using arrangements in manufacturing.. 1

[Jaydenn]

Hey,

I have a part I am writing a program for.

Now, this part is loaded onto a manually rotated fixture.
I am using "arrangements" to represent the different locations the fixture can be rotated to. This way I can make great setup sheets and I have a great representation of clearances etc.

Now, my problem is this... Whenever I change arrangements, all my toolpaths go red (require regeneration) and they actually change when I re-gen them!!!! this is very strange behavior as there is absolutley no geometry related to the fixture in my toolpaths.

Any ideas on what is happening?

Jay

 

[hudson888]

I'm not sure but I do know that may manufacturing users report tool paths auto regenerating on occasions when something changes. If there is a switch for turning off that behaviour then hopefully somebody will point you in the right direction. What I would add is that making the last used arrangement the default before you save the file may also help to preserve your settings.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[wmalan]

The short answer is I "think" when you change arrangements, your having NX load in and out those components. Are you sure those op are not using some features of the fixture for check, or trim geometry? Maybe some nc reference geometry you've created are associated to the fixture?

A much simpler way: I bring in a component fixture for each position but put them on separate layers. Much easier to deal with layers. Since they carry no major overhead to the file, it's really the way to go here. Save a view for each position and call it done.

--
Bill

 

[Jaydenn]

Thanks,

Bill, The method you describe is exactlly how I have been doing things for years. Works great.
I am simply looking to expand my horizons and try something new.

Anyhow, I did not solve this issue but I did get it to work.
How, you ask?

I deleted the fixture and proceeded to add the fixture again and re-"set up" all my arrangements and this time around everything works great. I changed nothing...

I guess that maybe I had inadvertently clicked some geometry that was associated to the fixture. Thats really the only explanation.

Jay

 

[jerry1423]

I guess there is such a thing as reference components in NX, but I am really not sure how they work ... I assume the toolpath does not look at them as they would a normal component, and the toolpath would not be recreated

The way I found out about reference components is in
tools > assembly navigator > include reference only components

 

[markrief]

First, we never auto generate tool paths when something changes. We change the status, and leave the decision to you to generate or not.

Second, if an operation is regenerate status, you can always see why by using MB3, Object, Update list. This will tell you exactly what is causing the repost or regen status.


Mark Rief
Product Manager
Siemens PLM

 

[Jaydenn]

Thank you Mark!

My programs were not "auto-updating" just going "red", as they should.

That tip about "update list" is fantastic! I never knew that existed! Thanks!

Next time I might not have to ask!

Jay