Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Foundation Course
Assembly Design
Compiled by: Kevin Burke Approved by: Authorised by:
Kevin Burke
Date: 16/Apr/2003 Date: Date:
AIRBUS UK Ltd. All rights reserved.
Contents
The Assembly Design Workbench is used to bring together Parts (CATParts) into an
assembly, which is known as a CATProduct document and as such contains no
geometry but links to CATParts. CATProducts can also be made up of a mixture of
smaller CATProducts and CATParts to form larger complex assemblies.
CATProducts can be used in Kinematic simulation, Stress Analysis, Fitting
Simulation, etc.
Top level
Assembly Node Sub-Assemblies
Graphical
representation of
the Assembly
Sub-Assembly
Parts
Assembly
Constraints
If a CATProduct is not active you will be prompted to create a new product by the
appearance of the Part Name panel.
Part Nodes
Again the Specification Tree can be expanded or collapsed by selecting the ‘+’ or ‘-‘
symbol on the tree branch. You can also use the View>Tree Expansion drop down
menu.
The main advantage of using this mode is that performance of the workstation is
improved by virtue of the fact that only a small amount of data is loaded into
memory on the Workstation compared to using Design Mode. This is especially
true on large Assemblies.
The main disadvantages when Parts are in Visualisation mode are that you can
not apply Assembly Constraints to them, modify any geometry or display the
Parts Specification Tree.
When you open an existing CATProduct you are automatically placed into
Visualisation mode, the CGR files are extracted from the CATPart documents
that are attached to the Product and placed in a Cache directory on the
Workstation.
2. The other mode is called Design Mode which allows gain access to the Part
Specification Tree to edit Geometry, you can also apply constraints between
Features on different Parts.
As mention prevoiusly when you open an existing Product you are automatically
placed in Visualisation mode.
You also specify which Parts are loaded into Design mode by selecting them
individually on the Specification Tree and then use MB3 to load them. This may
be a more preferable method when large Assemblies are concerned.
Another way to load a Product into Design mode is to select the Update All icon on
the button menu bar. When you first open an existing Product this icon will be yellow
if you are in Visualisation mode and by selecting it all the Parts on the Specification
will be loaded into Design mode and any links will be updated.
Update No Update
Required Required
Note: When you add a New Part to the Specification Tree it will be automatically
loaded in Design mode.
Move Operations
The Assembly
Create Scene Design Toolbars
are also accessible
via the Insert
Drop down menu
You can also access the majority of these commands by the use of MB3 when you
pass over the currently selected node on the Specification Tree to display a contextual
menu and select Components to display a sub menu
A new Component Node with the name you specified is added to the Specification
Tree attached to the currently active node that is highlighted in blue
Select the icon to display the Part Numder panel and enter a name for the
CATProduct. The name must conform to the relevant Airbus naming conventions and
procedures. After entering a valid name click OK to add the new CATProduct to the
Specification Tree. Again the new node is attached to the currently active node.
Currently Active Node
Note: the Origin of the new CATProduct is same as the currently node. An
empty Product has no origin until a Part has been inserted. The Absolute Axis
system (origin) of the Product is defined by the first Part or Product inserted.
On selecting this icon the Part Number panel will appear and again you must enter a
valid part name. After you click OK the new CATPart will be attached to the
currently active node on the Specification Tree. As with adding a new CATProduct
the origin on the CATPart is the same as the current active node.
If you now add a second new CATPart to the Specification Tree, after entering a valid
part name in the Part Number panel and clicking OK. A New Part: Origin Point
panel will appear asking you to define the origin for the new part. If you select the
Yes button you will have to select either Point element from within an existing
CATPart on the Specification tree or an existing Node to specify the origin. If you
select the No button then the origin will be same as the currently active node.
Note: Using one of the Move Operations or Assembly Constraints can change the
position and orientation of a new CATPart.
After selecting the icon an Insert an Existing Component panel will appear. Enter
the directory where you wish search for the required CATProducts or CATParts in the
Look in field and hit the Enter key. The standard directories to enter in this field are
/epd/parts, /epd/readparts or /epd/roa…..
