Workflow

This topic describes a suggested workflow when working in Functional Plastic Parts and Functional Part Design.

This task shows you how to:

Organize Functional Specifications

You can organize the functional specifications required for functional features.

Before you begin: Open or create a 3D shape representation.
  1. Insert different bodies for grouping the features according to their functions. See Inserting a New Body.

    When you create the first functional feature, a new body and a solid functional set are automatically added under the 3D shape representation.

  2. Insert solid functional sets inside each function's body. See Inserting a Solid Functional Set.

    Important: You can insert only one solid functional set inside a body.

  3. Insert functional sets inside the solid functional sets to organize the functional features and Generative Shape Design elements. See Inserting a Functional Set.

    A functional set can contain:

    • Any functional features

    • Sketches
    • Generative Shape Design features
    • Other functional sets

  4. Set following sets of properties for a functional set or the solid functional set:

Create a Functional 3D Part

You can create a part by combining different functional features in Functional Plastic Parts.

  1. Create the basic shape of the part using the basic functional features. See Creating Basic Features.

    Different types of basic functional features are:

    Note: The following features can only be created using Functional Plastic Parts:
    • Push
    • Pull
    • Fitting

  2. Create other functional features to modify the basic features. See Creating Functional Features

    Different types of functional features are:

    Note: The following features can only be created using Functional Plastic Parts:
    • Rest
    • Grill

  3. Create modifying features on the functional and shape features. See Creating Dress-up and Modifier Features
  4. Add dress up features to achieve the functional and shape features meeting all your needs. See Creating Dress-up and Modifier Features
  5. Create multi-body features to achieve the functional and shape features meeting all your needs. See Creating Multi-Body Features.

    Note: These features can only be created using Functional Plastic Parts.

  6. Create extraction features:

    Note: These features can only be created using Functional Plastic Parts.

  7. Create more features by instantiating one of the following types of templates, if required.
    • User Defined Features
    • Power Copy
  8. Create injection points, required to define the position and characteristics of the gate, on 3D part. See Creating Injection Points.
  9. Optional: Modify the functional features using one of the following methods:

Associate Bodies Using Boolean Operations

You can connect and reshape different 3D objects using different Boolean operations to add or remove material from the objects.

  1. Create a 3D part inside the PartBody.
  2. Insert a new body under the 3D shape. See Inserting a New Body.
  3. Insert required features to the new body.

    Tip: You can also create new features inside a body.

  4. Perform one of the following Boolean operations on the bodies, for connecting them.

Analyze a 3D Part

You can analyze a 3D part and resolve the problems diagnosed in the analysis.

  1. Analyze the draft angles on the different surfaces to ensure their manufacturing feasibility. See Analyzing the Draft Angle.
  2. Analyze the surface curvatures of different types. See Analyzing Surface Curvature.
  3. Analyze the threads and taps defined in the 3D part. See Analyzing Taps and Threads.
  4. Analyze a part to measure and alter the thicknesses of its walls. See Analyzing Wall Thicknesses.
  5. Create a 3D section view of a part to analyze the part by cutting it at the required position. See Creating Dynamic Section View.
  6. Resolve any problems diagnosed in the above analysis steps.