NX Reference Sets

 In today’s blog you will discover What a Reference Set is while engaging in NX CAD. Without further ado, let’s get to it.

Reference Sets

Reference Sets are used to control the display of a component or subassembly in higher level assemblies.  

In this blog, we cover 

• What is a reference set, with some examples
• Types of reference sets
• What is an “Excluded” Reference Set?
• How to make a User Named Reference set source(s), Siemen’s documentation

There are two types of reference sets:

• Automatic sets that are managed by NX.
• Model, Empty, Entire part
• User-defined sets.

As you create geometry, NX automatically defines the Model Reference set.  This Model is comprised of solid geometry.  Not included: datums, sketches or other construction geometry.

Empty and Entire part are self-explanatory.  For the Empty use case, see below

User-Defined Reference sets are collections of objects that you assign a name to, in a piece part or subassembly.

• For a piece part, such as an optics lens, model geometry with datum CYS is one option
• For a rotating part, add a direction arrow
• For an odd shape, add alignment datum axis or wireframe direction arrow
• In a routing scenario, a port assignment reference set may be defined for a component
• And so on…

This is an optic for laser application.                                                     

How would you align it?

A focal plane is also required for object/image distance

Solution:  Add a datum plane at focus, then create new set

Use of reference sets:

• Filter unwanted objects in a component part so that they do not appear in the assembly.
• Add additional objects to assist in interpreting the assembling

While in use:

• Filter unwanted objects in a component part so that they do not appear in the assembly.
• Add additional objects to assist in interpreting the assemby
• Represent a component part in the assembly with alternative geometry in complement with the solid body

Laser Attachment w/ beam path placed at focal plane

• In the Entire Part reference set case, all of the part objects as datums, planes, lines, are shown in the assembly.  This can be visually cluttered depending on the component.

What is an “Excluded Reference Set?”

In an assembly, some parts might not be visible.

When you try to make these parts visible by clicking the checkbox, this message appears

You cannot make the part visible by changing visibility options or by using the “Show and Hide” commands.

Now what?

• Right click on the part in the assembly navigator.
• Move cursor onto the “Replace Source Set” in the list.
• The list will open.
• Select a option such as “Entire Part” or “Model”

How to make a User Named Source set

Objects that can be a member of a reference set include (partial listing)

• Geometry
• Datums
• Coordinate systems
• Pattern objects
• Subassembly components

Additional objects that would not a set are identified as:

• Promotions
• Individual datums that belong to a Datum CSYS. [You can add an entire Datum CSYS.]
• View-dependent objects. Their visibility is controlled by the view in which they are displayed, not by the set in use.

Example of a user defined reference sets (source:  Siemens Documentation)

Determine the content of existing reference sets by looking in the Reference Sets folder.

You will need to enable the ‘Display Reference Sets Folder’ option in the customer defaults settings.

User defined Source Sets (in alphanumeric order) followed by system defined source sets

Same order is displayed when you use ‘Replace Source Set’ in the assembly.

‘Source Sets’ node is available in the part navigator when ‘Timestamp Order’ is on or off with the difference as noted below.

Source sets Folder – Timestamp Order is On

When Timestamp Order is on, this source sets folder displays only the sets itself and their first-level children, such as solid bodies, curves, or sketches.

Source sets Folder – Timestamp Order is Off

When Timestamp Order is off, children will show their construction details, such as Features, Curves and Dimensions, External Reference, Reference.

A well-managed reference set methodology allows:

• Faster load times.
• Reduced memory usage.
• Less cluttered graphics displays.

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