Generating similar models

[st4r]

I would like to create for example a 100+ similar models which are all of equal shape but have different dimensions (parameters). Model is simple. Dimensions which are not constant would be defined by expressions. Is there a way to do something like that automatically, do I have to write some kind of program? I have all the values (variables/parameters) listed in a (excel) table/dat file. is there some kind of tutorial? (I'm familiar with c++ to some extent).
Thanks

 

[st4r]

I forgot to mention, and I'm not sure if it is clear from above, but each model must have it's own file.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Use Family Tables as this will allow you to create a single parametric master, where all of the dimensions for each example is recorded in a Spreadsheet and then you can create, on demand, any or all of the Family Members whenever you need them. While the Master Template is a single file, the Family Members created will each be their own separate part file.

What you do is you create your model making sure that you have features and expressions to control all aspects of the model so that if you were enter the correct values, you would get one of your desired examples. You can also add any Part Attributes that you wish as different values for these can be assigned to each family member as well. And if there are certain features which may or may not be included with each family member, you can either assign a 'Suppress by Expression' to those features and then in the Family Table Spreadsheet you can assign 1 or 0 for these expressions indicating that you wish to see the feature (value 1) or that you wish it supressed (value 0) or you can control the presence of any feature directly inside a column in the spreadsheet.

To find this function go to...

Tools -> Part Families...

...and when the dialog opens you can select which attributes, expressions, features, etc that you wish to define as part of each family member. When you select 'Create' button, Excel will be launched and when the spreadsheet opens each item which you had added to the list will be assigned a column in the spreadsheet along with the first column which is where you will need to add a unique name for each family member. Once you have filled-out the spreadsheet with all of your data, in order to save it in the NX part file, you will need to go to the menubar item labeled 'Add-Ins' and under the 'Part Family' list select the 'Save Family' option, which will cause the spreadsheet data to be saved in the part, Excel will close and you will be returned to the Part Families dialog. If you wish to edit or add-on to this part family, you go to this same dialog and select the 'Edit' button which will reopen Excel and all of your data will be presented and you edit or add to it.

Once this is done, you will be able to add this part to any assembly and you will be asked you family member do you wish to load and it will create that part file on the fly. There also options which will allow you to explicitly create any one family or all of them from the option found under the Excel menu bar item labeled 'Add-Ins'.

Note that if while the Part Families dialog is open, but you have NOT yet launched Excel, if you press the 'F1' key you will get the help files with more information on how to create Part Families as well as a link to information on how to use the Spreadsheet tools inside of NX.

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.

 

[st4r]

Thanks, I'll check this.