Defining Slots

This task shows you how to build a slot. This is usually done by an administrator.

A slot is a closed contour. This closed contour is modeled using a user defined feature (UDF).
A PKT license is required to build user defined features.

Starter models are provided to help in the creation of new slots. These templates are located in the following folder:

../OS/startup/EquipmentAndSystems/Structure/DetailingFeatures/UDFTemplates

For more information and additional guidelines for defining slot geometry, see Defining Support Geometry.
  The following explains how to create a basic slot.
1. Open the starter CATPart and save it as a new CATPart.

This starter CATPart already contains the plate and shape that will assist you to define the slot contour.

For organizational purposes, it is recommended that you create all the features used to design the slot geometry under a geometrical set called UDF Definition.

  
2. Create a new geometrical set under UDF Definition and rename it Profile Plane.

Using the Intersection command , create the intersection curve between Plate_Face_Standard and Shape1_Face_MoldedFlange2.
3. Create a point a the middle of this curve, then create a plane tangent to Plate_Face_Standard at the midpoint.
4. Create a new geometrical set under UDF Definition and rename it Tangent Planes.

Using the Intersection command, create four curves, intersections of Plate_Face_Standard with:

Shape1_Face_MoldedFlange2
Shape1_Face_Flange2Toe-
Shape1_Face_Flange2Toe+ and
Shape1_Face_MoldedFlange1.
5. Using the Point command, create the middle point of each intersections curves.
6. Using the Plane command, create four planes tangent to Shape1_Face_MoldedFlange2, Shape1_Face_Flange2Toe-, Shape1_Face_Flange2Toe+ and Shape1_Face_MoldedFlange1 at Point.2, Point.3, Point.4 and Point.5 respectively.
7. Using the F(x) command, create a Length parameter.

Rename the parameter Clearance, and set its value to 20mm.

You can view the new parameter in the specifications tree if you set Tools - Options properly.

8. Create a new geometrical set under UDF Definition, and rename it Offset Planes.

Using the Plane command, create one Offset plane for each tangent plane.

Each time you create an Offset plane, click Reverse Direction In the Plane Definition dialog box.

Define Offset by right-clicking the Offset field. Select Edit formula from the drop-down list and the Formula Editor dialog box opens.
9. In the Formula Editor dialog box, select Clearance by double clicking it in the Members of Renamed Parameters box.
10. Create a new geometrical set under UDF Definition, and rename it Intersection Lines.

Use the Intersection command to create four lines, intersections of the plane in the Profile Plane geometrical set with each of the offset planes.
11. In the specification tree, right-click on UDF Definition.

Select Define In Work Object from the drop-down list to activate this geometrical set.
12. Using the Polyline command, select the four points created in the previous step. Check the Close Polyline checkbox to close the curve.

Define a Radius for Point1 and Point2 by right clicking in the Radius field. Select Edit formula from the drop-down list and the Formula Editor dialog box opens.

In the Formula Editor dialog box, select Clearance by double clicking it.

The slot profile is ready, and you can now create the UDF.

Naming Conventions for Section Characteristics

When you define your slot UDF, follow these naming conventions:
Inputs corresponding to the profile (shape/stiffener) or the plate to be cut have no index in there names. For example:
Shape_Face_MoldedFlange1
Shape_Edge_Start_MoldedFlange2

For a contextual slot, inputs corresponding to the penetrating object have an index in their names. For example:

Shape1_Face_MoldedFlange1
Shape1_Edge_Start_MoldedFlange2

For more information on naming conventions, see Defining Support Geometry.

Creating the Slot UDF
13. Select Insert - UserFeature - UserFeature Creation... from the menu bar to define the slot UDF.

The Userfeature Definition dialog box opens.

Give the slot UDF a meaningful name. This is the name the user will see when he instantiates the slot in his design.

Select the UDF Definition and Clearance parameter in the specifications tree.

Do not forget to include formulas and rules, if any.

14. Select the Inputs tab on the Userfeature Definition dialog box.

If the starter model has been used, all the inputs should follow the naming convention.
15. Select the Parameters tab. Publish the Clearance parameter by double clicking it.

NOTE: Only published parameters will be accessible when using this slot.
16. Select the Outputs tab. Main Result is the Polyline feature. It must display in the Output Name column. If Main Result does not display, select Add, Remove or Replace, and ensure that it does display.

Click OK when done.
The slot UDF is created under the Knowledge Templates entry in the specifications tree.
Store the slot UDF in the in the detailing features catalog. For more information, see Adding Slots, Endcuts and Small Assemblies Templates to a Catalog.

Creating the Catalog Selection Preview Image
When placing the slot in the Structure Design application, a preview of this slot displays in the Catalog Selection for Slot dialog box.

Follow these steps to create a preview image that is representative of the actual slot.

Use the Part Design workbench and select the Pocket command.

Create a Pocket in the PartBody by selecting the polyline. Apply an appropriate view to your document. Place all 3-D construction geometry in No-Show, then save the document.

It should look like this:

In the Structure Design application, when you place this slot, the preview in the Catalog Selection for Slot Cut dialog box looks like this:

Creating a Bitmap Image
  When placing the slot in the Structure Functional Design or Ship Structure Detail Design applications, the preview image of the slot is not used. Instead, a bitmap image displays in the Slot dialog box. See Placing Slots.

You must create an image for each new slot. The image must be a bitmap file (120 pixels wide by 160 pixels high) to properly fit in the frame of the user interface. It should clearly show the geometry so the user can select the correct detail. It should also clarify the parameters. The image name must match the UDF name.

The location where these bitmap files are stored is defined by a specific PRM resource. This resource is described in List of PRM Resources.

Sample bitmaps, like the ones below, are provided with the product.