increasing the accuracy setting for thosecomponents.

The problem is most likely to occur with solids that have a very long, thinshape and which contain one or more faces with complex geometry. If you haveproblems with unexpectedly inaccurate results, look for this type of solid first.

SummaryThis lesson concentrated on how to use Assembly Weight Management tooptimize the process of monitoring the mass properties of large assemblies.

In this lesson you:

• Generated caches of analysis information on piece parts.

• Asserted the mass of a component with a known weight.

• Set a "Not to Exceed" weight limit on an assembly.

• Defined a reference set for calculations.


7

Lesson

7 Applications for AdvancedAssemblies

The objective of this lesson is to make you aware of the potential applicationsfor Advanced Assemblies and to give you an idea of possible approaches forthese applications.

There are essentially three different types of users that will interact with alarge assembly. Each user has different requirements.

Users of Large Assemblies

DesignInContext User

This user is interested in designing or editing a single part or a small groupof parts that interface with, or physically fit into a larger assembly. The userlikely will not have ownership or write access to the large assembly. Theinterfacing parts probably do not come from the same "group" or lie alongthe same assembly tree lines. The typical task required of the system willbe to load all of the parts that are within 6 inches of my work part or azone I have defined.

The user will need the system to stay active or flexible enough so he can getthe updates to the other parts as well as respond to any new requirement hemight have.

Assembly Design Reviewer

This person might be a lead designer or a supervisor in charge of reviewingothers designs or an integration engineer in charge of verifying fit for thelarge assembly. Typically they are not responsible for designing geometrypersonally, but will validate or check fit and functions etc.

The user will likely want to see specific "zones" and/or systems such as allelectrical components below the floor. The user might prefer to evaluate theassembly via a sectional analysis in which they retrieve the assembly onlyloading the components that cross a given plane or belong to a certain zone.


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Applications for Advanced Assemblies

Assembly Documentation User

This user is responsible for producing documentation (pictures or drawings)of the assembly.

This user is usually required to create several types of drawings. One typemight be the entire assembly as a whole. Another type might show theinstallation of a subsystem in the large assembly showing portions of thelarge assembly for reference in phantom. Since the results of a drawing orpicture are supposed to be aesthetically pleasing, it is likely the system willnot provide the user with exactly the correct components that are desired.The user will probably need to do some manual opening and closing of somecomponents to get the exact configuration desired.


A

Appendix

A Appendix A: Assembly Navigator

The Assembly Navigator provides a graphical display of the assemblystructure and a quick and easy method to manipulate components in anassembly.


• Activate the Assembly Navigator window.

• Use the menu options in the Assembly Navigator window to manipulatethe assembly

General InformationThe Assembly Navigator, also know as the Assembly Navigation Tool(Assembly Navigator), gives you a graphical display of the assembly structureof the displayed part in a separate window, and provides a quick and easymethod of manipulating components in an assembly.

For example, you can use the Assembly Navigator to select components forvarious operations, as well as to perform assembly management functionssuch as changing the work part, changing the displayed part, hiding andshowing components, and more.

The Assembly Navigator represents the assembly structure as a graph ofobjects displayed as a tree. Each component is displayed as a node in theassembly tree structure.

Opening the Assembly Navigator

To open the Assembly Navigator, choose the Assembly Navigator tab. (UNIXusers, choose the Assembly Navigator on the Navigators toolbar).

The Assembly Navigator Window

When you start the Assembly Navigator, the Main Window is displayed, asshown below. You can either resize the display or use the scroll bars to see theentire tree structure.

©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Advanced Assembly Techniques A1

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Appendix A: Assembly Navigator

Node Display

Each component of an assembly is displayed as a node in the assembly treestructure. If you select a node, the system will highlight the componentgeometry in the graphics window.

Each node consists of a checkbox, an icon, and the part name, plus the othercolumns. If the part is an assembly or subassembly, an expand/collapse boxwill also be present.

Components may be selected for various operations, (i.e. Assemblies®ChangeWork Part, Edit®Object Display, etc.), by choosing the appropriate nodein the Assembly Navigator.

