Adapting the Geometrical Parameters of a Component

This task will show you how to insert a component with external geometrical parameters and to adapt its geometry to the mold.

You can insert components that you have defined in Part Design, Shape Design, Assembly Design...
In some cases, the definition of those components (shape and/or structure) depends on external geometrical parameters (sketch, axis systems...) to be taken into account to adapt the components to the mold environment.

For that purpose, you must define those external geometrical parameters with easily understandable names, and place them in a body named Isolated External References. For example, see ConnectParameters01.CATPart in the samples/ConnectParameters directory:

This component is a pad defined by Sketch.3 and Plane.2, that are located under Isolated External References.
  • This capability is available for the insertion of a single instance of the component.
  • Multi-instances do not allow the reconnection of external references.
Open the MoldConnect.CATProduct in the samples/ConnectParameters directory.
There is a sketch on the Clamping Plate that will define the shape of the insert you are going to add.

You will add an insert, defined by the ConnectParameters01.CATPart from the same directory,
and adapt it to the mold: the pad will take the shape of the sketch on the Clamping Plate and will be based on xy plane.
 

  1. Click Add Insert and insert ConnectParameters01.CATPart from the samples/ConnectParameters directory as follows.


    The insert has the shape of the pad defined in ConnectParameters01.CATPart

  2. Click OK. The External Reference Component dialog box is displayed:

    It displays the list of the external references of the component you have inserted, with their status.

  3. Select the Sketch.3 line. The buttons Reconnect and Delete become available.
    Click Reconnect and select the sketch on the Clamping Plate:

    Similarly reconnect Plane.2 with xy plane.

  4. Click OK and update your model.
    The insert has taken the shape of the sketch on the Clamping Plate and is now based on the xy plane.