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CATIA Training

Foils

Assembly Design
Fundamentals

Version 5 Release 8
January 2002
EDU-CAT-E-ASM-FF-V5R8
Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Course Presentation
Objectives of the Course
In this course you will learn to create and manage CATProduct files

Targeted audience
New CATIA V5 Users
Prerequisites:
CATIA Part Design Fundamentals V5

1 day

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Table of Contents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Introduction to Assembly Design


Assembling Components
Positioning Components Using Constraints
Analyzing Assembly
Editing Parts in an Assembly
Working with Components
Flexible Sub-Assemblies

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p 4
p 12
p 42
p 97
p 122
p 139
p 177

Introduction to Assembly Design


You will become familiar with the main work on assemblies
such as inserting components and constraining them

Assembly Design QuickStart


Assembly Design Workbench Presentation

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Assembly Design Workbench Presentation

You will learn about the Assembly Design Workbench by :

Accessing the workbench


Exploring the User Interface
Terminology
Understanding the general process

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Accessing the Assembly Design Workbench (1/2)


To access the Assembly Design Workbench,
Start CATIA, then select the Start menu choosing Mechanical Design and Assembly
Design.

Assembly Design
Workbench icon

The first time you access the Assembly Design Workbench if no window
is open , a new Product is created
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Accessing the Assembly Design Workbench (2/2)


You can insert Assembly Design Workbench in a list of your favorite worbenches and
acces it by the Workbench and Worbenches Toolbars.

Select Tools / Customize and drop Assembly


Design on the Favorites List

2a

2b

Acces by Worbench Toolbar

Acces by Worbenches
Toolbar

This Assembly Design Workbench can


be now acces at the Top of the Start
Menu
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User Interface: Assembly Design Toolbars


Standard Toolbar

Compass

Filter Selection
Assembly tree

Scenes

Components

Constraint

Move
Catalog Browser

Weld Planner
Annotation

Product
Structure

Annotations

Measure
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User Interface: Assembly Design Icons


Update

Text with Leader


Flag Note with Leader

Catalog
Browser

Measure Between
Measure Item
Measure Inertia

Manipulate
Snap
Explode

Coincidence Constraint

New Component

Contact Constraint

New Product

Offset Constraint

New Part

Angle Constraint

Existing Component

Fix Component

Replace Component

Fix Together

Product structure Reordering

Quick Constraint

Generate Numbering

Flexible/Rigid Sub Assembly

Product Init
Manage Representation

Change Constraint

Fast Multi-Instanciation

Reuse Pattern

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Weld
Planner

Terminology
Active item is in blue
Component that is an
sub-assembly

Selected component
is highlighted

Component that
is a part
Part Number

Instance name by default is in


parenthesis

A component is the general terminology . It can be a part or a assembly (inside an assembly it is


called a sub-assembly).
An Assembly or Product is a collection of components and constraints them. Assembly
documents have the file extension CATProduct.
Parts and assemblies have a Part Number (the Name of the component).
All instances of a part or assembly have the same Part Number. Each instance can have its own
Instance Name that identifies the instance.
The active item is the item currently being edited. You make it active by double-clicking on it.
Selected items are highlighted.
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General Process
Create a new assembly
or
open an existing one
Add, delete,
and replace
components

Position
components
using constraints
Analyze the
assembly

Design parts in the


context of the
assembly

Capture various states of


the assembly for analyzing
the design and preparing
for drafting

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Assembling Components
You will learn to create a new assembly, add components, assign
properties, and save documents

Creating a New Assembly Document


Adding Components
Assigning Component Properties
Saving an Assembly Document

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Creating a New Assembly Document

You will learn how to create a new Assembly Document

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What is an Assembly Document ?


An Assembly Document is a document that is also called a Product because of its file
extension .CATProduct.
An Assembly or Product is a collection of components
In this example,
One file sub-clamp.CATProduct for 2 Instances

Full-clamp.CATProduct

A assembly may contain a


another assembly,

It is called a sub-assembly

Clamp-pad.CATPart

blank sheet behind the component


icon means that the component is
linked with an external file
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Creating a New Assembly Document


Ways to create a new document:
1- Start menu
2- File menu

3- Workbench Icon

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Assembly Design
Workbench icon

15

Assigning Product Properties


Description information, called Product Properties, can be keyed for the
new Assembly Document.

Product tab

Key the Part Number and


other properties

Properties

Right-click the assembly

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Adding Components
You will learn how to add new and existing components to an assembly

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What are Components ?


In its simplest form, a Component is a Part or Assembly that has been inserted into
an assembly. However, a Component can also be represented by data that is not
native to V5, such as V4 models, IGES, STEP, and VRML.

The root assembly

CATProduct component

CATPart component

V4 model component

Component that exists only


in the parent CATProduct
and does not have its own
file

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Adding Components
There are three ways to insert components into an assembly: Contextual Menu,
Product Structure toolbar, and Insert Menu.

Fastest way is to right-click the assembly


(that will receive the component) and use
the Contextual Menu to insert the
component

Last way is to select the assembly and


use the Insert Menu

Most visible way is to select the


assembly and use the icons in the
Product Structure Toolbar

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Inserting an Existing Component


Often you will want to insert existing files as components. Inserted files are not
copied into the assembly, they are just referenced by the assembly.
1

Right-click the assembly

Existing Component
3a Choose a filter if desired (for example, CATPart, CATProduct,
model, etc)
3b Double-click the file to insert

You can import more than one component at


a time by selecting with the mouse while
holding the [SHIFT] or [CTRL] key
Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

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Inserting a New Part


New parts (CATParts) can be inserted on-the-fly while designing an assembly.

Right-click the assembly

New Part

Press YES to define an origin for the new part


that is different from the origin point of the
assembly, otherwise press NO
If you pressed YES, select a point or a component to
define the origin of the new part
If you select a point, the origin of the new part
will be exactly this point
If you select a component , the origin point of the
new part will be the same as the origin point of the
selected component

Key a Part Number for the new part. This


sets the Part Number property.

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

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User Setting: Turning ON Manual Input of Part Numbers


As a shortcut, Part Number properties can be keyed when inserting a new
part in an assembly.
1

Select Options... from


the Tools menu

Select Product
Structurebranch under
Infrastructure node

Select Product Structure


tab

Activate Manual input

Insert a New Part

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Inserting a New Product


New assemblies (CATProducts) can be inserted on-the-fly. New Product Command will
create a new sub assembly in the selected component but also a new external
CATProduct file with the same name.

Right-click the assembly

New Product

Key a Part Number for the new assembly. This


sets the Part Number property.

blank sheet behind the component


icon means that the component is
linked with an external file
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Inserting a New Component


You can create a special type of component that exists only in the
parent CATProduct and does not have its own file.
1

Right-click the assembly

Here are one component that exist in


the parent CATProduct and do not
have its own file.
You can insert in it components

New Component

Key a Part Number for the new assembly. This


sets the Part Number property.