A2 Advanced Assembly Techniques ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved eada_mt30620_nx4

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Assembly Navigator Icons

You can determine the loading status of the assembly by the state of theassembly two structure icons.

Multiple "block" icons denote assemblies or subassemblies:

Fully loaded assemblies / subassemblies

Partially loaded assemblies / subassemblies

Unloaded assemblies / subassemblies

Single "block" icons denote components of assemblies:

Fully loaded part

Partially loaded part

Unloaded part

Expand/Collapse Box

Children of a node are only displayed when it is expanded. To expandor collapse the node, place the cursor over the box and click. When a node iscollapsed, the expand/collapse box is marked with a +. An expanded node ismarked with a .

Checkbox

Provides a quick means of determining a part’s status. A checkbox also letsyou load and show a part with a single action.

Note: You cannot close a part by clicking on its checkbox. To close a part,use the File®Close options or the Close options on the Assembly Navigatorpopup menu.

The part’s status is shown by the checkbox indicator:

No check

The part is closed. Clicking on this type of checkbox:

• Loads the component and its children partially or fully, depending on theload options. Unloaded parents may also be loaded at this time.

• Any components that were hidden are now shown.

• Afterwards, the checkboxes of the part and its children have large redchecks, except for those whose loading failed, who have an excludedreference set, or are on invisible layers.


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A thin gray check

The part is hidden, and at least partially open. It also appears for shownparts which either have an excluded reference set or are on invisible layers.Clicking on this type of checkbox:

• shows the component, along with any of its children that were hidden.

• If any of its children were unloaded, they are now loaded.

• Afterwards, the checkboxes of the part and its children have large redchecks, except for those whose loading failed, who have an excludedreference set, or are on invisible layers.

A large red check

The part is shown, at least partially open, in a visible reference set, andon a visible layer. Clicking on this type of checkbox:

• Hides the component and its shown children.

• Afterwards, the component’s checkbox has a thin gray check, and itschildren have gray checks (if hidden) or no checks (if unloaded).

Selecting Components

When you can select components using a dialog box, you can also selectthem using the Assembly Navigator by choosing the appropriate node. Youcan select single or multiple components. When selection is complete, youcan process the components in the list by choosing OK from the dialog box.To select multiple components in the Assembly Navigator, select the firstcomponent and then either:

• Use Shiftclick (together) on another component to select all thecomponents between those components

• Or use control click on another component if you want only it and thefirst component

You can also use shift click or control click on selected components to deselectthem.

Identifying Components

If you click while the cursor is over a nonwork part whose checkbox has ared check, that part is highlighted. The highlighting stays until you selectanother part. (Hovering the cursor without clicking has no effect.)

If you hover the cursor over a part that is not visible (e.g., blanked, on anotherlayer, out of the reference set, unloaded), a box defining the boundaries of


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the component appears in the graphics window. The box disappears whenyou move the cursor to another part. This only happens when the PreselectInvisible Nodes preference is toggled ON.

Checkboxes for parts that are not visible will have a thin gray check or nocheck.

Note: Because of configuration differences, you may have to hold click downfor a couple of seconds before the box is drawn. In some cases, the box maynot be drawn until you release the mouse button. Also, the box will not bedrawn if you doubleclick .

Activation/Use of the Assembly NavigatorIn this activity, you will explore the functionality available when using theAssembly Navigator.

Open dau_hole_punch_assm from the appndx_a directory and startthe Modeling application.

Choose the Assembly Navigator tab on the Resource bar (UNIXusers, choose the Assembly Navigator icon on the Navigators toolbar).

Dock the Assembly Navigation Window.

Docking the Assembly Navigator allows the system to locate the AssemblyNavigator window and resize the graphics window automatically.

Drag the Assembly Navigator window to the left side of the NX Modelingwindow.

The Assembly Navigator docks itself to the left side of the NX Modelingwindow.

Click on the X in the top banner of the Assembly Navigator.

The Assembly Navigator window disappears.

Doubleclick on the Assembly Navigator tab on the Resource bar(UNIX users, choose the Assembly Navigator icon on the Navigatorstoolbar).

The Assembly Navigator window reappears in its docked location

Assembly Navigator

Select the double bars on the top of the Assembly Navigator and drag itinto the center of the display to undock it.


