Mysterious Design Table Parameter 1

[andrzej01]

I spent a long time trying to find out this specific parameter but with no luck, I hope someone will be able to help me here ...
I am making a Design Table for a simple part with multiple configurations and their corresponding descriptions.
The mystery question is what parameter is responsible for Configuration Description ( In the Configuration Properties Dialog Box, second window from the top )
Please help.
Thank you.
Andrzej

 

[meintsi]

Have you tried: $Description or $Description@part_name ?

or even (this is a reach) $Description@ConfigurationName ?

Remember...
[navy]"If you don't use your head,[/navy]
[navy]your going to have to use your feet."[/navy]

 

[andrzej01]

Meintsi, I have tried all of them, SW gives me the error message stating what can be used listed below:
$PARTNUMBER
$COMMENT
$NEVER-EXPAND-IN-BOM
$STATE
$CONFIGURATION
$SHOW
$PRP
$USERNOTES
$COLOR
$PARENT
$TOLERANCE
$SW-MASS
$SW-COG
$DISPLAYSTATE

None of them is responsible for configuration description in Main Configuration Properties Dialog Box :-(

 

[smcadman]

I'ts $PRP@DESCRIPTION (this works with configuration-specific)
I usually create a 2nd configuration BEFORE creating the design table so it automatically creates the other properties.

Flores
SW06 SP3.0

 

[andrzej01]

Thanks Flores,
I know $PRP@DESCRIPTION works with configuration specific, I want the main configuration description to show in design table so I can automate it from within table instead if typing each description manually. There is about 100 configurations in my part and I want design table to take care of that description by formula etc.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Can you explain what you mean by "main configuration description"?
Maybe an image or two would help. See faq559-1100.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[andrzej01]

Here is the explanation : I go to the Configuration Manager Tab , right click on one of the configurations, left click on Properties ....Configuration Properties Dialog Box opens,
field ( window)I am interested in is second from the top, it says :"Description", it's below Configuration Name and above Comment field( window)....
I hope that helps.

Andrzej

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

See the code at the bottom of design table description thread559-132436


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[andrzej01]

Thank you very much, I will try to run macro, I just thought it would be some parameter you can call up in DT

Andrzej

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Apparently not able to do this yet ... put in an Enhancement Request to SW.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[TateJ]

If you could "get at" this configuration description the way you want to?
What would you then do with it?
I'm sure we could suggest another option - if we could see the bigger picture.

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[andrzej01]

TateJ,
I will try to explain the best I can.We our assys we use modular sheet metal part with many difference lenghts.
When inserted in the assy, the last saved configuration is inserted. In order change it to desired cofiguration, we right click on it in the tree and left click Component Properties, when Component Properties Dialog Box opens, you can see configuarations with their corresponding descriptions.
Since as I mentioned at it before there are many configurations of our modular sheet metal part, we would like to put Configuration Description as a column in design table so we are able to use Excell formulas to populate it down the column automatically, for example: lenght 5, length 10, length15 and so on .... instead of typing each configuration description manually.
The whole procedure is not a big problem but since there are tools to automate some tasks ...why not to use them.
So far CorBlimeyLimey said this parameter is not available in the most recent release of SW2006 and I could submit a request.
I hope I explained it so anybody can understand, English is my second language ...*smile

Andrzej

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Some alternatives:-

Show the length in the configuration name.

In each config, create a "Length" property in the Configuration Specific section. Once created simply double-click on the dimension from the model to populate the property. Next, create a custom BOM which has "Length" column in it, and set it to read the models config specific length property. See Help files for more details.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[andrzej01]

...*smile, great minds think alike, I do not SW that well but that's what exactly came on my mind : show the length in configuration name .
There is a little "but" in that approach though, we want to show in BOM configuration name only (SB52463-XX) without additional text.
I will try macro when I have some time to play it but definitely the simplest methods are the best ...
Thank you very much for help, I will still experiment a little on that.Might send the request to SW too.
Andrzej

 

[MElam]

You could try pointing the design library to the folder these parts are in. When parts are dragged from the library, you should be asked for the config you want instead of just getting the last saved one.

 

[andrzej01]

Good idea MElam, unfortunately we do not have the library set up properly, I will try that approach though, thank you.

CorBlimeyLimey, just FYI, I have tried the macro in the design table, works very well. Thanks again.

Andrzej