Design A Multi-Configured Product To Design A Multi-Configure Product

[TorsionalStress]

Using Catia V5R19;

Is it possible to design multi-configurations in a product and use those multi-configurations to design multi-configurations in another product?

This is what I’m looking to do;

Design a “Product-01” containing
•Configuration-01
•Configuration-02
•Configuration-03

Design a Main “Product-00” containing
•Configuration-01 Using Configuration-01 From “Product-01”
•Configuration-02 Using Configuration-02 From “Product-01”
•Configuration-03 Using Configuration-03 From “Product-01”

Please advise me if there’s a better design approach to achieve my goal.

Any response will be greatly appreciated!

 

[DBezaire]

Yes and the best tools for that, Knowledge Advisor and Product Knowledge Template. You then can catalog the Design of Product-01 for later reuse.
For this you would need the KWA and PKT licenses to build and all additional computers that would instantiate these templates need KE1 (standard with HD2, MD2 licenses) and KT1


Regards,
Derek

 

[TorsionalStress]

I don’t think I have those extra licenses, so what does one do create several products? OMG, I hope not?

 

[DBezaire]

No but you can
1)create your product and part assembly
2)use the file new from command to instantiate in a new copy of this product structure. You want to use the new from command to create the product/parts with a new UUID number. This UUID is an internal unique identifier. It would be an instance copy if the UUID numbers assembly A and assembly B are the same.

I did the above before we purchased some more bells and whistles.

PKT allows instantiation of assemblies, user defined features, tie detail drawings to new assemblies,...
KWA gives you the if/then capabilities in Catia.

What licensing do you have?

Regards,
Derek

 

[TorsionalStress]

I have no idea; I think my capabilities are part, product & drawing. When you say “instantiate in a new copy of this product structure”, what are you doing & where can I get help to do this? I’ll have 10 sub-products to make one top product.

 

[DBezaire]

TS,
To find out your license - Tools - Options - General --> Licensing. There will be an orange check box filled in with some lettering like ym2 + hd2 +...

First step is to create the sub product with parts (Config Product)and save it in a directory. This will be re-used 10 times. to create your final top product.
Exit Catia
Start new session.
Create a blank top product "Product-00"
File -- New From --> Config Product
This will create all set of new product and parts. Rename and configure to sizes you choose for Configuration-01
File -- New From --> Config Product
This will create all set of new product and parts. Rename and configure to sizes you choose for Configuration-02

Do you have R20 installed - I will send you an example with a design table of multi configurations? If not I might have a computer with R19 on it around here somewhere.

Regards,
Derek

 

[TorsionalStress]

Derek,
•I’m currently working with V5R19.
•KT1 is granted, KE1 I don’t see
•My project will consist of 10 different products used multiple times in the top level product, is the approach the same?
•How do you add configurations in the product environment?

Any response will be greatly appreciated!

 

[DBezaire]

You more than likely have KE1 (most configurations do). KT1 would allow products instantiated from a catalog.
The approach is the same. You can do this ahead of time or on the fly.

I will build you a small example of Product A, Product B. They will have design tables to control configurations. You will be able to build a Top Product with your licensing follow some instructions. There is a faster method if you had PKT or somebody built the Products and cataloged them for you. I will make a small example of that too. (This will work because you have a KT1 runtime license.)

Regards,
Derek

 

[TorsionalStress]

Derek thanks a lot. I have to admit though, this sounds complicated since I’ve only been using the software for 6 months.

 

[DBezaire]

TS,
I have not forgot about you. The only R19 tube is in the main conference room and it can be difficult to get on.

 

[TorsionalStress]

Any way to get a PDF tutorial regarding this issue?

Any response will be greatly appreciated!

 

[DBezaire]

Sorry TS for the delay.

 

[TorsionalStress]

Derek, How do I see the results of the different sizes from the files attached?

 

[DBezaire]

Make sure you have these options turned on in tools - options - infrastructure - product structure - Tree customization.

Parameters
Relations.

Now you should be able to double pick on any of the parameters at the product level and pick a different line in the design table. This will update the sizes, this is a very basic idea and a lot more can be achieved with your license scheme.

 

[TorsionalStress]

Derek, thanks I see the results! So I have to create a table to get different configurations? I find this a very complicated approach!

 

[DBezaire]

You don't need to go as deep as design tables but they can be fairly handy.

You can still use the New from method with a product. Lets say you have a product A configured and you want a similar product B.
1) File save all
2) open a second session of Catia (call this C2)
3) in C2 - File New From Product A
This will bring it in and assign new UUID (Unique identifiers) and call the new parts and products Product A_1,....
4)Rename and Save Product B to folder
5) Back in C1 - under Assembly Design - Insert Existing Component
Go pick Product B
6) Modify product B.

 

[TorsionalStress]

Complicated & Confusing! Configurations should be built-in / behind the scenes. I did it the long way & even that didn’t go smoothly.

“SolidWorks got it right, Catia got it wrong”!

 

[DBezaire]

What is your application of Catia? For somethings it is not the right tool for the job but (and unfortunately $$$) with the higher end licensing it is very sweet.

 

[TorsionalStress]

Derek, it doesn’t matter what the application is. Software is designed to help an individual design, period. CATIA is not a design software, SolidWorks is! CATIA does not work for you. You always need to find a work around. SolidWorks works for you.