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      <title>Using Weld Assistant</title>
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      <div class="title_topic2" id="xps10_pagetitle">Using Weld Assistant</div>
      <hr noshade="true">
      <div class="title_division">Overview</div>
      <p class="para_division">The Weld Assistant creates weld features on valid solid models utilizing user-specified face data and parameters. The solid parts being joined can reside in a single part file or be part of an assembly. The weld features themselves will be created in the active work part, which may reside at the top of an assembly or as a component.</p>
      <p class="para_division">A typical user interaction would be to first specify the weld type, select the faces/edges that are to be joined, specify additional parameters required to locate the weld and then process. The weld features are created, and, depending on the type of weld, are represented by either symbols, such as (X) for a 2T resistance spot weld or a solid body or face as is the case with arc welds and structural adhesives.</p>
      <p class="para_division">For weld points, you can validate the weld point placement by using the <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/weld_advisor.html');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Weld Advisor</b></a> to execute checks on any or all weld points. The values used to evaluate the weld point placement are user-specific and are controlled in the customer defaults.
      </p>
      <p class="para_division">Weld features are generated while in the Modeling application. Arc welds are associative to the faces selected to create them, while weld points are fixed and, therefore, not associative. If you desire to annotate the welds on the face of a drawing, first place the required views on the drawing sheet and then insert weld symbols via the automatic annotation function. Specify the view(s) you want drawing symbols to appear in, and then select the welds you wish to annotate. NX creates the correct welding symbol based on the welding standard specified in the weld default file.</p>
      <p class="para_division">You may choose to relocate the placement of the symbol if desired. The weld features (once they are saved in the CAD model) are available for use in other applications such as structural analysis, robotic programming, and exposure to Teamcenter.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Weld Types Available</div>
      <p class="para_division">The following weld types and weld symbols are available in Weld Assistant:</p>
      <ul>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Arc Welds</p>
            <p class="para_item"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/groove_ov.html');return(false);">Groove</a> | <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/arc_fillet.html');return(false);">Fillet</a> | <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/arc_plugandslot.html');return(false);">Plug and Slot</a> | <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/arc_edge.html');return(false);">Edge</a></p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/weld_point_ov.html');return(false);">Weld Points</a></p>
            <p class="para_item">Resistance Spot | Arc Spot | Dollop | Clinch Fastener | Weld Nut | Weld Stud</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/res_seam.html');return(false);">Resistance Seam</a></p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Adhesives/Sealers/Mastics</p>
            <p class="para_item"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/asm_bead.html');return(false);">Bead</a></p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/compound_welds.html');return(false);">Compound Welds</a></p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/import_welds.html');return(false);">Import Welds</a></p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Weld Symbols</p>
            <p class="para_item"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/weld_symbols.html');return(false);">Automatic Annotation</a></p>
         </li>
      </ul>
      <p class="para_division">You can also query, display and print <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/information.html');return(false);">Information</a> for the current part file.
      </p>
      <div class="title_division">Accessing</div>
      <p class="para_division">Access the Weld Assistant via the Modeling application in order to create weld features, and in Drafting in order to annotate. The <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/toolbar_weldassistant.html');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Weld Assistant</b> toolbar</a> can be activated and placed in the work area for easy access and convenience.
      </p>
      <div class="title_division">Modeling</div>
      <p class="para_division">In the Modeling application, you can access Weld Assistant using the following menus:</p>
      <table border="1" cellspacing="2" frame="void" rules="none" width="100%" align="center">
         <colgroup span="1">
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            <col span="1" width="43*">
            <col span="1" width="157*">
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            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
               <p class="para_th">Menu Bar Path</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
               <p class="para_th">Mode</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="middle">
               <p class="para_th">Description</p>
            </th>
         </tr>
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            <th align="left" bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" height="136" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Edit&rarr;Feature&rarr;Parameters</p>
            </th>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" height="136" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Edit</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" height="136" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Opens the <b class="uiTerm">Edit Parameters</b> dialog box. The dialog box lists the features (including weld features) present in the current part file. Selecting a weld feature from this list opens the dialog for the weld in the Edit mode. Using this dialog, you can modify the values for the weld feature.
               </p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th align="left" bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">View&rarr;Part Navigator&rarr;Edit Parameters / Delete</p>
            </th>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Edit</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Opens the <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.popUpPage('modeling/index.html?goto=modeling/partnav_overview.html&vars=-aux,-home','linkInter','menubar=yes,status=yes,resizable=yes,toolbar=yes,scrollbars=yes,location=no,directories=no');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Part Navigator</b></a>, which lists all the features present in the current part file. Right-click a weld feature, and a shortcut menu appears.
