Assembly Design Preface What's New?

Getting Started Basic Tasks Advanced Tasks Workbench Description Customizing Glossary Index

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Preface
CATIA - Assembly Design Version 5 workbench allows the design of assemblies with an intuitive and flexible user interface. As a scalable workbench, CATIA - Assembly Design Version 5 can be cooperatively used with other current companion products such as CATIA - Part Design Version 5 and CATIA Generative Drafting Version 5. The widest application portfolio in the industry is also accessible through interoperability with CATIA Solutions Version 4 to enable support of the full product development process from initial concept to product in operation. Digital Mock-Up (DMU) Navigator Version 5 inspection capabilities can also be used to review and check your assemblies. Interactive, variable-speed techniques such as walk-through and fly as well as other viewing tools let you visually navigate through large assemblies. The CATIA - Assembly Design User's Guide has been designed to show you how to create an assembly starting from scratch. This book aims at illustrating the several stages of creation you may encounter. The information contained in this guide is specific to Version 5 Release 5 of the CATIA Assembly Design workbench, which operates in a WINDOWS or UNIX workstation environment under the AIX, IRIX, SUN OS and HP-UX operating system. Using This Guide More Information

Using This Guide

This book is intended for the user who needs to become quickly familiar with the CATIA Assembly Design Version 5 workbench. The user should be familiar with basic CATIA Version 5 concepts such as document windows, standard and view toolbars. To get the most out of this guide, we suggest you start reading and performing the step-by-step tutorial Getting Started. This tutorial will show you how to create an assembly. For performing Basic Tasks, you will use the samples contained in C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B05doc\online\asmug\samples directory. For users who already know how to use the basic capabilities provided by the workbench, we recommend you read the Advanced User Tasks.

Where to Find More Information

Prior to reading this book, we recommend that you read CATIA- Infrastructure User's Guide Version 5. CATIA- Part Design User's Guide Version 5 , CATIA- Generative Drafting User's Guide Version 5 and CATIA - V4 Integration User's Guide Version 5 may prove useful too. See also the Conventions used in this guide.

What's New?
New Task: the Weld Planner capability lets you specify weld annotations New Task: the Smart Move capability combines the Manipulate and Snap capabilities. New Task: there is now a separate Update setting for Assembly New Task: Update analysis Enhanced: the option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for the following commands: Snap, Publication Management Reuse Pattern Define Multi-Instantiation Manipulate Translate Rotate Update Enhanced: Orientation vectors are now available for the following constraints: coincidence offset parallelism

Enhanced: Fix Together

Enhanced: Exploding a constrained assembly

Getting Started
Before we discuss the detailed instructions for using the Assembly workbench, the following scenario aims at giving you a feel for what you can do with an Assembly document. You just need to follow the instructions as you progress. The Getting Started section is composed of the following tasks: Entering the Workbench Fixing a Component Inserting an Existing Component Setting Constraints Moving Adding and Renaming a New Component Designing a Part Editing a Parameter Replacing a Component Analyzing Constraints Reconnecting Constraints Detecting Clashes Editing and a Component Bill of Material Exploding the Assembly This scenario should take about 15 minutes to complete. Eventually, the assembly will look like this:

Entering Assembly Design Workbench and Opening a CATProduct Document

This first task shows you how to enter Assembly Design workbench and how to open an existing product. 1. Select the Start -> Mechanical Design -> Assembly Design command to launch the required workbench. The workbench is opened. The commands for assembling parts are available in the toolbar to the right of the application window. You will notice that "Product1" is displayed in the specification tree, indicating the building block of the assembly to be created.

To know how to use the commands available in the Standard and View toolbars located in the application window border, please refer to CATIA- Infrastructure User's Guide Version 5.

2. Before following the scenario, set the following options: make sure the option Work with the cache system is deactivated : use the Tools -> Options command, click Infrastructure -> Product Structure to the left of the dialog box that appears and uncheck the option Work with the cache system. Do not forget to restart CATIA after turning off the cache. For more information, refer to Using the Cache Memory. use the Tools -> Options command, click Infrastructure -> Product Structure to the left of the dialog box that appears, then click the Product Structure tab and uncheck the option Manual Input. For more information, refer to Customizing the Product Structure Settings. use the Tools -> Options command, click Mechanical Design ->Part to the left of the dialog box that appears, then click the General tab and check the option Keep link with selected Object. For more information, refer to Customizing General Settings.

Note also that the default mode for the Update capability is "manual". For the purposes of this scenario, set the automatic mode. 3. Open GettingStarted.CATProduct. You will start the scenario with an existing assembly. Product1 is composed of three parts created in the Part Design Workbench: 1. CRIC_FRAME (in turquoise) 2. CRIC_BRANCH_3 (in blue) 3. CRIC_BRANCH_1 (in red) From now on, these parts will be referred to as 'components'.

Surface and Coincidence constraints have been defined for these parts in the Assembly workbench. 4. Select Edit -> Representations -> Design Mode. This mode lets you access technical data. 5. Click the + sign to the left of the Constraints text in the tree and apply the show mode on these constraints if you wish to view them in the geometry area.

Fixing a Component
This task shows you how to set the first constraint. This operation consists in fixing the position of a component in space so as to use this component as the base of the assembly. 1. Select CRIC_FRAME in the specification tree or in the geometry area. 2. Click the Fix icon. The component CRIC_FRAME is immediately fixed. The application indicates this by displaying a green anchor symbol on the component.

Note also that the Constraints branch now displays the new constraint. The anchor symbol is preceded by a lock symbol, to make a distinction between "fix in space" and "fix operations". For more information, pleaser refer to Fixing a Component.

Inserting an Existing Component

This task shows you how to insert an existing component into the assembly. 1. Select Product1 in the specification tree. 2. Click the Insert Existing Component icon . The Insert an Existing dialog box is displayed. 3. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B05doc\online\asmug\samples directory and select Sub_Product1.CATProduct

4. Click Open. A new component is added to the specification tree. The assembly now includes four components: three parts and a sub-assembly.

This is the component you have just imported:

Setting Constraints Between Components

This task consists in setting a coincidence constraint, then a contact constraint between the component you have just inserted (Sub_Product1) and CRIC_BRANCH_1. 1. Click the Coincidence icon .

2. Select Axis in the geometry area. The application detects it once selected. The axis is now highlighted in the geometry.

3. Select one of the two inner faces of CRIC_BRANCH_1 to select the associated axis.

As the coincidence constraint is created, CRIC_SCREW and CRIC_BRANCH_1 are aligned:

4. Now, you are going to set a contact constraint between CRIC_SCREW and a circular face of CRIC_BRANCH_1. To do so, click the Contact Constraint icon .

5. Select the face as shown in the geometry area.

6.

Select the red circular face in the direction opposite to the published face.

As the contact constraint is created, the turquoise cylinder is located exactly on the red face.

The created constraints are automatically updated because the automatic update mode is activated. As the color defining valid constraints is green, our constraints are green. The application allows you to customize constraint colors as explained in Customizing Constraint Appearance. The assembly now looks like this:

Moving Constrained Components Using the Compass

This task consists in manipulating the assembly to check if the components react the way we want, i.e. according to the constraints we set in the previous task. 1. Select the red patch at the center of the compass and drag it onto CRIC_SCREW. For details about how to use the compass, please refer to CATIA- Infrastructure User's Guide Version 5. As the compass is snapped to the component, you can manipulate the component.

2. Now, if you press and hold down the Shift key, select v/z axis on the compass, then drag and drop the component up and down, you can see that three components are moving. This is an example of what we can get:

3. Repeat the operation as many times as you wish. The assembly reacts correctly. CRIC_FRAME does not move because it is fixed. The other three components can move.

4.

Release the left mouse button before releasing the Shift key.

5. Drag the compass away from the selected object and drop it.

Adding and Renaming a New Component

This task consists in adding a new component to the assembly. You will then rename this component. This component is a part created in the Part Design workbench. 1. Click Product1 and select the New Part icon.

The New Part: Origin Point dialog box appears, presenting two possible options: Either you define the point of your choice to locate the new part, or you use the origin point of the assembly as the origin point to be used for the part. 2. Click No to use the origin point of the assembly. The new component "Part5 (Part5.1)" is now displayed in the specification tree:

If the Manual Input option is activated (see Defining the Default Part Number), the Part Number dialog box appears before the New Part: Origin Point dialog box and lets you enter the name of your choice. 3. Click Part5 (Part5.1) and select the Properties... contextual command. 4. In the Properties dialog box that appears, click the Product tab. The options available have been designed to let you enter the information you required.

5. Enter CRIC_JOIN in the Part Number field and CRIC_JOIN.1 in the Instance name field. 6. Click OK to validate the operation. The new names are now displayed in the specification tree:

Designing a Part in an Assembly Context

This task consists in designing the part you have just added to the assembly. It shows you how easy it is to access the tools required for designing components in an assembly context. 1. Double-click CRIC_JOIN in the specification tree to access the Part Design workbench.

2.

Select the blue face as shown and click to access the the Sketcher icon Sketcher workbench.

3.

