Inserting Parts

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Inserting Parts

Whenever you create a new model, it is important to get the tree structure set up correctly. The model tree establishes the sequence that Moves, Tolerances, and Measurements (MTMs) are applied during the simulation so the model tree should be set up to mimic the real-world assembly process. For example, if several parts are built up in a sub-assembly before going to the final assembly, the model tree should contain a branch for that sub-assembly.  Rearranging the tree in the middle of modeling is difficult and can cause data loss if done incorrectly. Recall that the model performs Tolerances first, then Moves, then Measures in each part starting at the lowest level in the tree. 3DCS can only "see down" the tree, i.e. an MTM can only reference parts within its branch of the tree. MTMs at the top level can reference all the parts in the model.

 

The first thing we will do is create a CATProduct and insert the Bracket, Headlamp, and Turnlamp parts. If you already have a CATProduct of your assembly, you can use that for the 3DCS model. We will start from scratch for the tutorial.

 

Go to Start arrowDCS Analysis & Simulation and select 3DCS Analysis. A new CATProduct file will be created.

Right-click the new product, Product1, from the V5 Navigation Tree and select Properties.

In the Product tab, change the Part Number to "Lamp_SubAsm".

Click [OK].

 

3DCS uses the Instance Name of the CATIA V5 part or product. For the top level product, there is no Instance Name so the Part Number is used. The Navigation Tree should look like the picture below.

 

TU_TreeLesson2_1

 

Go to Insert arrowDCS Existing Component.

Select the Lamp_SubAsm as the component to insert into.

Navigate to the User Lessons folder. The default location is in:
 

C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\DCS\3DCS_All Platforms_8_0_0_1\Tutorials\V5_Analyst_Tutorial

 

Select the Bracket.CATPart, Turnlamp.CATPart, and Headlamp.CATPart  and click [Open].

 

The Navigation Tree and Graphics Window should now look like the following picture.

 

L1 V5 Assembly Tree lesson2_generic_assembly_analyst_tutorial

 

The first thing we will do is create an Assembly and insert the Bracket, Headlamp, and Turnlamp. For other models, if you already have an Assembly of your parts, you can use that for the 3DCS model. We will start from scratch for the tutorial.

 

Select File arrowDCS New.

Under Templates, under Filters, set the Units to Millimeters if it is set to inches.

Select Assembly and change the Name to "Lamp_SubAsm_Lesson2".

Set the Folder to one that you have read/write access such as a folder on your desktop.

 

NX New Assembly

 

Click [OK] in the New dialog.

In the Add Component dialog, click the Add Component Dialog Open ButtonOpen button:

 

NX_Add_Component

 

Navigate to the User Lessons folder. The default location is in:

C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\DCS\3DCS_All Platforms_8_0_0_1\Tutorials\NX_Analyst_Tutorial

In the Users Lessons folder, select the BracketHeadlamp, and Turnlamp files. Click [OK].

In the Placement section, set Positioning to Absolute Origin.  If in NX 12, set the Component Anchor to Absolute and the Assembly Location to Absolute - Work Part.

Make sure Scatter Components or Scatter is unchecked. If in NX 12 this option will be available under Interaction Options in Settings.

 

ModelLoad Scatter 

Click [OK] in the Add Component dialog.

 

The Assembly Navigator tree and Graphics Window should now look like the following images.

 

NX_Assembly_Navigotor_Tree lesson2_generic_assembly_analyst_tutorial

 

The first thing we will do is create an Assembly and insert the Bracket, Headlamp, and Turnlamp. For other models, if you already have an Assembly of your parts, you can use that for the 3DCS model. We will start from scratch for the tutorial.
Note: The instructions in this chapter are based on the procedure in Creo 3, in later releases the procedure may be slightly different.

 

Go to File arrowDCS New and in the New dialog select Assembly for the Type and Design for the Sub-type.

Change the Name to "Lamp_SubAsm_Lesson2" and click [OK].

 

The parts we will use in the assembly are in millimeters. We need to change the assembly file to use the same units.

 

Select File arrowDCS Prepare arrowDCS Model Properties.

Under Materials, click change to the right of Units.

 

Creo Model Properties Dialog - Units

 

In the Units Manager dialog, select millimeter Newton Second (mmNs) then click [Set...].

 

Creo Units Manager Dialog

 

In the Changing Model Units dialog, in the Model tab, select Convert dimensions then click [OK].

Click [Close] in the Units Manager dialog.

Click [Close] in the Model Properties dialog.

In the Model tab, click the Creo Assemble Button Assemble button.

Navigate to the User Lessons folder. The default location is in:

C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\DCS\3DCS_All Platforms_8_0_0_1\Tutorials\Creo_Analyst_Tutorial

Select bracket.prt. Click [Open].

From the Component Placement tab, select Default in the Relationship Type drop-down list (see image below).  The status of the Bracket will change to Fully Constrained.

Select the Green Check Mark to exit the Component Placement workspace and place the Bracket in its current, fully constrained position.

 

Creo Inserting Parts 

 

Repeat this process to insert turnlamp.prt and headlamp.prt into the assembly.

