Create a factory design utilities asset

This unit will help describe how an assembly can be simplified and released as assets which can be used during the factory layout process. 

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

Create a factory design utilities asset - Exercise

Task 1: Simplify the assembly

  1. Open _packing machine.iam from the supplied dataset. 
  2. In the Assemble tab>Express panel, select Load Full. 
  3. Zoom in and note the number of components that make up this production-level design, including fasteners and belts. 
  4. Click the Home view on the ViewCube.



  5. In the Assembly tab>Simplification panel, select the Simplify command. 
  6. In Properties, under Exclude Components, do the following:  
    • Check Exclude parts by size. 
    • Enter 250 for Max. Diagonal. 
    • Click Show excluded parts.  
    • Select one of the mounting feet plates, as shown below.



    • Click Show included parts.  
  7. Under Remove Features, do the following: 
    • For Hole, select Range and enter 30 for Max. Diameter. 
    • For Fillet, select Range and enter 15 for Max. Radius. 
    • For Chamfer, select Range and enter 10 for Max. Distance. 
    • For Pocket, select Range and enter 150 for Max. Depth. 
    • For Emboss, select None. 
    • For Tunnel, select None. 
    • Click Highlight. 
  8. Under Output, do the following: 
    • For Type, select New Part File. 
    • For Template, choose Standard (mm).ipt. 
    • For Name, enter _packing machine_Simplify_1. 
    • For Style, select Maintain each solid as a solid body.  
  9. Under Advanced Properties, do the following: 
    • Check Break Link. 
    • Check Fill internal voids. 
    • Check Remove internal parts. 
    • Check Use color override from source components. 
  10. Click OK. Note: this step can take a few minutes to complete. You have the option to complete the step or cancel the operation, close the assembly, and open the preset part file Packing_Machine_SimpleA.ipt from the dataset to proceed to the next task.

Task 2: Create the asset 

  1. In the Factory tab>Factory Launch panel, click Asset Builder. 
  2. In the Asset Builder tab>Author panel, click Landing Surface. 
  3. Select the underside of one of the feet to establish the landing surface.



  4. In the Landing Surface dialog, click Insertion point and select the three points shown below.



  5. Click OK. 
  6. Use the Parameters command to create two user parameters for the height and width of the conveyor attachment point. Set the Height parameter to 570mm and the Width parameter to 450mm. Mark the parameters Key, as shown below.



  7. Create an offset workplane from the XY Plane using the Height parameter for the offset value.   
  8. Create a workplane using the Midplane between Two Planes option, selecting each outer face of the conveyor. 
  9. Create a workpoint using the Intersection of Three Planes option, selecting the two previously created planes and the end face of the conveyor shown below.



  10. In the Asset Builder tab>Author panel, click Define Connector and select the previously generated workpoint as the location. The connector should be aligned as shown below.



  11. In the Asset Builder tab>Author panel, click Connector Class Properties and do the following: 
    • For the Connector Class File Name, select Conveyor from the drop-down list. 
    • For Value, select normal from the drop-down list. 
    • Click Add. 
    • Click OK. 
  12. Remove the visibility from the previously created work features. 
  13. In the Asset Builder tab>Author panel, click Asset Properties and do the following: 
    • Review the default asset properties. 
    • Select the Layer tab. 
    • Check the option to Specify Layer for Asset. 
    • Enter the name machines and set the color to red. 
    • Click OK. 
  14. In the Asset Builder tab>Publish panel, click Publish Asset. Select Yes when prompted to save. 
  15. In the Publish Asset dialog, do the following: 
    • In the Destination area, select the Local option. 
    • Select the User Assets folder for the publish destination. (Do not publish to the cloud.) 
    • Click OK. 
  16. Save and close all files.
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