Large Assembly: Hiding Components Using "Filters" 2

[Saladsamurai]

Hello All

First post here. Please keep in mind that I am quite new to CAD software in general in addition to being new to NX. Let me describe what I have done, what I am trying to do here and how I have been instructed to do so. I have an assembly which is called a FileNameG01 (G for 'group') and it contains a bunch of components called FileNameP0x (P for 'part' and x=1,2,3,...). I need to do a drawing of this assembly called FileName. So I have created a new (Master) file called FileName and added my FileNameG01 to it using: ASSY -> Components -> Add Component (this is standard operating procedure here).

The master file is used only for Sheet 1 of the DWG. I create what's called a "Specification Sheet" (I don't know if this is a general practice or is it just something we do here) by going through: File->New->And then selecting 'specification' from the "Relationship" drop down. Then I name this second sheet XSHT2. Now XSHT2 is its own 'part file' but is somehow tied to the Master File. This allows us to have different drafters working on different sheets of the drawing while maintaining only one Assembly file containing the G01. The resulting XSHT2 has the following in the Assembly Navigator:

XSHT2 of FileName
         |__FileName
            |____FileNameG01
                 |_____FileNameP01
                 |_____FileNameP02
                 |_____FileNameP03

Here is what I need help with:

1) In the Master File "FileName" (which is only Sheet 1) we need to have the G01 associated, but it does not have to be 'loaded' (i.e. I do not need to create any views from it...it just needs to be tied to the file)

2) On subsequent sheet files like XSHT2, I only want the components that I need for that sheet to load. The load time for the whole assembly is too long. I only want to load, for example, the P01 & P02.

I was told that I can (and need to) use "Filters" to accomplish both 1) and 2) above. But nobody here know how to do this and my searches in the NX help files have not been very successful.

Any thoughts on this? I don't want to use Assembly Load Options to do this either.

Thanks

 

[Saladsamurai]

If there is anything I can do to make my question more clear, please let me know. I basically just want to know how to set up a file so that it only loads the components that I need by using "filters." I don't know if the term has changed to something new.

 

[cowski]

I'd do this by using a "bookmark".
When you open your drawing, choose the "structure only" option; this will open the file without loading any components. Now load only the components you need to work with and save a bookmark (File -> save bookmark...). Next time you need to work on the drawing, open the saved bookmark and only the components you had loaded at the time you saved the bookmark will get loaded.

Note: I'm answering with respect to native NX, though from the wording in your post I suspect you are running Teamcenter. I believe bookmarks are available in TC, though the details may differ slightly from native NX.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[jpetach]

Saladsamurai,

Your suspicions were correct - The function was retitled a few years ago to "Component groups" but many of us still use the original terminology "Filters" (old habits).

T-Doc chapter: (NX 8.0)

Home-> Assemblies -> Usage recommendations -> Large assemblies -> Component Groups"


Also, the load options can leverage the Component Group in the drawing part to control which components are loaded (Scope -> Load -> Specify Component Group). Or the assembly can be loaded with the load option "Structure only" and then the desired component group used to load only the desired collection of components.

HTH,

Joe

 

[Saladsamurai]

<snip> ... I'd do this by using a "bookmark".

Thanks for the tip, I will look into this.

<snip>... Home-> Assemblies -> Usage recommendations -> Large assemblies -> Component Groups

Thanks for this. It has given me a great starting point. I know that I have some more questions, but I have to figure out what they are. I am having some trouble using the component groups. I will post back shortly when I can better describe what is happening.

Also: I should of specified that I am using NX7.5.3 and TC 8. I have added to my signature to make it apparent.

Thanks again folks.

Using NX 7.5.3 & Teamcenter 8

 

[Saladsamurai]

So I seem to be having some trouble using the Component Grouping in NX. I am not sure that I am setting it up properly (I am following a company guideline). I did the following in NX:

Current assembly load options set to 'All Components'

1) Turn on Component Grouping
2) Create Component Group
3) Select the components I want loaded (on file open) from tree (there are 4 of them in this example)
4) Copy/Paste components into Component Group in tree
5) 3rd Mouse pasted components --> Include children
6) Save and Close file

Change assembly load options to 'Specify Component Group'

7) Re-open file
8) When prompted to select a Component Group to load, select the group created in (2)


When I do this, only 1 of the 4 components loads. Furthermore, in my Component Group in the tree, the names of the other 3 have changed to say (Unknown Component)

I'm not sure where to start trouble-shooting this. If it's at all helpful, the 1 component that loads is in one of the assemblies (T00_G01) while the 3 components that are not loading are in another assembly (T01_G01). All of the components I am trying to load seem to be in the loaded reference sets, so I am not sure what the problem is.



Using NX 7.5.3 & Teamcenter 8

 

[jpetach]

Saladsamurai,

Instead of using copy /paste or drag/drop to add the sub assembly to the component group use:

Select the component groups in part folder.

MB3, "Add to Component Group..."

Select the "By Name" tab, use the "Exactly" or "Begins With" radio button selection

Enter the full sub assembly part number or unique enough beginning portion depending on the previous selection. "OK"

Rename the component group as desired.

This will create a more robust component group that will find the given sub assembly regardless of any substitution/replacement/remove/readding of the sub assembly that can impact the copy/paste method of crating the component group.

This will avoid the unknown component message.

HTH, Joe

 

[Saladsamurai]

<snip> ... Instead of using copy /paste or drag/drop to add the sub assembly to the component group use:

Select the component groups in part folder.

MB3, "Add to Component Group..."

Select the "By Name" tab, use the "Exactly" or "Begins With" radio button selection ...

Hi jpetach:

I tried this method to no avail. I used the "By Name" method and then when I open the file and select the component group to load nothing actually loads (clicking the red check mark does nothing either).

Is it possible that the components that I want to load 'live too far down the tree?' I am trying to load individual components that live within the sub-assemblies of another sub-assembly. When I use the 'By Name' method, I have been typing in just the name of the individual components. Do I somehow need to specify that they live within a sub-assembly (by using some sort off operator of scope)?

Thanks again for your time.

Using NX 7.5.3 & Teamcenter 8

 

[jpetach]

Saladsamurai,

If the component exists in the assembly (and then the assembly was saved (or update structure had been executed)) the "by name" should work. The fact that once the assembly has loaded the red check does not load the component seems to suggests that update structure in the top assembly (and save the top assembly) is probably needed.

HTH, Joe