Now that you are in the Sketcher, click the icon and sketch a circle normal view on the face using the Circle command . Do not bother about positioning the circle.

4.

Now to obtain the same radius value as the one used for the circular edge and make sure the circle and the circular edge share the same axis, use the Constraint command create a coincidence constraint. to

After validating the operation, the circle is coincident with the circular edge. You must obtain this:

5. Use the Pad command with the "Up to Plane" option to extrude the sketched circle. Select the blue face as shown to specify the limit of the pad.

After validating the operation, you should obtain this cylinder: The part is designed.

For information about Part Design, refer to CATIA- Part Design User's Guide Version 5 .

Editing a Parameter
In this task, you are going to edit the diameter of the pocket belonging to CRIC_BRANCH_3. You will see how this edition affects the part you created in the previous task.

1. 2.

Double-click CRIC_BRANCH_3 to access the Part Design workbench. Select Pocket.2 and use the Pocket.2 -> Edit Parameters contextual command to display the associated parameters.

3. 4.

Double-click D11 in the geometry area to display the Constraint Edition dialog box. Enter 20 as the new diameter value and click OK to compute the new pocket.

5.

Update Product1 by double-clicking on Product1 in the specification tree. The pocket is modified accordingly. The coincidence previously set between the two parts is maintained. This result is made possible thanks to the option Keep link with selected Object you set at the very beginning of the scenario.

Replacing a Component
This task shows you how to replace Sub_Product1.CATProduct by another component. 1. Select Sub_Product1.CATProduct in the specification tree. 2. Click the Replace Components icon . 3. In the dialog box that appears, select Sub_Product2.CATProduct as the replacement component and click Open. Sub_Product1.CATProduct is no longer visible. This is Sub_Product2.CATProduct:

Note that the coincidence constraint is maintained. This is due to the publication of the axis used in the constraint definition. As the axis is a published element, the application can reconnect the constraint. Conversely, the contact constraint is broken. You will know how to reconnect it later.

Analyzing Assembly Constraints

This task shows you how to analyze the status of all assembly constraints defined for Product1. 1. Select the Analyze -> Constraints... command. The Constraint Analysis dialog box that appears displays all the information you need. The Constraints tab contains a detailed status of the assembly: the number of non-constrained components and the status of the defined constraints.

2.

Click the Broken tab to see the list of broken constraints. We have only one broken constraint, a contact constraint. Click on the name of the constraint. The constraint is highlighted in the specification tree.

3.

4.

Click on OK to close the dialog box. Reconnecting this contact constraint is our next task.

Reconnecting a Broken Constraint

In this task, you will learn how to reconnect the broken constraint detected by the application. 1. Double-click the broken constraint in the specification tree. Note that this broken constraint is indicated by a yellow warning symbol.

2. In the Constraint Edition dialog box that appears, click More to access additional information. 3. Click Disconnected in the Status frame, then Reconnect...

4.

You are then prompted to select a component to rebuild the constraint. Select the same face as the one used for setting the first contact constraint. If you need some help, refer to Setting Constraints Between Components.

5.

Click OK to validate the operation. The constraint is reconnected:

Detecting Clashes
In this task, you will learn how to detect possible clashes between two components. 1. Select CRIC_BRANCH_1.1 in the specification tree.

Select the Analyze -> Compute Clash... command. 2. The Clash Detection dialog box appears. It displays the first component selected for computing possible clashes.

3. As you need another component, select SUB_PRODUCT2 using the Ctrl key. This component also appears in the dialog box.

4. Click Apply to compute clashes. The application detects a clash between the brown cylinder and the red face. This is indicated by two red circles in the geometry, as the arrow shows in the figure below:

The result of the computation also appears in the dialog box.

Well, now that you know that your assembly needs to be modified to work properly, let's edit the cylinder.

Editing a Component
This task shows you how to edit the component causing the problem. 1. Double-click the brown cylinder to access the Part Design workbench.

2. Double-click the cylinder again to edit it. The Pad definition dialog box is displayed. 3. Enter 20mm to reduce the pad length and click OK.

4. The cylinder is updated and now looks like this:

Displaying the Bill of Material

This task shows you how to access all the information available about the structure of the assembly.

1.

Return to Assembly Design workbench and select the Analyze -> Bill of Material... command. The Bill of Material is displayed.

It is composed of these sections: Bill of Material: lists all parts and sub-products one after the other Recapitulation: displays the total number of parts used in the product Define formats: customizes the display of the bill of material The Listing Report tab displays the tree of the product using indents

2.

If you wish, you can save this document using the html format or the txt format. Just click the Save As... button, then give a name and the appropriate extension to your file. For more information about the bill of material, refer to Displaying the Bill of Material.

Exploding the Assembly

This last task illustrates the use of the Explode capability. Exploding the view of an assembly means separating the components of this assembly to see their relationships. 1. Make sure Product 1 is selected. 2. Click the Explode icon . The Explode dialog box is displayed.

Product 1 is the assembly to be exploded. The Depth parameter lets you choose between a total (All levels) or partial (First level) exploded view. 3. Set All levels if not already set. 4. Set 3D to define the explode type.

5. Click Apply to perform the operation. The Scroll Explode field gradually displays the progress of the operation. The application assigns directions and distance. Once complete, the assembly looks like this:

The usefulness of this operation lies in the ability of viewing all components separately.

6. Click OK to validate the operation or click Cancel to restore the original view. Well, you have done all the tasks of the Getting Started section. Why not consult the rest of the documentation?

Basic Tasks
Here is the list of the tasks you will perform in this section: Creating an Assembly Document Inserting Documents from a Catalog Defining a Multi-Instantiation Fast Multi-Instantiation Assembly Constraints Analyzing an Assembly Moving Components Using Assembly Tools

Creating an Assembly Document

This task will show you how to enter the Assembly Design workbench to create a new assembly from scratch. 1. Select the Start -> Mechanical Design -> Assembly Design command to launch the required workbench.

The Assembly Design workbench is opened. The commands for assembling different components are available in the toolbar to the right of the application window. You can see that "Product1" is displayed in the specification tree, indicating the building block of the assembly to be created.

It contains: a specification tree to the left of the application window specific toolbars to the right of the application window a number of contextual commands available in the specification tree and in the geometry. Note that these commands can also be accessed from the menu bar.

Inserting CATPart or CATProduct Documents from a Catalog

This task shows you how to copy CATPart or CATProduct documents from a catalog into an existing assembly. Open the ManagingComponents01.CATProduct document. 1. Open a catalog, for example the FASTENERS.catalog that you created in Creating a Catalog. Double-click on the main chapter, FASTENERS. Find the chapter containing the entity you want to copy into the assembly.

2. Double-click on this chapter, SCREWS for example. The following dialog box appears:

3. Click on the entity you wish to copy and either click the Copy icon Edit->Copy command. or select the

4. Select the appropriate target i.e. the main product item or any CATProduct document in the specification tree and retrieve the entity from the clipboard by clicking the Paste icon or selecting the Edit->Paste command.

Defining a Multi-Instantiation
This task shows you how to repeat components as many times as you wish in the direction of your choice. The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for this command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode. Open the Multi_Instantiation.CATProduct document. 1. Select the component you wish to instantiate, that is CRIC_BRANCH_3.

2. Click the Define Multi-Instantiation icon . The Multi-Instantiation dialog box is displayed, indicating the name of the component to be instantiated. The shortcut Ctrl + E calls the command too.

3. The Parameters option lets you choose between the following categories of parameters to define: Instances & Spacing Instances & Length Spacing & Length Keep the Instances & Spacing parameters option and enter 3 as the number of instances and 90mm as the value for the spacing between each component.

4. To define the direction of creation, check x axis. There is another way of defining a direction. You can select a line, axis or edge in the geometry. In this case, the coordinates of these elements appear in the Result field. Clicking the Reverse button reverses the direction.

CATIA previews the location of the new components:

5. Make sure the option Define as Default is on. If it is so, the parameters you have just defined are saved and will be reused by the Fast Multi-Instantiation command. 6. Click OK to create the components. Three additional components are created in the x direction. The tree displays them as well.

The Apply button executes the command but the dialog box remains open so as to let you repeat the operation as may times as you wish.

Fast Multi-Instantiation
This task shows you how to repeat components using the parameters previously set in the Define Multi_Instantiation command. You will use the Fast Multi-Instantiation command to quickly repeat the component of your choice. The operation is very simple. Make sure the option Work with the cache system is deactivated (for more refer to Using the Cache Memory) and open the Fast_Multi_Instantiation.CATProduct document.

1. Select the component you wish to instantiate, that is CRIC_BRANCH_3.

2. Click the Fast Multi-Instantiation icon . The shortcut Ctrl + D calls the command too. The result is immediate. Three components are created according to the parameters defined in the Multi-Instantiation dialog box.

Using Assembly Constraints

This section describes the notions and operating modes you will need to set and use constraints in your assembly structure. Constraints allow you to position mechanical components correctly in relation to the other components of the assembly. You just need to specify the type of constraints you wish to set up between two components, and the system will place the components exactly the way you want. You can also use constraints to indicate the mechanical relationships between components. In this case, constraints are included in the specifications of your assembly.