There is no blank sheet behind the


component icon : there is no link with
an external file.
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Why Inserting a component from a catalog ?


It can be useful to insert in your assembly standard components that
are only available through Catalogs where they are referenced

This screw which


is referenced in a
catalog needs to
be inserted in
your assembly
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Inserting a component from a catalog


In the Assembly Design Workbench you can insert components from
catalog referencing CATPart files or CATProduct files
1

In standard toolbar, select the Catalog Browser


2

Open chapters until you


get the end chapter in
which the element you
want is referenced

(A)

(B)

To insert the element inside your document you can either :


- drag and drop it in the destination product (A)
- make a copy with contextual menu of element and paste in
destination product of your document (B)
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Copy-and-Paste a Component
Copy-and-Paste is an easy way to duplicate a component.

Another way to copy-and-paste a component


is to press [CTRL] while dragging the
component onto the assembly.
[CTRL] key

After pasting there are two


instances of the part

1 Right-click the
component to be copied

You can also use shortcuts

Copy

Instance name

Right-click the assembly in which you


want to paste the component
4

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Paste
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Assigning Component Properties


You will learn how to set component text properties

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What are Component Properties ?


Component Properties can be assigned to distinguish
or describe an instance of a component.
Component Properties:
Component Property values
can vary by component.

Instance Name

These properties are stored


in the parent assemblys
CATProduct file.

Product Properties:
Product Property values are
the same for all instances of
the component.
When the component is a
CATPart or CATProduct,
these properties are stored in
the CATPart or CATProduct.
When the component is a V4
model, they are stored in the
in the parent assemblys
CATProduct file.
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Assigning Component Properties (1/2)


Nodes Customization.
1

Select Tools / Options.


2

Part Number

Select Product Structure and


Nodes Customization

Instance
Name

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Activate Customized Display and


select yours desired options

30

Assigning Component Properties (2/2)


Like other properties, component text properties can
be easily accessed from the contextual menu.
4
5

Right-click the component

Component
Property
values can
vary by
component.

Product tab

Key an Instance Name


and/or Description

Properties

Product Property
values are the same
for all instances of a
part or assembly.

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Saving an Assembly Document


You will learn how to save an Assembly Document

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Saving an Assembly Document ...


There are various ways to save an Assembly Document and
child documents.

Save will save the active components document and


child documents of the active document
Save As... is similar to Save, but it allows you to specify
the name and folder for the active document
Save All will save all the open documents that have been
modified since last save
Save Management will propose saving all open documents
and children of these document, but you can control names
and locations of all of them

Only those documents that have been modified will be saved or proposed to
save.

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Saving a Document under another Name


Save As allows a file name and folder to be specified. It allows you to create a
brand new document with new internal identifiers.
1

Activate the document to be saved

The active CATProduct document and any modified


child documents will be saved

3 Specify a file name


and folder

Save As...
4

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Specify if you want to regenerate


internal identifiers

Regenerating Internal
Identifiers will avoid
instantiation conflicts
with the reference34

Saving all Modified Documents


Save All is an easy way to save all modified documents
which are not new or read only documents.
1

Save All
2a If all the documents modified since last
save are not new (just created) or read
only files, you wont have any message
and CATIA will save them

If some of the documents modified since last save


are new (just created) or read only files you will
2b have this message

All modified open documents will be


saved, regardless of which document is
active

3b
And clicking on OK will give
you access to the Save All
As command
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What is Save Management ?


This command is useful to save all the modified or linked documents under
selected names and directories

Modified Components

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Save Management (1/5)


This command is useful to save all the modified documents under other names and
directories
1

Make modifications on
components

In this case, editing the Axis.CATPart


file , we have increased the diameter of
pad1 from 10 to 13 mm and the
AxisNut.CATPart was impacted and
modified also. We do have 4 modified
documents

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Save Management (2/5)


This command also remind you of what you have modified since last save.

No save as will be performed


until you have clicked on OK

Select Save Management from


File menu

If the file has been modified


or saved since last load, it is
indicated in the State
column

Select the file you


want to save

Names of all files


currently used are
displayed ...

Select Save as...

and their paths


as well .

Number of unsaved modified files since


last load
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Save Management (3/5)

This command also remind you of what you have modified since last save.
5

Select the destination folder and name


of the new created file and select
Save

Destination
Folder

Name

Save is indicated for the selected


document, and Save Auto for its child
documents

Actions that will


be performed
when clicking Ok

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

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Save Management (4/5)


This command automatically save impacted files too
If you click on OK as there are
still unsaved files left, CATIA
will display this message...

...and will save only the


documents that have a Save
or Save Auto Action

If you select for the save as a CAT product and if other modified documents are referenced by it ,
those ones will get Save auto in the Action column and will be saved when clicking Ok

Once you have saved a product in a new directory, you


have the possibility to save the files referenced by the
product into this directory just by clicking on the
propagate directory button.

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

To know what are documents called by a


CATProduct, use Links command from Edit
menu or Desk from File menu

40

Save Management (5/5)


You can change your mind about the way you save the document thanks to Reset button
and it is not mandatory to save a document under another name thanks to Save button.

You can get back the original state of the document by selecting it and
clicking on Reset

You can choose to keep same name and folder for a document and in this
case use the save button

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

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Positioning Components using Constraints


You will become familiar with positioning components in an
assembly using assembly constraints

Freely Moving Components


Creating Assembly Constraints
Updating Assembly Constraints
Creating Quick Constraints
Multi Constraints Modes
Hiding Constraints
Filtering Constraints

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Freely Moving Components


You will learn how to use the Compass to freely move
components which makes it easier to position components when
setting assembly constraints

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How the Compass can be Used ?


The Compass can be used to pan and rotate the entire session
or freely drag and rotate components in an assembly.
Panning and rotating the
entire session

Freely dragging and


rotating components
You will find it convenient to freely drag
and rotate component to make it easier to
create assembly constraints

Here the entire session rotated


around the X-axis.
The rotation is temporary because
it is not stored in CATPart or
CATProduct documents.

Here a component is freely


rotated around the X-axis.
The rotation may be permanent
because it is stored in
CATProduct documents.

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Positioning the Compass to Move a Component


The first step in freely moving a component is to position the
Compass on a component.
1

Move your cursor over the little red


square of the compass to get this
cursor icon

Press and hold down MB1 to drag the


compass. When moved, the compass
takes this shape.
If you release MB1 before any
component selection, the compass will
return to this point.
A component is selectable when this
point disappears

3
Green highlighted compass means that a
component is selected and that you can
move it

When the component is selectable, the compass takes the


orientation of the geometric element that is under the
compass. To select, release MB1.
Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Once a component is selected , you can


select any other one by clicking on it, and
compass when moving will drag it.

