Project: HiCAD Feature Technology

Example of a Design Variant in Sheet Metal Processing

Step 1: Create Construction

• Create a construction and draw a base sheet with the name 001_BLE. Then add two flanges.

Example of a sheet part

Step 2: Create Design Variant base part

• Generate a dummy part (An1_001) using the Dummy 3-D Part function from the New menu.
• Move part 001_BLE in the ICN under dummy part An1_001.
• Activate the dummy part.

Now mark the dummy part as design variant base body.

• Right-click in the dummy part's (empty) feature log. Then, activate Design variant base body: No (No or Yes always represents the current state. Clicking changes the state.)

The dummy part is only used as the basis for the design variant in the drawing in which the variant is generated. It is used there, for example, to include the variant's parameter variables. It does not feature in the drawing in which the variant is fitted.

Step 3: Create the part's variables

The design variant base body's variables become the design variant's parameters. In other words, the system prompts for these variables when the variant is fitted. If the variables have a comment, it is displayed instead of the variable name during the prompt.

• In the ICN, activate part 001_BLE and, in the feature log, move the insertion position under the base sheet.
• Then activate dummy part An1_001.

The variables need to be set in the dummy part for the design variant.

• Right-click in the dummy part's (empty) feature log. Activate the variant's parameter Parameter variants of variables.
• Use the right mouse button to activate the Add new variable function. Then, choose Element > Edge and enter, for example, Connecting Edge.

The system then prompts for an edge.

• Identify an edge of the base sheet.
• Enter more variables for flange length (f1 = 20) and angle a = 45.

Now assign the variables to the elements.

• Activate part 001_BLE. In the first feature below the insertion position, use the right mouse button to select the edge and activate the Edit formula function.
• Enter the connecting edge here.
• Now insert the other variables into this feature and let the feature log run to the end

Step 4: Marking the Part as the starting point for processing within the Design Variant

On the one hand, design variants can process one or more parts of the drawing in which they are used and, on the other hand, also introduce new parts into the drawing. The formula entered for the generation feature of the part indicates how to proceed with which sub-part of the design variant base body:

Formula for the Processed Part: All features apart from the generation feature (in this case, the base sheet) are attached to the log of the part in the fitting drawing. The formula determines which part in the fitting drawing. (In this example, the user will doubtless only want to choose the edge to which the addition is to be made. The part therefore results from the formula part_of_edge(connecting edge)

Formula for Assembly: During fitting, the part becomes a sub-part of the part specified in the formula.

• Activate part 001_BLE. In the feature log, use the right mouse button to choose the Formula for the Processed part function.
• Enter part_of_edge(connecting edge) and choose OK to exit the entry mask.

Step 5: Create Design Variant

• Activate dummy part An1_001 and, in the feature log, use the right mouse button to choose the Create design variant function.
• Enter an * and a name for the design variant in Explorer.

The extension for the design variant is FMV (Feature Modifying Variant). As, internally, it is a part that is saved, as was the case with the previous feature variants, the files <name>.FMV.KRP, <name>.FMV.KRP.FEA etc. also exist, in addition to <name>.FMV.

Step 6: Insert Design Variant

• Create a new drawing with a base sheet.
• In the menu bar, activate Insert > Main Part > Via Explorer.
• In the Explorer, select the design variant with the extension <name>.FMV and specify the variables and the connecting edge.

The system prompts for the variables in turn (alphabetically). This example requires you first to identify a connecting edge. The design variant is then inserted.

A feature step is produced in the log: Design variant. Special sub-points for the design variant are:

• Variables table

Opens a variable table containing the variant's parameter variables.

• Log

If you expand the entry, you will see the log for the design variant. In particular, the log may contain errors which have occurred during fitting.

Design Variants