assembly

A collection of components that are placed together using constraint sets to form a model.

assembly only representation

A simplified representation that excludes subassembly components. Only the assembly-level features are included.

bulk item

An assembly object without solid representation that must appear in the bill of materials or in a Product Data Management program. Examples include glue, paint, rivets, and screws.

case study

A two-dimensional, parametric notebook used to test motion limits and interference in a mechanism before designing the parts.

choice

One value of an option. The value is assigned to one or more components in a configurable assembly.

component

A part or a subassembly within the assembly. Components are arranged relative to each other via placement constraints.

component interface

Stored constraints, connections, and other information that is used to automate component placement. A saved interface can be used whenever the component is placed in an assembly.

component placement

The positioning of a part or subassembly in an assembly. It is based on placement-definition sets that determine how and where the component relates to the assembly.

configurable product

A type of an assembly that includes ambiguity in structure. It is used to create a collection of product variations.

configurable module

An assembly subtype that includes mutually exclusive components for all possible variations of the component.

constraint set

A set of specifications for placing an assembly component.

copy geometry

A data-sharing feature that passes geometric information and user-defined parameters from a reference model.

cross section

A view of the internal structure of a model created by a plane cutting through an assembly or part.

empty component

A part or subassembly that has no geometry.

envelope

A part created to represent a predetermined set of components in an assembly. The envelope uses simple geometry to reduce system memory usage and looks similar to the components it represents.

exploded view

A customizable view to display assembly components separated from each other. Exploded views are used to illustrate how a model is assembled and what components are required.

flexible component

A component that readily adapts to new, different, or changing variables.

frozen component

A component whose placement in the assembly is fixed when its parent component is deleted or suppressed.

geometry representation

A light-weight representation of the assembly that contains complete information on component geometry.

graphics representation

An assembly representation that contains only information for display. The assembly cannot be modified or referenced.

inheritance feature

A type of merge feature that enables one way propagation of geometry and feature data from one part to another.

interchange assembly

An assembly containing exchangeable groups or representations of parts or subassemblies.

intersected component

The assembly component from which material is removed when a subtractive feature is created.

master representation

A full and detailed representation of the assembly.

merge feature

A data-sharing feature that adds or subtracts the material of one component to or from another component after they have been placed in an assembly.

module variant

The module member that represents the module in a configurable assembly.

notebook

A nonparametric, 2D sketch that drives parts and assemblies.

option

A filter for the attributes, or values of the choices.

orientation assumption

The basis for the automatic creation of constraints during component placement.

packaged component

An assembly component that is not fully constrained. All moving assembly components are packaged.

parametric assembly

An assembly in which a component position updates as the referenced components move or change.

proximity snapping

A function that identifies a potential placement location when a component is dragged during the placement process. Releasing the mouse button snaps the component to the identified location.

publish geometry feature

A data-sharing feature that contains independent local geometry references. It can be copied to other models.

representative module

The default module member inserted into a configurable assembly when no other member is selected as the module variant.

restructuring

The reorganization of components in an assembly.

data-sharing feature

A feature that allows associative propagation of data from a reference component to a target component.

shrinkwrap

A collection of surfaces and datums that represents the exterior shape of a model.

simplified representation

A representation of an assembly in which a reduced number of components are brought into session.

skeleton model

A predetermined structural framework of a component. You create it to define space, geometry, component placement, and connections and mechanisms at the beginning of the design process. With a skeleton model, you can pass along essential design information from one subsystem or assembly to another.

snapshot

A capture of an assembly with a degree of freedom in a particular orientation.

start component

A standard component that can be used as a template for the creation of new parts or assemblies.

subassembly

An assembly that is placed within a higher level assembly.

subtractive feature

A feature, such as a hole that is created to remove material.

symbolic representation

A simplified representation in which component geometry is represented by a datum point.

tagging

Mapping of the references and interfaces of a configurable module with the module variant references and interfaces. Tags provide reference forwarding when you filter a configurable product and interchange among components.

top-down design

The creation of a product by first conceptualizing it and specifying top-level design criteria. Those criteria are then passed to all of the parts and components as they are created and detailed.

variant

The model or product generated by applying a variant specification over a configurable product.

variant specification

One product variation created from a list of choices for all the options.

unplaced component

An assembly component that is neither assembled nor packaged.

zone

A defined region within a model.