The Name or the files and folders contained within the directory is now listed in the
main window of the panel together the file Type. You can limit your search to a
specific file type by selecting one of the options available in the Files of type field via
the down arrow. You can also enter partial file names together with * as a wildcard in
the File name field followed by hitting the Enter key to perform your search i.e.
L57P123* will list all files beginning with L57P123.
The Open as read-only check box limits access to read only although when you add
an existing file for the ROA it is already set to read only and can not be changed.
Once the required files are listed in the main window you can select them using MB1.
You can also multi select files using the Shift or Ctrl Key. The required file name(s)
will now appear in the File name field. Clicking Open will add them to the
Specification Tree and position them on the origin of the currently active node.
Replacing a Component
By selecting this icon you can Replace a node on the Specification Tree with
another existing Product or Part node.
After selecting the icon you must select a Node on the Tree to be replaced. The Insert
an Existing Component panel will now appear. If required perform a search for the
replacement CATProduct or CATPart and select it using MB1 followed by clicking
theOpen button to continue.
Select Node to be
Replaced
Replacement
CATProduct
A Replace Mode panel will appear asking you if you wish to replace all instances of
the selected node with the new one. If you select Yes then all occurrences of the
selected node in the Specification Tree will be replaced. If you select No then only the
selected node will be replaced.
After selecting the icon you must select a node on the tree that as other nodes attached
to it. A Graph tree reordering panel will now be displayed. Select the node name
from the list to be reordered and use one of the three buttons on the right side of the
panel to move the node up or down the tree: -
After you have moved the node to the desired position in the list click OK to
complete the reordering.
Generate Numbering
This icon can be used to generate numbers against all nodes in a selected
CATProduct that contains links to geometry.
This command allows you load document into memory. This is an advanced user
function and is not covered in the Foundation course.
Now select the node on the Tree where you want the new instance to be attached and
again use MB3 or the Edit drop down menu to Paste the new instance on to the Tree.
The new instance will appear on the tree and if there is a geometry associated (i.e.
CATPart) then this will be place in exactly the same position and orientation as the
original node. If you keep using Paste then more Instances will be added to the Tree
in the same position. You can then manipulate its position using the Compass, Snap or
Assembly Constraints.
If you copy a node that has other nodes attached to it then the attached nodes are
copied as well.
Unique Instance
Numbers
Instances
displayed after
repositioning
A unique instance number is added to the node name on the Specification Tree to
identify the new instances.
Selected
Node
A Properties panel will appear which has four tabs enabling you to control the
following: -
The Graphic tab allows you to control the default colour and line font for displayed
geometry.
The Drafting tab allows you to control how the geometry is displayed in the
CATDrawing.
Defining a Multi-Instantiation
Allows you create multiple instances of a part in a specified direction.
Select the icon to display the Multi Instantiation panel. The following options are
available: -
The Component to Instantiate field displays the part you have selected to
Instantiate.
The Reference Direction portion of the panel allows you to define the direction of
the Instantiations. You can either use the Axis options to allow you to specify the
direction based on the X, Y or Z axis of the Compass or use a Selected Element i.e. a
Line, Planar face, etc. You can also Reverse the direction. The Result = fields display
the Vector values for the direction.
The Define As Default check box allows you set the current values as default.
After selecting the part to be Instantiated, the Reference Direction and Instance
options, click OK to create the Instantiation. The Multiple Instances are created in the
Specification Tree.
In the following example a part is Instantiated with four New Instances with a
Spacing or step of 600mm along the X-Axis of the Compass.
Selected part to be
Instantiated
Preview of the
Instantiation
Resulting
Instantiations in the
Specification Tree
After selecting the part to be Instantiated select the icon to create the instances.
When you click OK if your CATProduct contains new CATParts that have not been
saved then a Save panel will appear asking you if you wish to proceed.
If you click OK then the CATProduct will be saved into the directory defined in the
Save in field under the specified name together with any new CATParts attached to it.
Manipulation
Snap
Explode Assembly
Stop Manipulation
Manipulation
Allows Freehand Manipulation to position and orientate a selected Part.
