Ham and Spam and Jam a Lot

BOM Table Relations

2012-02-27T20:30:00.000-06:00

I've decided to post the "relations" from one of my fancier ProE (Creo) BOM tables here, both to preserve it for myself and as an example that might be helpful to others. For the most part, I've worked out how the syntax works via trial and error. The table itself may be downloaded from here. It is set up to support a particular drawing style, bubbles, etc, but does demonstrate some of what can

Making a model of negative space in ProE/Creo

2011-12-21T12:49:00.001-06:00

Need a model of the negative space inside an assembly model that you're developing? Here's a way. Note that only parts in contact with the inner surface are included in the negative; detached parts will not show up in the negative space. Also on occasion you will need to click the green check mark to finish out a command. __________________________ Update: I have not used this in

Caesar II Newbie Notes

2010-11-16T10:45:00.003-06:00

Some things that caused me grief in Caesar II: - Piping bends do not have an angle assignment. The pipe delta-length direction dictates the bend angle. - Forces that are added to nodes are not automatically included in the analysis; a +F1 must appear in the load case to "activate" them. For example, W+T1+P1+F1. Only then will the forces/moments you've added be evaluated.

Pipe Analysis: Fluid Mechanics vs. "The Code"

2010-11-16T10:35:00.002-06:00

I'm doing stress analysis on some cryogenic pipe now. And now I suddenly face "The Code", a reality I have until now not had to face. Coming from a design engineer background, I initially approached the pipe with my copy of Roark's, and Engineering Fluid Mechanics. This approach results in stress values that are then compared, with safety factors, to the ultimate and yield strength of the

MathCad fonts

2010-09-01T13:05:00.007-05:00

This may be on the obsessive side, but fonts make a difference when you're writing formulas. I just started using MathCad, which I like better than Excel; well maybe not for everything, but then again, maybe. One of my formulas has a "lowercase-L", which in the default font looks just like a "number one" and a "capital I". Quick, what letters are these: l 1 I This is pretty

Materials and Material Library / Directory

2010-08-19T09:41:00.000-05:00

The parameter for setting the default material library path is pro_material_dir. Leaving that parameter blank will select the default material directory: \text\materials-library.

Prep a Pro Model for Femap Solid Mesh - Weldment

2010-08-04T13:23:00.001-05:00

I need to import a ProE model into Femap, and generate a solid mesh on it. In ProE, weldments are often modeled as separate parts that are placed together in an assembly. In Femap, the solids are auto-meshed separately, so that the intersections or "nodes" on one part don't necessarily match up to those on another. To get around this, I'm making a single ProE part model that is based on the

Pro Material params

2010-01-28T16:06:00.001-06:00

Here's the list of reserved materials parameters. Being reserved doesn't mean they are populated though. PTC_YOUNG_MODULUS PTC_POISSON_RATIO PTC_MASS_DENSITY PTC_THERMAL_EXPANSION_COEF PTC_TENSILE_ULTIMATE_STRESS PTC_COMPR_ULTIMATE_STRESS PTC_SHEAR_ULTIMATE_STRESS PTC_THERMAL_CONDUCTIVITY PTC_SPECIFIC_HEAT PTC_HARDNESS PTC_CONDITION PTC_INITIAL_BEND_Y_FACTOR PTC_BEND_TABLE

Save a PDF from Photoshop

2009-12-07T12:53:00.000-06:00

Using Photoshop CS2: Save the image(s) as a PDF, then open Adobe Bridge. Brows to the directory, then CTRL-pick all the images. Pick "Tools/Photoshop/PDF Presentation", then follow the prompts.

Supress Dimension Value in a Drawing

2009-11-02T16:11:00.000-06:00

To supress a dimension value and replace it with text: - The dimension must be created, rather than shown. - Double-click the dimension, or right-click and then pick "Properties" - Select the "Dimension text" tab, and replace the "@D" text with "@O" and the text that you want to be displayed. Note: that is a letter "O", not the number Zero.