45

Freely moving a Component using the Compass


Here are the basic steps for freely moving a component.

Place the compass on a


component

Select the type of movement by moving


the cursor on the Compass. The
highlighted compass elements indicate
the available movement.

Translation along
an axis

Translation along
a plane

Rotation around
an axis

Rotation around the


origin of the compass

With MB1 held down,


move the component

To move a component while respecting


the constraints, press [SHIFT] while
pressing MB1 and moving the
component.
[SHIFT] key

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Translating a Component using the Compass


Here are the basic steps for translating a component using the Compass.

Place the compass on a


component
2

Right-click on the compass and


select Edit...

3a Specify translation distances by:

Keying values; or
Selecting elements using the
Measure Distance button

Fix-Together the components if they will not


otherwise be constrained

3b Move the component by:

Selecting one of these - and + buttons


to move along the U, V, and W directions
Selecting one of these - and + buttons
to move along the U, V, and W directions
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Rotating a Component using the Compass


Here are the basic steps for rotating a component using the Compass.

Place the compass on a


component
2

3a

Right-click on the compass and


select Edit...

Specify a rotation angle by:

Keying a value; or
Selecting elements using the
Measure Angle button

Fix-Together the components if they will not


otherwise be constrained

3b Move the component by:

Selecting one these - and + buttons


to rotate around the U, V, or W axis
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Setting the Absolute Position of a Component


Here are the basic steps for setting the absolute position of a component.

Right-click on the compass and activate Snap


Automatically to Selected Object

Select a component and the compass will jump to the


origin of the selected component

Right-click on the compass and


select Edit...

The absolute position in the Compass Edit


window is actually the position of the compass,
not the position of the component.

4a

Specify a position by keying values

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Move the component by pressing the


4b Apply New Position button

49

Creating Assembly Constraints


You will learn how to Position components setting Assembly Constraints

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What are Assembly Constraints ?


Assembly constraints provide an intuitive way to position components with
respect to each other. The process for creating constraints is described here.

Fix-in-space one component in each


assembly that will serve as the base

Set the position of components by


specifying constraints

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Using the Compass, freely drag and rotate


components to make adding constraints easier

Update (regenerate) the constraints to move


the components into position

51

Setting Assembly Constraints ...


You have several ways to reach constraints icons and several ways to
use them

To reach the icons, you can either use:

To set a constraint between two components, you can


either:
First click on the icon then select the Elements you
want to constraint

the Constraint toolbar


or the Insert Menu

or first select or multi select the elements to


constraint and click on the icon
Note that in the second case you may have to use the [Ctrl] key
to multi select elements whereas in the first case, CATIA will
be waiting for a next selection
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Manual Update for Assembly Design


You control whether or not CATIA automatically updates assembly
constraints (positioning of components) after making a change.
1

Select Options... from the Tools menu

Activate Manual

Select Assembly Design branch under


Mechanical Design node

It is preferable to use Manual Update mode so that components do not move around
before being fully positioned (fully constrained).
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Fixing a Component in Space (1/2)


Components that are Fixed in space return to their fixed-in-space
position when constraints are updated (regenerated).
Its a good idea to fix-in-space one component in
each assembly that will serve as the base

Select the component in the tree


or in geometry

The component is fixed in


space

Fix

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Fixing a Component in Space (2/2)

After Update
Drag Cric Frame with
the Compass

CRIC_FRAME cant move


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Fixing a Component (1/2)


Fix is like Fix in Space, but when constraints are updated, it will only stay at its current
place and will not go back to a fixed in space position.

Double-click the Fix constraint


3

Select the More>> button

Fix

4
Deactivate the Fix in Space
option
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Fixing a Component in Space (2/2)

Drag Cric Frame with


the Compass

After Update

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Fixing-Together Components
Components that are Fixed-Together move as a single entity when
updating (regenerating) constraints.

Select the components to be Fixed-Together

Fix Together

As a matter of practice, its a good idea to Fix-Together


components that will not otherwise be constrained. This
will ensure that components are not unintentionally
moved out of position.
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User Setting: Turning On Fix-Together Warning


Fix-Together constraints are used to glue components together. Using the
Compass it is possible to unintentionally separate Fixed-Together components.
We will activate the warning so that components belonging to a Fix
Together constraint are not accidentally moved out of position.
1

Select Options... from


the Tools menu
2

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Select Assembly Design


branch under Mechanical
Design node

Use General
tab

Activate
warning

59

Disregarding the Fix-Together Warning


You will be warned when attempting to move a component that is Fixed-Together.
The warning can be disregarded, but beware that the new position is permanent.

For example, when attempting to


Snap this component

You will see this warning

After pressing OK you can continue to


move the component

But beware that pressing Update will not move the


component back in position. It has a new position
within the Fix-Together

Immediately press Undo if you did not intend


to move the component.
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Creating a Coincidence Constraint (1/2)


Coincidence creates alignment that can be coaxial, coplanar, or merged
points.
coaxial

coplanar

Coincidence

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Select the two elements to


specify the constraint

merged
points

The constraint is created and the


elements are aligned

61

Creating a Coincidence Constraint (2/2)


Concerning coplanar alignment, CATIA gives a choice of orientation with two
green arrows
1

Coincidence

Select two planes as


geometric elements for
the constraint

3
Just click one of those green
arrows to invert the orientation
of the moving component.

1st
selection

2nd selection

When putting a constraint between


two components, the moving
component will be the first selected
if it is not fixed or fixed in space

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Click on OK when the


orientation is correct

62

Creating a Contact Constraint


Contact mates two planes or faces.

Contact

Select the two elements to


specify the constraint

The constraint is created and the


elements are mated

Notice that the Pre-selection


Navigator to select elements
that are hidden

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Creating an Offset Constraint


Defines an offset between two elements.
1

Offset
2

Select the two elements to


specify the constraint

3a Key the offset

1st selection

2nd selection

3b Select the orientation


By clicking on a green arrow
By selecting an orientation in
the Orientation Combo box

4 Click on Ok when
you are satisfied
with specifications
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Creating an Angle Constraint (1/2)


Defines angle, parallelism and perpendicularity.
1

Angle

The constraint is created and


the elements are offset

Select the two elements to


specify the constraint

3a

Select the type

3b

Key the angle

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Creating an Angle Constraint (2/2)


Concerning parallelism between two planes, CATIA gives a choice in the orientation of
the components.
1

Angle

Click OK when
satisfied with
specifications

Select two planes as


geometric elements to
specify the constraint

Select the type

4 Select the
orientation
By clicking on a green arrow

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By selecting an orientation in
the Orientation Combo box
66

Constraint Rules
There are a few simple rules that CATIA automatically enforces.

