NX 8.0 File structure/folder setup

[Bigdamdog]

Hello all,

Currently we are running NX8, soon to be upgrading to 8.5. At our facility we engineer, program, cut, EDM and inspect all custom components with UG. We need to have a hierarchy of permissions and/or folders that allow certain people to save certain files. Below is how the system should allow users to save/modify/view.

1. Engineering - Can view, open and save any file under each specific job.

2. EDM Electrode design - Can assemble in engineering files to design electrodes. Saves newly created files in sub folder under engineering folder. Does not need to save engineering files.

3. CNC Programing - Can assemble in engineering files to program. Saves newly created files in sub folder under programing. Do not want them to save engineering files.

4. EDM Wire - Can assemble in engineering files to position and program. Saves newly created files in sub folder under programing.

5. Inspection - Can assemble in engineering files to program for inspection. Saves newly created files in sub folder under programing. Do not want them to save engineering files.

6. Shop - Can open any file to visualize and measure models. Does not have any permissions to save anywhere.

The reason I am looking for suggestions is because recently all of the Groups in windows had permission to save, move, delete files anywhere on the main job drive where all this information is stored. I am unable to find out what happened to the permissions, and/or who changed these files and their locations.

I am currently working with our I.T. department to re-set these permissions back to the way they had been set and have encountered an issue. Our programing department is having an issue saving the files they have created. What happens when they do a save all is the system creates a temp file under engineering folder and it takes 1-2 minutes to finish the save. Saves on our network usually take between 5-15 seconds.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to setup the permissions in Windows to allow programing to save only the files they should be saving?

Thank you,

Kris

 

[JohnRBaker]

If you're going to set up something like this and you would like the system to 'enforce' the rules and act as a 'traffic cops' (perhaps 'dispatcher' would be a better term) you really should be looking at using Teamcenter for this. While it's possible to get some of what you want using simple folders with permissions and search lists, eventually you'll realize that you've created a 'bowl of spaghetti'.

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.

 

[looslib]

Like John said, you need a file coordinator/dispatcher type program to give you total control.

Using sub-folders under 1 main folder is a bad idea since Windows by default propogates permissions down to sub-folders. You would have a nightmare trying to set things up so you can save to a lower folder but not to the parent folder. Parallel folder structures may work better where Engineering and CNC Programming are at the same level and CNC programming only has read permission on the Engineering folders. We did this at a prior compnay before moving to PDM system and it worked but was a nightmare at times. We also had trouble using Windows file protection to give us the file security we wanted. We had a NetApp filer which runs a modified Unix file system and with groups and file permissions on the NetApp side we could get better control of the Windows side.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[Bigdamdog]

John and looslib,

This was the system that was in place when I started here. Once the permissions are set on the 'Standard' folder, all that needs to be done is an xcopy to maintain those permissions. It is not a 'bowl of spaghetti' as you put it. We have been using this system for many years. Here is the structure Link.

From my understanding of different posts that I have read, Teamcenter setup looks to be a daunting task that requires a lot of time up front. Am I wrong in this assumption? Also, what are the benefits of going to Teamcenter? I thought that this was for larger companies that needed design and assembly standards across different offices and/or buildings.

 

[looslib]

How many 'extra' copies of files do you have on your system if you xcopy a project folder? While an easy solution and 'disk space is cheap' mentality, it can work, there are risks when you use load option search paths that you could pick up the wrong file.

You didn't say how many seats of NX you have, we use PDM for what is about 6 active users.

Teamcenter can look like a big project to initially set up, and it does require some backend servers, it may help control and allow part reuse easier than your current method. It will also controll access rights so the proper people only see or chnage what they are allowed to. There is also some maintenance tasks with a PDM system that someone will need to do on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.



"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[Bigdamdog]

Ben,
We use 1 folder per project. The search options that we use are 'as saved'. This way if a folder happens to be moved we know right away. These are individual projects. We may clone one project to a different one for improvements or different functions, but everyone accepts the current system. We have around 11-12 seats of UG.

The biggest issue I have with teamcenter is the time/money investment along with the maintenance. Plus the addition of more servers to keep everything straight. That appears to be the real nightmare to me. We use the reuse library and Moldwizard to keep our standard components straight.

How do other companies structure their files so different departments can work on them?