Display the
currently selected
button Drag along
any Axis
Drag along the
X, Y or Z-Axis Drag along
any Plane
Drag along the XY,
YZ or XZ Planes Rotate
around any
Axis
Rotate around
the X, Y or Z-
Axis
There are twelve options available, four allowing you to drag along an Axis, four
allowing dragging along Planes, and four allowing you to rotate about an Axis.
After selecting the required button you must select the part to be manipulated using
MB1 and then drag it in the required direction.
This command will stay active until click on the OK or Cancel Button.
Snap Operations
Positions parts using a snapping.
Select the icon and then select an element contained within the Part to be moved i.e. a
Plane, a Face, an Axis System, etc. Now select an element within a second Part to
indicate the new position.
The following is an example of an existing Part that has been added to a CATProduct
and then positioned using its Axis System relevant to an Axis System in another Part
in this case a part containing Positioning Datum’s.
Part containing
Position Datum’s
(Axis Systems)
Part to be
moved
Positioning
Axis System
Axis System of
the Part to be
moved
Resulting
move
When you snap two Axis Systems together the orientation of the X, Y and Z-Axis is
automatically aligned although is some cases the Axis direction may be reversed. This
can be overcome by dropping the Compass onto the origin of the Axis System in the
Part that is being moved. Then rotation the reversed Axis through at least 180° and
then re-apply the Snap command.
Note: You can only use the Snap command if the currently Active node on the
Specification Tree is the Parent of both Parts being snapped.
√ X
This command is similar to the Snap command. It allows you to Snap one Part
to another and it also allows you to create Assembly Constraints.
After selecting the icon a Smart Move panel will appear and then click on the More
button to display the Quick Constraint options. If you select the Automatic
constraint creation, when you select the elements to snap together and click OK the
parts are snapped together and a Constraint is generated. The use of Assembly
Constraints is explained later in this session.
Explode Assembly
Allows you to Explode selected CATProducts.
Select the icon to display the Explode panel and select the CATProduct(s) to be
exploded.
The Selection field lists the CATProduct(s) you have selected to explode.
The Fixed product field lists CATProduct(s) that you have select to be Fixed and will
not be affected by the Explode.
The Scroll Explode bar allows you to simulate the movement of the Explode.
If you now click OK the CATProduct will be Exploded and Scroll bar will appear in
the Scroll Explode portion of the panel. A Warning message will be displayed
informing you that you are about to modify product positions. If you click Yes then
the Explode will permanently move the Parts together with any Sub-Products and the
command will end. If you click No then the Explode is temporary, which is probably
the safer option and the Explode panel will stay on the screen.
If you select the Apply then again the CATProduct will be Exploded and the Scroll
bar will appear in the Scroll Explode portion of the panel. An Information box
appears informing you than you can use the Compass to move Products. Click OK to
remove this panel and you are now in temporary Explode mode.
You can use the Scroll bar in the Scroll explode portion of the panel to increment
through the movement of the Parts on the screen from Exploded to assembled.
When you have finished click Cancel to exit Explode mode and this will also reset
the Parts back to their assembly positions.
Selected
CATProduct to
be Exploded
Resulting
Exploded
CATProduct
Note: The With respect to constraints check box on the Manipulation Panel must
be selected for this to function work.
Assembly Constraints
Assembly constraints are used to position CATParts relative to each other with a
CATProduct. All assembly constraints are added to the Specification Tree and
attached to a Constraints Node.
Constraints
Node
Assembly
Constraints
Quick Constraint
Flexible/Rigid Assembly
Change Constraint
Reuse Pattern
Coincidence Constraint
Applies a Coincidence Constraint between two Parts. This is ideally used to
constrain the axis of two Cylindrical features together although you can apply
it to a Points, Edges, Faces, etc.
Select the icon followed by the two elements/features on two different Parts that are to
be constrained. The constraint is attached to the Specification and temporarily
displayed on the screen. If you now click on the Update All button the two Parts that
have features selected will move to align the elements so that they are coincident with
each other.
