Sean Daltonwww.itsligo.ie/staff/sdalton

Assembly TopicsAssembly Topics

HousekeepingHousekeepingPlacing partsPlacing partsAssembly relationshipsAssembly relationshipsPath FinderPath FinderAssembly part propertiesAssembly part propertiesCreating a part in placeCreating a part in placePart DisplayPart DisplayExplode EnvironmentExplode Environment

AssemblyAssembly

Warning on House keepingWarning on House keeping

All parts, assemblies and draftsAll parts, assemblies and draftsassociated with a given assembly should be associated with a given assembly should be kept in the same directory or folder.kept in the same directory or folder.

Do Do notnot attempt to move or rename parts attempt to move or rename parts after they have been placed in an assembly.after they have been placed in an assembly.- An assembly file does not contain the actual parts themselves. It is simply a set of links to parts/locations and a definition of how they go together.

The advantage of this is that if an individual part is modified, the changes are automatically reflected in the assembly.

Warning on House keepingWarning on House keeping

Everytime an assembly is opened in Solid Everytime an assembly is opened in Solid Edge. Solid Edge reads the assembly Edge. Solid Edge reads the assembly information, gathers together all the parts information, gathers together all the parts and reassemblies them. and reassemblies them.

If a part is renamed or moved solid edge If a part is renamed or moved solid edge will not be able to find it and it will will not be able to find it and it will dissappear from you assembly.dissappear from you assembly.

The information defining the locations of The information defining the locations of the files are contained in the assembly the files are contained in the assembly links (next slide)links (next slide)

Assembly LinksAssembly Links

To check the locations To check the locations from which files have from which files have been assembled check been assembled check the file links under the file links under Edit LinksEdit Links

The Edge barThe Edge bar

The edge bar serves a number of The edge bar serves a number of usefull purposes and can be usefull purposes and can be activated by selecting the activated by selecting the edgebar icon on the main edgebar icon on the main toolbar. Two uses are:toolbar. Two uses are:- To Display Existing parts within an assembly

- To display the available the construct an assembly i.e. the parts library.

Assembly PathfinderAssembly Pathfinder

The assembly path finder The assembly path finder shows parts and shows parts and subassemblies already subassemblies already contained within an contained within an assemblyassembly

The lower section shows the The lower section shows the assembly relationships for assembly relationships for the selected part.the selected part.

Parts libraryParts library

The parts library displays The parts library displays parts available for assembly parts available for assembly in a specified directory.in a specified directory.

The lower part displays a The lower part displays a preview of the selected part.preview of the selected part.

Assemblies can be created Assemblies can be created by:by:- Assembling existing parts- By creating a part in place

Placing partsPlacing parts

Create in placeCreate in placePlace from filePlace from file

Place part toolPlace part tool

Create in placeCreate in place

Place from filePlace from file

To Create in placeTo Create in placeActivate edge barActivate edge barSelect parts Library Select parts Library

tabtabSelect folder Select folder

containing parts containing parts required.required.

Drag and drop parts Drag and drop parts into graphics area.into graphics area.

Assembly PathfinderAssembly Pathfinder

Top sectionParts subassemblies in

assembly

Lower sectionAssembly relationships

of selected part

Part statusPart status

Activate partActivate part- (full part details in mem)

Inactivate partInactivate part- (min rep to save mem)

Hidden part Hidden part - Part removed from view

Unloaded part Unloaded part - Part removed from memory

Assembly RelationshipsAssembly Relationships

Mate

Align

Insert

Connect

Angle

Reading the path finderReading the path finder

Interpreting pathfinder icons.Interpreting pathfinder icons.

Mate/Align/Insert RelationshipsMate/Align/Insert Relationships

Mate

Align

Insert

Align with OffsetAlign with Offset

Where two faces are require to face the Where two faces are require to face the same direction but to be displaced from same direction but to be displaced from one another by a specified amountone another by a specified amount

Align with Floating offsetAlign with Floating offset

Where to faces are required to face the Where to faces are required to face the same direction but are diplaced from each same direction but are diplaced from each other by an unknown amount.other by an unknown amount.

Assembly Ribbon BarAssembly Ribbon Bar

Moving Parts in AssembliesMoving Parts in Assemblies

Before all assembly constraints are Before all assembly constraints are applied a part can be move using applied a part can be move using move part:move part:

Linear, Rotate, and DynamicLinear, Rotate, and DynamicBlue axis appear appear to use to Blue axis appear appear to use to

translate or rotate part. translate or rotate part.

