Details
Different Materials are used in a multi-body single file Part Family Template.
Solution
NX Part Family Template supports material per each body and not per file. If there is more than one body residing within the same NX part file, each body's material can be uniquely controlled.
Do the following in NX9 and later using the ribbon interface. To understand what each of the new ribbon interface items are, reference in the NX documentation 'Home -> Product area: Fundamentals -> NX Interface -> View a topic: NX interface'.
The first step is to assign a material to each body with the file.
1. Select the Tools tab.
2. Utilities group.
3. More button.
4. Select "Material: Assign Material". This is mandatory.
5a. Select the body, then use the existing material or create a new material, and then OK to complete.
5b. The second step is to assign a name to each body that resides within the NX part file.
6. Open Part Navigator.
7. Turn off "Timestamp Order" by unchecking it in the list Place the cursor over Name header, press mouse button three to show Timestamp Order in list.
Now only bodies are listed under "Model".
8. Put the cursor over each body, press mouse button three, and select "Rename". Each body within the NX part file must have a unique name.
9. Turn back on Timestamp Order if so desired.
Part Families Template Creation
10. Select the Tools tab.
11. Select the Utilities group.
12. Select Part Families.
13. Set Available Columns to "Material".
14. Highlight a body's name within the Name column.
15. Press "Add at End" button in the Actions area.
16. The Name column now shows the named body.
17. Select under Part Family Spreadsheet the "Create Spreadsheet" button.
18. Within the spreadsheet on row 2 and in each body's column will be listed the material assigned to the body in the Part Family Template. Use the same format to continue using the same or change to a new material in each body's column.
This functionality was added in NX9 and the NX documentation page explains this under "Assigning materials to part family members". In addition, the page "Controlling the Part Families spreadsheet columns and rows" describes the following: "Material: Lets you assign a material to each named solid body in the part. When the family member is created, you can specify a material, which will be applied to all bodies with that name."
Notes and References
Applies to NX9 and later releases of NX.
Hardware/Software Configuration
Platform: INTL64
OS: window
OS Version: 764SP1
Product: NX
Application: ASSEMBLIES
Version: V9.0
Function: PART_FAMILIES
Ref: 001-8890758