NX 9 Creating a product database

[matbenz]

Hi everyone,

I have recently started working in the NX 9 environment. My goal is to create a 3D product database.

The finished product consists of two components: A + B. Part A has many variations, and so does part B. Variations have different dimensions but relatively similar shape (but also with some differences).
I tried to approach the topic with expressions and attributes. I wrote simple conditional instructions. Depending on the "value" of the attribute (selected from the list in properties window), dozens of dimensions of the model/sketch changed accordingly. The problem occurred, for example, when instead of the arc transition directly into the arc, there is a fragment of a straight line between them. With expressions I can modify dimensions but not interfere with geometry / shape.
In addition, at an early stage, I notice that it will be problematic to choose product sizes using attributes, especially when I have to create a lot of subassemblies due to different geometry. I also suspect that I would have to use layers to show only the desired model in the assembly.

I wonder if NX Open/ Journaling could help me solve the problem completely?
My dream would be to have one assembly file where I would have a dialog box and I could choose the size of both components, their relative positions, and additionally automatically create a 2D drawing with dimensions.
Is it even possible to achieve something like this by programming?

Unless you have other ideas, I'd love to hear from you. Any help or suggestion would be appreciated.

Regards
Mat

 

[cowski]

If the parts variations are largely similar, I'd suggest part families. The link below is for the NX 11 docs (the oldest I could find online), but the process is pretty much the same in NX 9.

https://docs.plm.automation.siemens.com/tdoc/nx/11.0.2/nx_help/#uid:part_families_prtfam_ov

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[matbenz]

The part variations differ slightly in geometry (below is a simple example that I mentioned in the first post). This is the main problem. I have heard of the Part Families, but it is more applicable to standard parts, such as a bolt or nut library.
I was thinking about collecting a few different geometries into one model, using "Suppress by Expression" and choosing the right variant through Attributes. Maybe this is a solution?

I also have a question about NX9 working with Office 2019, because when I try to create a spreadsheet using a Part Families, I get an internal error message.

Greetings