               </p>
               <p class="para_td">To edit the feature, choose <b class="uiTerm">Edit Parameters</b> on the shortcut menu. The dialog box for the weld opens (in the Edit mode), displaying the feature parameters.
               </p>
               <p class="para_td">To delete the weld feature, choose <b class="uiTerm">Delete</b> on the shortcut menu.
               </p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th align="left" bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Insert&rarr;Welding</p>
            </th>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Insert</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Opens the welding cascade menu from which you can choose the weld type.</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th align="left" bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/information.html');return(false);">Information</a>&rarr;Welding
               </p>
            </th>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Query</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Brings up the <b class="uiTerm">Weld Selection</b> dialog box that you can use to generate and display information based on type, section or part.
               </p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th align="left" bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/preferences.html');return(false);">Preferences</a>&rarr;Welding
               </p>
            </th>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">-</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Lets you set preferences for the various types of welds.</p>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table><br><table border="0">
         <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">Weld features are created in the current work part regardless of where the selected part geometry resides. The weld features are placed on the layer specified in the <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/preferences.html');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Welding Preferences</b> dialog box</a>. You may choose to create a separate weld file and retrieve component geometry into it, create the welds in the same file as the part geometry, or create a separate weld file and retrieve it as a component in an assembly containing the part geometry. This last method is known as &ldquo;design in context&rdquo;. If the weld features reside in this structure, it is critical that when adding this file to the assembly you specify that geometry be represented on &quot;original&quot; layer. Doing this ensures that the weld points are placed on the correct layer and are visible.
                  </p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <div class="title_division">Drafting</div>
      <p class="para_division">In the Drafting application, you can access Weld Assistant using the following menus:</p>
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            <col span="1" width="50*">
            <col span="1" width="171*">
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         <tr>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Menu</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Mode</p>
            </th>
            <th bgcolor="#c0c0c0" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Function</p>
            </th>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th align="left" bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Weld Symbols</p>
            </th>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Insert</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Click <b class="uiTerm">Insert</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Symbol</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Weld Symbol</b> to insert manual annotation. This brings up the <b class="uiTerm">Weld Symbol</b> dialog box that you can use to specify various parameters. See <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.popUpPage('drafting/index.html?goto=drafting/weld_symbols.html&vars=-aux,-home','linkInter','menubar=yes,status=yes,resizable=yes,toolbar=yes,scrollbars=yes,location=no,directories=no');return(false);">Weld Symbol</a> in the <em>Drafting Help</em> for more information.
               </p>
            </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
            <th align="left" bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_th">Auto Weld Symbols</p>
            </th>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Insert</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
               <p class="para_td">Click <b class="uiTerm">Insert</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Symbol</b>&rarr;<a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/weld_symbols.html');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Auto Weld Symbols</b></a> if the weld was created using Weld Assistant. The annotation will be based on the parameters already specified during the weld creation process. Choosing this option opens the <b class="uiTerm">Annotation Views</b> dialog box in case of multiple views, and the <b class="uiTerm">Weld Selection</b> dialog box in case of a single view.
               </p>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table><br><table border="0">
         <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">Basic defaults are stored in a ugweld.dpv file referenced by the system using the UGII_WELD_BASE_DIR environment variable. If the defaults file is located in the directory pointed to by UGWELD_DIR then this variable need not be specified. UGWELD_DIR is the environment variable used by Weld Assistant to load the program.</p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <table border="0">
         <tr>
            <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
            <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
               <div class="para_note">
                  <p class="para_note_body">Weld Assistant does not modify the geometry selected for welding. For example, welded parts are not modified to show edge preparation in a V-Groove weld.</p>
               </div>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table>
      <div class="title_division">Creating</div>
      <p class="para_division">You can insert a weld in the Modeling application using <b class="uiTerm">Insert</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Welding</b>, and then choosing a weld type from the <b class="uiTerm">Welding</b> menu. You can also choose a weld from the <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/toolbar_weldassistant.html');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Weld Assistant</b> toolbar</a>.
      </p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Choose the weld type from the <b class="uiTerm">Weld Assistant</b> toolbar. The weld dialog box appears.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">On the weld dialog box, specify the parameters and follow the cue messages for selecting appropriate geometry.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">After you set the parameters, choose <b class="uiTerm">OK</b> or <b class="uiTerm">Apply</b>.
