Reference Sets vs Suppression NX8.5 4

[gurucallie]

When you are working with large assemblies with lots of components which are assemblies themselves, which would create faster load/save times; to create an external reference set where only outside items were visible or to suppress (in the upper assembly) the internal components? It seems like the HELP function says if the sub-components are suppressed they don't exist for the purposes of loading and saving so it would be like deleting those suppressed components from the assembly but they are still there just in case. Where as with reference sets, the objects are still loaded but are just not shown is that correct? One of the issues with reference sets is the sub component has to have those reference sets in order to carry them up through the assembly. Is there a way around that if the external reference set does not exist other than to revise the sub-assembly? I have parts which are taking upwards of 45 minutes just to load and I have to add a lot more to the assembly yet.

 

[SDETERS]

Look into using component groups. this Does require an advance assembly license. Maybe this could be what you are after. You specify in different groups in your assembly and then load your assembly by changing your assembly load options to specify component groups.

 

[SRINX]

Hi
What version of NX are you talking about?
Do you get a "show light weight" on the part when you right click on the part in Assembly Navigator.
We can work around if you do not have a Advanced assembly License.

 

[gurucallie]

I am using NX 8.5. I don't always see the show light weight in my assy nav. A lot of our assemblies were created using NXv6 I am not sure if we have an advanced assy license although someone else mentioned the component groups and I can get a Show Component Groups option in my Assy nav. but I don't know how to use/create them. right now I am tasked with coloring the components like they would be when the customer gets them. So the framework would be coated Yellow or Red, while metal is grey etc. Would I be able to change color using a lightweight ref set? We don't use them much yet.

 

[SRINX]

Hi
COMPONENT GROUPS: SELECT 2 or more objects and right click on them in Assembly NAvigator. from the top 3 or 4 if you see COMPONENTS GROUPS. Then you can make one. IF not it will not show up.

Reference sets: Light weight will be only for visual. If you need to change any properties, we need to make the part displayed and not in assembly directly.

SRI

 

[gurucallie]

I appreciate the replies I've gotten so far. Component groups may not be the best option though. Our issues stem from lower level assemblies not having external reference sets.

Say for example I am putting an assembly of a refrigerator into an assembly of a kitchen. This kitchen has a dishwasher, oven, microwave, various small appliances and cupboards/counters. The cupboards are an assembly that contains dishes, pots etc. I won't need to load those because I have an external reference set in the cupboard file which includes all you see on the outside. My file for the dishwasher also has an external ref set so I don't have to load all the mechanics. the file for the refrigerator does not have an external ref. set. It has all the shelves plus the motor, water lines etc. My small appliances don't have external ref sets either and I need to load at least some of the parts in the sub-assemblies as you would see these parts on the counter so I have to pick though several files for what I need to show or show it all slowing everything down. My kitchen file is rather large and is taking a long time to load.
My options seem to be either revise the refrigerator and small appliances file to have an external ref. set or to suppress what I don't need to show. Would both of these options essentially give the same result in order to increase load/save times?

 

[IvanNX]

Personally I am using simplified models on SIMPLIFIED reference sets. it give you idea where and which size are components but it make everything load much much faster. You can use tools from assembly menu to make simplified representations of your components. What I do is>
*load subassembly
*activate layer 2 (or any other that you can dedicate to simplifications)
*make simplified model on that layer (so you have better control over model) using "Wrap Assembly", "Simplify Assembly" or any other way you prefer.
*go to reference sets and make "simplified" reference set, deactiveate add components automaticaly.
*put simplified model in it
*remove simplified model from "MODEL" reference set.
Take note that you have to "see" that simplified layer in main assembly or your simplification will not be visible.

 

[IvanNX]

BTW, what is external reference set?

Enjoy your work and have fun!

 

[gurucallie]

An external reference set shows just what is visible from the outside. If you have a lot of interior parts they won't be included. Think of a dishwasher, an external ref. set won't include the dishes, racks, motor, waterlines, just the outside door and maybe some buttons/dials. Just what you would see as it is installed under the counter.

 

[IvanNX]

Oh, you mean external of model, my English sucks ... I got impression that it is external files.

Enjoy your work and have fun!

 

[IvanNX]

You are using linked exterior tool for simplifications?

Enjoy your work and have fun!

 

[gurucallie]

Sorry, sometimes when you post you know your companies terms and think everyone else does too!!

 

[gurucallie]

I haven't used simplified models. If I can get my file to load I will try it.
I am not sure what you mean by "inked exterior tool". We are using 3d models created by sketches and using holes/blends etc. for some details. Components are brought into assemblies and then assemblies into other assemblies. To my knowledge our company doesn't do any simplifying unless we are removing blends/holes for FEA analysis which is done with other software.
We are having issues with long load times, so far my file is taking 45 mins. to open and still isn't there. We do work too with mechanical routing that uses standard steel like I-beams, angles and channels, those files when turned into assemblies take a long time too. We are looking for ways to decrease the idle time waiting for loading. Not to mention any action just takes longer when our files get that big.

 

[IvanNX]

In "Assembly" drop down, under "Advanced..." sub menu you have tools that can be used for making simplified models, "Wrap Assembly", Simplified Assembly", "Linked Exterior". All these tools can help you to make light (for loading) representations of your components that you can use in upper assembly levels.

Enjoy your work and have fun!

 

[SDETERS]

What about having different arrangements for your sub assemblies? For example you have an external arrangement showing only the external components? This would probably still partial load all of your parts. I do not know if it would help on load times?

 

[Ehaviv]

Hi

I think the load/save time is the same because
If you suppress a component or make an empty
Reference set for it the component part not loaded
In both cases,

 

[SRINX]

Hi,
To exactly help you.
We need to know what licenses you are working with.
If you don't have WAVE LICENSE, then large assemblies, proximity parts, wave, and link exterior may not be available.

If you don't want to break your head over all those stuff.
I can suggest a quick method, but I am not sure whether it will work, but worth giving a try.

Open the assemblies as it is, (45 mins or so)
CLOSE ASSEMBLIES by right clicking each assembly in the assembly navigator. (Be careful if you suppress an features linked to other parts in open assembly may break link)
SAVE the whole assembly.
File
save a bookmark!!
and everytime you open that bookmark you will have same assembly structure as you saved and closed in that bookmark.

try it.

 

[cowski]

We need to know what licenses you are working with.
If you don't have WAVE LICENSE, then large assemblies, proximity parts, wave, and link exterior may not be available.

I'm pretty sure that "assembly zones" (or proximity parts) and link exterior functions are part of the "advanced assembly license" and have nothing to do with the wave license...

www.nxjournaling.com

 

[gurucallie]

I am not sure how to find out what licenses I have, but I can access WAVE and I do have ADVANCED ASSEMBLIES menus. We never really had training on these functions so other than linking bodies to change them we don't use any of these features. I would be willing to give them a try if it helps our large assembly load times.

We haven't really been taught about Bookmarks either but I like that idea. Are you able to make several bookmarks on a single file and choose which one to open (is the concept like revisions?)?

 

[cowski]

"Are you able to make several bookmarks on a single file and choose which one to open?"
Yes.

"(is the concept like revisions?)"
No, not really. The bookmark remembers what you have loaded and what is visible and restores your assembly to that state.

www.nxjournaling.com