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kboyle1-Visitor
1-Visitor
May 14, 2015
Question

Fastener Descriptions?

  • May 14, 2015
  • 1 reply
  • 6942 views

We are also using the 'full version' and I'm having a difficult time using/ setting custom parameters. For example, all of the model names are not helpful as they offer no clue as to the type of fastener you have (CSDD293, CSDD292, CSFF66....). So we need to add the parameter called "descr" and I will call out the details for that model ID like this:

SHCS, 1/4-20 THD X 3/4" LG

If I add the DESCR to say CSDD320.prt and then try to add one for CSDD293 (both SHCS, 1/4-20 THD with lengths of 3/4" and 1/2"). I loose the DESCR in 320 and it appears in 293 incorrectly. They are in the same family but are under unique numbers so what gives?

Really, without an accurate description in the BOMs, this feature is rather worthless. Why are there no descriptions pre-loaded for the fasteners? Not sure why we're paying for the "full" version if I have to go in and add a description for every fastener. We already have this in our free nested family table screw.prt


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1 reply

O
OliverGräbner17-Peridot
17-Peridot
May 15, 2015

Hi Keith,

you are totally right. If there is no BOM information, then it is rather worthless.

I have checked this for all catalogs in IFX.

There are two different types of fastener parts in the catalog.

The catalogs with the red frame are models from the 3DModelSpace from PTC.

http://www.3dmodelspace.com/prolibrary.html

In this catalogs, no BOM parameters exists on the fastener parts.

Not sure if there is a update available for this 4 catalogs. I will ask PTC if they have a new one.

catalogs_with_parameter.png

The catalogs with the green frame have the parameters listed in the image:

ifx_parameter.png

The parameter BUW_TYPE, BUW_SIZE and BUW_NAME are filled with values from the corresponding *.dat file. You can add your own columns to the *.dat file or modify the values in the list.

The parameters NAMING and DESIGNATION come from the param_relations.txt.

param_relations.png

This relations are added to the fastener after creation. You can modify this relations like you want.

In you case you can use for example:

DESC = BUW_TYPE + " " + BUW_SIZE

You mentioned that all information exist in your family table screw.prt.

In IFX it is possible to reuse your own existing fastener. If you want you can send me (oli@buw-soft.de) your screw.prt file, then I will have a look at it if it is possible to use this fasteners in IFX.

Hope this will help.

K
kboyle1-VisitorAuthor
1-Visitor
May 15, 2015

Hello,

It is helpful, last night I added a relation in the param_relations.txt file to link the BUW_SIZE and BUW_NAME to our DESCR parameter. With this edit, I can now see a BOM's description on drawings. I already replaced the default names and size fields in the HOLO KROME text file to shorten the file name and descriptions to better fit in the table.

My next issue is adding better file names to the table because CSDD320 or CSFF66 don't tell me anything. Plus, if I needed to update or change a particular screw inside an assembly, it's impossible to locate it in the model tree. The new interface is really nice and does have some great features but after the initial insertion of a fastener, it is very difficult to know what it is. Leave it to PTC to make you pay for this tool which only then gives you the ability to edit the files to make it truly useful.

Once I have the text files updated, I need to copy this entire library from the C drive to a share drive so others in the group can use it. In the afx/configuration folder, is the sl_options the only file I need to update in order to change the library directory mapping?

If I remap these two parameters to a folder in our share drive and do the same for each pc in the group, will everyone pull from the same library of parts?

!Complete path to the component library root directory.

PATH_ABS_LIBRARY C:\Program Files\PTC\Creo 3.0\M020\Common Files\afx\parts

!Complete path to the component archive.

PATH_ABS_ARCHIVES C:\Program Files\PTC\Creo 3.0\M020\Common Files\afx\parts\archive

As far as our screw.prt goes, it's a single nested family table part so each size and type need to be broken down to a single family table level in order for it to work in Windchill. We already learned that nested table parts does not function in that system. I will forward you a copy for testing.

O
OliverGräbner17-Peridot
17-Peridot
May 18, 2015

Hi Keith,

here are the answers:

  • ... it's impossible to locate it in the model tree. ...
    In IFX you can use the Check Screw Fasteners command to open a dialog with a list of all assembled screws/bolts.
    There you can check your fasteners. If you click in the list, the corresponding fastener is highlighted in the graphic window.
    check_screw_fasteners.pngcheck_screw_fasteners_dlg.png
  • ... is the sl_options.cfg the only file I need to update in order to change the library directory mapping?
    Yes, this is the only file. You can also use the environment variable SL_USER_CONFIG_PATH to point to a location on your server where the folder configuration is stored. Then the complete configuration is loaded from there and you only have to setup the configuration one time.
  • ... will everyone pull from the same library of parts?
    Yes. If the PATH_ABS_LIBRARY is the same for all users, then everyone has the same library.
    If you want to use the option PATH_ABS_ARCHIVES then you also have to set USE_ARCHIVES to YES. Then all new fasteners are created in the folder PATH_ABS_ARCHIVES. You have to add the Creo option search_path with the same directory. Then Creo will first look into this directory if your fastener instance already exist. If so, then it is loaded from there, if not, then it is created.
    Note: You can use the Instance creator command from IFX to create all your instances in one step. Then the instances can be moved to the search_path folder or can be checked into Windchill.

Thank you for the screw.prt. I will have a look at it.

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