Measuring Stock Size 4

[Froggy00]

Is there an easy way to quickly measure the stock size of a solid model in unigraphics?

For example, I want to machine a part to my solid model, and I'll need to identify the minimum block size to use in my bill of material. Other than measuring the distance in the x-y-z direction manually, I'm looking for some quicker way to do this as we have hundreds of components in an assembly.

Thank you!
Allan Lee
Designer

 

[feadude]

As far as I know this feature is not availabe in UG MODELING. However in ASSEMBLIES there is product outline that could help but I am not sure if it actually gives u width, length, height. It requires advanced assemblies license which I do not have.


General Information
The outline geometry resides on a layer that is defined by the Assemblies_ProductOutlineLayer customer default. A Layer Category called Product_Outline is automatically created in the displayed part when a Product Outline is defined, and faceted representations of the selected components are created on that layer.

The display properties defined in the Product Outlines dialog apply to all of the geometry on the Product Outline layer, including its solids and faceted representations.

If assembly level geometry is selected, then a message is displayed to let you know that the geometry will be moved to the Outline layer. Show Product Outline toggles the visibility of the Outline layer, which shows or removes the outline from the view.

 

[cowski]

If you know any grip programming, look up the command 'solbox' in the help files. If you don't know grip, post an email address; I have a program that does this (based on the solbox command). The limitations are that the bounding box surfaces are parallel to the principal planes (if you have an odd shape it may not give the minimum bounding box - see the help files). I don't think there is an equivalent command in modeling (which I think is a bit odd).

 

[cowski]

Better yet, I found an old thread:
thread561-52509
This has the grip source of an early version of my program. If you are interested in the latest and greatest version (a few new perks, no new methods or outputs) or don't have access to the grip compiler I'll gladly send the compiled version.

 

[geo12]

Hi Cowski/Allan,

Which program normally you use to compile Grip?

Thanks

 

[Froggy00]

It should be in your start menu under Unigraphics NX--> Unigraphics Tools --> UG Open Grip.

From there on, it will take you to the DOS running the "GRADE" (GRipe advance developing environment)

You can then compile your code there.

BTW,I tried the code from the thread above and it works out great.

Thank you again Cowski!

Allan

 

[geo12]

Thanks Cowski,

You deserve double star.

Your program works super.

Meantime how to place an icon or short cut execute the grip program in UG

Thanks

 

[demco]

To add the grip execute to any .TBR file, simply edit the file and add the appropriate code to it. You can read my previous post in the following thread for reference:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?SQID=94732&SPID=561&page=1

-Derek
DL Engineering Services

specializing in CAD Design Consultation Services

http://www.dl-engineering.com

 

[geo12]

Hi Derek,

Thanks, Now I have an icon in my UG. It works fine.

Thank you once again.

 

[spottydot]

I compiled the grip program and it works fine but how would you make the results go toward the information window instead of drawing them out?

 

[cowski]

After the SOLBOX command add the lines
PRINT/'X: ' + FSTRL(VAL(4)-VAL(1))
PRINT/'Y: ' + FSTRL(VAL(5)-VAL(2))
PRINT/'Z: ' + FSTRL(VAL(6)-VAL(3))
and delete the stuff that adds the dimensions.

 

[cowski]

I should mention that there is a program in the grip library called 'part_envelope' that performs a similar function. I found it only after it I had developed my own version - doh!

Part_envelope will measure from the current wcs where my version only measures from the absolute system - a limitation that may be important to your application.

 

[tallard]

Cowski,

Looked for part_envelope in the grip lib downloaded from ugs. I see part_doctor and part_cleaner but no part_envelope. This utility would be a huge help. Can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks!
t.
tim@rapiddtm.com

 

[cowski]

http://grip.plmworldgroups.org/main_index_ns.html#P

 

[DieMan44]

The link

http://grip.plmworldgroups.org/main_index_ns.html#P

doesn't link to the downloadable grip files. Do you have another link. Also, are these compiled grips? I do not have a compiler.

 

[cowski]

http://grip.plmworldgroups.org

from here follow the download link.
There is a link for compiled NT versions (Windows) but when I tried it I got the 'page could not be displayed' screen.