*How to use Connect Relationship?*How to use Connect Relationship?

Connect relationship should be used in Connect relationship should be used in conjunction with other relationships, conjunction with other relationships, meaning they will help define a mate, align meaning they will help define a mate, align or angled relationship better (e.g. a pivot or angled relationship better (e.g. a pivot point for an angled relationship)point for an angled relationship)

Connecting parts with opposing draft Connecting parts with opposing draft anglesangles

Consider Connect as a “working” Consider Connect as a “working” relationship rather than a “stand-alone”relationship rather than a “stand-alone”

*The Connect Relationship*The Connect Relationship

First get the two parts constrained as best First get the two parts constrained as best as possible.as possible.

*Connect (con’t)*Connect (con’t)

Place your next critical relationshipPlace your next critical relationship

*Connect (con’t.)*Connect (con’t.)

Firm up the design with connectsFirm up the design with connects

*The Angle Relationship*The Angle Relationship

After defining the two faces to measure After defining the two faces to measure too, the system will generate the pivot too, the system will generate the pivot point automatically (5th step skipped)point automatically (5th step skipped)

Axial aligns will dictate pivot point (5th Axial aligns will dictate pivot point (5th step skipped)step skipped)

Reference planes can be used!Reference planes can be used!Different result if two model edges are Different result if two model edges are

usedused

*The Angle Relationship- 2 surfaces*The Angle Relationship- 2 surfaces

The angle is applied to The angle is applied to the surfaces according to the surfaces according to the X and Y orientation the X and Y orientation - surfaces may flip (90 may be 270)

*The Angle Relationship - 2 Edges*The Angle Relationship - 2 Edges

User must give a pivot axis perpendicular User must give a pivot axis perpendicular to the selected edges (5th step)to the selected edges (5th step)

System ignores X and Y orientation and System ignores X and Y orientation and works off a “straight” coordinate system.works off a “straight” coordinate system.

An axial align must pre-exist or the system An axial align must pre-exist or the system will prompt for this relationship!will prompt for this relationship!

*The Angle Relationship - 2 Lines*The Angle Relationship - 2 Lines

First element is the measure tooFirst element is the measure tooSecond element is the origin elementSecond element is the origin elementQuadrants:Quadrants:

- 1 is cc- 2 is c- 3 is oo / c- 4 is oo / cc

*Exploding your assembly*Exploding your assembly

Automatic ExplodeAutomatic ExplodeManual ExplodeManual ExplodeEditing the ResultsEditing the ResultsUn-explodingUn-exploding

*Automatic/Manual Explode*Automatic/Manual Explode

AutomaticSelect what you do and don’t want to explode.Users have no control over explode directionUnexploded parts and subs stay put.

Manual ExplodeUsers can explode parts in any direction they

desire.User must select every part to explode

*Editing Exploded Assemblies*Editing Exploded Assemblies

MovingMovingRe-positioningRe-positioningCollapsingCollapsingAdding JogglesAdding JogglesUn-ExplodingUn-Exploding

*Part Display Status*Part Display Status

Show PartShow Part

Hide partHide part

Show only Show only (hides all others) (hides all others)

Activate partActivate part (full part details in mem) (full part details in mem)

Inactivate partInactivate part (min rep to save mem) (min rep to save mem)

*Why de-activated?*Why de-activated?

Saves MemorySaves MemoryReduces file initializationReduces file initializationNo impact on relationship solvingNo impact on relationship solvingNo impact on renderingNo impact on renderingNew Pathfinder IconsNew Pathfinder Icons

*Unloading Hidden Parts*Unloading Hidden Parts

Any part that is hidden can be unloaded Any part that is hidden can be unloaded from memory!from memory!

No effect on solving!No effect on solving!

*Using Sketches*Using Sketches

One sketch can be used on multiple partsOne sketch can be used on multiple partsSketch changes, all related parts change.Sketch changes, all related parts change.

*Using Sketches*Using Sketches

Be sure to turn on the “link” when Be sure to turn on the “link” when including an edge from a sketch.including an edge from a sketch.

There are limits for parts linked to an There are limits for parts linked to an assembly sketch (coping; deleting)assembly sketch (coping; deleting)

Use the Break Links command to break the Use the Break Links command to break the associative link to the sketch.associative link to the sketch.

Each part must be edited separatelyEach part must be edited separately

Assembly Variable TableAssembly Variable Table

What is the real use?What is the real use?How hard is it?How hard is it?