Lock Dimensions in Sketch

[Mirage17]

Hi,
Is it possible to lock the dimension in sketcher mode in NX?
I am am looking for the option to control few dimensions and user not allowed to modify it or delete it.

Thanks,
Mirage

 

[JohnRBaker]

By "lock" I assume that you still want the dimension to be a 'driving' dimension, just that you don't want anyone to change it or at least that they are forced to go through some sort of 'unlocking' procedure before they can do so, correct?

Yes you can, but it depends on what version of NX that you're running.

Starting with NX 8.5 we've added an option to set a 'Lock Formula' option on any Expression, including of course, Sketch 'driving' dimensions. You simply go to the Expression editor (which you can do from within the Sketch task), select the Expression of interest, press MB3 and select the 'Lock Formula' option. Now this is nothing really permanent since all you have to do is select the Expression again, press MB3 and select the 'Unlock Formula' option. But at least it's a way of protecting, somewhat, the value of an Expression and can help provide a better idea of what the original engineer's 'design intent' was. And if anyone attempts to edit a 'locked' Expression they will get a warning that it is locked even though you will still be able to see the value just that it will not editable until it had been explicitly 'unlocked'.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[Mirage17]

Hello John,
I am using NX7.5 and I don't see the option you have mentioned.
Intention to "lock" the dimension is because it's a STD value and users are not supposed to alter it.
E.g. Piston diameter is constant for particular size but length is variable. I want to "lock" the diameter as designer is not supposed to modify it.
I have used internal spreadsheet to control few dimensions, is it possible to "lock" the dimensions using internal spreadsheet?
Is it possible?

Regards,
Mirage

Thanks,
Mirage

 

[cowski]

Starting with NX 8.5 we've added an option to set a 'Lock Formula' option on any Expression...

emphasis mine.

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[ingallspw]

Wasn't this a feature in NX 2? I am pretty sure it was... why did it go away?

 

[JohnRBaker]

Yes, but it never actually worked as people expected it to, therefore it was removed in NX 3.0.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[deedub777]

You can make it harder for users to change values by defining expressions for the fixed values, then set the sketch dimension to that expression name.
Then, to change the value, the user would have to change the value from 'formula' to a constant.
It won't stop the users from changing it if they really want to but will make it a conscious decision to do so.