As you hover over a Cylindrical features the axis of the feature is Axis of the
highlighted on the screen and if you select it then the coincidence Hole displayed
is applied to the axis. when you hover
over the feature
Hole Features to
be Constrained
Coincidence Constraint
attached to the Specification
Tree prior to the Update All
button being selected
Update symbol
indicating that the
new Constraint is
not up to date
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The resulting constrained Parts after the Update All button has been selected. The
Axis of the Holes is aligned but the two Parts do not necessarily contact each other.
Coincident
constraint
Symbol
Resultant up to date
Coincidence Constraint
Contact Constraint
Allows you to create a Contact Constraint between two Features on different
Parts. This Constraint is generally used between Planes and Planar Faces,
Lines and Points.
Select the icon and the two features on different Parts that require constraining. Select
the Update All icon to move the Parts to their constrained position. The selected
features will be aligned to each other but they may not touch.
In the following example the bottom face of the bracket is constrained to the side face
of the frame
Features to be
Constrained
Contact
Constraint Contact
attached to the Constraint
Specification Tree Symbol
Offset Constraint
Applies an Offset Constraint between selected feature on two different Parts.
This constraint can be applied to between Points, Lines ,Planes and Planar
Faces.
Select the icon followed by the two features to display Constraint Properties panel
will appear with the following options: -
The Name field contains the name of the Constraint, which you may change.
The Supporting Elements field lists the selected features and the Status displays
whether they are connected or not.
The Orientation allows you to control how the selected features are orientated to
each other with the following option available by clicking on the down arrow: -
Offset
Constraint
After clicking OK the resulting Constraint is added to the Specification Tree you then
have to Update the constraint to move the selected features to the correct position.
The features will be aligned but may not contact each other.
Angular Constraint
Creates an Angular Constraint between two features on different Parts. This
constraint can be applied between Lines, Planes, Planar Faces and the Axis of
Cylinder and Cones.
The Angle field specifies the angle value for the constraint.
After you click OK the Angle constraint is added to the Specification Tree and you
must select the Update All icon to position the features.
Feature to be
Constrained
Angular
Constraint
Angular
Constraint
Fix Constraint
Allows you to Fix the position of Parts.
Select the icon followed by selecting the Part to be fixed either graphically or from
the Specification Tree. The constraint is added to the Specification Tree and displayed
graphically on the selected Part. The Update command does not need to be used with
fix as no positional changes are taking place.
Fix
Constraint
It is possible to Fix the Position of both Product and Component nodes by selecting
them on the Specification Tree.
Select the Fix Together icon and select the Parts to be fixed together. A Fix Together
panel will appear listing the parts you have selected to fix together. If you make a
mistake re-select the incorrect part(s) to remove them from the list.
Name of the
Constraint
displayed in the
Specification Tree
List of Parts to be
Fixed Together
When you click OK the fix together constraint is applied to the selected Parts and
added to the specification Tree.
Selected Part to
be Fixed
Fix Together
Constraint
By using the Manipulation command and selecting the With respect to constraints
check box, when you select one of the Parts that is fixed together and move it, then all
other Parts constrained to it using the Fix Together constraint will be moved as well.
Quick Constraint
Selecting this icon allows you to quickly apply constraint between features on
different Parts.
After selecting the icon select the two features on different parts to be constrained.
Catia automatically applies a constraint of a type that best suits the features selected.
The resulting Constraint is added to the Specification Tree.
Flexible/Rigid Sub-Assembly
This command allows assembly constraint within a Sub-Assembly to be
overridden temporarily thus allowing parts to be repositioned.
Change Constraint
With this command you can change one constraint type to another.
After selecting the icon select the Constraint to be changed. A ChangeType panel
will appear listing the alternative constraints that are available for the selected
features.
Replacement
Constraint
Selected
constraint to be
changed
After selecting the alternative constraint from the list click OK and the Update All
icon to complete the change.
Result of changing
the Constraint from
an Offset to a
Coincidence
New
constraint
Reuse Pattern
This command allows you to select a Pattern from within an existing Part and
use it to position multiple instances of a Part in the Product.