About Assembly Constraints Create a Coincidence Constraint: Click this icon, select the faces to be constrained and enter the properties of the constraint in the dialog box. Create a Contact Constraint: Click this icon and select the faces to be constrained. Create an Offset Constraint: Click this icon, select the faces to be constrained and enter the properties of the constraint in the dialog box. Create an Angle Constraint: Click this icon, select the faces to be constrained and enter the properties of the constraint in the dialog box. Fix a Component: Click this icon and select component to be fixed. Fix Components Together: Click this icon, select the components to be fixed and enter a name for this group in the dialog box. Quick Constraint: Check the list of constraint creation, click the icon and select the elements to be constrained. Change Constraint: Select the constraint to be changed, click this icon and select the new type of constraint in the dialog box.

Deactivate or Activate Constraints: Select the constraint to be (de)activated and click this icon. Select the Constraints of Given Components: Select the components, right-click and select xxx object -> Component Constraints contextual command.

Editing Constraints Update an Assembly: constraints displayed in black indicate they need an update. Just click this icon. Update One Constraint Only: Right-click the constraint to be updated and select the Update contextual command. Modify the Properties of a Constraint: Double-click the constraint and enter new properties in the dialog box. Use a Part Design Pattern: Select the pattern, select the component to be repeated, click this icon and enter the specifications in the dialog box.

About Assembly Constraints

Setting constraints is rather an easy task. However, you should keep in mind the following: You can apply constraints only between the child components of the active component. You cannot define constraints between two geometric elements belonging to the same component. You cannot apply a constraint between two components belonging to the same subassembly if this subassembly is not the active component. The following figure illustrates what you are allowed to do:

(1) The constraint cannot be applied because Product K does not belong to the active component Product B. To define this constraint, Product A must be made active. (2) The constraint cannot be applied because Product E and Product F both belong to a component other than the active component Product B. To define this constraint, Product D must be made active. (3) The constraint can be applied since Product C belongs to the active component Product B and also Product E is contained within Product D which is contained within the active component Product B.

Symbols
The following table lists the symbols used to represent the constraints you can set between your components: Symbol used Constraints in the geometry area Symbol displayed in the specification tree

Coincidence

Contact

Contact (point)

Contact (line)

Offset

Angle Planar Angle

Parallelism

Perpendicularity

Fix

Note also that deactivated constraints are preceded by the symbol

( ) in the specification tree.

The application lets you customize the creation of constraints. Please refer to Setting Constraint Creation. Do not mistake the active component for the selected component:

The active component is blue framed (default color) and underlined. It is activated by double-clicking.

The selected component is orange framed (default color). It is selected by clicking.

When you set a constraint, there are no rules to define the fixed and the movable component during the selection. If you want to fix a component, use the Fix command. See Fixing a Component .

Creating a Coincidence Constraint

Coincidence-type constraints are used to align elements. Depending on the selected elements, you may obtain concentricity, coaxiality or coplanarity. The tolerance i.e. the smallest distance that can be used to differentiate two elements is set at 10 -3 millimeters. The following table shows the elements you can select.

Point Point Line Plane Planar Face Sphere (point) Cylinder (axis)

Line

Plane

Planar Face

Sphere (point)

Cylinder (axis)

This task consists in applying a constraint between two faces. Before constraining the desired components, make sure it belongs to a component defined as active (the active component is blue-framed and underlined). Open the Constraint1.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Coincidence Constraint icon . This command is also available from the Insert menu. 2. Select the face to be constrained, that is the red face as shown.

3. Select the second face to be constrained, that is the blue circular face in the direction opposite to the red face. Green arrows appear on the selected faces, indicating the orientations. The Constraint Properties dialog box that appears displays the properties of the constraint. The components involved and their status are indicated. You can define the orientation of the faces to be constrained by choosing the Opposite or Same option. For the purposes of our scenario, keep the Opposite option.

4. Click OK to create the coincidence constraint. As the coincidence constraint is created, the red component is moved so as to adopt its new position. Green graphic symbols are displayed in the geometry area to indicate that this constraint has been defined. This constraint is added to the specification tree too.

Graphic symbols used for constraints can be customized. For more information, refer to Setting Constraint Appearance .

Creating a Contact Constraint

Contact-type constraints can be created between two planes or faces. The common area between the two planes can be a plane (plane contact), a line (line contact) or a point (point contact). The following table shows the elements you can select.

Planar Face Planar Face Sphere Cylinder Cone Circle

Sphere

Cylinder

Cone

Circle

This task consists in applying a constraint between two faces. Before constraining the desired components, make sure it belongs to a component defined as active (the active component is blue framed and underlined). Open the Constraint7.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Contact Constraint icon . This command is also available from the Insert menu.

2.

Select the face to be constrained, that is the red face as shown.

3.

Select the second face to be constrained, that is the blue inner face in the direction opposite to the red face. As the contact constraint is created, the red component is moved so as to adopt its new position. Green graphic symbols are displayed in the geometry area to indicate that this constraint has been defined. This constraint is added to the specification tree too.

Graphic symbols used for constraints can be customized. For more information, refer to Setting the Constraints Appearance .

Creating an Offset Constraint

When defining an offset constraint between two components, you need to specify how faces should be oriented. The offset value is always displayed next to the offset constraint. The unit used is the unit displayed in the Units tab of the Tools -> Options dialog box. If you wish, you can customize it. The following table shows the elements you can select:

Point Point Line Plane Planar Face

Line

Plane

Planar Face

This task consists in applying an offset constraint between two faces.

Before constraining the desired components, make sure it belongs to a component defined as active (the active component is blue-framed and underlined). Open the AssemblyConstraint02.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Offset Constraint icon . This command is also available from the Insert menu. 2. Select the face to be constrained, that is the yellow face as shown.

3. Select the second face to be constrained, that is the blue face in the direction opposite to the yellow face.

Green arrows appear on the selected faces, indicating the orientations. The Constraint Properties dialog box that appears displays the properties of the constraint. The components involved and their status are indicated. You can define the orientation of the faces to be constrained by choosing the Opposite or Same option. For the purposes of our scenario, keep the Opposite option.

4. Enter 38 mm in the Offset field. 5. Click OK to create the offset constraint. As the offset constraint is created, the blue component is moved so as to adopt its new position. A green arrow is displayed in the geometry area to indicate that this constraint has been defined. The offset value is displayed too. This constraint is added to the specification tree too.

Graphic symbols used for constraints can be customized. For more information, refer to Setting Constraint Creation .

Creating an Angle Constraint

Angle-type constraints fall into three categories: Angle Parallelism (angle value equals zero) Now, when setting a parallelism constraint, green arrows appear on the selected faces to indicate the orientations.

Perpendicularity (angle value equals 90) When setting an angle constraint, you will have to define an angle value. Note that this angle value must not exceed 90. The tolerance i.e. the smallest angle that can be used to differentiate two elements is set at 10 -6 radians. The following table shows the elements you can select:

Line

Plane

Planar Face

Cylinder (axis)

Cone (axis)

Line

Plane

Planar Face Cylinder (axis) Cone (axis)

This task consists in setting an angle constraint between two planes.

Open the AssemblyConstraint03.CATProduct document.

Before constraining the desired components, make sure it belongs to a component defined as active (the active component is blue framed and underlined). 1. Click the Angle Constraint icon . This command is also available from the Insert menu. 2. Select the face to be constrained, that is the blue face as shown.

3. Select the second face to be constrained, that is the red face in the same direction of the blue face.

The Constraint Properties dialog box is displayed with the properties of the selected constraint and the list of available constraints: Perpendicularity Parallelism Angle Planar angle (an axis is to be selected. This axis must belong to both planes)

4. Keep the Angle option. 5. Enter 40 deg in the Angle field and keep Sector 1. Note that four sectors are availble. 6. Click OK to create the angle constraint. As the angle constraint is created, the red component is moved so as to adopt its new position. A green arrow is displayed in the geometry area to indicate that this constraint has been defined. The angle value is displayed too. This constraint is added to the specification tree too.

Fixing a Component
Fixing a component means preventing this component from moving from its parents during the update operation. There are two ways of fixing a component: by fixing its position according to the geometrical origin of the assembly, which means setting an absolute position. This operation is referred to as "Fix in space". by fixing its position according to other components, which means setting a relative position. This operation is referred to as "Fix". This scenario first shows you how to fix a component in space, then how to fix it. Before fixing the desired component, make sure it belongs to a component defined as active. Open the Fix.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Fix icon . This command is also available from the Insert menu. By default, the Fix command fixes components in space. 2. Select the component to be fixed, that is the light blue component. The constraint is created. A green anchor is displayed in the geometry area to indicate that this constraint has been defined.

A lock symbol preceding the anchor is displayed in the specification tree too:

Graphic symbols used for constraints can be customized. For more information, refer to Customizing Constraint Appearance . 3. Double-click the fix constraint you have just created to edit it.

4. 5.

In the dialog box that appears, click More to expand the dialog box. Uncheck the Fix in space option to the left of the dialog box. The lock symbol is no longer displayed in the specification tree, meaning that the component is positioned according to the other components only. Click OK to confirm the operation.

