Use of array variables in shop documentation
2021-10-06T23:27:32Z
Summary
Details
How can array variables be used in shop docs?
The tool is an end mill with a holder defined as follows. Note that there are three steps to the holder, each with its unique diameter and length.
With this tool in use in a simple operation, we run a shop doc output using the generic Tool List Select (HTML/Excel) template to identify the variable(s) holding the data. With the Review Tool enabled, the MOM_TOOL_HDR event is picked in the debug window produced. In the center column, note that the mom_holder_step_diameter variable is an array that holds the diameter value for each step:
In shop docs, we want to report the diameters of the first two steps for each holder, which will be positions 0 and 1 in the array. This corresponds to the mom_holder_step_diameter[0] and mom_holder_step_diameter[1] values in the review tool window.
Using the standard Excel shop doc customization and editing procedures detailed in the NX help topic "Customizing templates for shop documentation," create spreadsheet entries for these variables. For example:
The important thing to note here is that the variable name entered in the cell does not use the same syntax as the name reported in the review tool. Instead of using square brackets:
mom_holder_step_diameter[0]
as noted in the variables list, use parentheses:
mom_holder_step_diameter(0)
This is the same standard of array variable name syntax used on post processing.
With the shop doc template saved correctly, the output can be verified as reporting the correct holder step diameters:
OS: all
OS Version: n/a
Product: NX
Application: CAM
Version: V1892
Function: SHOP_DOCS
Ref: 002-8016454
Solution
Certain manufacturing information is stored in array variables. In this example, we will look at the general syntax required for array variables in the excel based shop docs by creating output for the set of diameters of a parametric tool holder.The tool is an end mill with a holder defined as follows. Note that there are three steps to the holder, each with its unique diameter and length.
With this tool in use in a simple operation, we run a shop doc output using the generic Tool List Select (HTML/Excel) template to identify the variable(s) holding the data. With the Review Tool enabled, the MOM_TOOL_HDR event is picked in the debug window produced. In the center column, note that the mom_holder_step_diameter variable is an array that holds the diameter value for each step:
In shop docs, we want to report the diameters of the first two steps for each holder, which will be positions 0 and 1 in the array. This corresponds to the mom_holder_step_diameter[0] and mom_holder_step_diameter[1] values in the review tool window.
Using the standard Excel shop doc customization and editing procedures detailed in the NX help topic "Customizing templates for shop documentation," create spreadsheet entries for these variables. For example:
The important thing to note here is that the variable name entered in the cell does not use the same syntax as the name reported in the review tool. Instead of using square brackets:
mom_holder_step_diameter[0]
as noted in the variables list, use parentheses:
mom_holder_step_diameter(0)
This is the same standard of array variable name syntax used on post processing.
With the shop doc template saved correctly, the output can be verified as reporting the correct holder step diameters:
Hardware/Software Configuration
Platform: naOS: all
OS Version: n/a
Product: NX
Application: CAM
Version: V1892
Function: SHOP_DOCS
Ref: 002-8016454