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 sub-assembly if
this sub-assembly is not the active component.
(3) This 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.
(2) This 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.
(1) This 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.
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Assembly Assistant
This assistant will warn you when you make mistakes putting constraints
1 This warning appears when you have switched on the setting
only use the published geometry and try to select a non
published element for a constraint

2 This warning appears when you try to constrain a component


which does not belong to the active product

3 This warning appears when you try to constrain two


elements which belong to the same component

(4)

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Updating Assembly Constraints


You will learn how to Update assembly constraints

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What is Updating Constraints ?


Updating or regenerating constraints is the way to move components
into their assembled positions as specified by the constraints.

Here the coincidence constraint


is not updated

Here the coincidence constraint


is updated
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Updating Constraints ...


The scope of the update can be applied to all constraints or just
individual constraints.

To update all the constraints and parts of


the assembly, click on the Update icon in
the Update Toolbar
1

Update
needed

Update
done

As a matter of practice, its a good idea to update


an assembly before saving it. This will enable
improved performance when opening assemblies,
especially when using Manual Update.

Its also a good idea to update sub-assemblies


before activating another assembly. This avoids
unintended results when updating constraints.

To update an individual constraint, right-click on


a constraint in the tree or 3D and select Update

Update
needed

Update
done
1

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Options for Updating Assembly Constraints


Updating can be Manual or Automatic. Updating can be applied to the
active level of the assembly or all levels.
1

Click on Options in the


Tools menu

Select the Assembly


Design branch under
Mechanical Design node

Make your choices in


Update options

Select Manual because Automatic will modify your assembly


with each constraint creation
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Handling Update Errors


When Updating, constraints are checked for conflicts where are also
called over-constraints.

Updating will display the Diagnosis Window if there are problems


such as over-constrained components

Deactivate is a way to turn OFF


a constraint without deleting it.
Later the problem can be
examined and the constraint
deleted or re-activated

Select a record

Select Deactivate or Edit

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Edit displays the Constraint


Definition window where the
constraint can be edited or
reconnected to a different
element.

73

What is analysing Update ?


Analyzing Update allows you to know what are constraints and components in your
assembly that are updated or not and update them separately directly from where you are
Update Analysis
Dialog Box

constraints and
components to
be updated

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Analysing Update (1/2)


Thanks to this command you will exactly know what constraints and
components are updated or not in your assembly and its sub-assemblies
1
Select Update from
Analyze menu

2
Update Analysis dialog box
appears and displays:

analyzed component
In Analyse tab
Constraints of the
analyzed component
that are to be updated
Sub Assemblies of the
analyzed component
that are to be updated
Constraints of the
sub assemblies that
are to be updated
Representations of parts
that are to be updated

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Analysing Update (2/2)


This command displays also for you a selector which allows you to choose
and update any unresolved feature directly from where you are
This combo Box displays
all assemblies and
sub_assemblies available
for analyze

In Update tab
List of the
unresolved
components
3
Select or multiselect in the list
the features you
want to update
4

Click on
Update icon
6

5
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Once you have


finished with Update
Analysis, Click on OK

Component is updated in the


geometry and does no more
appear in the list

76

Creating Quick Constraints


You will learn how to ease the creation of constraints using the Quick
Constraint capability

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What are Quick Constraints?


Quick Constraint is a way to create constraints while letting the
system partially decide which type of constraint to create.

You simply select two elements and let CATIA decide


which type of constraint to create
2

If you wanted a different type of constraint,


just click Change Constraint

You can set the preference for automatic


constraints using Tools + Options (Assembly
Design Node + Constraints tab)

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Creating Quick Constraints


Creating a Quick Constraint is as simple as selecting two elements.

Quick Constraint
2

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Select the two elements to


specify the constraint

79

Changing a Constraints Type


You can change the type of any Assembly Constraint
whether or not it was created using Quick Constraint.

Select the constraint

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Change Constraint

Select the type

80

Multi Constraints Modes


You will learn how to choose the way you will put several constraints
one after the other

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What are Multi Constraint Modes?


When you have double clicked on a Constraint command, you will have three
ways to put the several constraints:

Default Mode when


no geometric
element is shared
between
constraints

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Chain Mode when


several geometric
elements are each
shared between two
constraint

Stack Mode when a


geometric element is
shared between all the
constraints

82

Default Mode for Multi Constraint


This mode allows you to select two after two, geometric elements involved in
constraints
1

Select Default Mode in


MultiConstraint Mode Toolbar
3
Select elements
one after the
other, you will see
that as soon as
two elements are
selected, a
constraint is
created between
them

(1)

2
Double click on the
Constraint you
want to apply
several times

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(4)

Once you have obtained all the needed constraints,


you must deactivate the command by clicking on it

83

Stack Mode for Multi Constraint


This mode allows you to select only once a geometric element that is shared
between several constraints of the same type
1

Select Stack Mode in


MultiConstraint Mode Toolbar
3
Select the first geometric element that
will be shared between the next created
(3) constraints

(1)
4

(4)

Select one after another geometric


elements you want to constrain with the
shared element.

Double click on the


Constraint you
want to apply
several times
5 Once you have obtained all the needed
constraints, you must deactivate the
command by clicking on it

(5)
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Chain Mode for Multi Constraint


This mode allows you to select only once the shared element between two
consecutive constraints
Select Stack Mode in
MultiConstraint Mode Toolbar

(3)
3

(1)

Select one after t-he other the elements to be


constrained, specifying at each time the
parameters values, and each next constraint
will take as first geometric element the last one
selected for the previous constraint

2
Double click on the
Constraint you
want to apply
several times

Once you have obtained all the needed constraints, you must
4
deactivate the command by clicking on it
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(4)

85

Hiding Constraints
You will learn how to Hide assembly constraint symbols in the geometry

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What is Hiding Constraints ?


Hiding constraints can help remove clutter.
Cluttered screen
You can Hide individual
constraints

You can also Hide a


bunch of constraints at
the same time

Un-cluttered screen

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Hiding Constraints ...


You can hide constraints as any other component of your assembly
just by selecting them and clicking on Hide/Show icon

You can either select the


constraint in the tree, in the
geometry or with selecting
tools such as Search

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Hide/Show icon is either reachable


on View toolbar and View menu or
through the contextual menu of
the constraint

88

Hiding Individual Constraints


Hiding can be limited to one or more selected constraints.

Select a constraint in the tree or 3D

Select Hide/Show

You can hide more than one constraint at a


time by selecting with the mouse while holding
the [CTRL] key.
[CTRL] key

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Hiding Constraints relative to a Component


An option in contextual menu of the component can be used to find and select all the
constraints which involve the component and can be subsequently hidden.

