Drive the code and the variant of a component

Description:

It is possible to drive the code and the variant of a component through a catalog.

Example and procedure:

Here is a part that changes according to the diameter "d".

NB: It is possible to use a catalog with a file without saving it as standard component. You just need to give that same name to the catalog as the 3D associated file.

The aim is to add two screws of which the dimensions and type must change according to the part dimensions. This will be done through a catalog.

To make it work properly, the catalog must use the text format (note-pad). A catalog using the Excel format will not work for this feature.

However, the catalog can be created (or competed) with Excel then be save using the format "Text (separator : tabulation)".

A catalog using the text format must have the extension *.cat.. So you need to rename the file by replacing the extension *.txt by *.cat.

Screws insertion :

A first screw is inserted with its process (drilling and tapping).

Then the screw is propagated. This way, we get two screw depending on a single original one (which has become invisible).

Thus, we get the following assembly:

The original screw (the invisible one) is name "vis1" by using the function "Edit | Name". In order to visualize the original screw, you can use the "Modify" function on the propagation and select the option  EDIT TEMPLATE.

Column creation into the catalog :

To drive the code, you need to create a column "component_name.code". So, in this example: "vis1.code".

To drive the variant, you need to create a column "component_name.var". So, in this example: "vis1.var".

NB: To know the variant name of the TopSolid standard component, you can proceed as follow:

Insert the component.

Use the "Modify" function on it and choose the option  AUXILIARY ELEMENTS .

The template document will open. In the banner, you can read the file name. The variant is the text after "#V"

Here is the new catalog:

Results :

You can change the code of you part directly in the file by using the function "Assembly | Catalog code" or when inserting the file in an assembly.