 

The Model Tree and Graphics Window should now look like the following picture.

 

Inserting Parts-Starting Model Tree-Creo lesson2_generic_assembly_analyst_tutorial

 

The first thing we will do is create a WTX file, which is an assembly of parts, and insert the Bracket, Headlamp, and Turnlamp. If your tree structure was already correct when you imported your CAD files, you can use that for the 3DCS model. We will start from scratch for the tutorial.

 

Click the MC Application Button Icon Application Button then select MC New Icon New.

Double-click Root in the Navigation window to open the Edit Part dialog.

Change the Name to "Lamp_SubAsm" then click [OK].

Select the MC Application Button Icon Application Button then Import arrowDCS HSF File.

Navigate to the User Lessons folder. The default location is in:

C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\DCS\3DCS_All Platforms_8_0_0_1\Tutorials\MC_Analyst_Tutorial

Select the Bracket.hsfHeadlamp.hsf, and Turnlamp.hsf and click [Open].

If you cannot see the imported parts, select the Display tab then click AutoScale Icon - MC Autoscale to fit all parts in the window.

 

The Navigation Window and Graphics Window should now look like the following picture.

 

Assembly Navigator Tree - MC lesson2_generic_assembly_analyst_tutorial

 

The first thing we will do is create a Physical Product and insert the Bracket, Headlamp, and Turnlamp. For other models, if you already have a Physical Product of your assembly, you can use that for the 3DCS model. We will start from scratch for the tutorial.

 

Highlight the 3DX_Insert_Icon Insert icon and select Content... The New Content dialog will appear.

Select Physical Product from the New Content dialog to create a new Physical Product.

Right-click on the new Physical Product in the model tree and select Properties.

In the Reference tab of the Properties dialog, change the Title to "Lamp_SubAsm".

Right-click on the Lamp_SubAsm and select Insert arrowDCS Existing Product...

In the search field, type and search the name for each part: Turnlamp, Headlamp, and Bracket.

 

The Navigation Tree and Graphics Window should now look like the following image for Lamp_SubAsm.

 

3DX_Lamp_SubAsm

 

Creating a 3DCS Simulation

 

In 3DEXPERIENCE, 3DCS needs to use either a Mechanical and Kinematic Simulation to hold and save the 3DCS data with the model.

 

Highlight the 3DX_Insert_Icon Insert icon and select Content... The New Content dialog will appear.

In the New Content dialog select Manufacturing Simulation (in Simulation Meta-Modeler).

Right-click on the new Manufacturing Simulation in the model tree and select Properties.

In the Reference tab of the Properties dialog, change the Title to "Analyst_Tutorial_Lesson2".

In the Compass, go to the South Quadrant (labeled V+R) and select 3DCS Variation Analyst V6 in the V+R My Simulation Apps section. This will change the workbench to 3DCS Variation Analyst.

 

The Navigation Tree and Graphics Window should now look like the following image for Analyst_Tutorial_Lesson2.

 

3DX_Analyst_Tutorial_Lesson2

 

Highlight the 3DX_Share_Icon Share icon and select Save in the drop-down list to save the Simulation and Assembly.

 

The first thing we will do is create a new Assembly and insert the Bracket, Headlamp, and Turnlamp parts. For other models, if you already have an Assembly of your parts, you can use that for the 3DCS model. We will start from scratch for the tutorial.

 

Go to File arrowDCS New and in the New SOLIDWORKS Document dialog select Assembly.

In the Begin Assembly dialog, select [Browse...].

In the Open dialog, navigate to the User Lessons folder. The default location is in:

C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\DCS\3DCS_All Platforms_8_0_0_1\Tutorials\SW_Analyst_Tutorial

Select Bracket.sldprt and click [Open].

Select SW Green CheckmarkOK in the Begin Assembly tab to place the Bracket at the origin.

In the Assembly tab select Insert Component ButtonInsert Components and then [Browse...] to return to the Open dialog.

Select Headlamp.sldprt then once again select [Open] and SW Green CheckmarkOK.

Repeat the previous steps to insert Turnlamp.sldprt into the model at the origin.

If you cannot see the imported parts, select the Zoom to Fit Button Zoom to Fit button to fit all parts in the window.

 

The display name for the assembly will be a default name (such as Assem1) until we save the model so next we must save the model with an appropriate name.

 

Go to File arrowDCS Save As and change the name to "Lamp_SubAsm_Lesson2" and select [Save] to save the model and close the Save As dialog.

 

The Navigation Tree and Graphics Window should now look like the following image.

 

Lamp_SubAsm Tree-InsertingPartsLamp_SubAsm Graphics-InsertingParts

 

The parts we will use in the assembly are in millimeters. We need to ensure the assembly file is using the same units.

 

Right click Lamp_SubAsm_Lesson2 and select Document Properties.

From the list on the left select Units and ensure that MMGS (millimeter, gram, second) is selected in the Unit system section.

 

Document Properties Dialog

 

Select [OK] to close the Document Properties dialog with the changes saved.