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Again, select the double bars and drag the Assembly Navigator window(watching the "ghost" outline) to a horizontal position below the icon barsat the top of the display.

The Assembly Navigator docks below the bottom row of icons in the NXModeling window.

Verify the structure of the assembly

Select various nodes in the Assembly Navigator, notice the associatedcomponent geometry highlights in the graphics screen.

Use the Assembly Navigator to select components when the Change WorkPart dialog box is active.

Choose Assemblies®Context Control Set Work Part.

From the Assembly Navigator window, select one of thedau_hp_punch_block nodes.

Choose OK in the Change Work Part dialog box.

When a component selection dialog box is active, the component may beselected from the Assembly Navigator as well as the list and graphicsscreen.

Assembly Navigator

In the Assembly Navigator, double click on the dau_hole_punch_assmnode to make it the Work Part.

Pack a component that has multiple occurrences

Place the cursor over one of the dau_hp_punch nodes

Right click and choose Pack.

Show and Hide components.

Hide the dau_hp_lever.

Note that the dau_hp_lever component geometry will disappear from thegraphics display.

On the dau_hp_lever, Right click and choose Show the dau_hp_lever.

Hiding and showing can also be accomplished by simply clicking on thecheckmark .

Change the Displayed Part and the Work Part using the Assembly Navigatorshortcut menu.


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Right click and make dau_hp_frame the displayed part

Change the Displayed Part back to the hole_punch_assm

Place the cursor over the node in the Assembly Navigator.

Right click and choose Display Parent→dau_hole_punch_assm.

Close all parts.

Specify ColumnsThe Assembly Navigator uses columns to organize information. The numberof columns depends on the assembly model opened. You can dynamicallycontrol this.

Note: If you use assemblies with NX Manager, these additional columnsdisplay:

• Part Number

• Part Revision

• Nonmaster types

• Nonmaster dataset name

• Item type

• Sequence number

You can modify these columns through the Assembly Navigator window byplacing your cursor in the gray bar below the Assembly Navigator banner.

Once your cursor is positioned, you can rightclick®Columns to see thecurrent configuration.

Available columns and which columns that are enabled (checked) to bedisplayed are shown. There is also a method of configuring the order inwhich you see the columns in the Assembly Navigator. You can rightclick®Columns®Configure to get the Assembly Navigator Properties dialogbox.

The Assembly Navigator Properties dialog box appears.


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In the Assembly Navigator Properties dialog box you can turn columnson and off and also move the various column designations up or down tochange the order in which they appear in the Assembly Navigator.

Certain columns have specific symbology to designate the respectivestatus of components.

Column Symbol/Status

ReadonlyReadonly

ReadWrite

Partially Loaded

Read Only (Part Family Member)<no symbol> Not Loaded


Out of DateOut of Date<no symbol> Not Loaded


Weight StatusUnreliable Value

Weight OK

Weight Limit Violated

Asserted Weight


PositionUnconstrained

Partially Constrained

Fully Constrained

Inconsistently Constrained


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Fully Constrained with an explicitoverride

Fully Constrained with an implicitoverride

Partially Constrained with anexplicit override

Partially Constrained with animplicit override

Unconstrained with an explicitoverride

Unconstrained with an implicitoverride


ModifiedModified<no symbol> Not Loaded


ShapeUndeformed Part

Deformed Part

SummaryThe Assembly Navigation Tool provides a graphical display of an assemblywhich allowed you to quickly and easily select components and manipulatethe assembly.

In this lesson you:

• Activated the Assembly Navigator for an existing assembly.

• Interpreted the display of the nodes in the Assembly Navigator window.

• Used the menu options to perform operations on components in theassembly.


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B

Appendix

B Appendix B: Command linebatch submission

You can run a batch clearance analysis program from the command line asan external User Function program. You must specify the executable to run,along with the following processing options:

ug_clearance: $UGII_ROOT_DIR/ug_clearance <option> <partfile>

–c(olor)=<color> Name of valid color assigned to interference objects.

–h(elp) Request batch clearance analysis help message be output.

–l(ayer)=<layer> Layer on which interference objects are to be placed.

