The following image shows the user interface when PARTdataManager is started.^[29]

PARTdataManager with tabbed page "Part selection"

Basically you can search for the desired part via index trees (e.g. Catalogs or Classes) whereon we do not focus in this example.

"Catalogs" tabbed page

"Classes" tabbed page

In the example in hand we will perform a Full-text search. This is opened and activated at program start by default.

Detailed information on all search methods is found under Section 3.1.6.4, “ Search methods ”.

Leave the presettings Search in all catalogs for parts and part families.

You can find detailed information on this under Section 3.1.6.2, “Determine catalog/classification/directory to be searched” and Section 3.1.6.3, “ Search for Parts | Part families and Parts ”.

Enter the following in the input field:

Cardan joint

You can find detailed information on this under Section 3.1.6.4.2, “ Full-text search ” or directly in the user interface with click on .

Click on Start search.

-> The search results are listed on an own tabbed page. The label shows the search parameters.

You can realize that you already reached the project level (deepest level of the index tree structure) at the respective icons (e.g. (part) or (assembly)^[30].

Perform a double-click on the desired part.

The Part view opens.

Part view

Note Via tabs you can switch between Part selection, Part view or Search results (label showing last search) anytime.

On the tabbed page Part view now determine the characteristic of the part.

The following figure shows the setting options of the Part view:

The default values, when opening the Part view ^[31] page, refer to a middle table row.

In the following the mode Vertical is used to specify values.

All variables are listed one below the other.

In the example in hand D2 is set to the value 63.

List view

The symbol is automatically changed from to .

List view

-> Thus the value is filtered (pinned).

-> At some depending variables (Z, PR, DR, TOL) with only one possible value the checkmark is displayed .

Detailed explanations on the symbols can be found under Section 3.1.7.2, “Determine characteristic in "Vertical" view ”.

Now variable D3 receives the value 12.

D3 is specified.

-> Now all variables are determined.

Note Note concerning existing ERP integration When pinning characteristics with existing ERP number, then all standard variables are uniquely determined and show a checkmark. This also applies for value range variables of the type Geometry attribute. Value range variables of the type Function attribute can still be determined without reversing prior selections. Value with existing ERP number pinned

3D view

In the 3D view you can view and test the part three dimensionally.

For this you have many additional functions.^{[32] [33]}

In order to inspect details you have the magnifying glass function available.

3D view with magnifying glass

The docking window Technical details shows Dimensioning views.(e.g. Front view, Side view) and Display mode.

If there are selection options select the desired one in the list field.

Dimensioning view "Front view"

At Assemblies, yon can see the bill of material under docking window Assembly -> tabbed page Bill of material. The number of single parts is shown under Amount.

In the docking window Links, parts similar in construction are shown.

Links (here with selection "Directory")

???By double-clicking on a part you can load it directly.

Export

If you are happy with your selection you can export the part or assembly to your CAD system.

Click on the icon Transfer to CAD .^[34]

Note The button remains active regardless of whether you keep opening from the PARTsolutions menu or whether you switch directly to the PARTdataManager.[a]

[a] If a "valid" model is opened in the CAD system, the button is automatically active in the PARTdataManager.

Via Export in file you can also export the part onto your hard drive in various formats.^[35]

Export

2D derivation (optional)

Should you want to export the part to a 2D CAD system, you must first create a 2D derivation.

Click on the 2D view button.

-> The 2D view window shows up.

2D view

Select a view. Here in the example Frame DIN (BOM) is chosen.^[36]

Now export the part as described in the last point.

Note When using a 2D CAD and clicking on the button Transfer to CAD, without having created a 2D derivation, a default derivation is transferred to the CAD system. Information on setting options is found under Section 3.3.8, “"Export to CAD" tabbed page ”.

We will perform a Full-text search with the following settings:

In the input field for the full-text search also complex expressions can be used.

Click on Start search.

-> The view changes to the Search results tabbed page. In the result list you can find concrete single parts, which meet the condition. The respective icon signalizes that single parts are displayed .

Due to the variable specification in the search results list only correct characteristics are displayed.

In the Summary column the variables are displayed. You see, that only characteristics are displayed, which meet the condition in the full-text search input field.

Also see Section 3.1.6.7, “ Search results ”.

Two hits shall be loaded into the Part comparison now:

For the first hit to be loaded click on the icon Load as first part and for the second one click on the icon Load as second part .

-> The docking window Part comparison is opened. The number of opened parts is shown on the tab.

You can transfer parts directly from the search results list into the part comparison.

Here you can check the loaded parts in many respects. Detailed information on this can be found under Section 3.1.6.10, “ Part comparison ”.

At the desired part, click on the icon Export to CAD .

-> The desired part is transferred into the CAD system via interface.

Detailed information on this is found under Section 2.6.1, “ Insert model (3D) from the Standard and supplier parts library ”.