6.

Fixing Components Together

This task consists in fixing two components together. The Fix Together command attaches selected elements together. You can select as many components as you wish, but they must belong to the active component. Open the Fix.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Fix Together icon . This command is also available from the Insert menu and works both in design and visualization mode. 2. Select CRIC_FRAME. 3. Select CRIC_BRANCH_3. You can select the components in the specification tree or in the geometry area.

4. The Fix Together dialog box appears, displaying the list of selected components. To remove a component from the list, just click it.

5. In the Name field, enter a new name for the group of components you want to create. For instance, enter FT1. 6. Click OK. The components are attached to each other. Moving one of them moves the other one too. The specification tree displays this operation.

Because you can inadvertently move these components, the application displays a warning message to remind you that you are moving components fixed together. If you prefer not to see such a message, just deactivate the display option. To know more about this option, refer to Setting Warning Message Display.

A Few Notes about Fix Together

You can select a set of attached components to apply the Fix Together command between this set and other components. You can set constraints between components belonging to a set of components fixed together. If you set a constraint between a component and a set of attached components, the whole set is affected by the constraint. You can now deactivate or activate a set of attached components by using the Deactivate/Activate contextual command available in the specification tree. Red parentheses preceding the graphic symbol indicate deactivated sets.

Using the Quick Constraint Command

The Quick Constraint command creates the first possible constraint as specified in the priority list. This task consists in using this command to create two constraints. Open the QuickConstraint.CATProduct document. 1. Make sure the list specifying the order of constraint creation is composed as follows: 1. Surface contact 2. Coincidence 3. Offset 4. Angle 5. Parallelism For more about this list, please refer to Setting the Quick Constraint Command. 2. Double-click the Quick Constraint icon Select the axis as shown. .

3. Select the axis of AXIS_BRANCH_3. As the application cannot set a surface contact due to the type of selected elements, it creates the second optional constraint mentioned in the list, that is a coincidence constraint.

4. Now select the faces as shown:

The first constraint in the list can now be set. A surface contact constraint is created.

Graphic symbols used for constraints can be customized. For more information, refer to Setting Constraint Appearance .

Changing Constraints
Changing a constraint means replacing the type of this constraint by another type. This operation is possible depending on the supporting elements. You can select any constraints, not necessarily in the active component. This task consists in changing the parallelism constraint into an offset constraint. Open the AssemblyConstraint05.CATProduct document. 1. Select the constraint to be changed.

2. Click the Change Constraint icon . The Change Type dialog box that appears, displays all possible constraints.

3. Select the new type of constraint. For the purposes of our scenario, select Offset.

4. Click Apply to preview the constraint in the specification tree and the geometry. 5. Click OK to validate the operation.

Deactivating or Activating Constraints

Deactivating or activating constraints means specifying if these constraints must be taken into account during updates or not. This task consists in deactivating then activating a constraint. Open the AnalyzingAssembly04.CATProduct document and make sure the Design Mode is on. 1. Select any activated constraint. For example, select Coincidence.3.

2. Click the Activate/Deactivate Constraints icon . The constraint is deactivated. The graphic symbol representing the deactivated constraint is now displayed in white. Red parentheses precede the constraint in the specification tree.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to activate the selected constraint.

Selecting the Constraints of Given Components

This task consists in selecting all the constraints defined for a component. You can only select child components of the active component. The Component Constraints command allows you to select the constraints linked to one or more selected components. These components are child components of the active component. Open the GettingStarted.CATProduct document and use the Show capability if the constraints are not visible. 1. Select the component whose constraints are to be selected. Multiselection is also possible.

2. Right-click and select CRIC_FRAME.1 object -> Component Constraints contextual command. The application highlights two constraints, both in the specification tree and the geometry area.

Editing Constraints In the following tasks, you will learn how to cut and paste , copy and paste and even delete constraints. Concerning angle and offset constraints, you can copy or cut then paste their values. Cutting and Pasting a Constraint This task consists in cutting and pasting a constraint. 1. Click the constraint of interest. You can select the constraint in the specification tree or in the geometry. 2. Then click the Cut icon .

This command is also available from the Edit menu or contextual menu. The constraint is cut. You can now paste it. 3. Click the Paste icon The constraint is pasted.

Copying and Pasting a Constraint

This task consists in copying and pasting a constraint. 1. Click a constraint. You can select the constraint in the specification tree or in the geometry. 2. Then click the Copy icon .

This command is also available from the Edit menu or contextual menu.

3. Click the Paste icon The constraint is copied.

Deleting Constraints This task shows you how to delete a constraint. 1. Right-click the constraint to be deleted. You can select the constraint in the specification tree or in the geometry. 2. Then select Delete from the contextual menu. This command is also available from the Edit menu. Pressing the Delete key deletes the constraint too. The constraint is deleted.

Updating an Assembly
This section describes how to update the whole assembly. Updating an assembly means updating its components as well as its constraints. The application lets you choose between updating the whole assembly or the components of your choice. The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for this command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode.

The constraints are in black, indicating they need an update. The default color is black, but the application allows you to redefine the colors you want. To do so, refer to Setting Constraint Appearances.

1. Select the Tools -> Options command, then expand the Mechanical Design section to the left to access Assembly Design options. You can choose between two update modes within the Assembly Design workbench: Automatic Manual Note that this is a way of enhancing productivity: for instance, you can now use the automatic update mode when designing your parts in Assembly context, while having the Manual update mode activated for your assembly. You can also define whether you need to update the active level or all the levels.

2. Check the Manual option in the Update frame.

3. Click OK to confirm and close the dialog box. 4. Click the Update icon to update the whole assembly.

The assembly is updated. Graphic symbols are green, indicating that the constraints are valid.

To update only some components, select the components of interest and use the Update contextual command. Note however that applying the contextual command to a component may sometimes induce a general update if the assembly is a complex one made up of several components.

See also Analyzing Updates.

Updating One Constraint Only

When you need to update your constraints, either you update all the constraints of the active component or update one or more constraints of the active component. By default, constraints needing an update are displayed in black. To redefine the colors of the constraints, please refer to Setting Constraint Appearance. This task consists in updating the constraints you explicitly specify.

1.

Right-click the constraint to be updated. Constraints needing an update are displayed with specific graphic properties. The Properties dialog box indicates too if constraints need updates or not. For more information, please refer to Modifying the Properties of a Constraint. You can select the constraint in the specification tree or in the geometry.

2.

Select Update from the contextual menu. The selected constraint is updated.

3. 4. 5.

Click the second constraint to be updated. Control-right-click the third constraint to be updated. Select the Update contextual command. The two selected constraints are updated too. Remember, valid constraints are green by default.

Modifying the Properties of a Constraint

This task consists in modifying the mechanical properties and attributes of a constraint.

Open the AssemblyConstraint02.CATProduct document and create an offset constraint. 1. Right-click the offset constraint to be modified. You can select the constraint in the specification tree or in the geometry.

2. Select Properties from the contextual menu. The Properties dialog box is displayed.

The Constraint tab displays the name of the constraint as well as the name of the supporting components. The status is also indicated. In our scenario, the constraint is connected. To find out how to reconnect broken or misconnected constraints, please refer to Reconnecting Constraints.

3. Enter a new value in the Offset field. For example, enter 50 mm. 4. Set the Orientation option to Same so as to reverse the blue component. 5. Click the Mechanical tab. 6. Three attributes characterize constraints: Deactivated: deactivated constraints are not taken into account when updating the assembly To update: the constraint does not reflect the latest changes to the assembly Unresolved: the application detects problems 7. Click Deactivated. The constraint is modified accordingly. Note that parentheses precede the constraint value, indicating that the constraint is deactivated. These brackets precede the name of the constraint in the specification tree too. The color of the graphic symbol is modified.

The Graphic tab lets you define the graphic properties of your constraint. To find out how to do so, refer to CATIA- Infrastructure User's Guide Version 5.

Instead of using the Properties contextual command as described in this task, you can double-click the constraint to be edited, which displays the related dialog box:

Using a Part Design Pattern

This task shows you how to repeat a component using a pattern created in Part Design. Three types of patterns are available: Rectangular pattern Circular pattern User pattern

The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for the Reuse Pattern command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode. Open the Pattern.CATProduct document. 1. Select any pattern in the tree, for example the rectangular pattern:

2.

Select the component to be repeated, that is Part2. Selecting a constraint linking a pattern to a component selects both the pattern and the component.

3. Click the Reuse Pattern icon . The Instantiation on a pattern dialog box is displayed, indicating the name of the pattern, the number of instances to be created (for information only) and the name of the component to be repeated.

4.

To define the first instance, three options are available. reuse the original component: the original component is located on the pattern, but remains at the same location in the tree. create a new instance: the original component does not move and a new one is created on the pattern. cut & paste the original component: the original component is located on the pattern and is moved in the tree. For our scenario, make sure the option re-use the original component is on.

5.

Now in the Reuse Constraints section you can define whether you wish to reproduce the original constraints or not by checking one of the following options: All None Selected For our scenario, choose the Selected option. You will notice that the field below displays the constraints detected. To unselect a constraint, just click on it.