–m(ode)=<solid | facet_solid | full_facet | quick_facet> Specifies theclearance analysis mode.

–n(ame)=<dataset> Name of the Clearance Analysis Dataset to beanalyzed.

–r(eport)=<log file> Name of the output report file.

–w >Request that mail be sent on completion of analysis.

–z(ones)=<x,y,z> Specify number of zones in the X, Y, and Z directions.

– pim=<yes|no> Run in NX Manager mode.

– user=<name> NX Manager user name.

–password=<name> NX Manager password.

–group=<name> NX Manager group name.

On VMS systems the above options are specified as /color or /c, etc.

part file > Specifies a part file on which to perform analysis. This filecan be an assembly. The part is loaded using the load options stored inthe load_options.def file from the current directory. When the analysis iscomplete, the modified part file is saved under the same name.

©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Advanced Assembly Techniques B1

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C

Appendix

C Appendix C: Assembly weightmanagement accuracy setting

For some solids containing complex geometry, mass property values cannot becalculated to absolute accuracy. In these cases an approximation techniqueis used for the calculation. The accuracy can be varied and is controlled bythe Assembly Weight Management accuracy setting. By increasing the valueof the accuracy setting, the calculation becomes more accurate but takeslonger to complete.

The Assembly Weight Management menu allows you to assign an accuracysetting of 0.9, 0.99, 0.999, 0.9999, 0.99999, or 0.999999. This represents apractical spectrum of useful settings, ranging from low to very high accuracy.The values are equivalent to the same accuracy values in the Analysis®Mass ... menus.

The approximation method involves NX making a first guess calculation. Thecalculation is then repeated with increasing accuracy, converging on the exactanswer until the difference between two consecutive estimates, expressed asa fraction of the calculated answer, is less than (1.0 – accuracy).

For example if the accuracy setting is 0.99 and the weight is calculated at 5kg, the calculated value will be judged to be accurate enough when:

difference between last 2 calculations (in kg) / 5 < 0.01

In other words the calculation would be accurate enough when the differencebetween consecutive calculations is less than 0.05 kg.

Normally the difference between the final calculation and the exact mass isless than the difference between the last two calculations. This would meanthat the Assembly Weight Management calculation above is likely to give ananswer within 0.05 kg of the genuine weight.

If you set the Give Error Information option, NX will list an estimated errorrange for the values it calculates. These error estimates are often verycautious. If an error estimate for a part appears to be high, it is best to repeatthe calculation with a slightly higher accuracy setting. If the results of theweight calculation are very similar to the last one, the first error estimatewas probably overly cautious.

©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Advanced Assembly Techniques C1

C

DAppendix

D Appendix D: Zone Options

Box Zone Options

Inside: Selects all the componentsinside the selected box zone. Thebounding box of an object that isinside and touches the box zone isconsidered to be inside the box zone.

Interferes: Selects all thecomponents that intersect orare inside the selected box zone.The bounding box of an object thattouches the box zone is considered tointersect the box zone.

Outside: Selects all the componentsthat are outside the selected boxzone. The bounding box of anobject that touches the box is notconsidered to be outside the boxzone.

Plane Zone Options

Above: Selects all the componentsabove the selected plane zone. Thebounding box of an object thattouches the plane is considered to beabove the plane.

Intersects: Selects all thecomponents that intersect theselected plane zone. The boundingbox of an object that touches theplane is considered to intersect theplane.

©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Advanced Assembly Techniques D1

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Appendix D: Zone Options

Below: Selects all the componentsbelow the selected plane zone. Thebounding box of an object thattouches the plane is considered to bebelow the plane.

In some situations, the behavior of a bounding box that touches a zonemay vary.

D2 Advanced Assembly Techniques ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved eada_mt30620_nx4

E

Appendix

E Glossary

ABS Absolute coordinate system.

Absolute Coordinate System Coordinate system in which all geometry islocated from a fixed or absolute zero point.

active view One of up to 49 views per layout in which you can directly work.

angle In NX, an angle measured on the XY plane of a coordinate system ispositive if the direction that it is swept is counterclockwise as viewed fromthe positive Z axis side of the XY plane. An angle swept in the oppositedirection is said to be negative.

arc An incomplete circle; sometimes used interchangeably with the term"circle."

ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It is a set of8bit binary numbers representing the alphabet, punctuation, numerals,and other special symbols used in text representation and communicationsprotocol.

aspect ratio The ratio of length to height which represents the change in sizeof a symbol from its original.

assembly A collection of piece parts and subassemblies representing aproduct. In NX, an assembly is a part file which contains components.

assembly part A NX part file which is a userdefined, structured combinationof subassemblies, components and/or objects.

associativity The ability to tie together (link) separate pieces of informationto aid in automating the design, drafting, and manufacture of parts in NX.

attributes Pieces of information that can be associated with NX geometryand parts such as assigning a name to an object.

block font A NX character font which is the default font used for creatingtext in drafting objects and dimensions.

body Class of objects containing sheets and solids (see solid body and sheetbody).

bottomup modeling Modeling technique where component parts aredesigned and edited in isolation of their usage within some higher level

©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved Advanced Assembly Techniques E1

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Glossary

assembly. All assemblies using the component are automatically updatedwhen opened to reflect the geometric edits made at the piece part level.

boundary A set of geometric objects that describes the containment of apart from a vantage point.

CAD/CAM Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing.

category, layer A name assigned to a layer, or group of layers. A category, ifdescriptive of the type of data found on the layers to which it is assigned, willassist the user in identifying and managing data in a part file.

chaining A method of selecting a sequence of curves which are joinedendtoend.

circle A complete and closed arc, sometimes used interchangeably withthe term "arc."

component A collection of objects, similar to a group, in an assembly part. Acomponent may be a subassembly consisting of other, lower level components.

component part The part file or "master" pointed to by a component withinan assembly. The actual geometry is stored in the component part andreferenced, not copied, by the assembly. A separate NX part file that thesystem associates with a component object in the assembly part.

cone direction Defines the cone direction using the Vector Subfunction.

cone origin Defines the base origin using the Point Subfunction.

half angle The half vertex angle defines the angle formed by the axis ofthe cone and its side.

constraints Refer to the methods you can use to refine and limit your sketch.The methods of constraining a sketch are geometric and dimensional.

construction points Points used to create a spline. Construction points maybe used as poles (control vertices), defining points, or data points. See POLES,DEFINING POINTS, and DATA POINTS.

control point Represents a specific location on an existing object. A line hasthree control points: both end points and the midpoint of the line. The controlpoint for a closed circle is its center, while the control points for an open arcare its end and midpoints. A spline has a control point at each knot point. Acontrol point is a position on existing geometry. Any of the following points:1. Existing Points 2. Endpoints of conics 3. Endpoints and midpoints ofopen arcs 4. Center points of circles 5. Midpoints and endpoints of lines 6.Endpoints of splines.

convert curve A method of creating a bcurve in which curves (lines, arcs,conics or splines) may be selected for conversion into a bcurve.

Coordinate System A system of axes used in specifying positions (CSYS).

E2 Advanced Assembly Techniques ©UGS Corp., All Rights Reserved eada_mt30620_nx4

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Glossary

counterclockwise The righthand rule determines the counter clockwisedirection. If the thumb is aligned with the ZC axis and pointing in thepositive direction, counterclockwise is defined as the direction the fingerswould move from the positive XC axis to the positive YC axis.

current layout The layout currently displayed on the screen. Layout data iskept in an intermediate storage area until it is saved.

curve A curve in NX is any line, arc, conic, spline or bcurve. A geometricobject; this may refer to a line, an arc, a conic, or a spline.

defaults Assumed values when they are not specifically defined.

defining points Spline construction points. Splines created using definingpoints are forced to pass through the points. These points are guaranteed tobe on the spline.

degreeoffreedom arrows Arrowlike indicators that show areas that requiremore information to fully constrain a sketch.

design in context The ability to directly edit component geometry as it isdisplayed in the assembly. Geometry from other components can be selectedto aid in the modeling. Also referred to as edit in place.

dimensional constraint This is a scalar value or expression which limits themeasure of some geometric object such as the length of a line, the radius of anarc, or the distance between two points.

