Variable UDF Assemblies

[RA_9969089]

Hello, 

I'm looking into UDF's and the possibility to use them to create variable assemblies and place these into a main assembly. 

I would like to make 3 UDF to help me easier create a casing.

1. A steel frame UDF where I can have some standard component corners and then some variable profile lengths. 
2. A panel UDF where I can change the length and width of the panel and have the components inside change dimensions accordingly. 

3. A door UDF where I also change the outside dimensions, but have some standard components, like a door handle. 

The idea is that I can create casing by first take a frame UDF, designate the size and place it in an assembly, then take panel UDF's one at a time, designate sizes and mate them into the assembly. And if needed, choose a door UDF, designate size, and then place it in the assembly. 

I have worked a bit with the UDF function and I have access to the AdvAssem option in Creo 9, but I haven't had success in making this work. 

Is this possible to do with UDF's or is there a better way to work around this? 

[tbraxton]

For what you are describing, UDF is not something I would use to implement this. I would look at using Notebook (formerly layout) functionality and possibly integrating this with skeleton models in the assemblies.

About Notebooks (ptc.com)

Using Notebooks to Replace Components (ptc.com)

[RA_9969089]

Thank you for your reply!

From what I can read, Notebooks somehow help with the placement of components but not the automatic parametric creation of the assemblies. 
From my needs I can handle mating components together, but it's the creation part that is the real time consumer. 

Why do you think UDF's will not be up for the task? 

[tbraxton]

There is almost always more than one method to do something in Creo. Without seen exactly what design intent you would have to manage I cannot make detailed suggestions.

I am making some assumptions based on your verbal description about how design intent should be managed in part mode and assembly mode. This is the reason behind my initial post. I use UDFs so I have some real-world insight into how they work. I am not suggesting that UDFs are not capable of doing some of what you may need I said it would not be high on my list of solutions for the problem statement.

Notebooks and Pro/Program would be the path I would pursue to make design variants.

In your frame example: You could build the "generic" frame assembly and declare this to a notebook.  You would also declare the notebook to the profile parts used in the frame assembly.  The notebook would have user-controlled input parameters that define the overall dimensions of the frame and then the profile length models would be updated by the notebook using relations based on your standard corner geometry. Once you regenerate the generic frame assembly it morphs to the new overall size. You can use save as to archive this particular variant of the frame.

[tbraxton]

There are 3rd party tools that support this type of activity as well.

Nitro-CELL (simplifiedlogic.com)

[olivierlp]

Hi @RA_9969089 ,
I wanted to see if you got the help you needed.
If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. It will help other members who may have the same question.
Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please pursue the conversation. 

Thanks,