Assembly Techniques

Thiagu Palaniappan
Senior Application Engineer
Aug 1st 2014

Agenda

Assembly Constraints
Component Interface
Flexibility in Assembly
Interchange Assemblies
Creo Options Modeler
Q&A

Constraint Sets in Creo

Multiple constraint sets for components.

Enable/Disable for alternate positions.
New parameter PTC_CONSTRAINT_SET can be used in
Family table or in model tree column to switch positions.

Placement

Set1

Set2

General Best Practices while Constraining

Double click constraint 3D notes instead of using placement

tab to edit constraint type and constraint reference.
Use search tool to quickly select datums that maybe hidden.
Use automatic constraint type instead of selecting constraint
type first and then selecting references.

General Best Practices while Constraining

Reorient component using CTRL +

ALT or 3D dragger to avoid
unwanted constraint types like
normal instead of coincident. This is
quicker than legacy move
command.
Use config option
comp_assemble_start set to
move_then_place
Auto_constr_always_use_offset
Display constraints in model tree by
setting model tree filter to display
placement folder.

Model Tree Status Icons

Single CLEAR box Partially

constrained / Packaged.
Double Box Might be fully
constrained but it is child of a
packaged component.
Pause Frozen component due
to missing reference.
Pause with box Assembled to a
component with missing
reference.
Box with a DOT Mechanism
connection.
Black box Suppressed.

Model Tree Component Preview & Prehighlight

Display_popup_viewer to YES
Prehighlight_tree to YES

Model Tree Search & Track changes

Search in model tree using part

names or use predefined
searches.
Changes per session can be
tracked

Component Interface

Predefine constraints as interface in the

model allows efficient assembly
constraining.
Interface can be placing/receiving
interface.

You can pattern interface if applicable.

Component Interface

Existing assembly constraints can be saved

as component interface for efficient
reuse.
Position components using auto place.

Flexible Components

Adding flexibility to a component allows

you to assemble components in different
geometry states without affecting the
quantity in BOM.
Flexibility allows varying dimensions,
parameters, surface finish, geometric
tolerances, features, components.

Flexible Components

Assemble flexible components with

option to ignore flexibility.

Flexibility can also be added to any

component that is already in the
assembly.
Flexibility added to an already assembled
component does not save the flexibility to
the component.

Replace by

Family Table
Interchange Assembly
Reference Model
Layout
By Copy
Unrelated

Interchange Assembly

Interchange assembly is a special

assembly subtype that defines automatic
replacement for a set of components.
Requires AAX license.

What is Creo Options Modeler ?

Creo Options Modeler for modular product design - It is a dedicated app for
creating and validating 3D modular products.

Capabilities
Create modular product architectures from
scratch or from overloaded assemblies

Define product modules, create module

variants, and map interface tags between
modules
In combination with PTC Windchill, generate
and validate precise product configurations
defined by a bill of materials (BOM)

Benefits
Achieve faster design cycles by creating and
validating modular assemblies earlier
Reduce process errors and engineering rework
by directly re-using available 3D models
Automate the creation of product assemblies
with automated smart assembly placement

Create and Validate Modular

Products

PROCESS STEPS WITHOUT OM

OPTIONS / CHOICES DEFINITION

Step 1 Configurable Product assembly

Open existing overloaded assembly in Creo.

Save as Configurable product of the top level assembly.
Copy drawings if applicable.

Step 1 Configurable Product assembly

Open existing overloaded assembly in Creo.

Save as Configurable product of the top level assembly.
Copy drawings if applicable.

Step 2 Configurable Module Assembly

In the configurable product assembly, transfer Option

components to new configurable module.
This can also be done as save as of the subassembly
that contains Options in the save as dialog box in step1.
References auto-tagged automatically in this step.

Configurable Structure

Result of steps 1 & 2 showing configurable product,

configurable module and module variants in the
configurable structure

Simplified Reps

Existing Simplified reps are also available in the

configurable product assembly. This came through
during the save-as in step 1.
Save as External Rep is greyed out for reps of
Configurable Product assemblies. So create Variant
assembly instead of external simplified reps.

Step 3 Configure Variant Assembly

Activate one of the existing reps.

Select Variant builder.
Select Model tree selection in Variant Builder dialog box.
Select the included module variant under each
configurable module assembly and create Variant asm.

4
3

Variant Assembly Structure

After step 3 , the variant assembly structure is shown

below. This is a regular assembly file that will have
wtpart structure and can be managed in Windchill.

Overall Process1. OVERLOADED ASM

2. CONFIGURABLE STRUCTURE

3. VARIANT ASSEMBLY

PROCESS STEPS WITH OM

OPTIONS / CHOICES DEFINITION

Step 1 Configurable Product assembly

Open existing overloaded assembly in Creo.

Save as Configurable product of the top level assembly.
Copy drawings if applicable.

Step 2 Configurable Module Assembly

In the configurable product assembly, transfer Option

components to new configurable module.
This can also be done as save as of the subassembly
that contains Options in the save as dialog box in step1.
References auto-tagged automatically in this step.

Configurable Structure

Result of steps 1 & 2 showing configurable product,

configurable module and module variants in the
configurable structure

Step 3 Define Options

Create Option names and choice names

1
2
3

Step 4 Assign Choices

Assign Module Variants to defined Choices by first selecting a module
variant and then include / exclude using green/red box

2
1

Repeat for all module variants. Remember to remove already assigned

module variant from assign choices collector using right click before
selecting the next module variant.
Model tree assignments column will display assigned choices for all
module variants.

Step 5 Configure Variant Assembly

Select Variant builder. Use Option selection.

Select the included module variant under each
configurable module assembly and create Variant asm.

Variant Assembly Structure

Overall Process

1. CONFIGURABLE
STRUCTURE

2. DEFINE OPTIONS /
CHOICES

3. CHOICE ASSIGNMENTS
TO MODULE VARIANTS

4. CONFIGURE VARIANT
ASSEMBLY

Learning Connector

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Revamped Help, Google indexed and searchable
on the web
Startup Tutorials shipped with the product
Additional tutorials downloaded through Learning
Exchange
100+ Whats New Videos available on Learning
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Helpful Training info can be found where?

http://www.tristar.com/resource-center

Originally broadcast as 30-90minute live webinars

They cover a broad range of topics in depth
Done by Tristar Application Engineers

http://learningexechange.ptc.com

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http://www.ptc.com/products/tutorials/

Most of the content does require a log-in with active

maintenance

http://www.ptc.com/appserver/wcms/relnotes/index.jsp

This Enhancement Details page can help you find whats

new within each version of software quickly and easily

QUESTIONS ?

THANK YOU !!!

Thiagu Palaniappan
thiagu.palaniappan@tristar.com