Patterns on Patterns, bolts, headache

2009-08-07T12:28:00.006-05:00

Patterns can be touchy. I needed to use eight bolts and washers to attach a port cover, and I needed this in six equal places around a barrel. After much grinding of teeth, and possibly less hair, I have had my way with it. I can't say that all of the steps are vitally important, but this is the way I finally got it to work.1. Place one cover on a port: The ports are a patterned feature on the

System Parameters for Drawings

2009-07-02T13:18:00.002-05:00

From Pro helpThe following table lists all system parameters available for use in drawings, classified according to functionality. PARAMETER NAME DEFINITION &d# Displays a dimension in a drawing note, where # is the dimension ID. &ad#

Offset Section

2009-06-09T10:23:00.005-05:00

To create an offset section, open the model and the drawing. Select the drawing view that will display the offset section. In this example, it is a "Front" view. Right-click and open the "Properties" panel.Select Sections (on the left), pick "2D cross-section", click the green +, then choose "Create New". A sub-menu will pop up. Select "Offset", then "Done". Type in a name for the view, and hit "

Placing a point at a model's CG

2009-04-29T15:12:00.009-05:00

This lets you place a point at the cg, so you can dimension its location on a drawing.First, assign materials to the part, or parts if it's an assembly, then run a mass properties report. This is done through the Edit/Setup menu. For more details on this, read how to put weight into a drawing note.Looking at the mass properties report, there is a section labeled:CENTER OF GRAVITY with respect to

Exploded View

2008-12-05T09:43:00.002-06:00

Open "view manager", select the "Explode" tab, and make a new exploded view. Go to the "View" dropdown in the main window, and select "Explode/Edit Position". Select components and move to the desired "explode" location.

Ghost a Component

2008-09-11T16:38:00.003-05:00

If you need to show a component on a drawing sheet as "ghosted", pick View/Drawing Display/Component Display, select the display style, and Ctrl-click the components that you want to use phantom lines.

Show Weight in a Drawing Note

2008-07-14T09:30:00.014-05:00

Begin in the part or assembly file that the drawing is attached to.- Make sure the material is assigned in the model, or in the parts if it is an assembly. To do this, pick the drop-down Edit/Setup, and pick "Material", then choose an appropriate material. (More details on this)- Run a Mass Props report on the model or assembly: drop-down menu Edit/Setup, and pick "Mass Props", then click "

Add Bolt Sizes to Hole Tool

2008-07-07T14:39:00.005-05:00

If the thread size you want is not in the drop-downs for the Hole Tool, you can add one. Browse to C:\ptc\proeWildfire30\text\hole and open the appropriate thread file with WordPad. Following the format exactly, add the data for the new thread.You will need to restart Pro|E to activate the new thread table.Troubleshoot:1. If the thread table you edited no longer shows up, there is something

Layers and Hiding Stuff

2008-06-27T14:39:00.010-05:00

Putting things on layers makes it easier to hide and show what you want to see. Click on "Show", and pick "Layer Tree" to view the model layers. Pick "Model Tree" to go back. The layer tree is an alternate organizational view of the model elements. If it is an assembly file, you will see layer names for all of the parts in the assembly also. Layers will same-names will be grouped, and identified

Viewing Geometric Tolerances (GDT) frame in the Model Tree

2008-06-27T13:55:00.008-05:00

Sometimes it's hard to edit a GDT frame in a drawing, especially if the GDT is attached to a dimension. The GDT frames can be shown in the tree view of the model or the drawing file by selecting "Settings/Tree Filters" and checking the box next to "Annotations". They are then easily selected for editing.To make sure you're editing the correct frame, from the dropdown in the drawing, pick "Info/

Lock Part Number to File Name

2008-03-27T13:26:00.002-05:00

If your part number is the same as the file name, you can write a relation to link them.From the Dropdown menu: Tools/Relationsadd this line:part_number=rel_model_name

Pro|E: Location Callouts: What Sheet and Grid a View can be found on.

2008-03-04T09:30:00.011-06:00

This is used to create a parametric note that identifies the sheet and/or drawing zone a specific view (detail, section, etc) is located in on a drawing. A reverse callout is also available, giving the location of the detail or cross-section's parent view. For drawing zone callout, a grid must be defined.Callouts:Grid letter and number: &pos_loc:view:Sheet number: &sheet:view:

Pro|E: Change BOM balloon type

2008-02-27T10:00:00.006-06:00

If the default BOM balloon bubbles don't meet your standards, you can replace them with custom "symbols".From the Dropdown menu: Table/BOM ballooons....To changeAll balloons: Pick "Change Type", then click the repeat region of the table.Selected Balloons: Pick "Alt Symbol", then select those balloons you want to change. This appears to work only if "Change Type" has been done on the balloons

Pro|E: Table Line Display

2008-02-27T09:14:00.004-06:00

Right-click the table, and pick Line Display. This lets you turn the lines on and off without affecting the cells.

Links for Design Stuff

2008-02-21T09:44:00.002-06:00

Paint FED-STD-595 and swatchUnits ConversionProE tutorialsHoist rings they like and ADB Hoist RingsWeld symbols