            </p>
            <table border="0">
               <tr>
                  <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
                  <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
                     <div class="para_note">
                        <p class="para_note_body">Note the following constraints when using Weld Assistant:</p>
                     </div>
                  </td>
               </tr>
            </table>
            <ul>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">You should check the settings in <b class="uiTerm">File</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Utilities</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Customer Defaults</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Weld Assistant</b> and <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/preferences.html');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Preferences</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Welding</b></a> before creating the weld.
                  </p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item"><b class="uiTerm">Resistance Spot</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Resistance Seam</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Arc Spot</b>, and <b class="uiTerm">Bead</b> allow you to weld a maximum of four sets of faces and a minimum of two sets of faces.
                  </p>
               </li>
               <li>
                  <p class="para_item">The <b class="uiTerm">Characteristics</b> option, which allows you to apply characteristics to a resistance spot weld, is available in the <b class="uiTerm">Resistance Spot</b> edit dialog box.
                  </p>
               </li>
            </ul>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <p class="para_division">The weld feature is automatically linked to the selected face/edge so that when the face/edge is translated or rotated, the feature is updated accordingly and remains attached to the face. In addition, all the weld types support creation of nonassociative weld features. If the weld is created with the <b class="uiTerm">Associative Output</b> toggle turned off, your part file size will be optimized. A nonassociative weld will use selected faces and edges for initial location but will not move when a face or edge is modified. This may be beneficial if the user wants to keep tabs on when a weld is moved. All of the attributes will still be associated with the weld including the connected parts information.
      </p>
      <div class="title_division">Editing</div>
      <p class="para_division">In the Modeling application, you can edit the weld feature using <b class="uiTerm">Edit</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Feature</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Edit Parameters</b> or <b class="uiTerm">View</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Part Navigator</b>. Nonassociative welds have limited functionality in edit mode.
      </p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Click <b class="uiTerm">Edit</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Feature</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Edit Parameters</b>, and select the weld on the <b class="uiTerm">Edit Parameters</b> dialog box.
            </p>
            <p class="para_item">OR</p>
            <p class="para_item">Select the weld, and click <b class="uiTerm">Edit</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Feature</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Parameter</b>.
            </p>
            <p class="para_item">OR</p>
            <p class="para_item">Click <b class="uiTerm">View</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Part Navigator</b>. On the <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.popUpPage('modeling/index.html?goto=modeling/partnav_overview.html&vars=-aux,-home','linkInter','menubar=yes,status=yes,resizable=yes,toolbar=yes,scrollbars=yes,location=no,directories=no');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Part Navigator</b></a>, right-click the weld and choose <b class="uiTerm">Edit Parameters</b> on the shortcut menu.
            </p>
            <p class="para_item">This opens the weld dialog in the edit mode.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Follow the cue and status messages, and edit the weld parameters you want to modify. You may be required to re-select geometry.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Choose <b class="uiTerm">OK</b>.
            </p>
            <table border="0">
               <tr>
                  <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
                  <td valign="bottom" align="left" width="100%">
                     <div class="para_note">
                        <p class="para_note_body">Set/check the options in <b class="uiTerm">File</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Utilities</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Customer Defaults</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Weld Assistant</b> and <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('weldassistant/preferences.html');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Preferences</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Welding</b></a> before editing the weld. The current welding preferences parameters are applied when editing the weld.
                        </p>
                     </div>
                  </td>
               </tr>
            </table>
         </li>
      </ol>
      <div class="title_division">Deleting</div>
      <p class="para_division">In the Modeling application, you can delete weld features through the <b class="uiTerm">Edit</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Delete</b> dialog box, as well as use the <a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.popUpPage('modeling/index.html?goto=modeling/partnav_overview.html&vars=-aux,-home','linkInter','menubar=yes,status=yes,resizable=yes,toolbar=yes,scrollbars=yes,location=no,directories=no');return(false);"><b class="uiTerm">Part Navigator</b></a> (from the <b class="uiTerm">View</b> menu).
      </p>
      <p class="para_division">Method 1:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Choose <b class="uiTerm">Edit</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Delete</b>.
            </p>
            <p class="para_item">The <b class="uiTerm">Delete</b> dialog box opens.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Select the weld feature you want to delete.</p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Choose <b class="uiTerm">OK</b> or <b class="uiTerm">Apply</b>.
            </p>
         </li>
      </ol><br><p class="para_division">Method 2:</p>
      <ol type="1" start="1">
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">Choose <b class="uiTerm">View</b>&rarr;<b class="uiTerm">Part Navigator</b>.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">On the <b class="uiTerm">Part Navigator</b>, right-click the weld feature.
            </p>
         </li>
         <li>
            <p class="para_item">On the shortcut menu, choose <b class="uiTerm">Delete</b>.
            </p>
         </li>
      </ol>
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