Right click on the


component in the tree

Select Components Constraints

Constraints relative to the


component are selected

4
Select Hide/Show

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Hiding all the Constraints of an Assembly


You can hide at once all the constraints of an assembly.
1

Select first Constraint under Constraints


node in the tree

Keeping Shift Key Pressed, select last


constraint under Constraints node

(1)

(2)
[Shift] key

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Select Hide/Show

91

Filtering Constraints
You will learn how to filter Hide assembly constraint symbols in the
geometry

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What is Filtering Constraints ?


Constraint filter Options...
Defines the filter level: if Conditional Filter is selected, the filters below
are available
Displays the constraints according to their status:
Verified only , unverified only or all of them

Displays the constraints on


the active product

Displays the constraints


according to their type
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Filter Constraints on an Active Product

Show only constraints of the active Product


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Filter by Type (1/2)

Select or deselect the desired


types

You can filter and displays constraints according to


their type

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Filter by Type (2/2)

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96

Analyzing an Assembly
You will become familiar with tools created to analyze an
assembly

Measuring
Computing Clash and Clearance
Viewing Mechanical Properties
Analyzing Constraints
Analysing Degrees of Freedom

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Measuring an Assembly
You will learn how to measure an assembly

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What is Measuring an Assembly ?


Distance and angles can be measured. Individual geometric
elements can also be measured.

Measuring distance between the


axis of two different components

Measuring the length of a line

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Measuring between Items (1/2)


You can measure angle and distance between geometric entities.

4b

Measure
Between

Optionally define how you want


to measure

Select the reference and target


elements

4a

Minimum distance and angle are


displayed in 3D and in the results
window

The window also displays components of distance vector and


coordinates of Reference and Target points

To select sub-elements like the


axis of a hole, right-click and
select Other Selection...
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Measuring between Items (2/2)


You can select sub elements thanks to Other selections option.

Right click the


geometric element

Select Other selections

Expand the tree appearing in Other


selections dialog box

5
Sub element is
now under
selection in
CATIA and
highlighted

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4
Select the sub
element

101

Measuring Items
You can measure geometric items.

Measure
Item

Select the item

Properties of the selected item are displayed in


3D and in the results window

Click the Customize button to


see the information that is
available for each type of element

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Measuring Inertia
You can measure Inertia of components or geometric elements.
1

Measure
Inertia

Select the item

Properties of the selected item are


displayed in 3D and in the results window

Click the Customize button to


see the information that is
available for each type of element
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Keeping Measure
You can keep results of measures as features in the tree

When Creating
your measure,
activate the Keep
Measure option

Each created measure will


be kept in the tree

And in the Geometry

And be saved in
the CATProduct file

Those measure features


contain parameters that
can be used in any
formula of the
Knowledgeware

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104

Computing Clash and Clearance


You will learn how to test for clash and clearance violations between
components

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What is Clash and Clearance ?


Clash analysis is used to check for interference between components.
Clearance analysis is used to ensure the proper clearance between components.

A clash violation occurs when one


component penetrates another
component
A clearance violation occurs when a
minimum distance between components
is not respected

For more powerful clash and clearance analysis,


see the DMU Space Analysis workbench

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Computing Clash between 2 Components


The Assembly Design workbench enables checking for
interference between two components.
1

Click on Compute Clash in


the Analyze menu
3a Select Clash from the list

3b Click on Apply

Multi-select the components


using the [CTRL] Key
Clash violation is signaled
4a in the window

4b Clashes are highlighted

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Computing Clearance between 2 Components


The Assembly Design workbench enables checking to
ensure clearance is respected between two components.
1

Click on Compute Clash in


the Analyze menu
3a

Select Clearance in
the list

Multi-select the components


using the [CTRL] Key

3b

Key in the
clearance value

3c

Click on Apply

Clearance violation is
4a signaled in the window

Components not respecting the


4b clearance are highlighted
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Viewing Mechanical Properties


You will learn how to check the mechanical properties of parts and assemblies

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What are Mechanical Properties ?


Mechanical Properties indicate physical characteristics of parts and assemblies.

Structural Properties are assigned to


materials

Materials are assigned to parts


3

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Mechanical Properties are computed based


on material that is assigned to parts

110

Viewing Mechanical Properties


Mechanical Properties can be viewed, but not directly modified.

Right-click the assembly

Properties

Mechanical tab

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Applying a Material to a Part of the Assembly


Materials can be applied to components directly from the Assembly
Design Workbench.
1

Select Apply Material


icon

3
2

Drag and drop the


material onto the
component

Material is applied
and appears in
specification tree of
the part

Drop the material when you have


this cursor
on the
component you want to apply the
material to.
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Analyzing Constraints
You will learn how to analyze the status of constraints and the
relationship between constraints and components

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What is Analyzing Constraints ?


You will analyze a constraint by seeing its status and by identifying the
components involved in it.
In Constraint Analysis Dialog Box

Constraint Status can be seen :


In the Tree
A coincidence constraint can ( as any other type
of constraint ) be :

Not
updated

Deactivated

Unresolved

Active

A constraint is set between at less two components (except for the fixing constraint),
you will see them thanks to its display in specification tree or with the dependences
tree

Those are the components involved in


the constraint (CRIC_TOP.1 and Set1.1
are linked with Surface Contact.6)
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Analyzing Constraints ...


Constraints can be examined to determine their status and how they relate to
other components.
The status of constraints can
be viewed to the tree

A global perspective of constraint status


can be viewed in an on-line report

The relationships between components and


constraints can be dynamically navigated

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Analyzing Constraints in the Tree


The status of constraints can be viewed in the tree.

Select the plus-sign (+) on the


Constraints branch to expand
the branch

This symbol indicates that the constraint is deactivated.


This symbol indicates that the constraint not updated.
This symbol indicates that the constraint is unresolved which means
either:
The constraint is broken (for example, related component deleted); or
The constraint is impossible (for example, geometry modified and
constraint no longer possible)
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Analyzing Constraints in the on-line Report


A global status of constraints can be viewed for the active assembly.

Activate the assembly to be


analyzed

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Select Constraints from


the Analyze menu

The Constraints Analysis Window


appears and shows the status of the
constraints

117

Analyzing Constraint Relationships


The relationship between constraints and components can be
dynamically navigated.
1

Activate the assembly to be


analyzed

Select Dependence from


the Analyze menu

Right-click on a constraint and select Expand All to see which


components are associated with the constraint

You can also expand a


component, even the
top assembly
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Analyzing Degrees of Freedom


You will learn how to analyze Degrees of Freedom on a component

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What is a DOF ?
There are 6 Degrees of Freedom for each instance:
3 Degrees of Rotation and 3 Degrees of Translation

When there is no constraint on a instance. All Degrees are free

When a instance is full-constrained, all Degrees are fixed.