Create a Scene
Scenes can be used to develop an existing Product assembly in a separate window
without affecting the original (i.e. create an Exploded version). You can create
multiple Scenes within a Product that show various iterations of the design Assembly.
The following attributes contained either in scenes or in the assembly can be changed
without the modifications being replicated in the other: -
Scenes are identified by name in the Specification Tree and by a graphic symbol in
the graphic window
When creating a Scene the Parts and Sub-Product that make up the Scene are
determined by the current selection in the Specification Tree: -
After selecting the required node on the specification tree select the Scene
icon. An Edit Scene panel appears where you can enter a name for the Scene
in the Name field. When you click OK the Scene is added the Specification
Tree under the Applications node and you are entered into the Scene Workbench.
Workbench Selection
Selection
Exit Workbench
Reset the selected products
Save Viewpoint
Snap
Search
Explode
Start Publish
The Reset the selected products icon allows you to reset representation of
selected Products within the Scene back to their original status.
Select the icon followed by the Products on the Specification Tree to perform the
reset.
The Save Viewpoint icon allows you to save the current view in the Scene.
The Snap icon allows you position Parts by snapping without affecting the Part
positions within the Product
Search allows you to perform search for data held in the Product.
The Explode icon allows you to Explode the Scene Assembly without
affecting the Product.
When you enter the Scene the background colour of the graphic display changes to
indicate that you are no longer in standard Assembly mode. When you have
completed the desired Scene use the Exit Workbench icon to return to the Assembly
Product
In the following example the Exploded GA Scene is created from a product with the
use of the Explode command.
The Assembly
Product unaffected
by the Explode
command used in
the Scene
Exploded
Scene attached Scene
to the
Specification
Tree
Scene
displayed in
the Graphics
Window
The created Scene can then be used to create an Exploded view in a CATDrawing
Assembly Operations
Assemblies Operations can be used to create Assembly Features and Symmetrical
Parts within the Product.
Assembly
Features
Create
Symmetry
Assembly Features
This toolbar allows you to create Assembly Based Features within the Product i.e. a
hole that passes through multiple Parts.
Hole Add
Split Remove
This command allows you to Split a group of selected Parts within a Product
using a Plane Or Surface.
Splitting
Element
Arrow indicating
the portion of the
solid to be kept
Parts to
be Split
Green Chain
Link Symbol
External
Reference
This command allows you to create a Hole feature through series of selected
Parts in a Product using a similar method to the Assembly Split command.
This command allows you to create a Pocket feature through series of selected
Parts in a Product again using a similar method to the Assembly Split
command.
You can use the Add command to add a Partbody from the Specification Tree
of one Part in the Product into the Specification Tree of other Part(s).
Create Symmetry
Create Symmetry Part(s) of existing Part(s) within the Product.
After selecting the icon a Symmetry panel will appear. First you have to select a
Plane that is to be used as the Mirror or Symmetry Plane followed by the Part(s) and
/or Products to be mirrored from the Specification.
Note: You can not select the top or Root node of the Product
When the command is completed an Assembly Symmetry Result panel will appear
detailing the number New Components, Instances and Products that have been
affected by the Symmetry. Select the Close button to remove the panel.
Resulting
Symmetry
The Update All icon must now be selected to synchronise the Product.
Note: When using this command be aware that the larger the assembly being
mirrored the longer the task will take.
In the following example a CATProduct which as two CATParts attached to it. One of
the Parts (MASTERSURF1) has two surfaces contained within it that are used to
Split a PartBody in CATIAV5RIBPART.
Resulting Split
PartBody contained Surfaces contained
within within
CATIAV5RIBPART MASTERSURF1
CATPart
During the Split operation a panel will appear asking if want to keep the link with
the selected Object.
If you select Yes then the Surface is copied into the Part being Split and is created in
the Specification Tree which embeds a Link to the Part containing the Surface thus
allowing any changes in the original Surface to be Updated in the Part being Split. If
you select No then the Surface is copied into the Part being Split and it is Isolated,
therefore if the original Surface is changed then copy will not Update.
Below is the resulting Specification Tree for the CATProduct with External
References linking MASTERSURF1 and CATIAV5RIBPART.
