Planning Your Part Structure

Logical structuring of data is mandatory for more complex drawings. This is achieved in HiCAD by dividing the drawing into assemblies, main parts and sub-parts. This component-oriented data structure enables you to create constructions the logical structure of which matches the part structure of real products.

Before you start your construction, it is therefore advisable to consider the product structure and create the main parts and sub-parts of the drawing - and hence the part structure - accordingly.

Make use of the possibility of creating dummy parts. This can be useful, for example, if you want to define the part structure at the very beginning of the drawing. A dummy part can then symbolise the assembly.
Choose meaningful part names. This also facilitates access to the parts.
3-D parts structured in assemblies, main parts and sub-parts can be coloured individually.
Use the display of the part structure and multiple selection in the Information + Communication Navigator to process different parts in one step.

Advantages of the Part Structure

The drawing becomes clearer.
Production data and bills of materials (BOMs) information can be attached to the constructed part.
The part structure facilitates structure and quantity BOMs.
The part where-used list increases reuse of parts.
Company-specific series can be modelled via the parameterisation of parts.
The parts are transferred from the draft to the single-part production drawing.
It is possible to make a universal change to a frequently used part in all drawings.
The drawing in 2-D handling requires an overlap calculation to be made in the compilation drawing, which is carried out via overlap levels of the parts.
The associativity of hatchings is ensured via the part.
Part scales independent of the drawing scale facilitate better representations.
Processing functions usually refer to the part.
Keeping a logical and clear part structure usually automatically entails the individual parts being defined more clearly. This also enables error sources to be minimised.