Exporting Process Data to a XML File

This task shows you how to export all process related information to a XML file, fur further application.
The export is driven by the XML configuration file (startup\Tooling\TDF\ProcessAttributes.xml).
Open TrimPartition_InitP1.CATPart from the samples directory.

  1. Click Process Export  in the Process Definition toolbar.

  2. In the table only the not filled values are displayed by default.
    • Click All Parameters on the left to display all parameters and their value on the right.
    • Double-click an element to refram on it in the work area and display its parameters and values.
    • Select the required check boxes to manage the display of parameters in the table.

    By default,

    • Only the values declared as mandatory in the configuration file are displayed.
    • All values (Computed by Die Face Design or entered by you) are displayed.

  3. Click Compute All Values to do so.
    Parameters values are computed from their ID and previous definition.

  4. Select Export Screenshots to export them as .png files.

    You can customize the 3D scene before taking the screenshot.
    After the standard XML export is done, ou are asked to take screenshots

    • Of a global process view of all method plans if several exist
    • Then of each method plan process
    • Then of each OP.

    PNG files are created and stored next to the xml file created by the export, under the following paths:

    • Export_xml.xml: Reference XML file created by the Export
    • Export_xml.xml_screenshots: Main screenshot directory, created next to the xml file.
    • Process.png: Only if several method plans, combined view of all method plans.

    For example:

    • Process Method Plan.1: Name depends on the feature name in the specification tree.
      • Process.png: Global view of this process method plan.
      • OP 10.png: View of OP10 of this method plan.
      • OP 20.png
      • OP 30.png
      • ...
    • Process Method Plan.2
      • Process.png
      • OP 10.png
      • OP 20.png
      • OP 30.png
      • ...

  5. Click Export and enter a path.

    The data are saved in a XML file that contains

    • The specified values.
    • Position values for each operation step.
    • The axis system coordinates.

 

About the Configuration File

The configuration file describes the attributes created on each feature of the process and can be customized.
It contains one root node <Attributes>. Under this node are listed all the attributes nodes to be converted into knowledge parameters in Die Face Design data model. For example:
<Attribute Target="MethodPlan" ID="MethodPlan_UserName" DisplayName="Name, Departement" DefaultValue="" Level="1" Type="STRING"/>

The node name must be Attribute.
Attributes specify where the knowledge parameter is created, as well as some other information.

  • Target
  • This is the parent of the parameter. It can be:
    • MethodPlan (Process Method Plan Feature).
    • Tool (Process Action/Tool).
    • Operation (Process Step).
    • AxisSystem (Axis System).
  • SubTarget
  • Used as type filter. It can be:
    • Cam for AxisSystem and Tool target, to specify that the parameters is only for cam axis system/tools on cams.
    • FoldType for Tool target and flanging tool.
    • CutType for Tool target and cutting tool.
    • Additional for Tool target and additional tool.
    • Die for Tool target and die tool.
    • DieInsert for Tool target and die insert tool.
    • PunchInsert for Tool target and punch tool.
    • BlankHolder for Tool target and blank holder tool.
  • ID
  • It is unique. Some IDs are automatically computed.
    • MethodPlan_Material: Materials of blank, separated by ; if several.
    • MethodPlan_Thickness: Thicknesses, separated by ; if several.
    • MethodPlan_NbSteps: Nb of process steps.
    • MethodPlan_PartAreas: Areas of input parts.
    • MethodPlan_Name: CATIA Part Name.
    • Tool_Depth: Computed max depth of the drawn area in the draw direction.
    • Tool_Width: Dimension of the drawn area along tool X direction. 
    • Tool_Height: Dimension of the drawn area along tool Y direction.
    • Tool_Punch_Area: Computed area of draw punch. If no detailed geometry, uses the area of the drawn area.
    • Tool_Punch_Outline: Dimension of the boundary of the punch. If no detailed geometry, uses the length of the drawn area boundary.
    • Tool_Binder_Area: If a detailed geometry is provided, uses the area of the specified geometry.
    • Tool_Die_Area: Sum of all Tool_Binder_Area and Tool_Punch_Area of the same OP.
    • Tool_Cut_Type: type of cut. Automatically set to outer or inner. Other types are manual.
    • Tool_Cut_Length: Length of the cut area, including scrap area.
    • Tool_Cut_NbRoundHoles: Nb of cut round holes.
    • Tool_Cut_NbFormHoles: Nb of cut free form holes.
    • Tool_Cam_Slope: Angle from the cam Z direction to the press table.
    • Tool_Forming_Area: Area of the formed area.
    • Tool_Forming_Edge_Length: Length of the folding line, intersection of the formed area and the fixed area.
DisplayName
Parameter display name.
DefaultValue
Parameter default value
Level
If 1, value is needed for export. Otherwise it is not mandatory.
Type
Knowledge Type
Values
For type COMBO, list of possible values.

Example of XML Export File

See CostExport.txt for an example of content of the xml file.