Assembly components defined by "Fix" constraint

[nsele]

Is there a quick way to display which components within an assembly are constrained using the "Fix" option?

I am updating a large assembly and have found some components are fixed into position. I have redefined the components I have stumbled upon as fixed, but would like to verify that the rest of the assembly is clear of fixed components. I realize I could check the definition of each component, but I'd prefer a quicker method than doing so for 150+ items individually. Thanks.

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[StephenW]

I don't know of a direct way to do it but one method is to use the model tree. (creo 2)

1. Set the model tree to show only placement folders.

2. Expand all on the model tree.

3. Save the model tree (not the settings but the text out)

4. Search the text file for the word "FIX"

You can automate steps 1-3 with a mapkey if you find yourself doing this over and over.

[MartinHanak]

Expand All

Save

MH

[vzak · Accepted solution]

Open Search Tool (Ctrl+F), Look for = Components / Status / Attributes = is equal to = Fixed Placement ; Find.

Do not forget to check "include submodels".

Another place to do the same even faster : above Model Tree "quick search" drop button, select "Fixed Placement" query - done.

Hope this helps ...

- Vlad

[StephenW]

I don't get "Fixed Placement" in either method in Creo 2 M170. Are these new for Creo 3?

[vzak]

Yep, Creo3 - sorry for not mentioning this.

[vzak]

Creo 2 and before - only the way martin suggested above, filter / dump tree and search for "Fix" ...

[BPapp]

Not to hijack Nathan's original question, but are there issues using "Fix"? I am guilty of using it on occasion. I hear it may exacerbate my drawing views shifting, and some other problems. Obviously it isn't the best way to assemble a component, but if it's a small component, and good assembly parameters don't exist it is a very convenient method of assembly. Just looking to do things correctly, and avoid problems.

Thanks.

Bruce

[StephenW]

Fix is simply an offset coordinate system constraint. Once you've added the fix constraint and you edit the component, you get x, y, z dimensions and angles. It's just another tool in the toolbox.

[dschenken]

In Creo 2 I see no option besides deleting the Fix constraint and moving the part and refixing. Is this a Creo 3 option? I know if I leave a component Packaged I can drag the component or rotate the component, but I don't recall ever seeing Edit showing offsets and angles. Easy to miss if it's there because I haven't had a desire to use Fix in the last 2 decades.

[StephenW]

Component is placed using fix.

Done out of the assemble component dialog.

Select component, right mouse EDIT and you get 3 linear dimensions and 3 angle dimension (6 degrees). The angles are shown at the assembly coord sys and the dimensions are show to the component coord sys.

Fix is simply and offset coord sys constraint. Works great for some situations.

[StephenW]

Oh and don't steal my big dumb steel design. I worked for several minutes creating that masterpiece yesterday.

[dschenken]

For me, a decent model is a peek into the future and a fixed component doesn't give an accurate picture of reasonable futures. It's only a problem if there are problems that could have been found before the factory floor or in use.

One can fall back to using vertices/point on surface constraints to get even obnoxious parts to assemble, but it's better to have models that have reasonable features, such as axes in the centers of slots (or axes that are dimensioned from the center of slots to match how slots are normally used.)

[gkoch]

I really want this thread to be marked as Answered, since it contains very useful information.

Unfortunately the full answer is distributed over three posts:

• Best Solution steps
• Best Solution is only in Creo 3.0
• Best workaround for older versions

-> Since I can choose only one, I am marking the best solution as Correct Answer, to avoid Creo 3.0 users going for the more cumbersome workaround, because they overlook the Creo 3.0 solution (hoping users of older versions will go through the whole thread anyway, when they notice the best solution doesn't work for them)

[dgschaefer]

In the future, you could create a reply with a link to the each of the 3 posts with the best answers and then mark your reply as the answer.  Then all three get linked in the top of the thread.

[gkoch]

Seems like a good advice to me.

Thank you Doug, I'll consider this in future!