directory A hierarchical file organization structure which contains a list offilenames together with information for locating those files.

displayed part The part currently displayed in the graphics window.

edit in place See design in context.

emphasize work part A color coding option which helps distinguish geometryin the work part from geometry in other parts within the same assembly.

endpoint An endpoint of a curve or an existing point.

expression An arithmetic or conditional statement that has a value.Expressions are used to control dimensions and the relationships betweendimensions of a model.

face A region on the outside of a body enclosed by edges.

feature An allencompassing term which refers to all solids, bodies, andprimitives.

file A group or unit of logically related data which is labeled or "named"and associated with a specified space. In NX, parts, and patterns are a fewtypes of files.

filtering See object filtering.


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Glossary

font box A rectangle or "box" composed of dashed line objects. The font boxdefines the size, width and spacing of characters belonging to a particular font.

font, character A set of characters designed at a certain size, width andspacing.

font, line Various styles of lines and curves, such as solid, dashed, etc.

free form feature A body of zero thickness. (see body and sheet body)

generator curve A contiguous set of curves, either open or closed, that can beswept or revolved to create a body.

geometric constraint A relationship between one or more geometric objectsthat forces a limitation. For example, two lines that are perpendicular orparallel specifies a geometric constraint.

grid A rectangular array of implied points used to accurately align locationswhich are entered by using the "screen position" option.

guide curve A set of contiguous curves that define a path for a sweepoperation.

virtual intersection Intersection formed by extending two line segmentsthat do not touch to the position that they cross. The line segments mustbe nonparallel and coplanar.

inflection A point on a spline where the curve changes from concave toconvex, or vice versa.

interactive step An individual menu in a sequence of menus used inperforming a NX function.

isometric view (TFRISO) Isometric view orientation one where equaldistances along the coordinate axes are also equal to the view plane. Oneof the axes is vertical.

knot points The defining points of a spline. Points along a Bspline,representing the endpoints of each spline segment.

layer A layer is a partition of a part. Layers are analogous to the transparentmaterial used by conventional designers. For example, the user may createall geometry on one layer, all text and dimensions on a second, and toolpaths on a third.

layout A collection of viewports or window areas, in which views aredisplayed. The standard layouts in NX include one, two, four or six viewports.

layouts Standard layouts are available to the user. These include: L1 Single View, L2 Two Views, L3 Two Views, L4 Four Views, L6 Six Views.

Information window The window used in listing operations.

loaded part Any part currently opened and in memory. Parts are loadedexplicitly using the File®Open option and implicitly when they are used inan assembly being opened.


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Glossary

menu A list of options from which the user makes a selection.

model space The coordinate system of a newly created part. This is alsoreferred to as the "absolute coordinate system." Any other coordinate systemmay be thought of as a rotation and/or translation of the absolute coordinatesystem.

name, expression The name of an expression is the single variable on the lefthand side of the expression. All expression names must be unique in a partfile. Each expression can have only one name. See expression.

objects All geometry within the NX environment.

offset face A NX surface type created by projecting (offsetting) points alongall the normals of a selected surface at a specified distance to create a "true"offset.

options A number of various alternatives (functions, modes, parameters, etc.)from among which the user can choose.

origin The point X = 0, Y = 0, Z = 0 for any particular coordinate system.

parametric design Concept used to define and control the relationshipsbetween the features of a model. Concept where the features of the modelare defined by parameters.

part A NX file containing a .prt extension. It may be a piece part containingmodel geometry, a subassembly, or a toplevel assembly.

part or model A collection of NX objects which together may represent someobject or structure.

partially loaded part A component part which, for performance reasons, hasnot been fully loaded. Only those portions of the component part necessary torender the higher level assembly are initially loaded (the reference set).

point set A distribution of points on a curve between two bounding pointson that curve.

Point Subfunction Menu A list of options (methods) by which positions canbe specified in NX.

readonly part A part for which the user does not have write access privilege.

real time dynamics Produces smooth pan, zoom, and rotation of a part,though placing great demand on the CPU.

