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Manual

Manual

6.8.3.  Variable Manager - The individual parameters

[Note] Note

In the Designer mode the most input fields are grayed out, because they are not required for the creation of a model (at first).

The following listing explains all possible parameters.

  • Name (mandatory in each mode): Under Name, enter the variable name.

    [Note] Note
    • In PARTdesigner, complex equations can also be used for the specification of variables. In order to keep equations concise, Variable names should be preferably short. The maximum length of a variable is 10 characters.

    • Umlauts (ö,ä,ü) and special characters are not to be used!

    • Capital letters must be used. I.e., if you wrote a capital “L“ as well as a small “l” within your variable templates, you have to distinguish them as e.g. “L1“ and “L2“!

    The token entered in this field is displayed in PARTdataManager, in the column header of the table.

  • Description (mandatory in each mode): As the variable name is limited to 10 characters, you can add a Description in this field, which will make the identification easier.

    The content of the field Description is displayed in PARTdataManager, in the subtitle of column headers. When moving the mouse over a column header, the full text is displayed in a tooltip. In the column header itself only a limited width is available.

  • Mode:

    • Designer mode

      If no Value ranges and no Attribute algorithms are needed and no specific settings, such as Identification type for example, shall be set, you can model a part completely in the Designer mode.

      All data are saved in the 3db file in this mode.

    • Table mode

      The Table mode is needed to create Table, Value ranges and Attribute algorithms.

      All data are saved in the tab/tac file in this mode.

    • Dual mode

      Designer mode + Table mode

      If variables have only been created in the Designer mode in a first step, just to use them for the creation of the model, later it will become necessary to save them in the tab/tac file in addition, to link them with the table and so to "fill" them dynamically.

      If only the table is created in a first step, it is sufficient just to save the variables in the Table mode. Later those variables, which are used for the creation of the model (in the sketcher), have also to be saved in the Designer mode in addition.

      Therefor save the variables in the Dual mode. Then these are saved both in the 3db file and in the tab/tac file.

      You can change the Mode anytime by selecting a variable, changing the mode in the list field and clicking on Commit.

    Detailed information on the different modes can be found under Section 6.8.4, “ Designer mode | Table mode | Dual mode ”.

  • Equation (mandatory in each mode):

    Under Equation, enter the desired variable value.

    This can be a fixed value or make the content dependent from other variables (2*D1, D1+D2, etc.).

    [Note] Note

    Decimal values have to be set with point (wrong: 6,5 / correct: 6.5).

    Complex functions can also be used. On this see under Section 6.8.5.1, “Mathematical functions (Attribute algorithm) ”.

  • DIN / ISO-ID (only in Table mode and Dual mode):

    The DIN-ID contains the dimension letter from the dimensional and/or product standard. For the Nominal diameter of a screw, for example, it may be D1. Dimension letters such as Greek letters (alpha for example), can be written out as a word.

    [Note] Note

    This entry is optional.

  • Unit (only in Table mode and Dual mode):

    Unit used as standard for this variable. As long as no changes have been made, mm is automatically displayed.

    The content of the field Unit is carried over in the subtitles of column headers of the table.

    [Note] Note

    This entry is optional. Neither is it absolutely necessary to define a unit if data type Number is set.

  • Data type (only in Table mode and Dual mode):

    • Text:

      Text is practical in the case of expressions, which have to enclose all characters. Text variables may, however, not be used for calculation.

    • Integer:

      The setting Integer only allows numerical values. It has to be used for variables, whose values are part of calculations.

    • Decimal number:

      The setting Decimal number only allows numerical values. It has to be used for variables, whose values are part of calculations.

  • Identification type (only in Table mode and Dual mode):

    The distinction between different types of attributes especially makes sense for the ERP/PDM integration!

    Details on this can be found under Section 6.8.7, “ Identification type ”.

  • Status (only in Table mode and Dual mode):

    Types of status:

    • Variable with fixed values (standard setting)

      Data are saved in the respective *.tab file. Table values can directly be edited in the PARTdesigner user interface.

    • Attribute algorithm

      A variable's value can directly be calculated by a so-called attribute algorithm.

      Dependencies/conditions between variables can be expressed by attribute algorithms.

      Example: „If D1=12, then D2=D3“. In this case you have to use an attribute algorithm.

      How to create attribute algorithms is explained under Section 6.8.5, “ Attribute algorithms ”.

    • Value range variable

      Variables with values inside a defined range, for example „10 to 20“, or with an enumeration of values, have status Value range variable.

      How to define value ranges can be read under Section 6.8.6, “ Value ranges ”.

    [Note] Note

    When selecting status Attribute algorithm or Value range variable, the corresponding variable/column is only displayed in Test mode or Debug mode in the table.

  • Digits (only in Table mode and Dual mode):

    For Text you can specify the digits in steps of 10, for Integer in steps of 1, for Decimal number you can specify integer and decimal places.

    Example on Decimal number:

    5.3

    The example reads: 5 integer places, 3 decimal places. While the places before the decimal point are merely approximate values, the places after the decimal are based precisely on the value specified.

    [Note] Note

    If the data type Text is selected, then the checkbox is disabled.