Associate feature position with point and/or expression

[vlncheme]

I am trying to build a parametric model which requires the position of a feature (say a block) to move when I change the value of an expression. This is either through a point on another feature (say a block) moving and/or a point who's position is defined with expressions moving. Can this be done? I am using NX4. Thank you in advance.

 

[JohnVincent]

I think what you want can definatly be done but we need more info. Are you using 2 solids in on part file? Why not use an assembly? Maybe by "Block you mean "Pad", as a block isn't a feature of a model.

I've attached a file for your to play with. Change the positioning of the PAD - A and you will see PAD - B move as well. Maybe this is what you want.

 

[JohnRBaker]

There are no practical way of controlling the location of Primitives (Blocks, Cylinders, Spheres and Cones) in NX 4.0. You should really be using Sketches to define these shapes. Locations of a Sketch CAN be controlled using expressions.

Now that being said, there is a way the sort of fake the fact that you can't parametrically move a Primitive (or any body for that matter). Just create a smart point using whatever means you would like which can include you typing in X,Y,Z coordinates which will be given expressions to control. Now go to...

Insert -> Direct Modeling -> Move Region...

...and when it asks you to 'Select seed face' just select all of the faces of the body. Now with the 'Translate Point to Point' option set, hit the 'Define Transformation' button and select some point of reference on the body as your 'Start Point' and then the Smart Point as your 'Destination Point' and hit OK a few times. Now you can move the body around by editing the values associate with the X,Y,Z location of the Smart Point.

Note that starting in NX 6.0 you can associate any Primitive to a Smart Point when creating the Solid Body so this will not longer be an issue.

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

 

[vlncheme]

Thank you!