If you decide for example to fix
no degree of freedom

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a instance, there is

120

Degrees of freedom Analysis


You can select one instance and analyse its degrees of freedom

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121

Editing Parts in an Assembly


You will learn how to edit parts in-context of an assembly

Designing in-context of an assembly without external links


Aligning Components for Sketching
Using Local Axis for Snapping

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Designing in-context
of an Assembly without external
You will learn how to design a part in-context of an assembly
links
without External References

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What is Designing in-context of an Assembly ?


Part features and sketches can be design in-context of an assembly.

Parts can be sketched on the face


of neighboring components

3D elements from other components


can be projected onto and intersected
with the sketch plane

Parts can be edited in


context of an assembly
Sketch constraints can be defined
using elements in other components

Features can be limited


up-to other components
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Designing in-context of an Assembly without links


Part features and sketches can be design in-context of an assembly with the Keep
link with selected object option deactivated.

No associativity in case
of Design modifications

Design in-context : these sketch


elements are copied from the Reference
Part ones into a Open Body.

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Designing in-context of an Assembly with links


Part features and sketches can be design in-context of an assembly with the Keep
link with selected object option activated.

For more details, see the Assembly Design


Advanced Course to design in-context with
associativity.

Notice the green


color of the
wheel icon

Keep links in case of


design modification

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Editing a Part
In order to edit a part, the part must be activated.

Select the plus-sign (+) next to


the part you want to edit
2

Double-click the branch that is


just below the one you
expanded

The part is active and the last


workbench used to edit a CATpart
document is displayed

The branch represents the


instance of the part
The branch represents the
actual part
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Another way to easily activate a part


is to double-click the part in 3D
127

Sketching on the Face of a Component


A part can be sketched on the face of another component.

4
3

Select a face on a component

Select the Sketcher icon in the


Part Design workbench

Sketch on the face

Notice that a copy of the face


appears in the Open_body of the
active part
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Defining Sketch Constraints using other Components


Sketch constraints can be defined using elements in other
components.

Select one element from the sketch and


another from a neighboring component

Define a constraint just as you would


when constraining two elements
within the sketch

Notice that a copy of the element


from the other part appears in
the Open_body of the active part

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Projecting 3D Elements onto the Sketch Plane


3D elements from neighboring components can be projected
onto the sketch.

Project 3D
Elements

Select an element from a


neighboring component

Isolate the projected element from the original


element by right-clicking the element and
selecting xxx.object + Isolate

You can also project other types of


elements such as points and faces
(which projects the edges of the face)
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Intersecting 3D Elements with the Sketch Plane


3D elements from neighboring components can be intersected
with the sketch.

Intersect 3D
Elements

Select an element from a


neighboring component

Isolate the projected element from the original


element by right-clicking the element and
selecting xxx.object + Isolate

You can also intersect other types of


elements such lines (which creates a
point at the intersection)
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Limiting Features up-to other Components


You can select geometric elements of other components to design features of your
part

When defining features such as a


pad, set the limit up-to-plane or upto-surface

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Select a face in a neighboring


component

132

Aligning Components for Sketching


You will learn how to align components so that the sketch plane of one
component is parallel to another component that is being sketched on

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What is Aligning Components ?


Sometimes it is convenient and intuitive to align a part that is being sketched with
another component so that the sketch is parallel to the other component.

When designing in-context you will find it


useful to sketch on the face of another
component

In this case we want to sketch a


new part on this face

However, sometimes the part being sketched is not


oriented so that it is parallel to the component
being sketched on

The Snap function can be used to align the


part being sketched so that it is parallel to
another component

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Snapping Components into Alignment


The Snap function provides a quick way to align components.
1

Snap

Select the planes and/or faces that


2 are to be made coplanar
3
Click on the
green arrow to
change the
orientation of
the moved part

Notice that
first selected
component
will move

5
Components
are correctly
positioned
relative to each
other

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4
Click
somewhere in
the geometric
space to
validate the
position

135

Using Local Axis for Snapping


You will learn how to use local axis to snap components to each other

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Why Snapping Local Axis?


The Snap function provides a quick way to align components but lines and points in the
geometry are needed for that.If you do not have any, Local Axis are useful

In this assembly, to build the


cylindrical part perpendicular
to the upper surface of the
other part, we needed Local
Axis

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Snapping Local Axis of Components into Alignment


The Snap function provides a quick way to align components and you
can select planes, axis and point of Local Axis System to perform it.

2
1

Select the planes and/or faces that


are to be made coplanar

Select the green arrow to invert the


direction of the component

Snap

For snapping you can select on


Local Axis System:

Click somewhere else in the


geometry to validate

5
Planes are now aligned

Planes

Axis

Points

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Working with Components


You will learn how to manage components of your assemblies

Using Visualization mode


Deleting Components
Duplicating Components
Replacing Components
Restructuring Components
Reordering Product Structure

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Using Visualization Mode


You will learn how to use Visualization Mode to improve performance.

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What is Visualization Mode?


Substantial performance improvements can be gained by using a light form of parts
and models, called Visualization Mode. Loading an assembly is faster when using Visualization
Mode.
Assemblies can be loaded with parts and models:
Fully resolved, called Design Mode; or
In a light form, called Visualization Mode

Parts and models in Design Mode are fully


loaded in memory, fully functional, and
completely accessible.
Notice that the screw branch is expandable
and therefore the PartBody is accessible.
Parts and model in Visualization Mode
are partially loaded in memory and
therefore partially functional and
accessible.
Notice that the screw branch is not
expandable and therefore the PartBody
is not accessible.
When parts and models are in Visualization Mode, just a subset of the
data is loaded in memory. The remaining data is loaded as needed.
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User Setting : Turning On the Cache (1/2)


Turning ON the cache system will cause CATIA to automatically load parts and models
in Visualization Mode when opening assemblies.
1

Select Options... from


the Tools menu

Select Product Structure branch


under Infrastructure node
3 Select Cache
Management tab

Copyright DASSAULT SYSTEMES 2002

Activate Work with the cache system

The cache system is not activated until CATIA


is restarted
142

User Setting:Turning On the Cache (2/2)


Work without the Cache System

You can edit items

Work with the Cache System

Notice that the


branch is not
expandable and
therefore the
PartBody is not
accessible.

You work with the


cgr files:

Right-clicking selecting Design Mode also switches the part or model to


Design Mode:

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Manually Switching to Design Mode


Parts and models can be manually switched to Design Mode.
1

When opening an assembly, parts and


models are in Visualization Mode

2a

Double-clicking a part or model in an


assembly switches it to Design Mode.
Note that all instances of the part or model
switch to Design Mode when any instance is
switched.

Right-clicking selecting Design Mode also


2b switches the part or model to Design Mode

Right-clicking an assembly and selecting Design Mode


switches all parts and model in the assembly to Design Mode.
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Constraining Parts in Visualization Mode


Parts and models automatically switch to Design Mode when defining Assembly
Constraints.
1

Activate the option Automatic Switch to Design Mode

When opening an assembly, parts and


models are in Visualization Mode

Parts and models automatically switch to Design Mode


after assembly constraint is defined.
When a constraint icon has been selected, the mouse
cursor has a feather on it when hovering over a part or
model that is in Visualization Mode.

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Automatic Switch to Design Mode


This setting allows you to put constraints between components that are on
visualization mode

Check that the


Automatic switch to
Design Mode option is
activated

Select the Constraint


Command

The Component on which you selected a


geometric element is now on Design Mode.
Select next element.

(2)
Note that constraint
commands are available
even if no components are
on Design mode

Around a geometry , the


cursor will have this shape
Click the geometry
5

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Last component is now on Design


mode and constraint is created.

146

Updating Assembly Constraints and Visualization Mode


In order to update constraints, parts have to be in Design Mode.
Use
Analyze + Dependencies to identify the parts in the constraint network.
Select the component that
was repositioned

Select Dependencies
from the Analyze menu

Right-click the part or model and select Expand All to see


the components in the network of constraints

The graph lists the parts and model that should be switched to Design Mode

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Deleting Components
You will learn how to delete components and their associated constraints

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What is Deleting Components ?


Removing a component from an assembly is called deleting the component.
Deleting a component removes the
component from the assembly

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But deleting a component does not delete


the referenced file from the hard drive

149

Deleting a Component
When deleting a component, you decide whether or not to delete the
constraints associated with the component.

In the tree of 3D, select the


1 component to be deleted

Press the <DELETE> key

Uncheck this box to not delete the


assembly constraints associated with
the component

These constant will be deleted


Components can also be deleted by right-clicking the
component and selecting Delete from the contextual menu
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Duplicating Components
You will learn how to duplicate components

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151

Copy-and-Paste a Component
Copy-and-Paste is an easy way to duplicate a component.

Another way to copy-and-paste a component


is to press [CTRL] while dragging the
component onto the assembly.
[CTRL] key

After pasting there are two


instances of the part

1 Right-click the
component to be copied

You can also use shortcuts

Copy

Instance name

Right-click the assembly in which you


want to paste the component
4

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Paste
152

Setting Copy-and-Paste Options


You control whether constraints are copied-and-pasted when
copying-and-pasting components.
1

Select Options... from


the Tools menu
2

Click Assembly-Design
3

Two Lug Nuts with


a coincidence
constraint to the
same Stud

Select Constraints Tab

Set the Paste components option to either:


Without the assembly constraints
With the assembly constraints only after a
Cut

Copying constraints when copying a component will cause both


components to be constrained in exactly the same way. This is okay, but
you will have to manually edit or delete and recreate some constraints.
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Instanciating Multiple Instances of a Component


Components can be duplicated along a line. Beware that in this in
case the components are not automatically constrained.
1

Define Multi Instanciation

Select a component

3a Specify the number of instances and


space between them

Use the Fast Multi Instanciation


icon to re-use the Default multiinstanciation definition

3b Select a direction
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Creating a Pattern of Components (1/3)


Patterns in parts can be used to automate the duplication of a
component and creation of constraints.
3a
1

Reuse Pattern

Select a component

Select the pattern to follow


3b

Specify the constraints to re-use

Notice that the constraints for the duplicate components are correct.
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Creating a Pattern of Components (2/3)


Keep link with the pattern.
The reuse pattern command create an Assembly Feature Pattern that is associative in
case of modification of the part design pattern that was used as input.

Lug Nut

Disk

Component to instantiate
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Pattern
156

Creating a Pattern of Components (3/3)


When you modify the instances in the design pattern, the assembly pattern is
out of date and the update of the assembly will add/delete generated
components

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Symmetrical Sub-Assemblies

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What Symmetrical Sub-Assembly ?


Create a symmetrical sub-assembly from an original one, based on a symmetry
plane.
Generation:
The result of the generation of a symmetrical sub-assembly is another subassembly with a similar product structure.
The User chooses between both options ,
The parts building the symmetrical sub-assembly are :
Either a symmetrical part from the source part. This involves creating a new part,
outside any assembly context, with a new PartNumber . A typical example is the
left door in a car, relatively to the right door.
Either a new instance of the source part, in a position symmetric to the original
part. A typical example is a cars front left wheel, relatively to the front right
wheel.

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Creating a Symmetry on Component (1/2)


1

Select the icon


You can find it on the Product Structure Tools Toolbar

The Assembly Mirror Wizard dialog box appears:

Select the mirror plane

Select the sub-assembly to be mirrored

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The reference plane is now displayed in green.

160

Creating a Symmetry on Component (2/2)


By default , CATIA create a new component by each Part
4

Results:

4 components created

New Part Number

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Create New Instances


When the user chooses to create a new instance of a source part, at a mirrored position,
a new instance is created in the symmetrical sub-assembly, then its position is chosen
with respect to the symmetry plane, at creation time.

On this following example , you need to create


new instance about the Wheel and Disk Parts.

New instance

Select one component and activate


Symmetry wih new instance option

Only reference plane of the part can be used in


determining the transformation
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Keep Links
Once the symmetrical sub-assembly has been generated, changes in
the source sub-assembly shall allow updating it

FORM associativity:
A change in geometrical shape of the source part
leads to update the symmetrical part.
POSITION associativity:
A change of relative position of a component of the
source sub-assembly leads to update the position
of the symmetrical component in the symmetrical
sub-assembly.
STRUCTURE associativity:
A change in structure of the source sub-assembly (adding/removing
components) leads to update the structure of the symmetrical sub-assembly.
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Replacing Components
You will learn how to replace components

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What is Replacing Components ?


Replacing a component is a shortcut to deleting a component and
adding another component in its place.

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Replacing a Component
A single instance of a component can be replaced.

Right-click the component to be


replaced
2

3a

Choose a filter if desired (for example, CATPart,


CATProduct, model, etc)

Replacement Component

3b Double-click the file

Notice that the instance


name is not modified

Dont forget that you have to manually


revise any references (such as constraints)
to the component that was replaced

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This option make replaced all instances that


have same reference as selected
component
166

Reconnecting a Constraint (1/2)


A constraint can become unresolved after a replacement of a component
or connected to a wrong geometric element.You have the possibility to
redefine geometric elements involved in it.

Edit the constraint you want to


reconnect

Expand the dialog box

(2)

5
2x
(1)

(3)

Select in dialog box geometric


element to reconnect

Click on Reconnect

(4)
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Reconnecting a Constraint (2/2)


The Constraint dialog box let you have a look at geometric elements
involved in it.

5
Select the new connected
geometric element

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Edited constraint is now connected


to the just selected element.You can
Click on OK and Update the
constraint
168

Restructuring Components
You will learn how to move components from one assembly to
another assembly while maintaining constraints

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What is Restructuring Components ?


Sometimes it is necessary to restructure components by moving components
from one assembly to another assembly.
Move to peer assembly
Move to sub-assembly
Move to parent assembly

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Setting Cut-and-Paste Options


You control whether constraints are maintained when moving a
component to another assembly.

2
1

Select Options... from


the Tools menu

Select Assembly Design


node under Mechanical
Design branch

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Set the Paste components option to:


With the assembly constraints only after
a Cut

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Moving a Component to Another Assembly


Components can be dragged to another assembly while maintaining constraints.

Click the component and


hold down the left mouse
button

Drag the mouse over the


target assembly and release
the mouse button

The component is moved to


the target assembly

In this case two constraints are also moved to


the target assembly because both associated
components exist in the target assembly

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Reordering Product Structure


You will learn how to change the order in which components are
displayed in the tree

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What is Reordering Product Structure?


This command allows you to reorder components display in the tree under a
selected product

Tree to reorder

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Reordered tree

174

Product Structure Reordering

(1/2)

This command allows you to reorder components display in the tree under
selected product
1

Select the Graph Tree


Reorder Command

(2)

Select the Product in which


you want to reorder
components
3a Select the Component you
want to reorder
4a

(3)

Click one of these arrows to


move the selected component
of one level

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Product Structure Reordering

(2/2)

There are two ways available to reorder components in the tree

3b

Select another component


to reorder

4b
Click this icon and click the
component above which you
want to place the selected
component

Here is the reordered tree

5
Click Ok to get the
reordered tree
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Flexible Sub-Assemblies
You will become familiar with positioning components in an
assembly using assembly constraints

Flexible Sub-Assemblies
What can you do with Flexible Sub-Assemblies?
Managing Flexible Sub-Assemblies with Several Levels
Propagating Position to Reference

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Flexible Sub-Assemblies
You will learn how to get a Flexible Sub-Assembly and to see impacts
on positioning matrix and constraints

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What are Flexible Sub-Assemblies?


A flexible Sub-Assembly is a Sub-assembly whose child components can be moved
disregarding the fact it is not the active component. Relative positions of its child
components can be different than those stored in the reference CATProduct File.
There you can see four instances of
Leg sub-Assembly : notice that
components of leg are not positionned
the same way in each instance, it is
possible because instances of Leg
Assembly are flexible

Icon with purple


wheel means
Flexible SubAssembly

Leg.1

Leg.3

Leg.4
Leg

Leg.2

Relative positions of
components in the
reference of the SubAssembly
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Making a sub-Assembly flexible


Rigid/Flexible sub-Assembly command is a switch: you can have components of the subassembly in same relative position as in the reference CATProduct (Rigid Sub-Assembly) or
in relative positions that are contextual to the assembly (SoftSub-Assembly)
1

Select the Sub-Assembly

Flexible/Rigid
Sub-Assembly

(1)

Selected SubAssembly is now


Flexible

Purple wheel
means means
flexible instance

(2)

Note that you can make the sub-Assembly rigid again using
the same icon
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Positioning Components of a Flexible Sub-Assembly(1/2)


You can position components by freely moving them with the compass or by
constraining them. In both cases Rigid/Flexible state is important.
Freely moving Components

In this case the compass has


been put on a component of a
Rigid Sub-Assembly.

Root assembly is active, so the


compass will drag the whole
Rigid Sub-Assembly
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In this case the compass has


been put on a component of a
Flexible Sub-Assembly.

Root assembly is active, but as


the sub-Assembly is flexible, the
compass will only move the
selected component

181

Positioning Components of a Flexible Sub-Assembly(2/2)


Relative Positions of components of a Flexible Sub-Assembly are stored with
instance informations in containing CATProduct.
Constraining Components
When you create a
constraint between :

When you create a


constraint between :

a component of the
active assembly

flexible
instance

a component of the
active assembly
And a component of a
Flexible sub-assembly

And a component of
a rigid sub-assembly

Constraint involves the component


and the selected component of the
Flexible sub-assembly

Constraint involves the


component and the whole
Rigid Sub-Assembly
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What is Mechanical Structure?


There are two types of structure when you use flexible Sub-Assemblies
Product Structure

Mechanical Structure
Flexible Sub-assembly
does not exist anymore in
Mechanical Structure tree

Components and
constraints of Flexible
Sub-Assemblies are
considered as direct
childs of the root
assembly in mechanical
Structure tree

Product Structure Tree shows which


assemblies and sub-assemblies
Parts and constraints belong to
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Mechanical Structure Tree


shows what components you
can constrain together (they are
at the same level)

183

Viewing Mechanical Structure


There are two types of structure when you use flexible Sub-Assemblies
1

Activate the Assembly or


Sub-Assembly you want
to analyze

Select Mechanical Structure


from Analyze menu
Combo
box
Mechanical
Structure of the
instance

Mechanical
Structure of the
reference

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What can you do with Flexible Assemblies?


You will learn to manipulate Flexible Sub-Assemblies

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What can you Overload with Flexible Sub-Assemblies?


Once the sub-assembly is flexible, Numerical Value, Activity status, Orientation (Same
or Opposite), Driven/Driving property can be overload to modify locally its internal
definition, or deal with under/over constrained situations

Flexible Sub-Assembly

Rigid Sub-Assembly

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Activate / Deactivate Status


flexible Sub-Assembly

Concerning methodology using flexible sub-assemblies, you can change the


Activity Status on a constraint

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Numerical Value

Rigid Sub-Assembly

Flexible Sub-Assembly

On a flexible sub-assembly, you can modify numerical values without


impacting others instances
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Propagating Position to Reference

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Propagating Position (1/2)

Modify position of the Flexible Base Instance.


This Product contains 2
sub-assemblies :
Base.CATProduct
Base_unit.CATProduct

: flexible instance
: rigid instance

Flexible sub-assembly

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Propagating Position (2/2)


2

Apply overloaded position to reference

Select the flexible Base instance


MB3+ .object+Propagate
position to reference

V5R8

Result : all rigid instances


should have the same position
than the flexible one.
Internal position of flexible
instances are not impacted by
the command.

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To Sum
Sum
UpUp
...
You have seen CATIA V5 Assembly Design
User interface:

How to access the workbench


Its user interface and tools
The terminology that will be used
The general design process
... and Basic functions:

How to add components


How to position components
How to analyze an assembly
How to design a part in context of the assembly
How to manage components
How to manage Flexible Assembly

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