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Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

(OP)
I have a 'source' part which contains a rectangle shaped Offset Curve feature. I have another 'target' part with a WAVE link to this curve feature (associative, not position independent). I use this WAVE link to create a rectangular cut extrude feature. Now, if I rotate the source part, the extrude feature does not reflect the new source part angle. To solve this problem I must edit the extrude feature and re-define the direction vector. But if I rotate the source part yet again, the extrude again fails to properly update the direction of the extrude. The attached image shows the failed scenario.

As an experiment, I replaced the original Offset Curve feature with a sketch feature, and now everything updates as it should.

Is there a way to somehow define curve features to contain information about the direction vector so that any child features will update in a correct associative manner?

NX10.0 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB QuadroK2200

RE: Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

Hi,
You didn't mention the way you defined a direction vector for extrude: what kind of method is used?

RE: Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

(OP)
None defined. And if I manually define a direction vector, the direction is not associative.

NX10.0 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB QuadroK2200

RE: Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

Wait a minute, i talking about an Extrude feature menu, it asks you to define a vector using one of supported methods (see the picture). I recommend you to try this way: you have to make a WAVE-link for both offset curve AND face, containing edges the offset made from. Then choose a Normal to face vector as a direction for Extrude feature (use the WAVE-linked face from step 1 to define a normal).

RE: Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

(OP)
Thanks, it works flawlessly the way you described.

However, having to WAVE-link a face in addition to the curve feature seems to me to be a very clunky way of doings things. I guess I'll have modify all my library components and change the curve features to sketch features wherever possible, because at least the sketch features have the direction vector 'baked' into the feature so I don't have to concern myself with additional 'vector management'.

NX10.0 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB QuadroK2200

RE: Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

Ok. Let me offer you the second solution. I'm not sure if i understood your issue 100% right, but if you want to Extrude an offset curve, which originally belongs to another solid body, you can do it directly from a Extrude feature, just be sure you're using an Offset with a type Two- or One-sided. I attached the picture, hopefully it will explain the method.

RE: Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

(OP)
I understand, but this is not feasible for two reasons:
-the original shape can be complex, so I need to offset from multiple edges. There is no single sketch that I can offset from.
-the original shapes are parts from a library, so I need a single curve feature which is easily accessible via a product interface.

NX10.0 Win8.1 64bit i7-3770K 16GB QuadroK2200

RE: Direction vector for Curve features are not associative

Ok, it's clear.

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