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Forums > COE Forums > CATIA V5
Axis System Exporting to IGES
Last Post 08 May 2009 03:32 PM by GSAUN. 8 Replies.
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KBRAND
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08 May 2009 05:36 AM  

Hello COE Community,

I have a basic example below on what I am trying to accomplish. Our Analyst is  requesting that we output an IGES file of our CATProduct. Which is straight forward enough however the question relates to manipulating the axis system of  the CATProduct so the IGES output is in the correct postion.

Image 1 illistrates the CATProduct. Notice that the first component brought into the product is the part labeled "Master Axis System". This part only contains an axis system and a sketch that has the 6 points where the washers are contained to.

Image 2 is the resulting IGES output. Notice that the "Master Axis System's" axis system is used as the default axis system in the IGES file. Is there a way to select which axis system I want to be the default in the IGES output? For example what if I wanted it to be the axis sytem in Washer.3? Is this possible and how do I do it? What is the best methodoligy when dealing with situations like this?
Kyle Brand
University of Delaware
Center for Composite Materials
www.ccm.udel.edu
PBARNA
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08 May 2009 07:37 AM  
Hello Kyle,
I have had this problem also. I have to give others working in different programs, files I work on. Mind you I create tooling for holding parts being programed and machined. So, what I do always when starting a Product is I create a part file first with nothing in it just an axis system. Name it Setup part. This part is always the first part into my product and as soon as I insert it in, I anchor it immediately. Then I put in the another parts into the product by constraining them accordingly mindful where I want the home to be or origin when programing. So, 1. Insert Setup part, anchor it. 2. Insert Part to be programed in position with the home sharing the setup parts home fully constrained. 3. Then I build my fixture around this.
What happens is when the setup part goes in it shares the hidden axis system in the product. Anchoring it and then hiding in the tree or un hiding gives you clear access to the system in the product. Anyways this works for me.
HTH
Philip Barna
Arden Engineering Inc.
Tooling Design\Programming 3-5 Axis
V5 R19 SP5 (design) SP6 (MFG)
Learning all the time and Loving Life.
PBARNA
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08 May 2009 08:20 AM  

Also this method is useful because when I want to change the axis system output I just constrain the Programed part differently to the setup part (first part inserted and anchored). It maybe that your first part in contained data. Data you constrained to. I don't know. But if you where to constrain the washers axis system to the "1st part in" axis system with constraints it may work for you better.

Another note is if you constrain only one washer to the "setup part/product" axis system, then the other washers to the first washer only having the first washer related to the product axis system it makes it easier to move that axis system arond when needed.
Philip Barna
Arden Engineering Inc.
Tooling Design\Programming 3-5 Axis
V5 R19 SP5 (design) SP6 (MFG)
Learning all the time and Loving Life.
KBRAND
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08 May 2009 11:37 AM  
Phillip,

Thank you for the feedback. We are also attacking this from a similar standpoint of a part file that is exclusivily used for the "master axis system". It would be interesting to see what other methods are out there along with what Dasault's approach toward this is would be. To me (only my opnion) it feels like a work around. And it would be great if upon exporting CATIA would prompt me for an axis system of my choosing. Is there an option or functionality to do this that I am unaware of?

What happens is when the setup part goes in it shares the hidden axis system in the product.


You spoke of the hidden axis system in the product....is there any way to see this axis system?
Kyle Brand
University of Delaware
Center for Composite Materials
www.ccm.udel.edu
PBARNA
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08 May 2009 11:54 AM  

Kyle,
I have spoke of this before to many others. DS needs to have 3 planes and an axis system present and viewable when starting a Product (Solidworks does...). I mean it's obviously there so show the dang thing so we can relate items to it and constrain. So no I don't know of a way to un hide the hidden system. Only that I have noticed when ever inserting a part or component into a Product the inserting part axis system gets inserted married up with the would be product axis system. That is why before the product gets enhanced with a ton of constrains and parts. Start clean. Insert a clean Part with nothing more than a Axis system and Anchor it. NOW that is the Product system. In theory it works and does for me.
I hate it when I forget to place the Setup part in first.

Philip Barna
Arden Engineering Inc.
Tooling Design\Programming 3-5 Axis
V5 R19 SP5 (design) SP6 (MFG)
Learning all the time and Loving Life.
BFELSHER
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08 May 2009 12:40 PM  
That's a good way to do it Phil.

Another, is to create a new Catpart. Copy/paste special as link the part body into that one. Reconstrain the new part in the product to where you want it come out, or just translate the linked body within the new catpart. Save as IGES. It will be where you want it. This also works for STL files, and STEP of course.
Bryan Felsher
True Precision
BFELSHER
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08 May 2009 12:42 PM  
PS, Phil. I do the same thing as you, but I use powercopy. I'm going to email you the master powercopy axis system. All you need to do is create a point, and then instantiate from this file which I send you.
Bryan Felsher
True Precision
KBRAND
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08 May 2009 12:52 PM  

Great guys. Thanks for the help. Phil smells like a possible enhancement request? Because I believe other CAD systems have the skeleton axis system in the Product file. Surely would be useful because it does suck forgetting the axis system "part" in the begining.

Bryan, could you possibly email that the power copy to me too? Thanks.
Kyle Brand
University of Delaware
Center for Composite Materials
www.ccm.udel.edu
GSAUN
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08 May 2009 03:32 PM  
Nice method Phil.

Bryan, addressing your method, here is what I do which avoids translations, rotations and such. First I create an axis in the CATPart that I want to be the anchor of the whole mess. I'll refer to this as the "Anchor". Then I create the new CATPart as you suggested, but I align the Absolute Coordinate System of the new CATPart to the axis created in the "Anchor". I then "copy/paste as link" the Part Body from the "Anchor" into the newly created CATPart. Whalla! It will be located where you want it in relationship to the axis and is still perfectly aligned with your original part. I've never tried to do a whole assembly before, but I'm guessing it would work.
Gary Saunders
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