How to create Multiple instance copies

[UAS94]

Hi,

I've been trying to make a multiple (12 copies to be exact in the current project) instance copies of a part that I made in NX 11.0. I understand that there are two ways to do it.

1. Use extract geometry and check 'Associative' under setting tab.

The problem that I am facing with this method is that when using Extract Geometry with Type Body, and Associative option checked, I can't seem to separate the copy from the original. After extracting Geometry with Type Body, I used move object tool to apply transformation on the extracted (or original) geometry, but it seems that the second body moves with it.

Another problem with this approach is, there was no way to make multiple copies at once using this tool.
​

2. The second option that I read on this forum was to use Pattern Geometry.

I faced no problem in copying, but when I applied any feature to the original body, it does not update on its associative copies.
​

 

[cowski]

Are these going to be multiple instances of a component in the context of an assembly? If so, try the "pattern component" command or just add the component to the assembly multiple times and re-position the instances where you want them.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[UAS94]

No, there won't be any assembly involved at this stage. Please refer to the attachment, as you can see the crankshaft part has many repeated component in the middle with some transformations.

 

[cowski]

You can create "unassociative" copies and then use "move object" to position them as you wish. However, you might make the task easier by making it into an assembly...

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[UAS94]

cowski, thanks for the reply.

Please accept my apologies for not explaining my situation clearly. I am following a tutorial where it first instructs to make instance copies, then arrange them, and after that apply some features to it. Although the tutorial is for SW, I am trying to do it in NX

Now I realise that I can apply features before making copies, and since this part is not so complex or big, it won't cost me more than 5 minutes.

But I wanted to know for future, when I won't have the liberty to just rollback hours of work ( or add each feature to all copies individualy) to add just one extra feature.

 

[cowski]

If you want to do it in a single part file, you can use "pattern geometry" to create the instances and "move object" (with the 'associative' option turned on) to rotate the individual instances.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[Felix K. Holloway]

cowski has it in the answer above.

Assuming "associative" option was checked, you can then right-click on your original patterned feature, edit with rollback or select "Make current feature" and then apply a new edit to the geometry. After that click "update to end" and the new changes to the geometry should cascade down and affect the patterned instances.

I actually just wrote a tutorial on the pattern geometry function, read it here for more details:

https://nxprotips.com/2016/08/17/pattern-geometry-function-walkthrough/

Felix K. Holloway

http://www.nxprotips.com

 

[UAS94]

OK,

So I figured out why the features applied on original body were not being updated on the associative copies. The reason was that the time stamp order somehow gets messed up.

After creating multiple bodies with Pattern Geometry, when I applied Edge Blend feature, the Edge Blend feature ended up to be last feature in the Part Navigator (see attached screenshot). When I place the feature above the Pattern Geometry time stamp, the feature were also updated on the associated copies. Is this behavior normal?

The reason I am confused is because I read a post (read HERE) from JohnRBaker in which he said:

...where you've selected the 'Body' type. If you toggled ON the 'Associative' option in the settings section but NOT the 'Fix at Current Timestamp', the copy will always end-up as the LAST feature in the Part Naviagtor. In other words, once 'extracted' it will continue to update whenever features are added or modified. If you had also toggled ON the 'Fix at Current Timestamp' then the body that is extracted will NOT move when new features are ADDED to the model but it would update if any of the feature created before the 'extraction' were modified...​

Although he was talking about Extract Geometry, I assumed that all Associative Geometry will behave the same way, and I won't need to place applied feature above the Pattern Geometry time stamp since they will always end up as the "Last feature in the Part Navigator".

 

[cowski]

Yes, that's normal behavior. If you want to add a feature that gets added to all the instances, make the feature before the array the "current feature" and add any and all features that you wish. Then make the last feature in the tree current and the instances should update (if all goes well).

Although he was talking about Extract Geometry, I assumed that all Associative Geometry will behave the same way

Well, you were wrong. The "extract geometry" command has an "at timestamp" option that you can toggle on or off as needed (usually it is best to turn it on) which the pattern geometry commands do not have.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[Felix K. Holloway]

Yes that is expected behavior. NX (when your not using history-free mode) time-stamps every single feature you create. It's is a hierarchical system where dependency is limited to features above a given feature and not below. If your coming from CATIA this is a confusing change from GEOSETS.

John Baker is absolutely right here as usual, but it's not correct to assume all associative geometry creations are like that. Just open up Pattern Geoemetry and you will see there is no option to change a time-stamp location under Settings. I believe Extract is unique in that respect. Be careful using it I would not advise it except if you really know what you are doing.

Editing anywhere in the history tree is easy, like I said before just right click on a feature and make it current. That will take you back in time so you can make your needed edits.

Felix K. Holloway

http://www.nxprotips.com

 

[UAS94]

Thank you CADreams and cowski for all you help and input .

Regrards,
Uzair Suria

 

[Felix K. Holloway]

No problem hope you are all up to speed understanding your issue.

Felix K. Holloway

http://www.nxprotips.com