Refresh A function which causes the system to refresh the display list onthe viewing screen. This removes temporary display items and fills in holesleft by Hide or Delete.

righthand rule, conventional The righthand rule is used to determine theorientation of a coordinate system. If the origin of the coordinate system isin the palm of the right fist, with the back of the hand lying on a table, theoutward extension of the index finger corresponds to the positive Y axis, the


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Glossary

upward extension of the middle finger corresponds to the positive Z axis, andthe outward extension of the thumb corresponds to the positive X axis.

righthand rule for rotation The righthand rule for rotation is used toassociate vectors with directions of rotation. When the thumb is extendedand aligned with a given vector, the curled fingers determine the associateddirection of rotation. Conversely, when the curled fingers are held so as toindicate a given direction of rotation, the extended thumb determines theassociated vector.

screen cursor (cursor) A marker on the screen which the user moves aroundusing some position indicator device. Used for indicating positions, selectingobjects, etc. Takes the form of a fullscreen cross.

sheet A object consisting of one or more faces not enclosing a volume. A bodyof zerothickness. Also called sheet body.)

sketch A collection of geometric objects that closely approximates the outlineof a particular design. You refine your sketch with dimensional and geometricconstraints until you achieve a precise representation of your design. Thesketch can then be extruded or revolved to obtain a 3D object or feature.

Sketch Coordinate System (SCS) The SCS is a coordinate system whichcorresponds to the plane of the sketch. When a sketch is created the WCS ischanged to the SCS of the new sketch.

solid body An enclosed volume. A type of body (see Body).

spline A smooth freeform curve.

stored layout The last saved version of a layout.

stored view The last saved version of a view.

string A contiguous series of lines and/or arcs connected at their end points.

subassembly A part which both contains components and is itself used as acomponent in higherlevel assemblies.

surface The underlying geometry used to define a face on a sheet body. Asurface is always a sheet but a sheet is not necessarily a surface (see sheetbody). The underlying geometry used to define the shape of a face on a sheet.

system The NXSystem.

temporary part An empty part which is optionally created for any componentparts which cannot be found in the process of opening an assembly.

topdown modeling Modeling technique where component parts can becreated and edited while working at the assembly level. Geometric changesmade at the assembly level are automatically reflected in the individualcomponent part when saved.

trim To shorten or extend a curve.


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Glossary

trimetric view (TFRTRI) A viewing orientation which provides you with anexcellent view of the principal axes. In NX, the trimetric view has the Zaxisvertical. The measure along the Xaxis is 7/8 of the measure along Z, and themeasure along the Yaxis is 3/4 of the measure along Z.

NX A computer based turnkey graphics system for computeraided design,drafting, and manufacturing, produced by UGS.

units The unit of measure in which you may work when constructing in NX.Upon log on, you may define the unit of measure as inches or millimeters.

upgraded component A component which was originally created preV10 buthas been opened in V10 and upgraded to remove the duplicate geometry.

version A term which identifies the state of a part with respect to a series ofmodifications that have been made to the part since its creation.

view A particular display of the model. View parameters include vieworientation matrix; center; scale; X,Y and Z clipping bounds; perspectivevector; drawing reference point and scale. Eight standard views are availableto the user: Top, Front, Right, Left, Bottom, Back, TFRISO (topfrontrightisometric), and TFRTRI (topfrontright trimetric).

view dependent edit A mode in which the user can edit a part in the currentwork view only.

view dependent modifications Modifications to the display of geometry ina particular view. These include erase from view and modify color, font andwidth.

view dependent geometry Geometry created within a particular view. Itwill only be displayed in that view.

WCS Work Coordinate System.

WCS, work plane The WCS (Work Coordinate System) is the coordinatesystem singled out by the user for use in construction, verification, etc. Thecoordinates of the WCS are called work coordinates and are denoted by XC,YC, ZC. The XCYC plane is called the work plane.

Work Coordinate System See WCS.

work layer The layer on which geometry is being constructed. You maycreate objects on only one layer at a time.

work part The part in which you create and edit geometry. The work partcan be your displayed part or any component part which is contained in yourdisplayed assembly part. When displaying a piece part, the work part isalways the same as the displayed part.

work view The view in which work is being performed. When the creationmode is view dependent, any construction and view dependent editing that isperformed will occur only in the current work view.

