NX7.5 and Spreadsheet Comunication !

[NX2013]

I have a file with let say a Cylinder, p0 is diameter and p1 is Height
Can I have a Spreadsheet connected with NX file and do the modification of p0,p1 in Spreadsheet and get updated model in NX ?

 

[PSI-CAD]

Hi

Try this

Tools Spreadsheet
Add on
Extract Expr
Change some value
Update NX Part


Regards
Didier Psaltopoulos

http://www.psi-cad.com

 

[JohnRBaker]

Yes, that's not a problem.

Now there are two different approaches, in one case the 'spreadsheet' data can be embedded inside the NX part file itself, but then you can only access this data from inside of that particular NX part file. The second approach is to link the expressions to the cells in an external Spreadsheet. Based on how you put your question, I'm assuming that you're talking about using an 'external' spreadsheet and so my example will be based on that assumption.

OK, attached is an NX 7.5 part file and an Excel spreadsheet. Place the part file wherever you wish, but for now at least, place the spreadsheet file in the...

C:\Windows\Temp

...folder.

When you open the Spreadsheet you will find two values, a 'Diameter' and a 'Height' (note that the cells with names are superfluous as it's only the cells with numerical values that are of any use for this simple example). Now open the NX part file and note that there is a cylinder and that I've linked the values of the expressions for Diameter (p0) and Height (p1) to the appropriate cells in the Spreadsheet. Also note their current values.

Nw go to the spreadsheet and edit one or both of the numerical values and save the Spreadsheet. Now in NX, go to...

Tools -> Update -> Update for External Change

...and you will note that the model updated and if you look at the Expressions you will see that they are now reporting the same value(s) that you just entered in the Spreadsheet.

Anyway, that should get you started and pointed in the right direction. If you have any questions, feel free...

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.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Note that what DidierPSICAD above described is how one would access and use the 'internal' Spreadsheet approach.

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.

 

[NX2013]

I did for now what Didier sugested. It is working, however, when I did some modification in NX, it didn't updated in Spreadsheet and more then this, after it didn't work from Spreadsheet to NX. Like I am loosing the conectivity between. I get messages like, Spreadsheet not responding, Switch To ....The Spreadsheet is inside NX

 

[JohnRBaker]

Making 'manual' changes in NX will NOT automatically update the internal Spreadsheet.

After making your explicit 'interactive' edit to the model's Expressions, open the Spreadsheet, select the 'Add-Ins' tab and then select the option titled 'Refresh Expr'. This will force the spreadsheet to reread and then apply any changes made to the model's expressions since the last time the Spreadsheet was updated. Be sure to select the 'OK' button on the 'Exit Spreadsheet' dialog when you close the Spreadsheet to make sure that the changes in the Spreadsheet are saved. Of course you will still need to save the Part file itself since the Spreadsheet data is INSIDE the part file.

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.

 

[PSI-CAD]

Hi,

I have a lot of part with spreadsheet and I often loses communication between NX and Excel. I remember to log a call many years ago without any good answer from GTAC.

John, did you encountered this problem ?


Regards
Didier Psaltopoulos

http://www.psi-cad.com

 

[JohnRBaker]

Are you talking about the internal spreadsheet or links to an external spreadsheet?

I've never had any problems that I can recall with respect to an internal spreadsheet, however external spreadsheets can get messed-up, mostly when you move the files since the expression links contains an explicit path and must be edited if any changes are made to the name or where the Excel file is located.

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.

 

[PSI-CAD]

Hi John

I am talking about internal spreasheet. I precise that I am using french version of Excel 2010 and it was the same issue with 2003 and 2007

Which version are you using NX2013 ?


Regards
Didier Psaltopoulos

http://www.psi-cad.com

 

[JohnRBaker]

I'm running Excel 2007, which is compatible back to NX 1.0.

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.