6.

To control the display of the components in the tree, two options are available: either you check the option Put new instances in a component to gather all instances in the same component, or not. Check the option.

7.

Click OK to repeat the screw. 31 instances are created on the pattern. The original component remains at the same location and the new component is displayed in the tree.

The Apply button executes the command but the dialog box remains open so as to let you repeat the operation as may times as you wish.

Setting a Constraint Creation Mode

This task shows you how to set one of the three modes available to create constraints. These modes are: Default mode Chain mode Stack mode Open the Constraint_Creation.CATProduct document. Default mode 1. Click the Default mode icon if not already activated. This mode lets you create as many constraints as you wish by explicitly selecting two geometrical elements. In our example, you can set an offset constraint between the highlighted face and the face of another geometrical element. For the purposes of this scenario, double-click the offset constraint permanently active. icon to make it

The offset constraint icon still active, you can then set another offset constraint between two other faces.

2. For the purposes of our scenario, delete these constraints.

Chain mode 1. Click the Chain icon. This mode lets you create as many constraints as you wish by always reusing the last face you selected.

2. The offset constraint icon still active, you can then set another offset constraint between the second face you selected and any other face.

3. The offset constraint icon still active, you can then set another offset constraint between the third face you selected and any other face.

And so on... 4. For the purposes of our scenario, delete these constraints.

Stack mode 1. Click the Stack icon. This mode lets you create as many constraints as you wish by reusing the very first face you selected to create the first constraint.

2. The offset constraint icon still active, you can then set another offset constraint between the first face you selected and any other face.

3. The offset constraint icon still active, you can then set another offset constraint between the first face you selected and any other face.

4. And so on...

Analyzing an Assembly
Compute a Clash: Select Analyze -> Compute Clash, multiselect the components and click Apply. Compute a Clearance: Select Analyze -> Compute Clash, multiselect the components, enter the clearance value and click OK. Display the Bill of Material: Select Analyze -> Bill of Material, click Save As to save the displayed data, and click the Formats button if you wish to customize the display of your bill of material . Analyze Constraints: Select Analyze -> Constraints, and select the constraints in the dialog box. Analyze Dependences: Select the component and the Analyze -> Dependency...command, check the display options of the dialog box or select elements and use the different contextual commands. Analyze Updates: Select the product or component of interest and select the Analyze -> Update command.

Computing a Clash Between Components

As assemblies may be very complex and are made up of a large number of components, you may find it difficult to see possible clashes. This task shows you how to analyze clashes or compute clearance between components. Open the AnalyzingAssembly01.CATProduct document. 1. Select Analyze -> Compute Clash... The Clash Detection dialog box is displayed. It lets you compute possible clashes or clearance. The default option is Clash. 2. Multiselect the components CRIC_FRAME1 and CRIC_BRANCH_3. The components are displayed in the Compute Clash dialog box.

3. Click Apply to compute a possible clash. The icon in the Result frame now flashes red indicating that an interference has been detected.

The application detects a clash between the components. This result is shown by two red areas as the arrow shows in the figure opposite:

4. Click Cancel. 5. Repeat the operation to compute a possible clash between CRIC_BRANCH1 and CRIC_BRANCH_3. The application detects a contact between the components. The icon in the Result frame now shows yellow indicating this.

6. Click Cancel to exit. 7. Repeat the operation to compute a possible clash between CRIC_JOIN1 and CRIC_BRANCH_1.1. The icon in the Result frame now shows green indicating that no interference has been detected.

Computing a Clearance Between Components

Once components have been added or constrained, you may need to analyze the clash or compute the clearance between components. This task shows you how to compute the clearance between two components of an assembly.

Open the AnalyzingAssembly01.CATProduct document. 1. Select Analyze -> Compute Clash.... The Clash Detection dialog box is displayed. 2. Select Clearance in the combo box. The Clash Detection dialog box displays a field where you specify the clearance value. 3. Enter the clearance value: 50 mm. 4. Click the first component: CRIC_JOIN.1. 5. Control-click the second component: CRIC_BRANCH_3.1. The components are displayed in the Clash Detection dialog box. 6. Click Apply to compute possible clearance. The application detects a clearance violation. The distance between the components is less than 50 mm. The status icon is yellow in the dialog box.

7. Click Cancel to perform another operation. 8. Now multiselect CRIC_BRANCH_3 and CRIC_BRANCH_1. 9. Repeat steps from 1 to 3. 10. Click Apply. The application detects a contact between the components. The status icon in the dialog box has turned yellow.

11. Click Cancel to exit.

Displaying the Bill of Material

This task shows you how to display the number and name of the components belonging to the active component as well as the properties of these components. It also shows you how to save this data. You can display the bill of material of the active component only. Open the AnalyzingAssembly01.CATProduct document. 1. Select Analyze -> Bill of Material.

The Bill of Material dialog box is displayed. It is composed of two tabs: Bill of Material Listing Report The Bill of Material tab shows the different parts and sub-assemblies of AnalyzingAssembly01 which is the active component.

The Bill of Material does not show the possible representations associated to the components.

There are three main sections: Bill of Material:xxx : lists all parts and sub-products one after the other Recapitulation: displays the total number of parts used in the product AnalyzingAssembly01.CATProduct Define formats 2. Click Save As to save this data.

The Save Bill of Material As dialog box is displayed. Three document formats are available: .txt as text format, .html as html format and .xls as Excel format. 3. Select the appropriate directory and enter a name in the File name field. Note that the file generated will contain the date of generation. 4. Now click the Define formats button to customize the display of your bill of material. A new dialog box appears, indicating the default format, i.e. AP203 format.

5.

To create the format of your choice, click on Add. Format.1 then appears in the Selected Format. The Remove button is used for removing already existing formats.

6.

You can display the directories used for your assembly by clicking the Search order option. For more about the Search Order capability, please refer to Defining a Search Order. Now, choose the properties you wish to display in the Bill of Material section of the Bill of Material dialog box. To do so, for example, select Source from the list Hidden properties

7. and click the show properties icon section. to move Source into the Displayed properties

Likewise, double-clicking a property moves this property into the section opposite. Repeat the operation by adding Description to the Displayed properties section of the Properties for the Recapitulation frame. The buttons you can use are the following: moves the selected property to the right scroll list moves all properties to the right scroll list moves the selected property to the left scroll list moves all properties to the left scroll list moves the selected property within the scroll list. Click OK to validate the creation of the new format. The Bill of material: Display formats dialog box is closed. You cannot save the formats you create. Customized formats are specific to your CATIA session. The Bill of Material now looks like this:

8.

9.

10.

Click the Listing Report tab. It displays the tree of the product using indents, just like in the application.

11. 12. 13. 14.

Check the Search Order option if you wish to display the directories where the different documents making up the assembly are located. To display other information in your report, select the properties of your choice in the Hidden properties scroll list and use the buttons as previously described to move these properties to the left. To see the result, click Refresh. Use Save As... to save the report in the directory of your choice. Only .txt format is available.

15.

Click OK in the Bill of Material dialog box to exit. To know how to use your bill of material in your CATDrawing documents, please refer to Generative Drafting User's Guide, Adding a Generative Bill of Material.

Analyzing Constraints
This task shows you how to analyze the constraints of an active component.

Open the AnalyzingAssembly02.CATProduct document.

1. Select Analyze -> Constraints. The Constraint Analysis dialog box is displayed. The Constraints tab displays the status of the constraints of a selected component: Active Component displays the name of the active component. Component displays the number of child components contained in the active component. Not constrained displays the number of child components not constrained in the active component. Status displays the status of the constraints: Verified displays the number of verified constraints Impossible displays the number of impossible constraints. "Impossible" means that the geometry is not compatible with the constraint. For example, a contact constraint between two cylinders whose diameter is different is impossible. The yellow unresolved symbol is displayed in the specification tree on the constraint type . icon: Not updated displays the number of constraints to be updated. The application has integrated new specifications, which affect constraints. The update symbol is displayed in the specification tree on the constraint type icon: . Broken displays the number of broken constraints. A reference element is missing in the definition of these constraints. It may have been deleted for example. You can then reconnect this constraint (see Reconnecting Constraints). The yellow unresolved symbol is . displayed in the specification tree on the constraint type icon: Deactivated displays the number of deactivated constraints (see Deactivating or Activating Constraints). The deactivated symbol is displayed in the specification tree. It precedes the constraint type icon: . Measure Mode displays the number of constraints in measure mode.

Fixed Together displays the number of fix together operations Total displays the total number of constraints of the active component.

Additional tabs may be displayed if one of these constraint status exist: Impossible Not updated Measure Mode The constraints are then clearly identified in these tabs and you can select them. Once selected, they are highlighted in the tree.

To redefine the colors of the different type of constraints, see Setting the Constraint Appearance. 2. Click OK to exit. This capability does not show overconstrained systems. The application detects them when performing update operations. You can also use the command Analyze -> Dependence.

Analyzing Dependences
This task shows you how to see the relationships between components using a tree.

Open the AnalyzingAssembly03.CATProduct document. 1. Select the component CRIC_BRANCH_3.1.

