Modeling - Trail Files/Family Tables

[sktcorp_Karen]

Hello All,


I am a fairly new user of Pro/E (Wildfire 3.0), and I have no experience with Trail files or Family Tables, but I hear they may be useful for my application. I need to make approximately 500 identical parts, give each a unique nameand placeeach ata unique location (x,y,z coordinates) within the same assembly.


I'm thinkingI couldedit aTrail file to retrievea unique namefrom an exterior .txt or .dat file and thenmodel the part.Iam hopefulthat the Trail file can be edited with a "do loop" so that it will continue to retrieve data and modelparts until one part for each unique namehas been modeled.I have no idea how to go about locating parts automatically within an assembly. Is it possible to utilize a Family Table or a Trail file for the assemblyto meet this need?


I would very much appreciate any instructions, linksorbook titles on the following topics: (1) editing Trail files, (2) writing "do loops" for Trail files, (3) automatically locating parts in assemblies via Trail files, (4) using Family Tables, or (5) any other topicthatwould be useful in my application.


Thanks,


Karen

 

[Nadir]

Karen


I don't know if Trail files are the best way to go on this, maybe someone else can throw some light on that. However the way I would tackle it would be to create a generic part and then create a family table with all the instances called by their own name. We have some large family tables of ident labels, screws and the like not up to 500 instances but certainly 300+. The problem with family tables is that people get a bit excited and try and make them do to much or use them inappropriately. I have family tables of connectors that someone created years ago which cause problems because they have family tables nested inside family tables. The key is keep it simple and you should be able to achieve what you want.


Good luck


Nadir

 

[doronron1]

Here is a link to automate part assembly at the default location. You may be able to modify this to suit your needs. good Luck!


[url]http://www.mcadcentral.com/proe/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=33 535&KW=doronron1[/url]

 

[sanjeevkar1]

i never knew trail file can do sucha lot of work. i am looking forward too for someone telling more about it.


and karen


i think your problem can be solved very easliy with family table.