7.1. Function

PARTdesigner is a parametric development system for company standards and standard catalogs, which are made available in digital parts catalogs within PARTsolutions or on web-based pages and services.

Characteristic features in key points:

  • With the help of PARTdesigner you can create drawings and models for company standards and standard catalogs (2D or 3D).

  • Sketches, extrusions, rotations and geometrical operations lead to fully parametric geometries.

  • In the docking window Configurator, complex assemblies can be build up from parts.

  • Instead of fixed dimensioning values, variables are created which are filled by concrete values from the characteristic attribute tables. The characteristic attribute tables are created and managed according to DIN 4000-1. This method has the advantage that a new sketch must not be made for each part value (characteristic).

  • Due to the open format, especially company standards of larger companies can be displayed in a standardized system.

  • The geometries created in the PARTdesigner can directly be exported to a many different common CAD systems via PARTsolutions interfaces.

Functions are subdivided in 2 main issues:

  1. Create parts

    Geometries (*.3db files) and characteristic attribute table (*.tab/tac files), in addition with dimensioning images and other information make the so-called Project Files (*.prj files).

  2. Build up assemblies from parts

    Complex Assemblies can be built up.

    A set of rules controls the assembly configuration.

    This states...

    • ...which connection parts will be available for the Start element in PARTdataManager,

    • ...at which points these parts can be added to the start element and among each other

    • ...and how the corresponding table should be dimensioned.

    Independent PARTdesigner parts without system of rules

    Independent PARTdesigner parts without system of rules

    Built up assembly with system of rules

    Built up assembly with system of rules

[Note]Note

Information for existing customers

You have already modelled parts in earlier versions of eCATALOGsolutions? Then you will recognize fundamental innovations at a glance.

With V12 the module Configurator has become part of the module PARTdesigner. So now configuration and assembling of assemblies happens directly in the PARTdesigner.

With V11 the module PARTeditor become part of the PARTdesigner.

All PARTeditor functions are available in PARTdesigner now, so that annoying switching between different working areas is unnecessary. Comfortable working with docking windows, which can be adjusted in size and position, is already known from PARTdataManager. Now this functionality is also available in PARTdesigner.

Even if you are working in one single user interface - which is more comfortable - be aware of the following facts:

  • A parametrical 3D model is created. These data are saved in the file type 3db further on.

    And a characteristic attribute table is created, which "fills" the parametrical 3D model. The table data is saved in the file type tab or tac further on.

  • In the Variable Manager there is a parameter Save location with the following options:

    • Only in geometry -> Data storage in 3db file

    • Only in table -> Data storage in tab/tac file

    • In geometry and table -> Data storage both in 3db file and in tab/tac file

    Depending on the chosen mode, when clicking on Commit, the data is saved in the corresponding file type or in both.