Make a new family of components

A normal part file is transformed into the template part for a new family to build a family of components. Any part file, with the exception of parts that are already members of another part family, can be turned into a template part. In order to convert, a family table must be created (using the NX Spreadsheet), from which the family's members are derived.

In Teamcenter Integration, a new component family is generated in the same way as native NX, with the exception that there is an additional set of attribute options (refer to Rev Column below).

To assemble a blended family:

1. Select the File tab, then click Open to open a part that will serve as the family's template part.
2. Launch the modelling programme.
3. Select Part Families from the Tools tab's Utilities category
4. Make sure the Exportable Part Family Template check box is checked in the Part Families dialogue box.
5. Choose the column type from the list of available column types. Then pick and double-click the columns you wish to add to the spreadsheet in the Available Columns list. They are added in the Chosen Columns list's predetermined order.
6. Click Create in the Part Family Spreadsheet section. The columns that are listed in the Chosen Columns list are displayed when the spreadsheet starts.
7. The members of the part family should be entered together with their specifications in each column to create a new family table in the spreadsheet.
8. To confirm if the family members may be generated, pick a cell in the first column, such A2, in the spreadsheet, and then click Part Family Verify Part. NX displays the portion that contains the family table's parameters.
9. Click Resume in the Part Families dialogue box.
10. To generate the part family members in the spreadsheet, choose the cells in the first column, such as A2 through A5.
11. Select Part Family and Create Parts. The formed family members are presented in an information window.
12. Snap the Information window shut.
13. Click Resume in the Part Families dialogue box.
14. Make the selection Part Family Save Family in the spreadsheet.
15. Snap the spreadsheet shut.
16. Verify the part family that was generated in Teamcenter.
17. The NX template component file includes a section for storing the family table. Be mindful that just the definition of the family members is saved when you save the family table. The family members are not formed in the database by themselves.

NOTE: If the Apply Release Statuses to Part Family Members customer default is chosen, each time a part family member is formed, it will inherit the release statuses of its part family template.

Restrictions

When adding data into the NX/Spreadsheet, you should be aware of the following limitations:

• In the Part Number box, only part numbers may be entered (not part numbers and revision identifiers). For details on how to manage the revision identification, see the Rev Column below.
• You cannot provide a specific revision of a component to use in your assembly if your template part is an assembly and you opt to manage the components in the family members. Teamcenter configuration rules are used to define the revisions of these components when the family member is established.
• Do not use trailing spaces when generating part family members for the name or revision. This can lead to the invalid member's name issue. Additionally, if the part name, revision, or model name is too lengthy, an issue could occur.
• The name of the part family members shouldn't contain a colon (:). By way of example, Teamcenter Integration interprets a colon as a separator for part name, part revision, etc.
• The values for the DB PART NO and OS PART NAME columns must be provided when utilizing a transferable part family template.
• The Solids UGMGRTransferablePFT option (configured in NX) will default to checking the Exportable Part Family Template toggle if it is set to ON. The chosen columns will be configured with the columns DB PART NO and OS PART NAME. These columns are not going to be able to be removed.

Note

Both the DB PART NO and OS PART NAME columns' cells in the spreadsheet must be manually filled up.

• DB PART NO and OS PART NAME will be substituted with Part Number as the Chosen Column if you deselect the Exportable option check box.

Column Rev

A selection labelled Rev is available in the Available Columns when selecting Attributes from the Attribute Classes menu in the Part Families dialogue. This option is exclusive to Teamcenter Integration. When a part family member is created or edited, the value assigned to the Revision field depends on the value in the Rev column. All members inherit the revision of the template component if no Rev column is supplied.

Additionally, when a member is formed or edited, it will receive the same revision as the component family template if the Rev column is blank.

A general technique for building a family of detail components is shown below. Depending on your design objective, your steps could change.

If you wish to maintain track of which revision of the part family template was used to build the part's current version, this option might be helpful.

If the Rev column is set to Assign, the member's revision is the following value that can be used (e.g., B parts will become C parts, and 001 parts will become 002 parts). If you utilize this number, NX Solutions advises that you manually manage the changes (i.e., choose specific rows for updating).

When the family template is at revision C and the members are at revision A, the following table shows the various results for various values of the Rev column.

1. Create reference planes in the Family Editor to place the detail component.

Create the form of the detail component using the tools on the Create tab.

2. A detail component is not presented in 3D but rather in a symbolic form. To draw the symbol, use the Line tool.

Tip: The detail component draw order tools can be used to modify the order of family members.

3. Pick a line for lines, then select the Modify | Lines tab option. Choose the views in which the object will be displayed from the Mode panel (Visibility Settings).

Select the filled region for filled regions and choose the Modify | Detail Items tab.

Choose the views in which the object will be displayed from the Mode panel (Visibility Settings).

4. The detail component must be saved.

You can modify the parameters for a type and add a new one to the family.

With the help of this functionality, you may specify a full family of various-sized components for the project.

The project's newly developed family type is exclusive to that project.

in a project, to add a new family type

1. Choose one element from the desired kind in the drawing area.
2. Click the Properties palette (Edit Type).
3. Click Duplicate in the Type Properties dialogue.
4. Enter a name for the new type in the Name dialogue box, then click OK.
5. Give the type the appropriate characteristics.
6. Click Preview to get a preview of the new element type. View the Family Types Preview.
7. Click OK in the Type Properties dialogue.

The Type Selector shows the new type, indicating that it has been allocated to the chosen element.

Taking care of NX Part Families

The management of NX component families in Windchill is covered in the following sections.

Using a part family template, you may generate instances of parts and assemblies in NX. In Windchill, an NX component family is handled as a "family" (or Family Table) made up of the items listed below:

• Generic - An assembly or part that serves as the foundation for instances (variations of a generic) to be created using a part family template. A table defining variants of a model, where each row represents an instance and columns indicate different parameters, is known as a part family template. The template is typically handled as a component of the generic CAD document and is integrated within the generic model.
• Instance - an assembly or part that matches a row in the part family template. Part family instances are saved by NX as separate files. Each instance is saved as an instance CAD document in Windchill.