XC axis Xaxis of the work coordinate system.


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Glossary

YC axis Yaxis of the work coordinate system.

ZC axis Zaxis of the work coordinate system.


LEARNING

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Your Name U.S. citizen Yes No Course Title/Dates NX 4 Advanced Assemblies / thru Hotel/motel you are staying at during your training Planned departure time on last day of class Employer Location Your title and job responsibilities / Industry: Auto Aero Consumer products Machining Tooling Medical Other Types of parts that you design dies for (straight break or free form) Reason for training Please verify/add to this list of training for Unigraphics, I-deas, Imageware, Teamcenter Mfg., Teamcenter Eng. (I-Man), Teamcenter Enterprise (Metaphase), or Dimensional Mgmt./Visualization. Medium means Instructor-lead (IL), On-line (OL), or Self-paced (SP) Software From Whom When Course Name Medium

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Accelerators

The following Accelerators can be listed from within an NX session by choosing Information→Custom Menubar→Accelerators.

Function Accelerator File→New... Ctrl+N File→Open... Ctrl+O File→Save Ctrl+S File→Save As... Ctrl+Shift+A File→Plot... Ctrl+P File→Execute→Grip... Ctrl+G File→Execute→Debug Grip... Ctrl+Shift+G File→Execute→NX Open... Ctrl+U Edit→Undo Ctrl+Z Edit→Cut Ctrl+X Edit→Copy Ctrl+C Edit-Paste Ctrl+V Edit→Delete... Ctrl+D or Delete Edit→Selection→Top Selection Priority - Feature F Edit→Selection→Top Selection Priority - Face G Edit→Selection→Top Selection Priority - Body B Edit→Selection→Top Selection Priority - Edge E Edit→Selection→Top Selection Priority - Component C Edit→Selection-Select All Ctrl+A Edit→Blank→Blank... Ctrl+B Edit→Blank→Reverse Blank All Ctrl+Shift+B Edit→Blank→Unblank Selected... Ctrl+Shift+K Edit→Blank→Unblank All of Part Ctrl+Shift+U Edit→Transform... Ctrl+T Edit→Object Display... Ctrl+J View→Operation→Zoom... Ctrl+Shift+Z View→Operation→Rotate... Ctrl+R View→Operation→Section... Ctrl+H View→Layout→New... Ctrl+Shift+N View→Layout→Open... Ctrl+Shift+O View→Layout→Fit All Views Ctrl+Shift+F View→Visualization→High Quality Image... Ctrl+Shift+H View→Information Window F4 View→Current Dialog F3 View→Reset Orientation Ctrl+F8 Insert→Sketch... S Insert→Design Feature→Extrude... X Insert→Design Feature→Revolve... R Insert→Trim→Trimmed Sheet... T

Insert→Sweep→Variational Sweep... V Format→Layer Settings... Ctrl+L Format→Visible in View... Ctrl+Shift+V Format→WCS→Display W Tools→Expression... Ctrl+E Tools→Journal→Play... Alt+F8 Tools→Journal→Edit Alt+F11 Tools→Macro→Start Record... Ctrl+Shift+R Tools→Macro→Playback... Ctrl+Shift+P Tools→Macro→Step... Ctrl+Shift+S Information→Object... Ctrl+I Analysis→Curve→Refresh Curvature Graphs Ctrl+Shift+C Preferences→Object... Ctrl+Shift+J Preferences→Selection... Ctrl+Shift+T Start→Modeling... M or Ctrl+M Start→All Applications→Shape Studio... Ctrl+Alt+S Start→Drafting... Ctrl+Shift+D Start→Manufacturing... Ctrl+Alt+M Start→NX Sheet Metal... Ctrl+Alt+N Start→Assemblies A Start→Gateway... Ctrl+W Help→On Context... F1 Refresh F5 Fit Ctrl+F Zoom F6 Rotate F7 Orient View-Trimetric Home Orient View-Isometric End Orient View-Top Ctrl+Alt+T Orient View-Front Ctrl+Alt+F Orient View-Right Ctrl+Alt+R Orient View-Left Ctrl+Alt+L Snap View F8

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