Modeling the Part Start a new part using either the imperial or metric (part) start Modeling features must be per the Part Modeling document Start a new sketch or use the current active (blank) sketch and draw a 2D sketch of the structural profile. WARNING: The sketch profile must contain the entire shape of the structure. No additional sketches and/or 3D modeling will be permitted after this sketch is extruded. It is also recommended to project the horizontal/vertical origin work planes onto the sketch as centerlines and to center the structural profile around the origin work point and projected centerlines. Dimension and constrain the sketch as needed. You may elect to setup equations to denote Shape Height, Width, and Thickness if desired. Configuring engineering items later on, such as; Moment of Inertia, Radius of Gyration, and etc. are optional. Exit the sketch and extrude it. It is recommended, for the extrusion length, to write the equation as Length=10 (imperial) or Length= 254 (metric). Example of a completed structural shape (Cooper B-Line Channel Strut) sketch Example of a structural shape (Cooper B-Line Channel Strut) sketch that is not completed. Meaning the shell (modeling) commands was going to be applied after the sketch was extruded PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 1
Modeling the Part Access the fx parameters (Parameters/Manage ribbon panel) and export the parameter Length value. Access the IPROPERTIES: On the Summary tab describe (extended description) the structural shape per the Part Modeling document per the Title IPROPERTIES. Confirm Author name On the Custom tab Define ComponentName, DescriptionMfg, MaterialMaster, and VendorPartNumber per the Part Modeling document. Define ComponentName as an acceptable value per the Description field located on the document management system profile card On the Physical tab, define material per the Part Modeling document. IPROPERTIES Example PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 2
Modeling the Part Access the Document Settings under the Tools ribbon section. Select the Bill Of Materials tab. Under the Base Quantity (pull-down list), select Length under the Model Parameters section. Confirm the Base Unit (pull-down list) is set to the correct unit of measurement Select the OK button If the structural shape is purchased as raw material, it is recommend to change the Default BOM Structure (pull-down) to Purchased Save the content center family template master file per the Part Modeling document. PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 3
IPART Authoring Create an IPART (authoring) PLEASE NOTE: Dimensional entries must always be in decimal form. Expressions are acceptable but should be only used in those cases to simplify the population of the column cell. All dimensional entries in a IPART (family) table (cells) must be consistent Meaning if the unit of measurement is included in one dimensional cell, then all dimensional cells must have the unit of measurement. Don t mix and match. Just like sketched and/or model dimensions in a part, its cell (dimensional) values must be based on a scale of 1:1, nominal value, correct precision/not rounded, and not per any min/max tolerance. Meaning 5 3/8 is not 5.38, it is 5.375 and 5 9/16 is not 5.56, it is 5.5625. Under the Member column, change the member name per Part Modeling document. Confirm or add the required parameters that control the structural shape (sketch). If not already present, select and add (>>) the Length parameter to the IPART table. Click on the Properties tab Scroll down to the Physical section, expand it and add (>>) the Material properties Scroll down to the Custom section and add all required custom IPROPERTIES as needed. IPart Author Example PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 4
Structural Shape Authoring Exit the IPART table and save the part. Before authoring and publishing this shape to the content center The proper content center access/authorization. If you do not have the rights to publish to the content center, please forward this new structural shape to an authorized content center team member or your local CAD Administrator. A category under the Structural Shape section of the content center must already reside. See the Content Center Management document in how to create a category. All (origin/user defined) work planes, axis and origins are turned off and the Inventor (screen) background is set to white. Select Structural Shape from the Manage/Author ribbon section. In the Structural Shape Authoring dialog, select the structural category (Layout tab) in the Category pull-down list. In our example (see below), a category Cooper B-Line Channel was added to the content center prior to authoring this shape. If the base extrusion (extruded structural shape) was done properly the Selection Preview of the Structural Shape Authoring dialog should appear correctly and the extrusion/default base point definition under the Geometry Mapping will not required any additional input for the user. Though it is not recommended, the Default Base Point may be redefined. PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 5 5
Structural Shape Authoring and Publishing Select the Parameter Mapping tab. Under the Base length mapping select (pull-down list) Length. Define other mappings as needed. Select the Publish Now button. Confirm the (selected) content center library and language is correct for this structural shape. Confirm the (selected) content center category is correct for this structural shape. Confirm the family column mappings are still the same as originally defined. Define at least one key column. WARNING: The Length column must be defined as a minimum Key columns are those columns used to define the prompts that a user will select from to generate the shape from the content center family table. Key columns can be modified and reorder later on in the editing of the family table. Except as noted below define the family properties of the structural shape using the Content Center Management document. Unless associated to a given standard, define the Standard Organization as CUSTOM by typing CUSTOM in the pull-down list. Accept the warning message if the folder name defined is used for existing content center components. Review the Publish Guide dialog and select the Publish button. Accept the publish successful message. PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 6 6
Structural Shape Family Table - Edit Select the content center Editor located on the Content Center/Manage ribbon. Navigate to the structural shape, RMB on it and select Family Table Locate the Length column and RMB on its column header and select Column Properties Place a check mark in the Expression option. Select the Custom Column option. Select the browse [ ] button at the end of the expression edit box. Define the Default (length) value. Define the Incr (increment) length value Define the Minimum (cut) length and operation. Define the Maximum (purchased/cut) length and operation. Locate the PartNumber column and RMB on its column header and select Column Properties Place a check mark in the Expression option Select the Expression Column option Define a unique part number for each member. It is recommended to at least include the (cut) length in the part number name. Locate the FILENAME column and RMB on its column header and select Column Properties. Define a unique file name for each member. Since by default the file name is using the member name as a expression, add a dash (-) and the Length parameter to create the unique name. Select the browse [ ] button to access the length parameter. Example: {Member}-{Length} PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 7 7
Structural Shape Family Table - Edit Unless otherwise specified, use the Content Center Management document to define the rest of the family table columns and rows. Assuming the STOCKNUMBER column is not present, RMB on the PARTNUMBER column, and select Add Column For the Column Name edit box, type STOCKNUMBER For the Column Caption edit box, type STOCKNUMBER Define value based on established practices. Use the expression function to assist in populating the family table. Please note: The value contained within this cell is used in the creation of the member s display name in the frame generator model tree. Map the column STOCKNUMBER to the Project.STOCK NUMBER located under the Map to Inventor Property pull-down list Please note: The key columns defined in the family table are used as the structural size selector under the Frame Generator module. Select the OK and Done button. Accept any message indicating publish was successful. PASS2002688: Global Inventor & SmarTeam Training Manual, Section 4: Content Center Create a Custom Structural Shape and Publish It 8 8