Creating Reference Sets using features?

[enginerd1959]

I have a rubber washer. I'd like to create one reference set with it in it's uncompressed state (2.5mm thick) and another compressed (2mm thick).

I created a simple extrude for the uncompressed state, then added a "Subtract" extrude, to represent the compressed state.

I was hoping to select specific features for my reference sets but I can't seem to do that. It lets me select Datum Planes & Axes, but not physical features (extrudes, revolves, etc.).

 

[eex23]

Have you tried using deformable part feature?

 

[MickyV007]

You should create two solid bodies in your template and select the first solid (2.5mm) for ref set uncompressed. And select the second solid (2mm) for ref set compressed. keep in mind that you need to have both solids created in the template part.

Better use family table to create two versions where the parameter of the extrusion is controlling the thickness.

See example (go to tools --> part families --> Edit, under the add-ins tab you find the family table options, choose create parts).

Best regards,

Michäël.

NX4.0.4.2 MP10 / TCE 9.1.3.8_build_0711 / NX6.0.2.8 / NX7.0.0.9

Belgium

 

[cowski]

Sounds like a deformable part is what you want, but if you really want to do the reference set you can use the 'extract body' command to make an associative copy of the washer, modify it and add it to its own reference set.

 

[enginerd1959]

I just guessed at Reference Sets because they're similar to "Configurations" in SolidWorks, the program I'm much more familiar with. It seems much more complicated in UGNX 4 but I suppose that's the case when learning any new program.

I'm trying to figure out deformable parts.

 

[hudson888]

Reference sets contain objects rather than features, so that if the class of objects includes curves, points, sheets and solids etc, then you may have two solid bodies one for each condition in different reference sets. When swapped over however certain kinds of mating conditions may not be respected in the way you might expect. That is why more sophisticated users of NX would create and prefer deformable parts.

Do try creating and using deformable parts for your washer it is about the simplest example that you could begin with. Things to get used to are that you don't edit the definition of deformable parts after you create them you just recreate the whole thing, and they are generally most evident when adding your model (the washer in this case) to another assembly when you are offered the opportunity to vary defined expressions (such as the height of your washer). If you do get stuck being able to hit F1 for help will be your best resort.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[BOPdesigner]

I have created a similar part using reference sets. A rubber cap for an electrical connector, with an extruded teather that is straight in the shelf state and then deformed (folded) when in place in the assembly. Couldn't get the deformable part to work. It seems to be ok for hoses etc. but when I try it with other deformable objects it always fails. Please let us know if you get it to work as a deformable part.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Perhaps if someone just created you an example, it might help to demonstrate the superior behavior of a Deformable Part over any sort of Reference Set 'kludge.

Attached is a deformable part which should be close to what you're looking for. Just add it as a component to an assembly and you will immediately see how it works.

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.

 

[enginerd1959]

Thanks. That's pretty nifty.

I ended up solving the problems with layers. Probably more kludgy than Deformable Parts, but easier to figure out.

 

[JohnRBaker]

I'm sorry, but if you're dealing with stuff like your 'compressed washer' example, I can NOT see how anything other than a Deformable Part could ever be seen by anyone as being "easier to figure out".

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]

The compressed washer is a simple case and deformable part is most appropriate. It also works well for simple hoses and tubing, unless you have a Routing license. Where I get hung up with the deformable parts is creating parts that have features that deform in multiple directions, For example, a rubber dust cover for an electrical connector. In the attached part, insert into an assembly and switch between the Model and SHELF_STATE reference sets. I would like to accomplish the same as a deformable part instead, without having a spline as a guide at the assembly level. Can you edit deformable parts after they are installed (change to the undeformed state)?

 

[hudson888]

If there was one small criticism for deformable parts that stopped me from offering examples it was the certain knowledge that you can't edit them. Having the example done for you and being unable to analyse how it was created hampers some people's understanding of them.

In most cases they are simple parts where you want to vary one or two expressions for a predictable result. To save time and hassles I often create them by including ALL features within the part and finish by defining which selected expressions that I'd like to vary. Things seems to work more robustly that way for a function which can otherwise require analysing things quite carefully.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[MickyV007]

Also as Hudson stated it is not possible to edit them afterwards. And if you try to put them in a simulation, like Ansys, its not possible to do any action on the parts; thats why we make use of family table to create different states of the same part.

 

[SiW979]

The better you understand difference modelling and construction techniques, the easier it is to create more complex deformable parts, have a look at the attached rubber mounting, it can shear and also compress, there is also a hinge which can open and close without using an assembly.

Best regards

Simon NX4.0.4.2 MP10 - TCEng 9.1.3.6.c - (NX6.0.3.6 MP2 native)

http://www.jcb.com

Life shouldn't be measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of times when it's taken away...

 

[BOPdesigner]

Very nice Simon. Those examples are helpful. I also just noticed that you can edit the deformation after they are in the assembly. I was looking for the option in the ANT. Check out the part navigator instead.

 

[SiW979]

Yes, the only place where you can't edit the deformable feature is in the piece part itself, so for example if you wanted to change range of expressions, the you would need to delete the feature and run through the deformable parts wizard.

However, once the part is added to an assembly you can change the deformation untill your heart is content. Have a look at the entire assembly here and try deforming the gas springs and the rubber mount.

Best regards

Simon NX4.0.4.2 MP10 - TCEng 9.1.3.6.c - (NX6.0.3.6 MP2 native)

http://www.jcb.com

Life shouldn't be measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of times when it's taken away...

 

[BOPdesigner]

Good example, although the rubber mount does not not appear in my part navigator to be able to edit it. (Using NX 6)

 

[JohnRBaker]

The primary reason for NOT allowing you to edit the original 'Deformable' feature in the master part is because it would be problematic if your edit(s) were to alter the 'design intent' of the deformable aspects of the model. This way, by forcing you to recreate the deformable feature, we can more easily keep track of what and what not to change when updating any assembly containing the original deformable part. In reality, when adding a deformable part to an assembly, 'promoted' copy of the current formated deformable feature gets added to the assembly file and that object will remain valid and editable (at the assembly level) even if the original master part file was edited resulting in new deformable feature. These changes will have no effect on the assemblies where they were used. However, if a second edited version of the Deformable Part was added to the original assembly, you would now have two totally different deformable bodies in the assembly file.

Anyway, try it for yourself.

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.

 

[SiW979]

BOP

What you need to do is right click click on the rubber mount in the ANT and look down the pop up menu, you should see an option called 'deform part'? clicking this will allow you to add some deformation and also add a feature to the Part Navigator which you can then edit at will.

;-)

Best regards

Simon NX4.0.4.2 MP10 - TCEng 9.1.3.6.c - (NX6.0.3.6 MP2 native)

http://www.jcb.com

Life shouldn't be measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of times when it's taken away...

 

[crazydiamond]

John,

I've constructed a simple deformable part based on your washer example in this thread. While using a dynamic coordinate to condtruct the component allows me to reposition the deformed component in the assembly, it also creates a coordinate system which shows in the drawing. I found I am able to blank this entity but I can't move it to a different layer which would be ideal to keep it from showing in a drawing view.
Creating the part with the coordinate system set to absolute allows me to deform the part in the assembly but will not allow me to reposition the component once it is deformed.
Any advice you can offer to hide the coordinate system or avoid creating it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Ron
Design Analyst