Chapter 1 CAD experts on design challenges

CAD experts on design challenges

Your top Assembly questions answered
Next Page

Pag e

Search

Save

Print

Twitter

Facebook

Chapter 1 CAD experts on design challenges

Technology, at one time or another, has stumped us all no matter what our skill level. Thats why even the most experienced product engineers can benefit from ongoing training and technical support in order to master ever-evolving technology. On-going learning keeps your productivity high by effectvely communicating new features and improvements, and immediately improves ROI for a companys CAD investments.
At PTC, our PTC University instructors and our tech support team have more than 20 years of experience in helping our users unleash the full potential of PTC products. To ensure that you and your product-development teams are using Creo Elements/Pro (formerly Pro/ENGINEER) most effectively, PTC University experts have produced this five-chapter eBook, each chapter of which will answer the top three user questions regarding Assembly, Features, Feature Operations, 3D Interface, and 2D/3D Interface. Here is the first chapter of our eBook, which delves into Assembly functionality and the most common questions that users have about this topic.

About Assembly Functionality

Creo Elements/Pros Assembly Functionality enables you to place component parts and subassemblies together to form assemblies, a crucial step in advancing toward a completed model. We have designed Creo Elements/Pros assembly tools to simplify and accelerate the design and management of large and complex assemblies; and to enable users to modify, analyze and/or reorient assemblies that they create. This provides flexible and powerful functionality on both ends of the assembly step. You probably use some of these assembly tools regularly, such as simplified representations, interchange assemblies, and Top Down design procedures.

Next Page

Pag e

Search

Save

Print

Twitter

Facebook

Chapter 1 CAD experts on design challenges

Q:  Why are my changes to View Manager items, such as exploded states and simplified representations, not saved? A: Thats because changes to View Manager items must be saved manually.
View Manager provides multiple ways to view your model assemblies, features and components. View Manager functions include: view orientations; explode states; view styles; cross sections; layers; and simplified representations (see Figure 1.) Design changes made within View Manager affect only a working version of the model, which can be saved as a View Manager itemhowever, true design does not change. You must manually save changes to View Manager items by right-clicking on the item and selecting save. Creo Elements/Pro displays a plus symbol (+) next to the modified item to let you know the items current status does not match the saved status (see Figure 2.) When saving the item, you can override/update the items name or save the item in its current status as a new item name.
Figure 1: In this example, the user has activated the view orientations option to view the Front orientation of the model.

Q: What do the symbols in the Model Tree mean? A:  Each symbol gives information about the state of the corresponding assembly.
The green symbol next to ENG_BLOCK_FRONT_3.PRT indicates that the component is activated. When a component is activated, the non-active components are set to a stippled display in the graphics area. This stippled display can be deactivated with config.pro option dim_inactive_components. The empty box symbol next to the CYLINDER_3.PRT component indicates that the component is packaged, which means that the components placement is not fully defined. The BOLT components, directly under CYLINDER_3.PRT, are children of packaged components, as indicated by the same empty box symbol with a smaller version of that symbol inserted. Their placement is fully defined; however, one or more of their constraints will reference a packaged component. BOLT_5-28_3.PRT (Feat ID 100) is displayed in the Model Tree as grayed out because it is hidden. The CRANK_3.ASM component symbol means that the component is packaged with constraints. This means its placement is fully defined, but it is allowed to move. This is common with mechanism assemblies. The PISTON_3.ASM component is suppressed. The CONNECTING_ROD_3.PRT component is frozen. A component can become frozen when its placement references are deleted or missing.

Figure 2: When the user rotates the model, a plus sign (+) appears next to the View Manager item to indicate that the new orientation does not match the stored Front orientation. This item will not be saved unless the user manually saves it by right-clicking on the item name and choosing save.

The symbol next to the ASSEMBLY_CUT feature indicates that the feature is a child of frozen. The feature references an entity in CONNECTING_ROD_#.PRT, and since the CONNECTING_ROD is frozen, the ASSEMBLY_CUT becomes a child of frozen.

Next Page

Pag e

Search

Save

Print

Twitter

Facebook

Chapter 1 CAD experts on design challenges

Q: What is the difference between assigned and calculated mass properties? A:  Creo Elements/Pro automatically calculates properties using standard formulas, while the user assigns the formula for assigned properties.
Creo Elements/Pro automatically calculates mass using a standard formula. This is the calculated property. You can also apply your own calculation to create an assigned property. If an assembly contains components with a mix of assigned and calculated properties, the assigned option will pull assigned values from components unless no assigned values exist; in that case, the calculated option will use all calculated values and no assigned values from any parts.

Power Tip:
Save time by using the Model Tree as quick reference to the state of assemblies you are working on.

Next Page

Pag e

Search

Save

Print

Twitter

Facebook

Chapter 1 CAD experts on design challenges

Find Valuable Assembly Classes and Resources at PTC University Find this chapter useful? Want to learn even more about assemblies or other functional topics? PTC University has both instructor-led training classes and eLearning Libraries related to the assembly questions covered in this eBook. These classes include: Introduction to Creo Elements/Pro Advanced Assembly Design Or, check out LearningExchange and gain access to free, PTC-related training content, including videos, tutorials, and more. Let the experts at PTC University help you unleash the full potential of your PTC products and enable your organization to become more productive and effective in their roles in product development.

About PTC University With an unmatched depth and breadth of product development knowledge, PTC University helps you realize the greatest value from PTC products, with flexible learning options available around the world. Only PTC University uses the innovative Precision Learning Methodology to deliver role-based learning programs that are tailored to improve the productivity of both individuals and organizations. Contact PTC University to find out more about our wealth of training resources, including reference libraries, instructor-led training, and product-specific guidance. Or, get started right now by finding a class near you.
2011, Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC). All rights reserved. Information described herein is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a guarantee, commitment, condition or offer by PTC. PTC, the PTC Logo and all PTC product names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of PTC and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All other product or company names are property of their respective owners. The timing of any product release, including any features or functionality, is subject to change at PTCs discretion. 6215 PTCUQ&AeBook 0211

Pag e

Search

Save

Print

Twitter

Facebook