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Manual

Manual

7.5.4.3.2.1. Connection points for assembly construction

7.5.4.3.2.1.1. General connection points

The parts created in PARTdesigner can be configured to assemblies with the Configurator.[48]In order for this to happen, the parts in PARTdesigner must be assigned precisely defined and named insertion and connection points .

Example:

A cuboid contains a boring into which a screw is to be inserted later (assembly configuration). Therefore a connection point needs to be applied for the boring.

  1. Click on the Face, in which the boring is to be applied. --> The according Sketch shows up in the History highlighted in color.

  2. Right-click on the context menu of the sketch (in this example, Sketch 2).

  3. Click on Edit....

  4. The 2-D Sketcher opens

  5. Click on the button Insert connection point .

  6. "Catch" the center of the circle (boring) with your cursor and affix it with a simple mouse-click.

    --> The point gets a green triangle symbol .

    --> The Change parameter window opens.

    Assign a name to the connection point - for example: CP1 - and confirm with OK.

    Optionally, you may make changes in the other fields as well.

  7. Click on the button Accept changes .

    --> The 2-D Sketcher closes.

    --> In the 3D view the connection point is also identified with a green triangle symbol .

7.5.4.3.2.1.2. Name conventions for Connection points and Insertion lines

The name conventions is to be explained in detail using the example of a profile:

3 connection points each at start and end, 8 insertion lines at the ducts

3 connection points each at start and end, 8 insertion lines at the ducts

Profile start and profile end

A connection point is needed in the center of the section and one in each hole. Compare Fig. „3 connection points each at start and end, 8 insertion lines at the ducts“.

The connection point in the center of the section is called start, the others are listed as start_a, start_b etc.

The same counts for the profile end.

  • start_b <---> end_b

  • start <---> end

  • start_a <---> end_a

Sideway connection points (insertion lines)

[Note] Note

The sideways Connection points are created as Connection line. See Section 7.5.4.3.2.1.6, “Create Connection line ”.

Connection line Connection line

Connection line

The following image is an example of the name convention for the insertion lines on the side. Your basic sketch is located on the start plane of the profile.

The schema is side_<Nummer><Buchstabe>.

Nummer is a number such as on a die, where the addition of two facing numbers always add up to 7.

Buchstabe is empty for the middle position and in case there are several ducts, the insertion points are counted: “a”, “b”, …

[Important] Important

The connection point at the opposite contains the same letter:

side_2a <-> side_5a

side_2b <-> side_5b

Orientation of connection points:

[Important] Important
  • The insert line symbol always points to the middle.

The coordinate exes of the side connection points, always show towards the right, if one looks longitudinally of the beginning of the profile and the surface with the connection points is on the top.

Example of a complex name convention with many connection points and insertion lines and different proportions

The start/end connection points/insertion lines are now a letter combination of top/side and or bottom/side:

start_<Buchstabe_oben>_<Buchstabe_seitlich>

  • side_5 is always in the middle of the profile.

    side_5a is always 1/4 of the profile.

    side_5aa is always 1/8 of the profile.

  • If special spacing is needed, the letters k, l, m, n may also be used.

7.5.4.3.2.1.3. Direction of connection points

Example "Cable duct"

The connection points must be created in such a manner that the connection parts have the same direction. This means that a connection element may not be turned 180° because then the open side of the cable duct must always be on the same side.

This is reached because the red axis always points upwards.

The following figure shows two parts that need to be connected:

Part 1: Red axis points upwards

Part 1: Red axis points upwards

Part 2: Red axis also points upwards

Part 2: Red axis also points upwards

Result: The red axes are on top of each other, the green and blue axes point in the opposite direction

Result: The red axes are on top of each other, the green and blue axes point in the opposite direction

Example "Fence"

In order for the fences to be able to move around the hinge, the connection points must be in opposite directions.

In this example, the red coordinate axes are also on top of each other, so the respective connection point of the right and left fence must be opposite each other.

One connection point points upwards, the other downwards.

One of the red axes of the coordinate system points out of the fence, the other into it.

The connection point of the left and right fence are in opposite directions

The connection point of the left and right fence are in opposite directions

The red axes are on top of each other

The red axes are on top of each other

7.5.4.3.2.1.4.  Connection points at miters

The following explains the creation of connection points at miters.

In the example, we have a profile with cross-section dimension 80 mm x 40 mm and a miter of 45°.

The connection points start_ab, start and start_ba should be positioned for all possible miter angles.

Connection point at miter angle

Connection point at miter angle

Do the following:

  1. Create the profiles normally.

  1. In PARTeditor, in the Variable Manager, insert the variables SAX, SAY (start side) and EAX, EAY (end side) for the input of the miter angle; in addition SDX, SDY, EDX, EDY with Status Attribute algorithms as help variables to calculate the Distance plane (see figure below).

    Variable Manager

    Variable Manager

  1. Define the Attribute algorithms in PARTeditor for the help variables SDX, SDY, EDX, EDY.

    • SDX = ABS(20*TAN(SAX))

    • SDY = ABS(40*TAN(SAY))

    • EDX = ABS(20*TAN(EAX))

    • EDY = ABS(40*TAN(EAY))

    With the help of these variables the movement of the Distance plane is calculated (see figure below).

