Check out this video on Design Exploration/Intelligent Fasteners from PTC Application Engineers
Presenters: Lino Tozzi (Technical Specialist, Fellow) and Tom Quaglia (Creo Segment Sales )
Original Date Presented: September 2nd, 2021.
Link to all Creo Tips and Technique Recordings
Webcast Q&A
Question from Chris: Are you able to demonstrate the branch differences report and the ability to merge branches? Also could this be used to allow different MBD schemes to be explored prior to picking one?
Answer: Can't merge different DEX snapshots in 7.0. You need to manually merge changes/differences.
Webcast Q&A
Question from Greg: Can you set it to default to create the hole instead of do not create the hole?
Answer: Not with the out of the box version, but with Smart Assembly you could.
Webcast Q&A
Question from James: Can you use a center axis to assemble? What if the hole is a round slot...will it still pick the right size fastener?
Answer: You need a point or axis or mouse pick on the exact location.
Question from James: Are the holes assembly features?
Answer: Not if you don't want them to be.
Webcast Q&A
Question from Mark: Can you modify the parts and have it carry over to multiple design exploration versions? Example: modify the button and have it show up in 2 files, but not the 2 other files?
Answer: All snapshots are independent of one another.
Yes, there is an setting that is called Hole _Visibility that can be set to Part or Assembly or No Hole.
You can use an Assembly Axis. Also if the hole does not auto size you can select a hole to set the size. It will measure it and size te bolt correctly. This option is used to measure any hole if the initial placement is not a hole.
Webcast Q&A
Question from Paul: We have an existing library of fasteners. How does that tie into this functionality?
Answer: You could use your own fasteners by editing the .dat files in the loadpoint.
Question from Paul: When it selects a length, are tolerances considered in determining the length?
Answer: Yes. Standard tolerances associated with the Creo model.
Unfortunately that is not possible. You would have to activate the part, leave the DEX session and then do a save -as.
It appears that Helicoil parts get added at the top assembly. For a lot of companies however they get added at the machined part level, not at the top level. I am sure this could be customized but does the out of the box solution provide the ability to have the Helicoil models added at a sub-assembly level?
If the placement reference for the Helicoil part belongs to a subassembly you will be able to place it inside this subassembly.
It works the same way as the PEM-Nuts for IFX.
Did you know about Nuts for Sheet Metal in IFX - PTC Community
Thanks. We will look into this functionality further then.