Associative Dimension - Positive or Negative

[design924]

I hope this is an easy question. I'm running an analysis and have an associated dimension attached to the end of a shaft measured to a datum plane. As this shaft moves, it can end up on either side of this plane. I would like for the dimension to show as either a positive or negative number depending on what side it's on (see attached pic). Is there a way to make an associated dimension and capture if it's positive or negative when I export the results to a spreadsheet?

Similar question related to an angular dimension...is there a way to display positive/negative depending which side an angular dimension is related to a datum plane?

 

[design924]

Sorry...copy and paste got me...here's correct picture.

 

[stephlouv]

Can't you use to Z position of the circular edge center in this Csys to determine the sign ?

"My english is bad ? That's why i'am french."

 

[design924]

I can see if it's +/- by viewing the "Information Window" for the dimension and seeing the "Delta Z" value, but how do I get that appropriate value to export to a spreadsheet?

 

[cowski]

What version of NX?
If you are using NX 9 or above, you might be able to make use of the "measure point" command (either by itself or in conjunction with other command(s)).

Determining +/- on an angular dimension will be more difficult...

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[design924]

I'm on 8.0.

So this isn't an "easy question?"

 

[cowski]

A dimension measures a distance (a scalar value) which by definition is always positive. What you are looking for is a vector value (magnitude and direction).

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[design924]

Allow me to rephrase the question then: Is there a way to make an associated VECTOR VALUE and export the results to a spreadsheet (using NX8.0)?

 

[TaylorAnderson]

In the absence of the NX 9 Measure Point (with which you could subtract a point expression from a point expression and get a vector expression... Cool, huh?) I'd suggest two measurements from a distant datum -- distant enough that both measurements will always be positive. Subtract the result of one measurement from the other, and you'll have your expression that can vary into negative territory for your spreadsheet.

Does that make sense?

Taylor Anderson
NX Product Manager, Knowledge Reuse and NX Design
Product Engineering Software
Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
(Phoenix, Arizona)

 

[design924]

TaylorAnderson...makes perfect sense! Similar idea should work for the angle as well. Thanks!