Wave Link Trg

7/28/2019 Wave Link Trg

1/14

WAVE Link Methodologies in Unigraphics.

Scope:

The scope of this document is to define the methodologies of WAVE geometry linking

in Unigraphics (Version NX 4 & above) & to explain their pros & cons.

Prerequisites:

This document assumes that the reader has basic understanding of the 3D modeling

philosophies in Unigraphics.


2/14

What is WAVE Linking?

WAVE linking is an Unigraphics terminology which stands for What If Value

Engineering? . As the current trend focuses on value Engineering, this technology

emerged.

Lets take an example of a component which comes to the final shape after 3 levels of

manufacturing.1. Casting

2. Rough Machining

3. Finish Machining

The picture below represents the process flow.


3/14

As represented in this picture, the Block in Casting (level 1) has a size of 6 X 2 X 1.

In the rough machining process (level 2), the top face of the block has been machined to reduce

the thickness by 0.25.

In the finish machining process (level 3), a hole is drilled on the machined face.

Each level is an UG part file. The advantage of having multiple part files, over dumpingall the feature of 3 levels to a single part file is as follows:

Better maintainability of the files which involves a lot of features.

Avoiding huge part files which slow down the processer.

Necessity to generate multiple drawings for each level.

How to maintain the synchronization between the Part files?

The change in the base dimensions made in Level 1 has to be cascaded to the

subsequent levels. This can be accomplished by Wave linking Level 1 to Level 2 & Level 2 to

Level 3.


4/14


5/14


6/14


7/14


8/14

Step 4: Verifying the WAVE linked object in the destination part.

Linked body comingfrom the parent part file.

Detailed information ofthe Linked body.


9/14


10/14

Step 2: Select the object which has to be WAVE linked.

The objects which can be WAVE linked are,

Solid Body

Sheet Body

Face

Edge

Datum Planes, Datum Axis

Curves

Sketches

Points

CSYS


11/14


12/14

Step 4: Verifying the WAVE linked object in the destination part.

Linked body coming

from the parent part file.

Detailed information of

the Linked body.


13/14

Pros & Cons of both the approaches:

WAVE link to Component

Pros

WAVE link always flows within the

assembly structure. Position / orientation of the WAVE

linked child is dependent on the position

of the parent.

Relatively easy to fix the brokenWAVE linked objects.

Cons

Provides a hard link in the Assembly

structure which enables less flexibilityin the Assembly structure.

Necessity to create the Assembly

structure before creating WAVE links.

WAVE link to Part

Pros

WAVE link need not flow within the

assembly structure. This enables tocreate inter part relationships across

assemblies.

Position / orientation of the WAVE

linked child is independent on the

position of the parent.

Provides a soft link in the Assembly

structure which enables more flexibility

in the Assembly structure.

Cons

Relatively complex to fix the broken

WAVE linked objects.

More possibility to create circular

references in case of large assemblies.


14/14

Conclusion:

Both the methods illustrated, have their own Pros & Cons. So, its upto the

user to pick the appropriate methodology depending on the requirement.

Documents

Wave Link Trg