You can analyze the dependencies of your assembly by selecting the root of the tree too. 2. Select Analyze -> Dependencies.... The following dialog box is displayed:

3.

Right-click CRIC_BRANCH3.1 and select the Expand node contextual command. The constraints defined for this component then appear:

4.

Right-click CRIC_BRANCH3.1 again and select the Expand all contextual command. Now, the constraints and components related to the component you have selected are displayed:

You can notice that there are: - a coincidence constraint between CRIC_BRANCH_3.1 and CRIC_BRANCH_.1.1 . - a surface contact constraint between CRIC_BRANCH_3.1 and CRIC_FRAME_1.1. - a surface contact constraint - a coincidence constraint - a surface contact

5.

Checking the different options available in the Elements frame, you can display the following: Constraints: by default, this option is activated. Associativity: shows components edited in Assembly Design context. Contextual components are linked to support components by green lines in the graph, as illustrated in the example below:

CRIC_AXIS.1 has been designed in Assembly Design context. Its

geometry lies on CRIC_BRANCH_1.1 and CRIC_BRANCH_3.1 Relations: shows formulas. For more information, please refer to CATIA- Knowledge Advisor User's Guide Version 5

6.

You can also display the relationships by filtering the components you wish to see. Either check the Child option to take the children of the component into account or check Leaf to hide them.

7.

Contextual commands are available: Expand all: lets you see the whole relationship. Note that double-clicking produces the same result. Show children: displays all children of the component Set as new root: sets the selected component as the component whose relationships are to be examined.

Zooming in and zooming out in the tree is allowed. 8. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Analyzing Updates
Operations such as moving components or editing constraints sometimes affect the integrity of the whole assembly. You then need to know what to do to restore a correct product. The application provides a tool for detecting if your assembly requires updates. This tool is particularly useful when working with large assemblies. You can now update a part or a product without updating the whole assembly, using the Analyze Update command. Open the AnalyzingAssembly04.CATProduct document. This scenario assumes that the Manual update option is on. For more about this option, refer to CATIA- Infrastructure User's Guide Version 5. 1. Select Analysis in the specification tree.

2. Select the Analyze -> Update command. The Update Analysis dialog box is displayed.

It provides the name of the entities to be updated, i.e: name of the product or component name of the constraints defined on this product or component name of the children of this product or component name of the constraints defined on the children name of the representations associated to parts

3. Select Concidence.4 from the Constraints field. The application highlights this constraint both in the specification tree and in the geometry area.

4. Set the Components to be analyzed to Analysis/Part5. You can note that there is only a representation to be updated.

5. Set the Components to be analyzed to Analysis. 6. Click the Update tab and select Part5.

7. Click the Update icon. The part is updated:

8. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Moving Components
Translate Components: Click this icon, select the component to be translated and enter the offset values.

Rotate Components: Click this icon, click the Rotation tab, select the component to be rotated, choose an axis and enter the angle values. Manipulate Components: Click this icon, click the parameters you wish, select the component to be moved and drag this component . Snap Components: Click this icon and select both elements.

Explode the View of an Assembly: Click this icon, select the parameters you need and select the assembly to be exploded.

Translating Components
This task will show you two ways of translating a component: by entering translation values by selecting geometrical elements to define a translation direction. The component to be translated must belong to the active component.

The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for this command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode. This task can be accomplished if you use CATIA P1 configuration only. Open the MovingComponents01.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Translate or Rotation icon The Move dialog box is displayed. Either you specify an offset value between the element and x, y or z axis, or you select a geometric element to define the direction you need. .

2. Select the component to be translated, i.e. CRIC_BRANCH_3.

3. Enter 50 mm as the offset value, in the Offset X field. 4. Click Apply. The selected component is translated accordingly.

5. Click the Invert button to reverse the previous operation and translate the component in the opposite direction. The translation is reversed. You can click Apply as many times as you wish to translate the component onto the desired position.

6. Click OK to close the dialog box.

7. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

8.

Click the Selection button to define a new translation with respect to a geometrical element. The Translation tab contents is grayed out. If you select a line or a plane you need to enter a distance value. The translation is then done along the selected line or normal to the selected plane. Selecting two faces or planes assumes these elements are parallel.

9. Select the red and blue faces as shown. These faces are parallel.

CATIA computes the distance between these faces. The Offset field then displays this distance value: Offset X: 20mm Offset Y: 0mm Offset Z: 0mm 10. Click Apply to translate the blue component. You can apply this translation to any other components. You just need to select it and click the Apply button.

11. Click OK to exit. Using CATIA P2 configuration, you can translate constrained components using the Shift key and the compass.

Rotating Components
This task will show you the two ways of rotating a component: by entering the rotation angle and specifying the rotation axis by selecting a geometric element as the rotation axis and entering the angle value. The component to be rotated must belong to the active component. The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for this command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode. This task can be accomplished if you use CATIA P1 configuration only. Open the MovingComponents01.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Translate or Rotation icon 2. The Move dialog box is displayed. Translation options are available. To find out how to translate components, refer to Translating a Component. Click the Rotation tab.

3. Select the component to be rotated, that is CRIC_BRANCH_1.

4. Check the Axis Y option. 5. Enter 90 as the angle value in the Angle field. 6. Click Apply. The selected component is rotated accordingly.

7. Click OK to close the dialog box. 8. 9. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3. Click the Selection button to define a new rotation with respect to a geometrical element.

10.

Select the edge as shown to specify the new rotation axis.

11 Enter 90deg in the Angle field. . 12. Click Apply to rotate the red component. You can apply this rotation to any other components. You just need to select it and click the Apply button.

13. Click OK to exit. Using CATIA P2 configuration, you can rotate constrained components by means of the Shift key and the compass.

Manipulating Components
The Manipulate command lets you move a component freehand with the mouse. It is less constraining than the Translate and Rotate commands. This task will show you how to manipulate a component. The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for this command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode. The component to be manipulated must belong to the active component. Open the MovingComponents02.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Manipulate icon . The Manipulation Parameters dialog box appears: The first and second horizontal lines are reserved for translations. The third line is reserved for rotations. The fourth column lets you define the direction of your choice by selecting a geometric element.

2.

Click the Drag along Y axis icon

3. Select Set1 as the component to be translated.

4. Drag Set1. The component is translated in the Y axis direction.

5. Now select CRIC_FRAME and click Drag around Y axis icon .

6. Drag the component. You are rotating it around the Y axis.

7. Check the option With respect to constraints. If you repeat the previous operation, you will notice that you are not allowed to do it. The existing parallelism constraint prevents you from moving the component. 8. Click OK to exit. Use the Shift key and the compass to manipulate constrained components.

Snapping Components
The Snap command projects the geometric element of a component onto another geometric element belonging to the same or to a different component. Using this command is a convenient way to translate or rotate components. The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for this command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode. The element to be snapped must belong to the active component. Open the MovingComponents01.CATProduct document. Depending on the selected elements, you will obtain different results. This table indicates what you can do:

First Element Selected point point point line line line plane plane plane

Last Element Selected point line plane point line plane point line plane Identical points.

Result

The point is projected onto the line. The point is projected onto the plane. The line passes through the point. Both lines become collinear. The line is projected onto the plane. The plane passes through the point. The plane passes through the line. Both planes become parallel.

1. Click the Snap icon . 2. Select the red face as shown. The element selected first is always the element that will move.

3. Select the blue face as shown.

The red face is projected onto the plane defined by the blue face. A green arrow is displayed on the first face you selected.

4. Click this arrow to reverse the orientation of the face.

Smart Move
The Smart Move command combines the Manipulate and Snap capabilities. Optionally, it creates constraints. This task illustrates how to move a component and create a coincidence constraint between two axes by using this new command. Open the MovingComponents01.CATProduct document.

1.

Select the Edit -> Move -> Smart Move command. The Smart Move dialog box is displayed. The Create constraint option is activated by default.

2.

Select the axis of CRIC_BRANCH_1 as shown:

3. 4.

Drag it onto CRIC_BRANCH_3. When your cursor points to the blue inner cylinder face, drop the component. The application detects a possible constraint between the axes. As the option Create constraint is on, the application sets a coincidence constraint between both axes.

The application creates the first possible constraint as specified in the list of constraints having priority. For more about this list, please refer to Setting the Quick Constraint Command. 5. Click OK to quit the command.

Exploding a Constrained Assembly

This task shows you how to explode an assembly while taking the assembly constraints into account This Explode type is applicable only to specific cases, that is when the assembly is assigned the following coincidence constraints: axis/axis plane/plane

Open the MovingComponents03.CATProduct document.

1. Click the Explode icon . The Explode dialog box is displayed.

Wheel Assembly is selected by default, keep the selection as it is.

The Depth parameter lets you choose between a total (All levels) or partial (First level) exploded view.

2. Keep All levels set by default.

3. Set the explode type. 3D is the default type. Keep it. 4. Click Apply to perform the operation. The Scroll Explode field gradually displays the progression of the operation. The application assigns directions and distance. Once complete, the resulting exploded view looks like this:

5. You are not satisfied with this result as the nuts are not correctly positioned. The constraints are not respected. Replay the scenario selecting the Constrained type in the Explode dialog box.

