Variations on a Theme (a.k.a Family of Parts) vs Part Families

[kts14]

Hi,

I'm using NX8.5.

When I'm going through the help documentation on "spreadsheets" I happened to see "variation on a theme" given as (a.k.a family of parts).
What is the basic difference between "Family of parts" and "Part Families".

 

[aluminum2]

I think when they mention "Part Families" they mean going to tools->Part Families to create a spreadsheet to create other files. The term "Family of parts" in industry just means a style of parts that are pretty similar to each other.

 

[JohnRBaker]

While if you could provide the exact wording used, I suspect that we'd see that the documentation was describing using a spreadsheet to create a 'family of parts' as a reference to a generic usage. However, 'Part Families' is an actual NX capability where, using a spreadsheet to record the parametric variables for a series of parts which all share the same basic topological shape and feature content, you can produce a part file that when added to an assembly allows you to select the desired member of the family.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[kts14]

yes John, the documentation was describing using a spreadsheet to create "family of parts". As per you, it is just a generic part which will not create any instances.

I'm using Tools---Part Families, option to create template and children for the same purpose as explained by you.