Assembly Automation - Layouts & Skeletons 1

[ella0509]

Hi everyone,

I'm still cutting my teeth with Pro/E and hence my need for your help. I've been asked to put together an automated assembly process for a particular product such that an operator enters a particular part-code and then a BOM / Drawing and Data is created for production.

I'm not entirely sure of the best method of acheiving this with Pro/E. The assembly basically consists of a number of modules joined together. A module consists of a cylinder with endcaps suitable for joining. The entered part code will basically state how many modules are required and their size (length & dia). Using Pro/Program I can get the assembly to regenerate for two variants - i.e. 1 module & 2 modules.....however when I select say 3 modules it cannot regenerate as the 2nd module is not their (if you know what I mean).....Sorry for my long request - here is a copy of the relevant Program to help illustrate what I am doing.....029500200 is the cylinder part.

ADD PART 029500200
INTERNAL COMPONENT ID 14
END ADD

IF MODULE_QTY==2
ADD SUBASSEMBLY WELD_ECAPS
INTERNAL COMPONENT ID 15
PARENTS = 14(#5)
END ADD

ADD PART 029500200
INTERNAL COMPONENT ID 16
PARENTS = 15(#6)
END ADD
ELSE

IF MODULE_QTY==3
ADD SUBASSEMBLY WELD_ECAPS
INTERNAL COMPONENT ID 17
PARENTS = 16(*)
END ADD

ADD PART 029500200
INTERNAL COMPONENT ID 18
PARENTS = 17(*)
ENDIF
ENDIF

MASSPROP
END MASSPROP

 

[mloew]

lee27,

The problem is that you never get to the first loop if MODULE_QTY==3 because MODULE_QTY is not = 2. Try making the first loop

If MODULE_QTY!=1
That is MODULE_QTY is not equal to 1, thus allowing passage to the loop if the value is either 2 or 3.

Hope this helps!


Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[ella0509]

Thanks MLoew,

Just before I try this - can I just check something with you does the ! mark after QTY mean NOT??

Is there a list somewhere of the expressions that can be placed into a program.....

Thanks again,
Lee

 

[mloew]

Lee,

Yes, the ! is indeed a not. Please check the FAQ Pro/Program Design Resources (faq554-895) for more information. I do not recall an on-line reference for all the operators. The help function on relations should have them. I will try to find it or type them in a new post/FAQ.


Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[mloew]

Lee,

I created a FAQ for Mathematical Operators used in Pro/E Relations (faq554-970).


Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[ella0509]

Well done that man!! Thanks Matthew works like a dream!

I very much appreciate your time - keep up the good work,

No doubt you'll hear from me again why I'm stuck with the next bit....

C ya,
Lee

 

[mloew]

Lee,

Glad it worked for you. Good luck!



Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[ella0509]

Hi Matthew (& others),

With your help I've managed to take this project on quite a bit now, I was wondering if you or anyone following this thread could help me with another area - drawings.

Obviously when I regenerate the model through the program, the model updates in length (depending on module quantity) and also endcap style (which may have gasket seal, or o-ring seal, or no seal!)......

The problem is, that the part balloons do not seem to stay in sensible neat locations.....if say one variant has no seals, then no balloons will be shown....if the next generation has endcaps with 2 o-rings, it adds the balloons and leaders, but the balloon itself is placed "randomly" - can this be "locked-down" somehow??

Thanks again,
Lee

 

[mloew]

Lee,

There is Pro/Program functionality in drawing mode, although I have never used it outside of the training I received some time ago. You may want to explore the menu options:

Drawing >> Advanced >> Program >> Define States and Edit Program

I am not sure if there is any useful information in the help section. Try searching the PTC Knowledge base if you are a maintenance customer.

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[ella0509]

Matthew, (Anyone else following this thread?)

Unfortunately I don't think we are a maintenance customer with PTC if we are I can't get in touch with IT for the passwords.

I have also came across another problem. I would like to put an inspection dimension onto the drawing to indicate the overall length. However, after regeneration this dimension looses its references and becomes purple....How can I make this update with each regeneration.

Thanks,
Lee

 

[mloew]

Lee,

I would create some datum geometry that can generate the inspection dimension. If you tie the datum geometry (curves, points, etc.) to the rest of the geometry that is being created, it will regenerate properly. In fact, if you are really trying to implement skeletons, very few, if any, of your dimensions would be driven off of solid geometry.

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"I don't grow up. In me is the small child of my early days" -- M.C. Escher

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[ella0509]

I haven't actually used the skeleton or layout methods - even though that was the subject of this thread. I have just modelled it as normal and its regenerating fine. I would still like to use the skeleton method, as I think that if the complexity were to change in the future, then the model has more chance of falling over. Trouble is I don't know how to go about using skeleton models for assembly.

I will try creating some datum curves and using those to generate dimensions. The moving BOM balloon thing has got me round the bend though!! At this stage I am just trying to prove the concept, so that we can justify it to our boss. I think I will attempt to use skeleton method in future revisions of this, as I will have more time to investigate.

Thanks again,
Lee