Extrude.1 Extrude.2
is Linked to is Linked to
Surface.3 Surface.4
Due to the fact that the links have been create between the two Parts within the
CATProduct (CATIAV5TRAIN12) the External references are said to be created
‘In Context’ with the Product. This means that if the CATPart containing the
External Reference is opened in its own right or it is added to another CATProduct
then the links will not be found and they will temporarily be broken. This is signified
by a red ‘?’ symbol being displayed on the Surface nodes attached to the External
References within the Part and a red zigzag symbol is displayed on the Part instance
node when the CATPart is attached to another CATProduct.
It is possible to check to see if a CATPart as links present by either selecting the Part
node within the CATProduct or opening the CATPart in its own right and then select
Links from the Edit drop down menu.
A Links to Element panel appears that list all the External References and the
Context link together with their Status i.e. OK or Not Found.
You can also use this panel to Isolate the linked element or Replace them. If a link is
broken or as been Isolated then a red zigzag symbol is displayed on the node.
Session 6 - Analysis
This session covers the use of some of the Digital Mockup (DMU) analysis tools
available within Catia.
Proximity Queries
The Proximity Query analysis tool can be found in the DMU Navigator Workbench
on the DMU Data Navigation Toolbar and is called Spatial Query. This allows you
to check the clearance between selected Products and surround geometry. This
command can be used to allow you to limit the number of Products, Sub-Products
and Parts displayed when working on large complex Assemblies or just the portion of
the assembly you are interested in. Catia uses a representation of the selected Parts,
which is made of series of cubes to perform the query. The size of the cube is
controlled by the Accuracy value.
Spatial Query
Select the icon to display a Spatial Query panel. The main options to consider when
using this panel are: -
Once you have selected the Product(s) and set the Clearance and Accuracy you must
select the Search button to perform the Query. Catia will now perform the query
during which a Computation in progress panel will appear detailing the operation
progress.
Upon completion the Parts whose distance from the selected Product(s) is less than
the Clearance value are displayed in the Results portion of the panel and are
highlighted graphically.
You can now use the Select button together with the Group icon, which can be found
on the DMU Navigator Tools Toolbar to group the highlighted items together.
Group
A Group node is added to the Specification Tree under the Applications Node. The
Group node contains all the groups that you have created
On selecting the Group icon an Edit Group and Preview panels appear. The Edit
Group panel allows you to edit the name of the group and also lists the associated
Products and Parts. The Preview panel shows a graphic display of the Group.
Once the group has been created you can use Hide/Show to display the group only.
Clash Analysis
The Clash Analysis tool is accessible through both the Assembly Design and DMU
Space Analysis Workbenches and is located on the Space Analysis Toolbar.
Clash
Clearance + Contact + Clash. This will allow you to enter a distance value for the
Clearance check in the right hand field.
Authorised penetration. Allows you to check for clash over a specified interference
distance which is entered in the right hand field
The field under the Type field allows you to select whether you want to run the
analysis against all components, only inside the selected Product, all components
against the selected Product and between two selections.
By default if you do not select a Product then Catia will perform the clash against the
currently active Product.
When you click Apply the analysis is performed and the Clash Check panel will
expand to display the results. A Computing panel may be seen briefly during the
check.
Note: The larger the assembly that is checked then the longer the process will
take.
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In the following example the active product is selected by default to which a Contact
and Clash analysis is performed against all components.
After clicking Apply the check is performed and the Check Clash panel expands to
display the results.
The number of
Interference’s found
Results
If you select one of the results from the table (in this case row 5) a Preview window
appears displaying the components involved in the check. The value of the clash, if
any, is displayed in the Value field and the Status value changes.
Any clash is
hightlighted in
a window
which you can
Zoom and Pan
using the
mouse.
If you now click OK the Clash is attached to the Speciication Tree under the name
specified in the Name field. To view the results again double click on the Results
Clash node
Results
Node
node.
You can also save the results as XML file, a plain Text file or a Catia Version 4
.model by selecting the Export button. There is also the option to toggle the Preview
results to the main graphics window by select the Results Window button.
Sectioning
This command allows you to take 3D section cuts through selected Products. As with
Clash, this icon can be found on the Space Analysis Toolbar in both Assembly
Design and DMU Space Analysis Workbenches.
Sectioning
There are seven buttons below the selection field that allow the following options: -
Section Automatic
Plane Type Update Toggle
The Section Plane Type has three options available by selecting the small arrow on
the button: -
Section Slice – Creates two sections superimpossed on each other using two
parallel Planes.
The Volume Cut toggle allows you to limit the display of the Solid geometry on the
screen to the positive side of the section plane.
The Results Window toggle switches the Preview window into a full window.
The Section Fill toggle allows you to specify a fill for the section.
The Clash Detection toggle switches on the Clash Detection in a second window.
The Export File button allows you to save the result in one of the following formats:
♦ CATPart
♦ CATDrawing
♦ dxf
♦ dwg
♦ igs
♦ model
♦ stp
♦ wrl
The Automatic Update button has two options available by selecting the small arrow
on the button: -
The Position and Dimensioning portion of the panel allows you to specify the position
and orientation of the section plane.
The X, Y and Z check box orientation the plane with the x, y, z plane of the Product.
If you select the Edit Plane button then the following panel appears that allows you to
position and orientate the Section plane.
Plane origin
relative to the
Product origin Section
Plane size
Translation
Increment Rotation
Value Increment
value
Translation Translation
Increment Increment
buttons buttons
Undo/Redo
option
The Translation and Rotation Increment values allow you move the section a set
distance or angle by using the increment buttons.
You can also position and orientate the Section plane by dragging the plane compass
with MB1.
The Align Plane with geometry button when selected allows you to position the
Section plane on a selected element. Once you select the element the section plane is
positioned normal to the element at the position you indicate.
The Reset button resets the Section plane to original start position.
Once you have selected your desired settings for the Section Cut click OK to create
the Section node on the Specification Tree. The created Section can be editted by
double clicking on the node.
Single
Section
Plane
Section
Plane
Compass
Two
First Plane Section
Planes
Plane Manipulator visible
when you place the mouse
pointer over the plane. Use
Second MB1 to drag the plane to a
Plane new position
Plane Compass
controls both
section Planes
Section
Box
Wireframe
intersection
geometry
A composite
Section using
the Section Box
option
Section
Compass
Composite
Section
Measuring Distances
To measure geometry within Catia you can use the following icons on the Measure
Toolbar, which is available in the majority of the Workbenches on the bottom toolbar.
Measure
Between
Measure
Item
The Calculation mode allows you select whether the measurement is Exact or
Approximate. If you measure in a Product that is in Visualisation mode then the
result will be approximate until you switch to Design mode.
If you select Keep Measure then the distance between the selected elements is
displayed on the screen permanently and a MeasureBetween node is added to the
Specification Tree.
You can customise the measure result by selecting the Customize button.
Once you have customised your display either click Apply to temporarily apply the
display or OK to set the customised displayed.
The following is an example of use measure between using Any Geometry and Any
Geometry, Infinite between the same features.
In the following example the Distance and Angle to measured and displayed between
the two Spoiler Brackets.
After selecting this button you have to select the first element to measure followed by
the second. The desired distance/angle is then displayed. If you now select a third
element then a distance/angle is displayed between the second and third elements. All
other options are the same as Measure Between.
Measuring
in Chain
mode
After selecting this button you have to select the first element to measure followed by
the second. The desired distance/angle is then displayed. If you now select a third
element then a distance/angle is displayed between the first and third elements. Again
all other options are the same as Measure Between.
Fan or
Stack mode
Measuring
The final measure option is Measure Item which also accessible from the Measure
Toolbar. When you select this button a Measure Item panel appears. The option
allows you to measure individual elements i.e. Feature Edges, Faces, etc. after
selecting your desired options and the element to be measured the results are
displayed both graphically and in the Results portion of the panel.
Click OK to complete the command. If the Keep Measure checkbox is selected then
the measure result is permanently displayed and added to the Specification Tree.