Assemblies and ref sets

[jerry1423]

I am on NX6.
Can the same component be shown twice in an assembly, but with differnt ref sets?

 

[looslib]

Why do you have 2 refsets that show diferent configurations?
Use arrangements to show configurations, not refsets.

Since the refset name is selected from the component file, you should be able to show them both. They would only load that way if your system settings don't specify a named refset. But using refets for configuration is not their designed intent and arrangements would be the better tool.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[JohnRBaker]

The direct answer to your original question is, YES, you can add two (or more) different Reference Sets defined in the same part file into the same Assembly.

HOWEVER, as Ben has already mentioned, IF you're doing this in order to show the same sub-assembly multiple times, each with different content or with it's internal components in different positions, then STOP RIGHT NOW!!! This is what you should be using Arrangements for as they were designed specifically for this task. We can NOT recommend strongly enough that if this IS what you're attempting to do that you NOT pursue this 'Ref Set' approach, PERIOD! If you continue you are on your own and you can expect little or no sympathy from anyone associated with NX nor will anyone be receptive to providing new capabilities to make what you're attempting to do more usable. We have a recommended solution, please use it.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[4mranch6]

I saw this thread and was intrigued since I have used ref. sets to depict non-assembly comonents in different configurations. Mostly cases, cabinets, and/or enclosures that have doors or lids that need to be shown open or closed to view the interior components. These cases, cabinets and/or enclosures are not assemblies since for the most part they are purchased parts.

I have to admit it sounds like Arrangements will not work in this example, but since I have never used them before I had to look into them.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Just becasue something is purchased doesn't mean it would not be advantageous to model them as assemblies, if for no other reason than because you could then leverage things like Arrangements, Assembly Sequencing, etc.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[BOPdesigner]

I have done a few panels or enclosures before where if they are a single part file on import from the vendor then I delete or copy and paste the solid bodies from one part into another. So I might cut the door solid body and paste in a new file and save it as the door. Then I create an assembly with the door and the rest of the solid and apply an assembly arrangements door open and door closed.

 

[looslib]

Sometimes it does work to your advantage to create an assembly from an imported single piece file.
We used to get engine assembly files and go the opposite way. The engine would come to use as multiple components, depending on the options selected. We could end up with 4-7 different, yet very similat engines each with their own components even though 80%+ were common. To make it easier in our system, we converted the assembly file into a single part file outside the PDM system so we only had to handle 1 file inside the PDM.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli