Pro/ENGINEER

®

Wildfire™ 2.0

Pro/PROCESS™ for Assemblies
Help Topic Collection

Parametric Technology Corporation

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6,665,569 B1

16-December-

2003
6,625,607 B1

23-September-

2003
6,580,428 B1

17-June-2003

GB2354684B

02-July-2003

GB2384125

15-October-

2003
GB2354096

12-November-

6,608,623 B1

19 August 2003

6,473,673 B1

29-October-

2002
GB2354683B

04-June-2003

6,447,223 B1

10-Sept-2002

6,308,144

23-October-2001

5,680,523 21-October-1997
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4,310,615 21-December-1998
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5,297,053

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5,689,711

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1997
5,506,950

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5,428,772

27-June-1995

2003
6,608,623 B1

19 August 2003

GB2353376

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2003
GB2354686

15-October-

2003
6,545,671 B1 08-April-2003
GB2354685B

18-June-2003

5,058,000 15-October-1991
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5,423,023

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5,557,176 09-November-1996
5,561,747 01-October-1996

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v

Table Of Contents

Pro/PROCESS for Assembly ............................................................................. 1

Using Pro/PROCESS for Assembly .................................................................. 1

About Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES................................................................ 1

To Use Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES .............................................................. 1

Functionality with Other Modules ...................................................................... 2

Configuring for Pro/PROCESS for Assembly ..................................................... 3

About Configuring for Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies............................................. 3

To Set Pro/PROCESS for Assembly Configuration Options..................................... 3

curr_proc_comp_def_color .............................................................................. 3

curr_proc_comp_def_font ............................................................................... 3

display_comps_to_assemble............................................................................ 3

offset_line_def_color ...................................................................................... 4

offset_line_def_font ....................................................................................... 4

prev_proc_comp_def_color.............................................................................. 4

prev_proc_comp_def_font............................................................................... 4

Process Assemblies...................................................................................... 4

Basics of Process Assemblies ...................................................................... 4

About Process................................................................................................ 4

To Enter Process Mode.................................................................................... 4

To Display Process Status................................................................................ 5

To Create and Modify Step Parameters.............................................................. 5

To Set the Display of Process Components......................................................... 6

Operations on Components.............................................................................. 7

Accessing the MODIFY Menu Commands............................................................ 7

Using 3-D Notes with Process Steps.................................................................. 7

Creating Different Types of Process Steps .................................................... 8

About Process Assembly Steps ......................................................................... 8

Operations on Steps ....................................................................................... 8

To Create a New Step ..................................................................................... 9

Table Of Contents

vi

To Change the Active Model............................................................................10

To Get Step Information ................................................................................10

To Play Process Steps ....................................................................................10

About the Assemble Step Type........................................................................10

Using the display_comps_to_assemble Configuration Option.............................11

To Create an Assemble Step ...........................................................................11

About the General Step Type ..........................................................................11

To Create a General Step ...............................................................................12

About the Reposition Step Type ......................................................................12

To Create a Reposition Step ...........................................................................12

About the Disassemble Step Type....................................................................13

To Create a Disassemble Step.........................................................................13

About the Reassemble Command ....................................................................13

To Reassemble Step Elements ........................................................................13

Fabrication Units ........................................................................................13

About Fabrication Units ..................................................................................13

To Create a Fabrication Unit ...........................................................................14

Exploding Assemblies..................................................................................15

Basics of Exploding Assemblies ..................................................................15

About Explode Functionality............................................................................15

To Create Exploded States .............................................................................15

To Unexplode an Assembly .............................................................................15

To Change the Explode Position ......................................................................15

Using Offset Lines with Exploded Assemblies ...............................................16

About Using Offset Lines in Exploded Views ......................................................16

Configuration File Options for Offset Lines......................................................16

To Create Offset Lines ...................................................................................16

To Modify Offset Lines ...................................................................................16

To Add or Modify Jogs in Offset Lines ...............................................................17

Documenting the Process ............................................................................17

Set and Change State ..............................................................................17

Table Of Contents

vii

To Set the Assembly State of the Current Process Model.....................................17

To Change the Assembly State in a View ..........................................................17

Create Customized Documentation.............................................................18

About Drawing Mode With Process Documentation .............................................18

To Create a View of a Process Step..................................................................18

To Control the Component Step Display ...........................................................18

Object Parameters in Drawings .......................................................................18

Modifying Exploded Views in Drawing Mode ......................................................19

To Modify an Exploded View in Drawing Mode ...................................................19

Modifying the Explode Positions in Drawing Mode...............................................19

Using the Configuration File Options to Change Color and Line Font......................19

Create Reports and Tables ........................................................................20

About Using Pro/REPORT for Assembly Process Drawings ....................................20

Tip: User-Defined Parameters in Tables............................................................21

Example: Creating a Report............................................................................21

Other Process Functions ..............................................................................22

About Working with Large Design Assemblies....................................................22

Simplified Representations ........................................................................23

About Simplified Representations in Process Assemblies .....................................23

To Create Simplified Representations ...............................................................23

Retrieving a Simplified Representation in a Process Assembly ..............................23

User-Defined Features..............................................................................23

About Process User-Defined Features ...............................................................23

To Create a UDF ...........................................................................................24

Get Information on a Process ....................................................................24

About Obtaining General Information ...............................................................24

BOM and Parts Lists ......................................................................................24

Exporting Process Plans Using Pro/WEB Publish .................................................25

Index ..........................................................................................................27

1

Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies

Using Pro/PROCESS for Assembly

About Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES

Use Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES to create assembly process plans and
serviceability documentation.

Specifically, you can use it to complete the following tasks:

• Define the steps of the assembly fabrication process.

• Create a manufacturing BOM for each step in the process.

• Regroup components independent of the design assembly to model the

fabrication structure accurately.

• Assemble tools and fixtures unique to a process step without affecting the design

assembly.

• Perform time and cost estimates for the assembly fabrication.

• Create detailed drawings of each step in the process.

• Customize the display of each process step by defining multiple explode states

with jogged explode-offset lines and by assigning different colors and line fonts to
components based on their status in the step.

To Use Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES

1. Click File > New to create an assembly process file.

2. Click Assembly and Process Plan.

3. Enter the name for the process plan.

4. To create an assemble step or general step, choose Sequence > New Step >

Assemble > Done. The Step dialog box opens.

5. To retrieve a model, click Add Model > Open.

When creating the first assemble step, you retrieve the model for the design
assembly to be fabricated. The design assembly appears on the screen in a
phantom line font. The process assembly references the design assembly for
placement of components and parameter information, but does not affect the
design assembly.

6. Select components to be assembled directly from the screen or from the Model

Tree. Notice that the line font of assembled components changes from phantom
to solid.

7. Define additional elements (such as, description of the step, a simplified

representation, explode state, and time and cost estimates) for defining the step.
Explode-offset lines, showing how components fit together, are created in an
explode state.

Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies Help Topic Collection

2

8. Click OK when all desired elements are defined.

9. Define additional steps by selecting New Step from the STEPSEQUENCE menu.

The remaining unassembled components are displayed on the screen in phantom
line font for selection during an assemble step. To show the status of components
being assembled and disassembled, add the Process Status column to the tree
tool.

10. While defining an assemble step, you can add additional fixtures and tools to the

process assembly without affecting the design assembly. Click COMP SEL > Add
Model. To place the fixture, use a drag and drop technique. To specify explicit
assembly constraints such as mate and align, select PACKAGE > Finalize.

11. To replay the steps, select Play Steps from the ASM PROCESS menu.

12. Create detail drawings of the process assembly by adding the process assembly

model to a drawing. After you add a model to the drawing, the Process State
dialog box appears, listing the steps in the process assembly. You can select the
desired step and a simplified representation or explode state, and then click OK.
From the VIEW TYPE menu, select a view of the model in the specified step.

13. Use Pro/REPORT to create a manufacturing BOM for the step, which lists only the

components assembled during the active step. The system lists a new set of
report symbols, beginning with a prs prefix, unique to process steps.

14. When you create a view of another step, set the current step by selecting

DRAWING > Views > Dwg Models > Set State. The system displays a dialog
box. You can select a new step from the list through this dialog box.

15. Select Views from the DRAWING menu, and then Disp Mode and Process

Disp to display components in different colors or fonts depending on their
process status (that is, previously assembled or currently being assembled).

Functionality with Other Modules

The table below lists the functionality available when Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES
is used with other Pro/ENGINEER modules.

If you have...

You can...

Pro/ASSEMBLY

• Create and modify simplified representations.

These simplified representations control the
assembly components retrieved and displayed in
your Pro/ENGINEER session.

Pro/DETAIL

• Set the step to be displayed in a view.

• Create tables in process drawings.

• Add sheets to drawings.

Pro/FEATURE

• Create and modify groups of steps.

Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies

3

• Copy steps.

Pro/REPORT

• Create repeat regions in process drawings.

Configuring for Pro/PROCESS for Assembly

About Configuring for Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies

You can preset environment options and other global settings by entering the
settings you want in a configuration file. To set configuration file options use the
Options dialog box (Tools > Options).

This help module contains a list of configuration options, in alphabetical order,
showing for each option or group of related options:

• Configuration option name.

• Associated variables or values. The default values for the options are shown in

italics.

• Brief description.

To Set Pro/PROCESS for Assembly Configuration Options

1. Click Tools > Options. The Options dialog box opens.

2. Click the Show only options loaded from file check box to see currently

loaded configuration options or clear this check box to see all configuration
options.

3. Select the configuration option from the list or type the configuration option

name in the Option box.

4. In the Value box type or select a value.

Note: The default value is followed by an asterisk (*).

5. Click Add/Change. The configuration option and its value appear in the list. A

green status icon confirms the change.

6. When you finish configuring, click Apply or OK.

curr_proc_comp_def_color

Specify the default color used to display the current component in a process
assembly.

curr_proc_comp_def_font

Specify the default font used on the current component in a process assembly.

display_comps_to_assemble

yes

—The design model goes into memory and displays. Pick process components

from the design model or the Model Tree.

Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies Help Topic Collection

4

no

—Only the Model Tree displays components to assemble. Selected components go

into memory.

offset_line_def_color

Specifies the color offset lines are displayed in drawings.

offset_line_def_font

Specifies the fonts offset lines are displayed in drawings.

prev_proc_comp_def_color

Specify the default color for components added to a process assembly in a previous
step.

prev_proc_comp_def_font

Specify the default font for previously added components in a process assembly.

Process Assemblies

Basics of Process Assemblies

About Process

A process is a Pro/ENGINEER assembly that contains the features defining the
process steps. It follows the naming convention process_name.asm. An assembly
process has dependencies on one or more design assemblies and fixture models. The
process object has a required (for Pro/PDM purposes) dependency on the assemblies
that are assembled into it. If you assemble a part by selecting it from an assembly,
the required dependency is relative to the assembly, not the part. However, if you
assemble a single part by selecting the part directly from its part window, the
required dependency is on the part.

A process consists of all referenced assemblies and parts, as well as the sequence of
steps that define the process actions: assemble, disassemble, reassemble, reposition
and other steps related to fastening, preparing surfaces and so on.

The system retrieves the process model in whatever state it exists before the start of
the process (that is, without retrieving any components and without an active step).
You must use the SET STEP menu to move to an active step. The system displays
only those components required by the indicated step.

To Enter Process Mode

1. To create a new process, click File > New. In the New dialog box, click

Assembly and Process Plan.

To open an existing process, click File > Open and select an existing assembly
process file.

2. For a new process, type the name for the assembly process file.

Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies

5

3. Select an option from the ASM PROCESS menu:

o Sequence—Manipulate a process step (add, create, redefine, and so on)

using the SEQUENCE menu.

o Component—Perform component operations using the COMPONENT

menu.

o Fab Unit—Create, modify, or delete fabrication units using the FAB UNIT

menu.

o Modify—Modify assembly or assembly component dimensions and features

using the PROCESS MOD menu.

o Simplfd Rep—Create, modify, or set simplified representations.

o Explode State—Create and edit explode states using the EXPLODE menu.

o Regenerate—Update modified part and assembly dimensions.

o Play Steps—View assembly at individual steps of the process plan using

the STEP REGEN menu.

o Relations—Add and edit constraint equations.

o Set Up—Set up additional process information.

o Layer—Perform layer operations.

o Program—Access Pro/PROGRAM.

o Integrate—Resolve differences between the source and target processes.

To Display Process Status

The system can display process status in the Info menu. Process Status describes
the current status of the process assembly. Components can be listed as:

• Assembling (assembled by the current step)

• Not Assembled

• Disassembled

Note: Repositioned or reassembled components are listed as assembled. Top-level
assemblies are listed as Design Only.

1. To display the Process Status, click Settings > Tree Columns.

2. Click column types from the left column in the box and move it to the right

column.

To Create and Modify Step Parameters

You can create parameters for individual steps. Parameters in individual steps are
similar to feature parameters—they exist for that step only.

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Set Up > Parameters.

Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies Help Topic Collection

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2. The Parameters dialog box opens. Select the step from the list in the dialog box

and click OK.

3. Click

to create step parameters or click column headings to modify specific

parameters.

To Set the Display of Process Components

The display of components in an assembly process can be set based upon their
status in the assembly process. When a component is at a particular status, its line
style will change. Using alternate line styles for displaying components as you create
your assembly process can help to differentiate one component from another.

1. Click View > Model Setup > Process Display to open the PROCESS

COMPONENT DISPLAY dialog box.

Here you can modify the display method used for the different status levels of a
component in your assembly process.

2. Set a line style for components at each of the following status levels:

o Previous Components—Components in the process that have already

been assembled as part of an existing step.

o Current Components—Components that are active in the current

assembly step.

o Unused Components—Components that have not yet been used in the

assembly process or have been previously disassembled.

3. You can select a different display setting for each component at two different

display stages:

o Process Display—Component display for all other operations in the

assembly process including playing steps, modifying components, and
redefining steps.

o Selection Display—Component display when defining steps in the

assembly process.

4. The component display can each be set to any of the following line styles:

o Current Environment—Current setting for that component status and

stage.

o Phantom—Phantom line font.

o Blank—Blanked from the display.

o Wireframe—Wireframe model.

o Hidden Line—Hidden line style.

o No Hidden—No hidden lines.

o Shade—Shaded model.

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Note:

• Clicking Use Defaults in the PROCESS COMPONENT DISPLAY dialog box sets

the Previous Components and Current Components status for both display
stages to the Current Environment setting. The Unused Components status
for Process Display is set to Blank, while the setting for Selection Display is
Phantom.

• Clicking Minimize Repaints overrides all Process Display settings with those

for Selection Display. Using identical settings for the display stages will
minimize the repaints required after defining a step and redisplaying the process
assembly.

• Display settings for specific components as well as a component's layer status

override any process display setting for that component.

Operations on Components

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Component.

2. Select an option from the COMPONENT menu:

o Package—Move packaged components that are not in the design

assembly.

o Delete—Delete components and their children from the assembly.

o Redefine—Redefine one of the component constraints.

o Reroute—Reassign component references.

o Replace—Replace an existing component with another one.

Accessing the MODIFY Menu Commands

To access the MODIFY menu:

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Modify.

2. Choose a command from the PROCESS MOD menu:

o Mod Part— Modify a part.

o Mod Skel— Modify a skeleton model.

o Mod Subasm—Modify a subassembly.

o Mod Assem—Modify an assembly.

o Mod Dim—Modify dimensions.

Using 3-D Notes with Process Steps

The display of 3-D Notes depends on the display of the step to which the note
belongs. When a step is active or is being used in a drawing step, the system
displays a 3-D note created for the step. When the step is no longer displayed, the

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note also disappears. Creation of 3-D notes is the default when creating a note in a
step.

3-D notes can be displayed by selecting them from the screen or from the model
tree. They are displayed only when their step is active, even if their status in the tree
is Shown. You can erase only the 3-D notes that belong to the active step.

Creating Different Types of Process Steps

About Process Assembly Steps

Process steps describe the actions used to assemble the product. You activate a step
by selecting it in the Process window. You can only have one active step at any
time. The graphics window displays the assembly in the state created by the active
step. Process step types are: Assemble, Disassemble, Reassemble, Reposition, and
General.

Unused components are not displayed during general, reposition, and disassembled
steps.

Operations on Steps

To access operations on steps, click ASM PROCESS > Sequence. The STEP
SEQUENCE menu opens with the following commands:

• New Step—Create a new step. Opens the STEP TYPE menu with the following

commands:

o Assemble—Create an assemble step.

o Disassemble— Create a disassemble step.

o Reassemble— Create a reassemble step.

o Reposition— Create a reposition step.

o General— Create a general step.

• Copy—Copies steps.

• Delete—Delete steps using options in the DELETE/SUPP menu. Choose from the

options

o Normal—Delete steps by selecting them from the Select Step dialog box.

o Clip—Deletes the selected entity and everything after it in the process.

o Unrelated—Deletes everything but the selected entity.

• Suppress—Suppress steps using options in the DELETE/SUPP menu.

• Resume—Resume suppressed steps using options in the RESUME menu. Choose

from the options:

o All—Resumes all suppressed steps.

o Layer—Resumes the steps on current layer.

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o Last Set—Resumes the last set of suppressed steps.

o Feat ID—Enters a step ID to resume.

• Step Library—Group steps together into a UDF.

• Group—Create steps from UDFs.

• Redefine—Redefine a step.

• Reorder—Reorders steps.

• Insert Mode—Activate or cancel Insert Mode.

To Create a New Step

1. Click Asm Process > Sequence > New Step.

2. Choose the type of step from the STEP TYPE menu: Assemble, Disassemble,

Reassemble, Reposition, or General. Click Done.

3. The Step dialog box opens. Define the following elements in the dialog box:

o Components—Select components for the process step (standard

components, fabrication units, cable features, pipe features, tools/fixtures,
and bulk items). Indicate the type of component and select one or more.
You can add components of another type. You must choose at least one
component to create a valid assembly step.

Note: When you select components, the system assumes that the top level
model is the one you used for the last assemble component selection (the
active model).

o Description (optional element)—Type the description of the process step.

You can enter multiple lines of text. Enter a new description in the Step
Description dialog box. You can import text files into the Step
Description dialog box, so you can reuse information from another step, or
import a standard text template.

o Simplfd Rep (optional element)—Use the View Manager to select or create

the simplified representation to be used when displaying this step. The
default is the currently set simplified representation.

o Explode State (optional element)—Select an explode state to be used

when displaying this step. The default state is No Explode. Use the
SELSTATE menu, with the Create and No Explode commands added.

o View—Set up the orientation of the model using the Orientation dialog

box. Click Set to associate the view to the current step.

o Time Estimate (optional element)—Specify the estimated time to perform

this step, in hours.

o Cost Estimate (optional element)—Specify estimated cost to perform this

step. Enter a value or write a relation to calculate it.

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4. After you defined all required and any optional elements, click OK in the dialog

box.

To Change the Active Model

1. Click Sequence > New Step > Assemble > Done.

2. You can select from the active assembly (displayed in phantom line font) or click

Add Model to retrieve a model other than the one that is currently active.

To Get Step Information

You can obtain information about a particular step.

1. Choose the Info > Process Step.

2. Select a step from the Select Step dialog box.

3. The system displays an Information window, containing the following:

o Step number and type

o References and reference type

o Abbreviated description of the step description

o Time estimate

o Cost estimate

o Simplified representation name

o Explode state name

o Full description

When you show the status of components in the design assembly, you can add a
column in the model tree called Process Status, which lists the current status of all
components (that is, assembled, not assembled, assembling, and so on).

To Play Process Steps

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Play Steps.

2. Select an option from the STEP REGEN menu:

o Set Step—Select a step from the Process window.

o Previous Step—Roll model back one step.

o Next Step—Show the model one step forward.

o Info—Display information for the current step and operation.

Assemble Step Type

About the Assemble Step Type

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Use the Assemble step to assemble parts, entire assemblies, and individual
components from reference assemblies into the process assembly. You specify the
component type prior to the selection process.

If you are assembling individual components from an assembly, you must place
them in the process assembly if they are the first ones being placed from that
assembly. This step type adds a new occurrence of the component to the BOM.

To specify the reference components, you select them from a model window. The
last model window that you used to select components is the active window. If the
object in the active window is an assembly, you must specify the components in the
assembly to be assembled in this step.

You can also specify components to assemble by selecting them in an already
partially assembled reference assembly that has either not been assembled yet, or
has been disassembled. When you select components in the process assembly, the
system turns on the display of those components. If you have added components
without retrieving a reference assembly', use the tree tool the logical view of the
process assembly to choose the components.

If you activate a model that is already partially assembled in the process, you can
choose to assemble a new occurrence of the top-level component or continue
assembling components from the already assembled occurrence.

If a simplified representation of the process assembly is active, you can assemble a
simplified representation of another assembly or part into it using the SELECT REP
menu. This is similar to the functionality in Assembly mode, where you can assemble
a simplified representation of a component into a simplified representation of the
top-level assembly.

Using the display_comps_to_assemble Configuration Option

You can use a configuration option display_comps_to_assemble to enhance
performance when working with complex assemblies. When you set this option to no
(default is yes), you can select design assemblies and components from the Model
Tree without displaying them on the screen until they are selected.

If no geometry exists in the process assembly (no features or components are yet
created or assembled, or all components have been disassembled), the system, the
system places the component being assembled in the default orientation and location
(similar to assembling the first component of an assembly). If geometry exists, the
system provides the Package functionality to enable you to place the component.

To Create an Assemble Step

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Sequence > New > Assemble > Done.

2. The Assemble dialog box opens. Define the elements in the dialog box.

General Step Type

About the General Step Type

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You use the General command in the STEP TYPE menu to create steps for
miscellaneous operations such as painting, cleaning, gluing and so on. Process steps,
similar to features, consist of a set of elements and can have geometric references.

To Create a General Step

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Sequence > New Step > General > Done.

The STEP: General dialog box opens. Define the Type element by selecting from a
list containing all default types as well as any user-defined types that exist in the
current model (Caulk, Clean, Drain, Fill, Inspect, Lubricate, Paint, Torque, Verify).
Click Done. If you select New Type, all elements reset to default values, and you
must enter the name for the step.

2. Define any optional elements in the dialog box.

3. Click OK.

Reposition Step Type

About the Reposition Step Type

Using the Reposition step type, you can reposition a previously assembled
component in the process assembly. You select the component from the process
assembly and move it using the Package functionality.

You can only select components that are currently part of the process assembly. If
you pick a component that is part of a fabrication unit, the entire unit is selected.

To Create a Reposition Step

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Sequence > New Step > Reposition > Done.

2. The STEP:Reposition dialog box opens. Define the following required elements:

o Components—Select components for the process step (standard

components, fabrication units, cable features, pipe features, weld features,
tools/fixtures, and bulk items). You pick the components from the process
assembly. You must choose at least one component to create a valid
reposition step. You can only select components that are currently part of
the process assembly.

o Position—Reposition selected components using the Package interface.

This defines the transformations for the components. Only components
defined by the first element may be repositioned. Only one Package
operation is allowed per step. All of the components will be repositioned
together.

3. Define any additional elements.

4. Click OK.

Disassemble Step Type

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About the Disassemble Step Type

Use the Disassemble command in the STEP TYPE menu to disassemble components
that are already assembled. Select components from the process assembly. If you
want to move the assembly to a different work cell or fixture, you can disassemble
all components. Disassembling a component does not remove the model from the
process assembly.

To Create a Disassemble Step

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Sequence > New Step > Disassemble > Done.

2. The Disassemble dialog box opens. Select components to disassemble. You can

only select components that belong to the process assembly. If you select a
component that belongs to a fabrication unit, the entire unit is selected.

3. Define any optional elements.

4. Click OK.

Reassemble Step Type

About the Reassemble Command

Use the Reassemble command in the STEP TYPE menu to reassemble previously
disassembled components. Using the Reassemble step does not add another instance
of the selected model to the BOM. If you want to add another occurrence of the
component to the BOM, use the Assemble step.

You only reassemble components that you have disassembled. Therefore, only
components that have been disassembled are available for this step. Since you
assembled the selected components in a previous step, you do not have to specify a
component type. You need to reconstrain all components that you select for this step
using the COMP/FAB menu.

To Reassemble Step Elements

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Sequence > New Step > Reassemble > Done.

2. The STEP:Reassemble dialog box opens. Select components to reassemble.

3. Define any optional elements.

4. Click OK.

Fabrication Units

About Fabrication Units

Fabrication assemblies are representative of what is actually manufactured and
shipped. These assemblies differ from design assemblies in that they also include
components that are used for shipping purposes only, as well as components that
represent documentation and other support material. For example, a pipe assembly

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often contains cap parts to protect the open-ended assembly from damage until it is
assembled into a higher level fabrication assembly.

With Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES, you can use fabrication units to avoid
permanently affecting the design assembly structure. You can create modify, and
delete information about fabrication units using the Fab Unit command in the ASM
PROCESS menu.

Fabrication units are groups of components that you use to create a process plan
showing the actual build Bill of Materials (BOM). They appear in the process BOM as
individual components.

You can use a fabrication unit as a component in an assemble step, which assembles
all of the components in the fabrication unit simultaneously. The system considers
them to be one unit for explode, simplified representations, Bill of Materials, and so
on. You can also select them for the other step types (disassemble, reposition, and
so on).

Pro/ENGINEER considers the groups of components comprising the fabrication units
to be one unit throughout the process plan, you should create them before you use
any of the components in a process step. You can create them even if some of the
components are already in the plan; however, you should redefine that step and
assemble the fabrication unit instead of the individual component. The fabrication
unit cannot include a component that is used in one assemble step and a component
that is used in another.

When working with fabrication units, consider the following:

• Fabrication units do not include placement constraints. The fabrication unit may

include components that have not been assembled yet; you add the placement
constraints for these components when you assemble the fabrication unit into the
process.

• A fabrication unit contains components from a single assembly in the process.

The components may come from multiple levels of that assembly, but there must
be a single assembly that ties them all together.

• You can have multiple occurrences of the same fabrication unit. If there is more

than one other occurrence, the system highlights them one at a time and asks
you to select one. The process BOM and parts list catalogs each occurrence of a
fabrication unit.

• Fabrication units are listed in the manufacturing BOM as a unit. However, the

BOM does not list all components that belong to that unit.

To Create a Fabrication Unit

1. Click ASM PROCESS > Fab Unit > Create.

2. Enter the fabrication unit name.

3. Retrieve the top level design assembly to define the fabrication unit.

4. The top level assembly appears in a phantom font. You can now select

components similarly to adding components to a process step.

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Exploding Assemblies

Basics of Exploding Assemblies

About Explode Functionality

In Process mode (as in Assembly mode), you can create exploded states to define
the exploded positions of all components. For each exploded state, you can change
the explode locations of components, create explode offset lines, and toggle the
explode status of components. To access the Explode functionality, click View >
View Manager and click Explode.

You can define multiple exploded states for each assembly, and then explode the
assembly using any of these exploded states at any time. You can also set an
exploded state for each step of the process plan and each drawing view of an
assembly. The default exploded state positions each component based on its
placement constraints.

To create other exploded states, you position components using the mouse cursor to
drag components.

To Create Exploded States

Use the View Manager to set the explode position of components.

1. Click

or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.

2. Click Explode.

3. Click Properties .

4. Click

Edit Position. The Explode Position dialog box opens.

5. Select Motion Type of the explosion.

6. Select the component to explode and drag it to a new position.

7. Continue selecting components and dragging them to desired explode positions.

8. Click OK to complete to complete explode positions and return the View

Manager.

To Unexplode an Assembly

To unexplode an assembly, click View > Explode > Unexplode View.

To Change the Explode Position

Use the View Manager to change the explode status of components in your
assembly.

1. Click

or View > View Manager. The View Manager dialog box opens.

2. Click the Explode tab.

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3. Click Properties and select a model.

4. Click

Toggle Status.

Or

1. Select an exploded state.

2. In the View Manager, click Edit > Redefine. The MOD EXPLODE menu opens.

Click Expld Status.

3. Select the required components to be toggled.

Using Offset Lines with Exploded Assemblies

About Using Offset Lines in Exploded Views

You can use offset lines to show how exploded components align when they are in
their final positions, and then modify or delete them when editing an exploded state.
They display in a dashed font. Offset lines are composed of three straight segments.
You determine the direction of the end segments by selecting references (parallel to
an edge or curve or normal to a surface), and the middle segment connects the two
end segments.

Configuration File Options for Offset Lines

In the configuration file, you can set the default color and font style for offset lines
created for exploded views. The following options are available:

• offset_line_def_font

• offset_line_def_color

To Create Offset Lines

1. Click View > Explode > Offset Lines > Create.

2. Select a pair of start and end anchor points (on an axis, surface, edge, or the

center of an arc).

To Modify Offset Lines

You can modify offset lines by:

• Adding, moving, or deleting jogs

• Changing line font

• Changing line color

1. Click View > Explode > Offset Lines.

2. Choose one of the options in the OFFSET LINES menu:

o Modify—Move, add, or delete a jog.

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o Delete—Delete an offset line.

o Mod Line Style—Select a line to modify using options in the Line Style

dialog box.

o Set Def Style—Set a new default line style and color using options in the

Line Style dialog box.

To Add or Modify Jogs in Offset Lines

You can create offset lines with multiple jogs. You can also move as well as delete
the jog points.

1. Click View > Explode > Offset Lines > Modify.

2. Select an offset line to modify.

3. Select an option from the EXPL LINES MODIFY menu:

o Move—Move a jog point.

o Add Jogs—Add a jog to the lines.

o Delete Jogs—Delete a jog by selecting a jog point.

Documenting the Process

Set and Change State

To Set the Assembly State of the Current Process Model

1. Click VIEWS > Dwg Models > Set State.

2. The Process State dialog box appears with the current process state, explode

state, and simplified representation selected in the lists.

The Process State dialog box contains a scrollable tree tool that displays the
process assembly sequence. You can select a step to show in the view. If
simplified representations are available, you can select one from the drop-down
list. You can also select an exploded state from the drop-down list.

To Change the Assembly State in a View

After you have created and placed a drawing view, you can change the process
assembly state shown in that view.

1. Click VIEWS > Modify View > View State.

2. Select a view of a process model. The system displays the Process State dialog

box with the process state, explode state, and simplified representation used in
the view selected in the lists.

3. Select a new assembly state. When you change the process state, explode state,

and/or the simplified representation, the system uses that model when creating
new views.

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Create Customized Documentation

About Drawing Mode With Process Documentation

In Drawing mode, you can create customized documentation for the assembly
process. You can add views for each step and control the display of a component
based on its status in the step. You can also create report tables using Pro/REPORT.

To create views of a process at a particular step, you must first select a process
assembly in session and then select a process step from a list. The system creates a
default view of the process at that step.

In Drawing mode, you can also do the following:

• Create an exploded state in the context of the drawing (if you have not already

exploded the process assembly at that process step, or if the explode is not
appropriate for that view). The system stores the explode information in the
drawing.

• Control how the system displays the components in the process assembly in the

drawing view. Click View > Drawing Display > Component Display to open
the MEMB DISP menu to define the display colors and fonts. For example, you
can display all assembled components in neutral gray, dashed font, and all
components that you are assembling in red, solid font.

To Create a View of a Process Step

1. In Drawing mode, click DRAWING > Views > Dwg Models > Add Model.

2. Select the process model. The Process State dialog box opens.

3. Using the Process State dialog box, select a process step, an exploded state, or

a simplified representation for that step.

Note: An existing drawing sheet can be used as a template to format new sheets in
a process drawing. The formats and views of the current sheet are used as a
template for a new sheet in the drawing.

4. Continue to define a view as you do for regular drawings.

To Control the Component Step Display

1. Click DRAWING > Views > Disp Mode > Process Disp.

2. The Component Step Display dialog box opens. This dialog box allows you to

determine component display status according to whether or not the component
is referenced in the current step. Change the display of the selected component.

Object Parameters in Drawings

You can use object parameters in your assembly process drawings as you would any
other object parameters. The object parameters can be used in drawing notes just as
you would with other drawings.

In particular, you may want to include the step description in your drawings. This
description can be included as a note which contains the following object parameter:

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&description:FID_#

Where # is the feature ID for the step you are documenting.

Exploded Views in Drawing Mode

Modifying Exploded Views in Drawing Mode

In Drawing mode, you can edit explode positions and offset lines by clicking on the
VIEW MODIFY > Mod Expld. The system stores these changes in the drawing, not
in the assembly or process model. A drawing may use an explode state from an
assembly or a process.

The drawing references the assembly or process exploded state as long as the
reference is valid. The reference is no longer valid if you modify the explode from
inside the drawing. When this happens, the system copies the exploded state into
the drawing and removes the reference to the assembly exploded state.

To Modify an Exploded View in Drawing Mode

1. Click VIEW MODIFY > Mod Expld.

2. Select a view to modify.

3. Choose an option from the EXPLD STATE menu:

o Create—Create an exploded state for this view.

o Set Current—Set the current state as default.

o Copy—Copy an exploded state.

o Redefine—Redefine an exploded state. Choose Position to change the

explode positions, or Expld Status to change the exploded status.

Modifying the Explode Positions in Drawing Mode

You can use the Mod Explode command in the VIEW MODIFY menu to modify
explode positions. You can change the explode position of components and you can
toggle the explode status of components to be exploded or unexploded. Changes
made from this menu become part of the drawing; they do not affect the process
assembly.

Note: In steps that have components as references, you can control the display of
components based on their status in the current step using options in the DISP
MODE menu.

Using the Configuration File Options to Change Color and
Line Font

You can set the default color and line font for models in drawing mode. All options
are available as keywords in the configuration file. Color is user-defined by
percentages of red, green, and blue.

For previously assembled components in the step, set the following variables:

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• prev_proc_comp_def_font

• prev_proc_comp_def_color

For components assembled in the step that is active in the current view, set the
following variables:

• curr_proc_comp_def_font

• curr_proc_comp_def_color

Create Reports and Tables

About Using Pro/REPORT for Assembly Process Drawings

There are special Pro/REPORT parameters that you can use to create a custom table
detailing the assembly process. An entire list of available system parameters appears
in the following table.

Parameter Name

Definition

&prs.actstep.comp.name

Lists the names of all assembly
components in the currently active step.

&prs.actstep.comp.param.name Lists the names of all parameters for each

assembly component in the currently
active step.

&prs.actstep.comp.param.value Lists the values of all parameters for each

assembly component in the currently
active step.

&prs.actstep.comp.type

Lists the method of assembly for each
component in the currently active step.

&prs.actstep.comp.User Defined Lists the values of any user defined

parameters for each assembly component
in the currently active step.

&prs.actstep.desc

Lists the descriptive phrase of the
currently active step.

&prs.actstep.name

Lists the name of the currently active step

&prs.actstep.number

Lists the currently active step number.

&prs.actstep.param.name

Lists the names of all parameters
associated with the current assembly
model.

&prs.actstep.param.value

Lists the values of all parameters
associated with the current assembly
model.

&prs.actstep.type

Lists the names of all parameters

i t d

ith th

t

ti

t

Pro/PROCESS for Assemblies

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associated with the current active step.

&prs.actstep.User Defined

Lists the values of any user defined
parameters in the currently active steps.

&prs.step.comp.name

Lists the names of all components for each
step displayed in your drawing.

&prs.step.comp.param.name

Lists the names of all parameters for each
assembly component for each step
displayed in your drawing.

&prs.step.comp.param.value

Lists the values of all parameters for each
assembly component for each step
displayed in your drawing.

&prs.step.comp.type

Lists the type of component being
assembled for each step displayed in your
drawing.

&prs.step.comp.User Defined

Lists the values of any user defined
parameters for every assembly component
displayed in your drawing.

&prs.step.desc

Displays the descriptive phrase of each
step shown in your drawing.

&prs.step.name

Displays the name of each step shown in
your drawing.

&prs.step.number

Displays the all step numbers for every
step in your drawing.

&prs.step.param.name

Lists the names of all parameters
associated with the steps displayed in your
drawing.

&prs.step.param.value

Lists the values of all parameters
associated with the steps displayed in your
drawing.

&prs.step.type

Lists the methods of assembly being used
for each step displayed in your drawing.

Tip: User-Defined Parameters in Tables

An item's parameters can also be used in a Pro/REPORT table as a user-defined
parameter. For example, the COST parameter of a part can be used as a user-
defined parameter in a Pro/REPORT table as &prs.step.cost_estimate even though a
system-defined Pro/REPORT parameter called &prs.step.cost_estimate does not
exist.

Example: Creating a Report

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When creating a report, it is important to consider the structuring of the symbols in
the report. Pro/REPORT parameters used in Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES are based
upon either the current step in the drawing or all steps in the drawing.

Pro/REPORT provides information based upon a hierarchy of specifications
proceeding from left to right. In the example, the parameter &prs.actstep.number
provides the step number of the step in your assembly process that is currently set
as the active model. Similarly, &prs.actstep.type gives the assembly method used
in just the active step. The parameter &prs.actstep.comp.name provides the names
of all assembly components used in the active step.

&prs.actstep.number &prs.actstep.type

&prs.actstep.comp.name

2 ASSEMBLE

8_PORT

2 ASSEMBLE

2_PORT

The table in the next example illustrates the slight differences between similar
parameters

&prs.step.number &prs.step.type

&prs.step.comp.name

1 REPOSITION

BASE

2 ASSEMBLE

8_PORT

2 ASSEMBLE

2_PORT

In this case, instead of using the parameter &prs.actstep.number, the
&prs.step.number

parameter is used. This parameter behaves differently than the

other. While the &prs.actstep.number parameter specifies the name of the step
number, the &prs.step.number parameter lists the step number for all models in
your drawing, regardless of which model is the current one. This parameter is used
to list report information for all steps in a drawing with multiple models. The same
principle can be applied to the other two report parameters.

Other Process Functions

About Working with Large Design Assemblies

There are a number of ways to work effectively with large design assemblies.

• Use simplified representations

• Retrieve the earliest step

Note: Retrieving the earliest desired step when retrieving a process assembly
limits the number of components retrieved into memory because only those
components required for the process step are retrieved and displayed. All
components of the design assembly are retrieved when adding a new step.

• Set appropriate configuration options

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Simplified Representations

About Simplified Representations in Process Assemblies

Simplified representations are used to improve visual clarity and performance. They
are used to simplify the process assembly by excluding or substituting components
for all steps, or to simplify only the current state (that is, step). Simplified
representations of the design assembly can also be used when creating assemble
steps in the process assembly.

To Create Simplified Representations

You can define a simplified representation for a process assembly.

1. Click

or View > View Manager. The View Manager opens.

2. Click Simp Reps

3. Click New to create a new simplified representation.

You can specify a simplified representation for particular step while defining or
redefining the step.

1. While defining a step with the STEP dialog box, click the Simplfd Rep element

and Define.

2. The View Manager opens. Click New to create a new simplified representation.

Retrieving a Simplified Representation in a Process Assembly

You can define a simplified representation of the process assembly before adding the
design assembly to the process. Then, when you work with the process assembly,
you can use the View Manager to add a model to the process.

Note: Components excluded in the design assembly do not appear on the screen in
phantom line font but appear in the Model Tree of the assembly where they are
selected.

User-Defined Features

About Process User-Defined Features

You can create and store a user-defined feature (UDF) of one or more General
process steps the same way you would create a standard UDF in Part mode. You pick
the step(s) to include in the UDF, and enter reference prompts, variable elements,
and other data. With a license for Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES, Pro/ENGINEER
provides a standard library of common process steps:

• Caulk

• Clean

• Drain

• Fill

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• Inspect

• Lubricate

• Paint

• Torque

• Verify

You can customize the library by adding your own steps or changing the definition of
the steps provided.

To Create a UDF

1. Click SEQUENCE > Step Library.

2. Group steps together into a UDF.

Get Information on a Process

About Obtaining General Information

Using the Info command in the main View menu, you can access general
information concerning mass properties, Bill of Materials, measure, and so on. To
obtain process-specific information such as cost, time estimates, and component
usage lists, use the Process Sequence command in the Info menu.

The Information Window contains the textual information from the process sequence,
including the description and type of each step, all attribute names, and the
corresponding values.

Using these commands, you can access an Information window that displays the
complete process sequence. It includes information such as the step type,
description, all attributes, and their values. The system saves this information to a
file as it is displayed, so you can print it without actually stepping through all of the
steps.

BOM and Parts Lists

To show which components and tools are required to complete a step or group of
steps, you can create and export (to a file or print) a parts list based on Assembly
Status (current, previously assembled, and so on.) and Component Type (Design,
Fixture, Bulk Item, and so on).

You can use the following possible formats, and switch between them:

• Indented list to show hierarchy, as in simplified representations

• Current BOM format

• Flat list with no hierarchy, just a list of components

You can create the list based on a step or a group of steps. To create the list for a
list of steps, define the subset by entering numbers separated by commas or
hyphens.

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Exporting Process Plans Using Pro/WEB Publish

With a license for Pro/WEB PUBLISH is available, the process steps created using
Pro/PROCESS for ASSEMBLIES can be exported for viewing on the World Wide Web.

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Index

3

3-D notes

steps with .................................. 8

3-D notes ..................................... 8

A

assemble step type .......................12

assembly process

accessing ................................... 4

creating ..................................... 1

assembly process........................1, 4

Assembly process drawing

Parameters................................22

Assembly process drawing..............22

B

BOM

getting information .....................26

BOM...................................... 26, 27

D

disassemble step ..........................14

Drawing mode

component display .....................21

Drawing mode ........................ 20, 21

E

explode functionality .....................17

exploded assembly

unexploding ..............................18

exploded assembly........................18

exploded states

creating ....................................17

modifying postion.......................18

exploded states ...................... 17, 18

exploded views in drawing mode

modifying..................................21

exploded views in drawing mode .....21

F

fabrication unit

creating ....................................17

overview ...................................15

fabrication unit ....................... 15, 17

G

general steps

description ................................13

user-defined features..................26

general steps.......................... 13, 26

L

large design assemblies .................25

O

offset lines in explode views

modifying..................................19

offset lines in explode views ...........19

P

parameters

creating for individual process steps6

use in drawings..........................21

parameters .............................. 6, 21

parts lists

getting information .....................26

parts lists............................... 26, 27

Pro/WEB Publish ...........................27

process assembly

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changing the active model ...........11

using 3-D notes in ....................... 8

process assembly...................... 8, 11

process components

operations.................................. 7

setting display of......................... 6

process components ....................6, 7

process status

displaying .................................. 5

process status ............................... 5

process step

general step ..............................13

reassemble step.........................15

process step........................... 13, 15

process steps

assemble step............................12

create views ..............................20

creating ....................................10

disassemble step........................14

getting information about ............11

operations on ............................. 8

playing .....................................11

reposition step ...........................14

process steps ..... 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 20

S

simplified representations

create.......................................25

simplified representations...............25

step parameters ............................ 6