Managing Rules

You can create, copy, delete, import, and export rules using the Rules Management dialog box.

This dialog box can be accessed by clicking Edit NC Resources from the context menu in the Resource Configuration View or by clicking Rules Management in the work area.

Rules include process parameters, part positioning, supports, scanning, scan path, and cost estimation generation rules.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Load a part, build tray, and machine in your session.

Import Rules

You can import rules from an XML file in the Rules Management dialog box.

  1. In the Resource Configuration View, right-click a machine and select Powder Bed Machine, then Edit NC Resource.
  2. In the Reference Parameters Of Generic Powder Bed Machine dialog box that appears, select the Rules tab.
  3. In the Rules panel that appears, click Browse.
  4. Select an XML file, or click Select File to select a file then click Import File to import the rules contained in the selected XML file.
    Rules are imported according to the selected XML file.

Notes:
  • To add, edit or remove a rule, use the Rules tab.
  • To check the content of a rule, edit the rule.

Manage Rules

You can manage custom rules using theRules Management dialog box.

  1. In the Resource Configuration View, right-click a machine and select Powder Bed Machine, then Edit NC Resource.
  2. In the Reference Parameters Of Generic Powder Bed Machine dialog box that appears, select the Rules tab.
  3. In the Rules panel that appears, select a rule from the Build Process, Layout, Support, Scanning, Scan Path, or Cost Estimation tab. Depending on the tab, you can:
    • : Modify the selected rule.
    • : Delete the selected rule.
    • : Visualize the selected rule.
    • : Copy the selected rule.

    Note: You can link a scanning rule to the scan path definition inside the scan path rules. To do so, select a rule from the Scanning Rule section in the Scan Path tab, then edit the rule you selected by clicking Rules Management . Once you select a scanning rule, you can assign one or several types to the scanning rule, such as core, down-skin, and up-skin. This is to filter the scanning rules in the Scanning Rule list from scan path definition. If you select None, you can then create a new scanning rule to add using Add Rule .

Modify Rules Through PPR Context

You can modify custom rules using the Rules Management dialog box through the PPR context.

  1. To modify the rules through the PPR context, click Rules Management from the right edge of the work area, then use the Rules Management dialog box that appears to modify the rules.
  2. In the dialog box, choose which type of rule to edit.
    • Build Process .
    • Layout .
    • Support .
    • Scanning .
    • Scan Path .
    • Cost Estimation .
  3. Choose the display type.
    • Additive Cell.
    • Virtual Machine.
  4. Hover over a rule and click .
  5. Use the Rules Management dialog box that appears to edit the rule.
  6. Click OK to validate your changes.
    You have modified the rule.

Modify Rules Through a Generic Machine

You can modify custom rules using the Rules Management dialog box through a generic machine. You can only modify rules when you create a machine as a generic machine or with the Equipment Design app. If none of these conditions are met, then you can only view the rules in the Rules Management dialog box and cannot modify them.

  1. To modify the rules through the machine, create a machine as a generic machine by right clicking Build Setup from the Setup section of the action bar.

    Note: You can only modify rules for a machine that you created with the Additive Part Preparation app and the Powder Bed Fabrication app. If you try to modify the rules for a generic machine that you created outside of these apps, then you can only view the rules and cannot modify them.

  2. In the Resources section of the Build Setup dialog box that appears, click Machine , and then click Create a New Generic Machine .
  3. Use the Edit Machine Parameters dialog box to edit the machine, then click OK to validate your changes.
  4. Click OK to close the Build Setup dialog box.
  5. Right-click the generic machine in the Resource Configuration View and select Powder Bed Machine > Edit NC Resource.

    Note: You can modify the rules for a machine that is not a generic machine with the Equipment Design app.

  6. In the Reference Parameters Of Generic Powder Bed Machine dialog box that appears, select the Rules tab.
  7. In the Rules panel that appears, select a rule from the Build Process, Layout, Support, Scanning, Scan Path, or Cost Estimation tab.
  8. Do one of the following:
    • Click Modify to change parameters for one specific rule.
    • Click Copy to copy the rule and modify the parameters of the copied rule.
    • Click Add Rule to add a new rule.
  9. Click Add Custom Parameter .
  10. In the Custom Parameters dialog box that appears, do one of the following:
    • Enter a name.
    • Select a type (such as integer, Boolean, real, etc.).
    • Enter a value.
    • Set as visible.
    • Set as editable.

    Note: If the Editable check box is cleared, the custom parameters can no longer be edited once saved.

  11. Click OK.
    You have saved the custom parameters.
  12. In the Reference Parameters Of Generic Powder Bed Machine dialog box, click OK.

Export Rules

You can export rules created in session to an XML file using Rules Management.

  1. In the Resource Configuration View, right-click a machine and select Powder Bed Machine, then Edit NC Resource.
  2. In the Reference Parameters Of Generic Powder Bed Machine dialog box that appears, select the Rules tab.
  3. In the Rules panel that appears, click Export Rules.
  4. Specify the name and location of the XML file, or click Select File to select a file then click Export File to save the file.
    The rule is exported to the XML file.