Tagging a Profile

This task explains how to tag any profile in Structure Functional Design and Structure Detailed Design and use it to convert into structural assembly.
The profiles from Structure Functional Design and Structure Detailed Design cannot be directly converted into structural assemblies. Those profiles need to be tagged during creation. When these tagged profiles are generated using the Structure Piece Part Generator command, the attributes are transferred along with the generated piece in Structure Design workbench.

  1. Open the CATStrFunctionalDesignSample.CATfct file in Feature Dictionary Editor workbench.
    This is the sample CATfct file used for Structure Functional Design and Structure Detail Design. It is availabe at location is defined in the Project Resource Management file resource StrFuncDesignUserDictionary.

  2. Select the stiffener category and click Add Attribute in the Dictionary toolbar.
    The Add Attribute dialog box appears.

  3. Add the following string attributes to stiffener and beam classes which you wants to make available for conversion.
    The various attributes are:

    • CBConversionWeb
    • CBConversionFlange
    • CBConversionBendRadius

  4. Click OK when done.

  5. Save the CATStrFunctionalDesignSample.CATfct file and switch to Structure Detail Design or Structure Functional Design workbench.

  6. Create a profile (a stiffener or a beam).

  7. To tag the profile, right-click the profile and select Properties.
    The Properties dialog box appears.

  8. Select the Functional Design tab in the Properties dialog box.
    The Functional Design tab displays the attributes assigned in CATfct file for the profile category, grade, material and weight.

  9. Add a proper value for the attributes.
    The valid inputs or values are:

    • None: Does not convert the web or the flange of the rolled profile. If both attributes are set to None, there is no conversion.
    • Plate: Converts the web or the flange of the rolled profile into a plate.
    • FlatBar: To convert the web or the flange of the rolled profile into one flat bar.

  10. Click OK in the properties dialog box.
    The profiles are tagged and are ready for conversion.

    You can also modify the CATStructureDesignSample.CATfct and add the similar attributes as mentioned above. It is the sample CATfct file used Structure Design.