6. Define a fixed part: in our example select the Rim1 either in the specification tree or in the geometry area.

7. Click Apply to perform the operation. The resulting exploded view looks like this:

The nuts are correctly positioned, the exploded view corresponds more to the reality and to a technical documentation

Using Assembly Tools

Define a Search Order: Select Tools -> Search Order, enter the complete path of the directory, click Add and check Search order directories first. Manage Products in an Assembly: Select Tools -> Product Management...,modify the part number in the New part number field and replace the associated representation in the New representation field. Manage a Product Publication: Select the element to be published, select Tools -> Publication Management...,click Add and give a name to this element. Using a Part Contained in a Catalog: Open the catalog of your choice, navigate through the catalog, select the desired part, use the Copy then Paste commands.

Modifying a Catalog

Defining a Search Order

This task will show you how to create a personal search priority for your documents. The Search Order command defines the priorities for the paths where you will find the components of an assembly when you open it. Open the AssemblyTools01.CATProduct document.

1.

Select Tools -> Search Order. The Search Order dialog box is displayed.

It displays: Directory: the current directory, click the Refresh to refresh it. Subdirectories: the directories contained in the directory. Selection: the directory to be selected, click Add to add it in the search order list. Delete: deletes the selected directory in the search order list. Move: moves the selected directory in the search order list. The search order path selection. Save search order: saves the current search order list. Load search order: loads the current search order list. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Files\DassaultSystemes\B04doc\online\asmug\samples\SearchOrder

Select disk C:\ in the Subdirectories list, and enter the complete path \Program directory in the Directory field.

Click Add. Select Search order directories first and restart CATIA. Open the AssemblyTools01.CATProduct document from the C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B04doc\online\asmug\samples directory. The document uses the component contained in asmug\samples\SearchOrder directory.

So, when you open an assembly or import a component, this path will be the first to be browsed. Make sure the Search Order searches for the name of the documents only. You can define as many paths as you want and rearrange these paths with the Delete or Move buttons.

Managing Products in an Assembly

This task consists in managing products in an assembly. Open the AssemblyTools01.CATProduct document. 1. Select Tools -> Product Management... The Product Management dialog box is displayed.

The following is displayed for each components contained in the assembly: part Number document source file status of the component associated representation. You can modify the part number in the New part number field and replace the associated representation in the New representation field of the selected product. 2. 3. Click the ... button to open the Replace Representation dialog box. Click OK to validate.

Managing a Product Publication

The Product Publication command is used to automatically reconnect constraints. Published elements are actually provided with specific names. If constraints are defined for these elements and you then substitute these elements for other published elements, the application automatically reconnects the constraints. The Management Publication command allows you to manage the publication of geometrical elements contained in the child components of the active component. You can: add a publication Name to a geometric element delete a publication modify the geometric element associated with a name. This task shows you how to manage the product publication.

The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is now available for this command. For more about this option, refer to Setting the Launching of the Design Mode. Open the AssemblyTools01.CATProduct document.

1. Double-click Set1 (Set1.1) to set it as the active component to be published.

2. Select Tools -> Publication Management... The Publication Management dialog box appears. In our scenario, the dialog box is empty. When not empty, it displays: name of the published geometrical elements in the product publication status path between the publication name and the geometrical element.

3. Click Add in the Publication Management dialog box.

The Publication Definitions dialog box appears. It displays: Name: the name of the published element Published Element: if the geometrical elements to be published is selected or not Internal Publications: the list of the published elements contain only in its primary child components Element Access: to check the access to the published element.

4. Select the axis of CRIC_JOIN (CRIC_JOIN.1) as the element to be published and define its name as Axis1. (To select the axis, use the Zoom capability). 5. Click OK. The publication is added in the Publication Management dialog box and the Publication branch is added below CRIC_JOIN (CRIC_JOIN.1).

6. Click Close.

Using a Standard Part Contained in a Catalog

This task explains how to use mechanical parts contained in catalogs delivered with the product. These parts are standard parts. Dassault Systmes does not warrant that provided data are compliant with the ISO or EN standards. For further information, please contact the AFNOR organization for ISO or EN standards (www.afnor.fr) or the ISO organization for ISO standards (www.iso.org). Catalogs containing a limited number of parts compliant with JIS and ANSI standards are available too. Before using one of these catalogs, set the Search Order capability to the sub-directory "Models". 1. Your CATProduct document is open. Open the catalog of your choice. The catalogs are located in these directories: ISO:/$OS/Startup/Components/MechanicalStandardParts/ISO_Standards EN: /$OS/Startup/Components/MechanicalStandardParts/EN_Standards

2. Navigate through the catalog. 3. Select the desired family and within this family the part you need. For example, you can instantiate in an assembly: screws bolts nuts washers pins keys This list is not exhaustive. 4. Right-click to select the Copy contextual command. 5. Select the base of your assembly.

6. Right-click to select the Paste contextual command. The part is copied into your assembly. Note that this part is no longer linked to the catalog. 7. Using the Save As capability, you can save this part in the directory of your choice.

Modifying a Catalog Containing Standard Parts

This task explains how to modify a catalog containing parametric parts delivered with the product. CSV files use absolute paths to point to CATPart documents. 1. To build a catalog in your environment, rename the absolute paths of existing CSV files. 2. Create a new directory. 3. Load the Excel file ISO_Hierarchy.xls located in the sub-directory CSV. 4. Select the sheet "Command" to modify the absolute path of existing CSV files. 5. Define the input: Key in input directory for CSV files: complete path of the directory containing the CSV files (E:\...\CSV) Key in Path to replace: string to replace Key in New Path: complete path of your sub-directory Models Key in Output Directory for CSV files: path of the new directory

6. Launch a CATIA session. 7. Select the Tools -> Macro command to run the macro located in the sub-directory VBScript. A dialog box is displayed. Path of the catalog input directory: path of the new files Path of the catalog output directory: path of the directory where the catalog documents will be created.

If you want to add a new family: 1. Create the parametric CATPart. 2. Create the design table as follows: First column: PartNumber Second column: PartName 3. Create the CSV file as follows: First keyword: PartNumber The path of the pointed CATPart must be absolute. For more about catalogs, refer to the CATIA- Infrastructure User's Guide Version 5.

Advanced Tasks
Here is the list of the tasks you will perform in this section: Reconnecting a Replaced Representation Reconnecting Constraints Editing a CATPart in Assembly Design Context Weld Planner

Reconnecting a Replaced Representation

This task first consists in replacing a representation then in reconnecting geometrical elements.

Open the Reconnect01.CATProduct document.

1. Right-click on SCREW in the specifications tree.

2. Select Representations -> Manage Representations from the contextual menu. The Manage Representation dialog box is displayed.

3. Click on CRIC_SCREW.model in the Source field. 4. Click Replace... The Associate Representation dialog box is displayed. 5. Navigate to open the CRIC_SCREW_NEW.model. 6. The Reconnect Representation dialog box is displayed.

A window containing the assembly with the old representation is displayed in the window to the left of the dialog box. A window containing only the new representation is displayed to the right of the dialog box. You are going to reconnect the geometrical elements in this window. 5. To reconnect the highlighted geometric element of the old representation, that is a line, select the axis of the new representation. 6. Select Plane and select the circular face as shown to reconnect the plane.

Two "Yes" are now displayed in the Reconnect field. 6. Click OK to validate. 7. Click Close to close the Manage Representation dialog box. The representation is replaced and constraints are valid.

Reconnecting Constraints
Reconnecting constraints means defining new supporting elements for these constraints. You perform this operation to correct mistakes you made while assembling components or the mistakes detected by updates. This task shows you how to reconnect two constraints.

Open the AssemblyConstraint06.CATProduct document. 1. The assembly contains a contact and a coincidence constraint that need to be reconnected. Double-click the contact constraint to be reconnected.

2. In the Constraint Edition dialog box that appears, click More to access additional information. The names of supporting elements are now displayed.

3. Click CRIC_BRANCH_3 then Reconnect.

4. Select the blue face as shown to specify the new supporting face.

5. Click OK. The contact constraint is reconnected:

6. Now select the coincidence constraint in the geometry or in the specification tree. 7. Select the Properties contextual command.

8. In the Properties dialog box that appears, click CRIC_BRANCH_3. 9. Click Reconnect.

The window that appears displays the components.

10. Select the axis passing through the circular faces.

11. Click OK to close the window. 12. Click OK to close the Properties dialog box. Because they are only two constraints defined on this product, the application can compute several results. This is an example of what you can obtain:

Editing a Part in an Assembly Design Context

This task shows you how to edit a CATPart in CATIA - Assembly Design context.

Open the ManagingComponents01.CATProduct document. 1. Click on the + sign to the left of the CRIC_SCREW component in the tree. The Product document is identified by the Product document icon. 2. Double-click on the part CRIC_SCREW to open CATIA - Part Design workbench. Do not mistake the CATProduct document for the Part Design document:

The Part Design document is identified by the Part Design document icon.

