Parameterize the Panel Thicknesses

Panel locations must follow the thickness changes. Therefore we must set controls for the definition points. First bind the inner panels' definition points to the component plane.

1. Set the plane to "Component plane" in the Custom component editor toolbar.

2. Select the start point of the inner panel.

3. Bind it to the component plane which is parallel to the panel's long side.

4. Repeat for the end point.

Next bind the insulation panel's definition points to the inner panel's outer side.

2. Modify the inner panel's height so, that it can be picked from the outer side.

3. Select the start point of the insulation panel.

4. Right-click > Bind to plane

5. Pick the outer plane of the inner panel.

6. Interrupt the command.

7. Repeat for insulation panel's end point.

Now the insulation panel follows if the inner panel's thickness changes. Next bind the outer panel's definition points to the outer side of the insulation panel.

1. Modify the outer panel's height so, that the insulation panel can be picked from outer side.

2. Select the start point of the outer panel and bind it to the outer plane of the insulation panel.

3. Repeat for the end points of outer panel.

The outer panel now follows the insulation panel. The distances appear in the "Variables"

dialog. Hide all parameters by setting the visibility to "Hide".

Define next the panel thicknesses to the Variables dialog.

1. In the Variables dialog press the Add… button 2. Change the Value type to "Profile"

3. Give a label "Outer panel"

4. In the Custom component browser open the outer panel's Part > General properties and right-click > Copy value over the Profile field.

5. Paste the profile value into the corresponding Formula field in the Variable dialog 6. Repeat for the insulation and inner panel.

We have now defined parameters for all profiles. Next we will map these parameters into the custom component parts.

1. In the Custom component browser open the outer panel's Part > General properties and right-click > Add equation over the Profile field.

2. Type the parameter's name into the field.

3. Repeat for insulation and the inner panel.

Next separate the thickness and height into two individual parameters for each panel.

1. In the Variables dialog press the Add… button 6 times.

2. Write the labels as shown below:

3. Copy the corresponding values from the profile parameters into the "Formula" field

4. In the profile parameters write new formulas using the parameters:

5. Hide the profile parameters and leave the individual dimensions visible.

6. Set =P5 into the D9 and D10 formula fields to make the dimension react to thickness.

In the model, double click the sandwich panel and modify the thickness and height values.

Appendix C: FAQ

Q1. Are there any reserved parameter names?

A1.Yes for “bolt size” the parameter name needs to be

“diameter”, & for “bolt standard” the name needs to be

“screwdin”.

Bolt size & bolt standard MUST have the same name.

The names are automatically given when changing the “Value Type”

so the bolt standard variable name will have to be changed to suit the bolt size variable name

If they do not have the same name the result will be as follows:

No value show in the “bolt size” dialog

Q2. Is there any way to know what is bound to what?

A2. Use inquire

This will show all binding dimensions

A3. You can bind to user planes by simply selecting them.

Note! They will not be highlighted.

Q4. Are there any “best methods” to creating custom components?

A4. Not really, although multiplication is faster than division.

E.g. P1*0.5 is faster than P1/2.

Also using magnetic planes is faster than binding all handles

Q5. How to add pictures to “inp” file?

A5. See the online help for detailed instructions

Q6. If a picture is added to the inp file then changes are made in the editor is the inp file overwritten

A6. Yes, you need to make a copy of the modified inp file

Q7. When editing the “Inp” file I can’t use “Tab 4”

A7. This tab is reserved for the General Tab

Q8. I want to input 2 separate values for the plate width and thickness how can I use these values to make a “profile”

name e.g. PLT200*10?

And how to stop the values being input with decimal places A8. If as in the example below you use P2 for the plate width & P3 for the thickness use the formula

“=”PLT”+int(P2)+”*”+int(P3)”. All text must be in inverted commas “”, int() will stop the values being input with extra decimal places.

Q9. Is it possible to change an existing binding?

A9. No, you must delete it and re bind

Q10. Is it possible to rationalize a value to the nearest (for example) 10?

A10. Yes, Use function round(), in this case round(P1, 10).

Some other examples: round(17.5, 20) will round 17.5 to 20 and round(17.1, 5) will round 17.1 to 15.

Q11. Can you use formulas in a distance list?

A11. Yes, this is possible. Below is an example of using formula in distance list.

Distance list is treated as text in Tekla Structures, so formula should be written as e.g. P1 + " " + P2 or "2*"+P2.

Q12. Is there any way of changing the variable name for parameters created by binding to a plane? (AB)

A12. No, these are system defined names and will cause problems if the user is allowed to change the name (TIP: If you try to change the name it will allow you to change it but when you reopen the variable table is will have changed back)

Q13. Is there a limit to the length of the variable label?

A13. Yes 30 characters, but you can add more in the inp file

Q14. What does the “create distance” command do on the

“custom component editor toolbar?”

A14. With this command you select the plane first then the handle/chamfer to bind. It’s the opposite of “right click /bind to plane”

Q15. What does “create distance for picked components handle points” command do on the “custom component editor toolbar?”

A15. This is a command to automatically bind selected parts to their handles contact planes. (User planes 1

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