NX9 Blending Instances
NX9 Blending Instances
(OP)
We used to be able to add an edge blend or chamfer to multiple instances but now all we have are patterns. Is this capability still available?
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RE: NX9 Blending Instances
First off, the 'capability' is still there, just that explicit 'Blend/Chamfer All Instances' functions are no longer needed.
In fact, you actually now have two different approaches that will work for you, so you can pick the one that will be best suited for the way you like to work. But first a little history lesson; the reason that we even NEEDED the 'Blend/Chamfer Instance' function in the past was because we did NOT allow you to include Blend or Chamfer features as part of the Instance itself, they had to added AFTER the Instance was created, thus the need for some automated 'function' and so was born the 'Blend All Instances' and 'Chamfer All Instances' options added the the respective Blend and Chamfer dialogs. Now you can add your Blend/Chamfer to the feature and simply include them when you select your feature to Pattern. What could be more straight forward than that?
Now the second approach does more closely follow the older workflow and besides, if you're the type who prefers to add details like Blends and Chamfers near the end of the model tree then go ahead work like you've done before, creating your Patterns without any Blends and Chamfers and then when you're ready to add the Blends/Chamfers, simply add a single Blend/Chamfer feature to ANY member of the Pattern of interest and using the Pattern Feature function, only this time selecting just the Blend/Chamfer feature, then in the 'Pattern Definition' section of the dialog set the 'Layout' type to 'Reference', then select any one of the Pattern's features, thus selecting the Pattern, and then you will be asked to select the 'Handle' of the feature that will be the 'base instance' for this NEW Pattern which is almost always the handle for the original Pattern's feature that the Blend/Chamfer was added to. Now hit OK and you'll have done, in essence, a 'Blend/Chamfer All Instances' operation. Granted, the model tree will look a bit different, but the order of updating will be basically the same as if was using the old pre-NX 8.0 workflow.
Anyway, I hope this was what you're looking for.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
I wondered about this when creating the attached part, in which you can't include an outer blend in the original pattern because it affects adjacent instances.
So I've just followed instructions for pattern feature, select blend, reference original pattern, select handle and so on, and the instance locations do look like the blends will appear in the correct locations, but then I get an error (parent failed to update).
If you have chance, could you see if I'm missing something? Thanks.
I'll upload some pictures too because I did this one in NX9.
www.jcb.com
NX 7.5 with TC 8.3
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
www.jcb.com
NX 7.5 with TC 8.3
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
www.jcb.com
NX 7.5 with TC 8.3
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
BTW, as you've noticed, you can only upload a single file at one time, so it's best in a situation like this one to first zip the 3 files together and then upload that file.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
www.jcb.com
NX 7.5 with TC 8.3
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
What I did (see attached example) was to simply go into Blend edge, set my size, rotate the model around so that I was looking at the 'sprocket' from the side... heck, it'll be easier to just watch the included video to see what I did. Don't worry about those tangent edges at the bottom of the 'teeth' as NX will simply ignore them when it creates the blends, but of course you do need to deseelct those two edges inside the 'bore'.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
Anyway, I hope that this example Will help, too.
Regards.
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
It's an interesting one because it does actually work with the old "blend all instances" option after an array. Have been looking at this as part of a training project, so I'll just come up with a different way of doing it.
Thanks for your help, Carl
www.jcb.com
NX 7.5 with TC 8.3
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
Another challenge, same topic. I am creating the blends on the end of the IMPELLER of the impeller (CAST) assembly. I cannot figure out a way to include the blends to all of the blades I create (6) without the "blend all instances" command? I have attached the Bottom and Top Housing along with the Impeller with one blade.
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
So, you can trim and blend the fin only, then unite, and then use the pattern feature command.
The problem you have is that your trim affects a solid created by the cone and fin joined together (as the model is at the moment).
At least I think that's right!
www.jcb.com
NX 7.5 with TC 8.3
RE: NX9 Blending Instances
Also note that 'Pattern Face' has been part of NX for some time, first as a very basic function then it was moved to the Synchronous Modeling suite of tools and finally, in NX 9.0, being given the same basic Dialog look and feel as Pattern Feature which was introduced in NX 8.0. And while were at it, in NX 9.0 we also replaced Instance Geometry and Component Arrays with their own 'Pattern' functions again using the now common 'Pattern' dialog design and behavior. This way, once a user becomes familiar with how one 'Pattern' function works, he will be able to quickly learn to use any of the other 'Pattern' functions since they will share the same basic dialog design, and where appropriate, a common set of options and features.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.