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Hi Mike.
We're currently managing CAD Docs with Windchill 9.1. We use Family Tables primarily for hardware type models. We do also use the Flat State instance for sheet metal models. It is our practice to manage the generic/instance as one object when it comes to editing and check in. If you edit the generic, you edit the instance(s) and check in the entire table. We adopted this practice with 8.0 m020 and haven't changed. Yes, it is possible to edit only the generic and asingle instance then check in those edits. This will create a scenario though where user1 has a WS with generic a.5/instance1 a.5. Then user2 may have a WS with generic a.6/instance2 a.1. If user 1 tries to update generic a.5 to generic a.6 there could be issues because instance1 a.5 needs parent generic a.5.
Kind Regards, Jim
We are using Pro/E outside of any PDM system so our revision level is just a part parameter. Some family table parts are just simple bent/flat sheetmetal and go on the same drawing and have the same rev level. Other family table parts have many instances, those that have their own unique drawing have independant rev levels in the family table. One thing that users have to be aware of is that some dimensions & features are common to all instances so a change there will change every instance and therefore every drawing has to be changed. Alternately, that dimension or feature can be added to the family table so that only one instance can be changed. We only use one level tables. Once or twice in the past I made some parts with multiple levels and found it nearly impossible to manage.
We make family table assemblies from all our family table parts. This is one of the best features of family tables as you can easily swap alternate instances at will and create new assemblies. In some cases we may have hundreds of finished products built from families of components. There are assembly drawings of every step of the way including customer outline and installation drawings.
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