3. CATIA - Part Design workbench is displayed. Click on the + sign to the left of Part Body.

4. Double-click the feature you need to edit. For example, double-click on Pad2 to display the Pad Definition dialog box. You can then enter the parameters of your choice.

For information about Part Design and the Sketcher , please refer to CATIA- Part Design User's Guide Version 5 and CATIA- Dynamic Sketcher User's Guide Version 5 respectively. 5. Once you have edited the part, double-click on ManagingComponents01 to return into CATIA - Assembly Design workbench. The specification tree remains unchanged.

6. Double-click on the part CRIC_SCREW to open CATIA - Part Design workbench again. 7. Select any circular face of CRIC_BRANCH1 and enter the Sketcher workbench.

8. Create a circle and set a coincidence constraint for example:

9. Exit from the Sketcher and double-click on ManagingComponents01 to return into CATIA - Assembly Design workbench.

CATIA - Assembly Design workbench is then displayed and a green wheel is added to CRIC_SCREW in the tree to represent the contextual nature of the component: . Note however that this symbol is displayed only if the option Keep link with selected object is selected. For more information, please refer to CATIA- Part Design User's Guide Version 5.

Contextual components are considered as the children of the components used for their creation. This means that if you delete these support components, you will need to consider if you wish to delete contextual components or not. Remember, you can choose to delete affected elements by checking the Delete all children option in the Delete dialog box.

Weld Planner
This task shows you how to set welding specifications on components. These specifications will be used later to weld these components.

Open the WeldPlanner.CATProduct document. 1. Click the Front View as shown to define the plane in which you will display the specification. The view becomes red meaning that it is active. In the specification tree, it is underlined. If the active view is not valid, a message appears informing you that you cannot use the active view. Therefore, the application displays the annotation in an annotation plane normal to the previously selected element.

2. Click the Weld Planner icon. 3. Select the edge between Green Part and Blue Part.

The Weld Planner and the Welding Creation dialog boxes appear. The Weld Planner dialog box displays the name of the selected geometric element, the name of the corresponding component and the status of the component.

3. Enter "Welding 2" in the Name entry field to rename "Weld Planner.2". This new name appears in the specification tree under Weld Planners section. 4. Enter your specifications in the Welding Creation dialog box. In the first entry field to the left, enter 70 as the weld length.

5. For example, set the angle symbol. The symbols available are:

6.

Choose among the three weld types available to set your weld type:

7. Enter 2.5 as the weld size. 8. Enter Weld 2 in the Reference entry field. This field is reserved for your own specifications or codes. You can also import a file by clicking the Import file button. The contents of this file is then displayed in the geometry. Note also that you can click: the field-weld symbol (flag symbol): reserved for welds not made at the place of the initial construction. the weld-all-around symbol (circle circle): reserved for welds made all around the contour of the part the "up" option: a display option. You can display the symbols and values above or below the welding symbol. It is a quick way of transferring the data from the first row to the row below and vice versa.

9.

Click OK to confirm. The annotation is created in the geometry.

10. Drag and drop the annotation to move it. You can obtain this result:

Contextual commands are available on the yellow manipulator at the extremity of the arrow end: Add a Breakpoint: adds a breakpoint on the leader line Remove a Breakpoint: removes a breakpoint on the leader line Add Leader: adds a leader to the specification (Right click the specification to which you want to add a leader, select the Add Leader contextual command and click where you want to begin the leader). Remove Leader: removes a leader line

Symbol shape: edits the shape of the manipulator pointed at by the arrow

At any time, you can modify the welding symbol. For this, double-click the welding symbol to be modified and enter the modifications in the displayed dialog box.

Workbench Description
The CATIA - Assembly Design Version 5 application window looks like this: Click the sensitive areas to see the related documentation.

Assembly Design Menu Bar Move Toolbar Constraints Toolbar UpdateToolbar Constraint Creation Toolbar Weld Planner

Assembly Design Menu Bar

This section presents the main menu bar available when you run the application and before creating or opening a document: Start File Edit View Insert Tools Analyze Windows Help

File
For New See Creating a New Assembly Document

Edit
For See

Component Constraints

Using Assembly Constraints

Properties

Modifying the Properties of a Constraint

Update

Updating Assembly Constraints

Move

Moving Components

Insert
For See

Coincidence...

Creating a Coincidence Constraint

Contact... Offset... Angle...

Creating a Contact Constraint Creating an Offset Constraint Creating an Angle Constraint Fixing Components Together Fixing a Component Quick Constraint Using a Part Design Pattern

Fix Together...

Fix Quick Constraint Reuse Pattern...

Fast Multi-Instantiation Define Multi-Instantiation

Fast Multi-Instantiation Defining a Multi-Instantiation

Tools
For See

Options... Search Order...

Customizing Defining a Search Order

Product Management...

Managing Products in an Assembly Managing a Product Publication

Publication Management...

Analyze
For See

Bill of Material...

Displaying the Bill of Material Analyzing Updates

Update...

Constraints... Dependencies...

Analyzing Constraints Analyzing Dependences Computing Clash between Components

Compute Clash...

Move Toolbar

See Translating or Rotating a Component (P1 configuration) See Manipulating a Component See Snapping a Component See Exploding an Assembly

Constraints Toolbar

See Creating a Coincidence Constraint See Creating a Contact Constraint See Creating an Offset Constraint See Creating an Angle Constraint See Fixing a Component See Fixing Components Together See Using the Quick Constraint Command See Deactivating or Activating Constraints See Changing Constraints See Using a Pattern

Update Toolbar

See Updating Assembly Constraints

Constraint Creation Mode Toolbar

See Setting a Constraint Creation Mode See Setting a Constraint Creation Mode See Setting a Constraint Creation Mode

Weld Planner Toolbar

See Weld Planner

Customizing
This section describes the different types of setting customization you can perform in your assembly structure using the Tools -> Options command. All tasks described here deal with permanent setting customization.

Update of Assembly Constraints

Paste Components

Create Constraint

Launch the Design Mode

Display a Warning Message

Set the Quick Constraint Command

Glossary A
active component A selected component currently being edited. This component is underlined in the specification tree. An object currently being edited. A constraint used to define an angle or parallelism between two geometric elements. An entity composed of various components which have been positioned relative to each other. active object angle constraint assembly

B
bill of material A list of data about the properties of the components contained in the active component.

C
child component coincidence constraint component One or more components originating from a single component. Compare parent component. A constraint used to align two geometric elements, or get them to coincide. A reference integrated in an assembly. A component possesses characteristics related to how it is integrated in an assembly (for example, its relative location in an assembly). A geometrical or dimensional relation between several geometric elements of different components. It may be used to define the positioning of components. A hierarchical design of an assembly in a specific context (for example: engineering or manufacturing).

constraint

context-specific representation

contact constraint A constraint used to define a contact area between two elements (tangent or coincident).

F
fixed component A component for which all degrees of freedom are locked, in relation to the parent component.

G
geometric element The geometric elements which can be constrained in the Assembly workbench are: point line plane (or plane surface from a model) sphere cone cylinder

L
leaf component The last component at the end of each branch of the specification tree.

M
manipulation model A freehand translation or rotation of a component with the mouse. A CATIA Version 4 model.

O
offset constraint A constraint used to define a distance or an offset between two geometric elements.

P
parent component A component that is hierarchically just above one or more components. Compare child component part Within the Assembly workbench, it is either a part of the Part Design workbench, or a 3D entity whose geometry is contained in a model.

primary child component product

One or more components originating from the first level under the active component. A 3D entity which contains several components.

R
reference representation A product or part with its own characteristics. Compare component. See context specific representation.

S
search order A hierarchical set of paths used when searching for the files included in the assembly. The search begins with the first path, and stops when the file is found. Projects a geometric element onto another one. An assembly contained within another assembly.

snap subassembly

U
update In the Assembly workbench, updates the position of the constrained components so as to satisfy the constraint requirements.

Index A
Analyze command , Angle command , assembly analyzing creating saving Assembly Design menu bar toolbars

B
Bill of Material command ,

C
chain mode Change Constraint children clash clearance Coincidence command color commands Analyze Angle , Bill of Material Chain Mode Change Constraint Coincidence Component Constraints

Compute Clash , Constraints Contact Default Mode Explode , Fix , Fix Together Management Publication Manipulate Move , Offset Options Product Management Quick Constraint Search Order Snap Stack Mode Update , components analyzing fixing manipulating moving properties , reconnecting representation rotating snapping translating Component Constraints command Compute Clash command , constraints about analyzing , broken copying creating angle creating coincidence

creating contact creation mode creating offset cutting deleting editing properties reconnecting updating all updating one Contact command

D
Default Mode dependency

E
Explode command ,

F
Fast Multi-Instantiation command Fix command , fix in space Fix Together command format .xls bill of material

G
graph green

L
listing report lock symbol ,

M
Management Publication command Manipulate command menu bar (Assembly Design) Move command , Multi-Instantiation command

O
Offset command Options command Overconstrained assembly

P
pattern part (editing) Product Management command Properties command , Publication

Q
Quick Constraint command

R
Representation reconnecting

S
Search Order command search order , Snap command stack mode

U
Update command ,