combine circular and linear comp. array

[uwam2ie]

new job, new problems...
I have to build an assembley with one same part in 18instances moved in one direction(Z) and also rotated in on direction(+x). Each instance is moved with the same distance and angle to next instance. How can I do this easy/quick in NX with controlled by parameters?
thx in ad

 

[joycejo]

What version of NX?

This could be done in NX5 using Instance Geomety.

You could link the geometry and instance it.


John Joyce
Tata Technologies iKS
1675 Larimer St.
Denver, CO

http://www.myigetit.com

 

[uwam2ie]

thank you John so far,
its on NX4,
I there a chance to solve it with a component array?
thx in ad

 

[hudson888]

What you want seems to be a component array. That much makes sense already.

In trying to visualize your problem I'm wondering if the single component being translated in Z and rotated in X is actually describing a circular arc about the Y-axis. Sort of like chain links around a sprocket if you like. In that case you'd create a datum axis along the center of the arc in Y and then use it to define a circular component array.

The other way of interpreting the problem could be to visualize a driver dropping from a platform and doing somersaults on the way down. That is not something that I can see how to do with a component array.

Got to start somewhere

Hudson

 

[uwam2ie]

Hey John
a nice advantage in Nx5, parametric transform, a function I looked for since I started with UG13 , but I'm on NX4.
I found no solution with component array.
Mate each child of the assembly 18 instances , ... :-(

 

[JohnRBaker]

Even if you were on NX 5, Instance Geometry (AKA Parametric Transformation) would not help you here since it will not support Components in an Assembly.

While we have not yet started on this, there are plans to implement a new approach to Assembly Arrays, which I would expect that at that time we will provide support for these compound moves, since we did do that in Instance Geometry and I would suspect that we would like to make the options similar in both situations.


John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
NX Product Line
SIEMENS PLM Software Inc.
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

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

 

[hudson888]

Okay! so the answer is that NX lacks the precise functionality that you wanted but did you know that doing it the hard way is only semi difficult. Using the analogy of the diver tumbling I created a simple example using some construction geometry to do some of the work for me.

I assumed the chain and sprocket scenario to be invalid as you haven't responded to it.

I first created my component with a hole in the middle that I could use to mate to something in the assembly. If your design has neither a hole or a shaft then you would do as well with a datum axis situated at the axis of rotation.

Then I created an assembly and in that assembly I built some construction geometry that I would hide on another layer later on. The geometry was simply a block with a hole near the base and a rectangular instance array of that hole 18 times.

Next I added the component using both mate and "Multiple Add" options. Mating the hole in the component to the hole in the block and using the "From instance feature" option resulted in 18 mated components. All I had to do was go in and define a planar angled mating condition. Basically the whole model took me about 5 minutes, less time that writing this post.

I can vary the pitch of the instances by editing the instance array, and I could if I wished vary the number and amplitude of the rotations using expressions with formulas.

Hope this helps somewhat

regards

Hudson

 

[hudson888]

P.S. I forgot in my description to acknowledge that a planar mating condition had to be created for each of the 18 instances, incrementing the angle by 20 degrees each time. If it takes about 10 seconds each there's three minutes I'll never get back.....

Regards

Hudson

 

[uwam2ie]

I've attached a simple example picture
to let you know what I mean.
The part I must use is more complex, even there is the
requirements to control distance(z) / angle by parameters
and number of instances , not to forget in Nx4.
thx in ad

 

[hudson888]

Okay, well have a look at the pictures and see below the exported expressions used.

Same method with a tiny bit of extra thought put into the construction geometry. The instanced array off rectangular pockets rather than holes. The cylinder as an axis for your discs is a tube along the edge of the block and united to it. Planar angled mating conditions created individually as before with expression based variable angles listed below.

[degrees]a1=180
[degrees]a2=a1+inc
[degrees]a3=a2+inc
[degrees]a4=a3+inc
[degrees]a5=a4+inc
[degrees]a6=a5+inc
[degrees]a7=a6+inc
[degrees]a8=a7+inc
[degrees]a9=a8+inc
[degrees]a10=a9+inc
[degrees]a11=a10+inc
[degrees]a12=a11+inc
[degrees]a13=a12+inc
[degrees]a14=a13+inc
[degrees]a15=a14+inc
[degrees]a16=a15+inc
[degrees]a17=a16+inc
[degrees]a18=a17+inc
[degrees]a19=a18+inc
[degrees]inc=2

No sweat,

Hudson