    Attribute algorithms dialog window

    Attribute algorithms dialog window

  1. Create the absolute level with the Base point in the midpoint of the section.

    (Here in figure bottom "Fixed plane 1")

    Fixed plane 1 - Base point

    Fixed plane 1 - Base point

Fixed plane 1 - Settings

Fixed plane 1 - Settings

  1. In the context menu, click on Insert new plane....

    In the Type list field, select the point Plane with distance.

    In thed Distance field, enter the following:

    IF SAY = 0 THEN SDX ELSE SDY ENDIF

    In the following example, the miter angle is 45°.

    The resulting Distance both are 40 mm.

    Base miter start

    Base miter start

Base miter start

Base miter start

  1. Again click on the Insert new plane... context menu.

    In the Type list field, select the point Plane with rotation.

    In the Angle field, enter "SAY".

    In the Turn around list field, select point X axis.

    In our example, "SAY" has 45°.

    => The plane is moved 45° around the X-axis.

    Rotation miter start Y

    Rotation miter start Y

Rotation miter start Y

Rotation miter start Y

  1. Create a Plane with rotation again.

    Under Angle enter the following:

    IF SAY = 0 THEN SAX ELSE 0 ENDIF

    (Only SAY oer SAX are recognized)

    In the list field Turn around, select point Y axis.

    In our example, the rotation occurs around the Y-axis 0°.

Rotation miter start X

Rotation miter start X

  1. Create a sketch for the Extrusion solid and enter the following:

    Length:

    IF SDY = 0 THEN SDX*2 ELSE SDY*2 ENDIF

    Set a checkmark at Only create, if.

    The Cut extrusion should only be created if SAY or SAX are unequal to '0'.

    Cut extrude 1

    Cut extrude 1

Extrusion solid

Extrusion solid

  1. Then create the sketch with the connection points.

    Sketch with connection points

    Sketch with connection points

The creation of the "End" connection point occurs in the same way as described above.

7.5.4.3.2.1.5. Connection points at connection elements

The following examples show what should be noted for connection points at connection elements.

Connection examples

Connection examples

[Note] Note

Rule of thumb: Number, position, orientation and naming (numbering) of insertion points must be noted!

Number, position and naming results from the PCon classification.

  • Screws:

    Cylinder head screw

    Cylinder head screw

    Connection points:

    • IP 2: Top side screw head

    • IP 1: Contact face of screw head

    • IP 3: Screw end

    Countersunk screw

    Countersunk screw

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Top side screw head

    • IP 2: Bottom side screw head

    • IP 3: Screw end

    Stud screw

    Stud screw

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Top side

    • IP 2: Bottom side

    • IP 3: End of screw-in thread

    Threaded pin

    Threaded pin

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Top side

    • IP 2: Bottom side

  • Nuts

    Nut

    Nut

    Connection point:

    • IP 1: Contact face

    Cap nut

    Cap nut

    Connection point:

    • IP 1: Contact face

  • Washers / rings

    Washer

    Washer

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Top side

    • IP 2: Bottom side

    Ring

    Ring

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Top side

    • IP 2: Bottom side

  • Borings

    Through-hole with thread

    Through-hole with thread

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Material top side

    • IP 3: Material bottom side

    Blind hole with thread

    Blind hole with thread

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Material top side

    • IP 2: Material bottom side

    • IP 3: Thread end

    Through-hole with counterbore, flat resting

    Through-hole with counterbore, flat resting

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Top surface of material

    • IP 2: Counterbore contact face

    • IP 3: Material bottom side

    Through-hole for countersunk screw

    Through-hole for countersunk screw

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Material top side

    • IP 2: Counterbore end

    • IP 3: Material bottom side

    Through-hole

    Through-hole

    Connection points:

    • IP 1: Material top side

    • IP 3: Material bottom side

     

7.5.4.3.2.1.6. Create Connection line

Connection lines can be used for movable elements. For example, for connectors of profiles, which move in a groove.

Connection lines are created from a combination of one "normal" connection point and an absolute plane.

Create connection point (line)

Open a new sketch and enter the desired connection points.

[Note] Note

In order to clarify that these points are to be treated as connection lines, do the following:

  • Set a checkmark at Connection line

    and

  • determine the Length of connection line.

Change parameter

Change parameter

Connection line symbol :

Connection lines are identified by pyramid symbol and additionally with a green line at the pyramid's base.

Create absolute plane in connection with connection points

Every Connection point needs its Fixed plane.

The Base point indicates the starting point of a Connection line.

[Important] Important

The coordinates of the Base point must be conform to the connection point.

Fixed plane

Fixed plane

In the 3-D preview, the green coordinate axis identifies the Connection line .

The pyramid symbol , which is used for the connection point in the 3-D preview, is used identically for the connection lines.

[Note] Note

The connection line is always shown in the middle position.

Name convention plane - connection line

The name of the plane must be plane_<side_nr>.

In other words: The numerical value of a plane corresponds to the numerical value of the respective connection point (connection line):

plane_1 <-> side_1, plane_5a <-> side_5a, etc.

The sum of the numerical values of the opposite connection points must be the same. (In this example: 1+6, 2+5, the sum is 7 both times).