Mold Design and Casting > Mold Design and Casting > Catalogs > Creating the Layout > To Create the First Level Dimension Parameter Layout File
To Create the First Level Dimension Parameter Layout File
The First Level Dimension Parameter Layout File is created after Type Layouts.
1. The (Desired name for next level ) _Lay_File values in the type layout file determine the Dimension of first level Dimension layouts. In this test case, the ejector pin Diameter size.
2. Create Layout files for each instance in the Type_Layout_File, using the exact same name as the values for (Desired name for next level _Lay_File (Size_Layout_File in the test case) parameter. In the test case, Hasco Inch has four types, so create four Size Layout files.
3. The size of the ejector pin diameter is the first dimension you may want to use to search. You can now create parameters in the new layout file. Size is the example for the desired name for the next level.
4. Name the first parameter Size_Lay_Descr created in Size Layout.
5. Name the second parameter in the new Layout with the name of the parameter for the dimension you are using to control this level of Layouts. Control this level by the diameter of the ejector pin.
6. Create a parameter named Dimension. This parameter should also exist in the template model, and should be related to the dimension that drives the dimension you want to control by selection. In this case, the diameter name is the dimension of the universal ejector pin model.
7. As with the Type_Layout_File, create a Layout File parameter for the next level of layouts you wish to see in the dialog box. This is the next dimension you want to use to search.
8. The next level of layouts should not be a dimension that is controlled by the first dimension. Name it (Desired name for next level)_Lay_File. For Example: If the next Item you want to select in the dialog box is by the Length of Ejector Pin, create a parameter named Len_Lay_File.
9. Create Dimension Parameters for any dimensions controlled by the dimension you select to lead this level of layouts.
10. For example: In the test case of ejector pins, the dimension you can select to search with first is the diameter of the ejector pin. Based on catalog pages, the Head Diameter, Head Thickness, and Radius at the Head are all controlled by the diameter of the pin.
11. Create a parameter for each of these dimensions. These Parameter names must also exist in the universal model.
12. Name these parameters exactly as they are written in the universal model. These parameters should be related to their corresponding dimensions in the universal model. This is how the catalog knows what dimensions to change in the universal model according to the layouts.
13. Add all Parameters to the Param Table.
14. Edit the Param Table and add instances. Create an instance for every different dimension that changes in the type of part you are working on.
For example: ZI 41 type has many diameters. So, in the ejpin_hasco_in_zi41_size Layout file, add twenty-five instances, one for each diameter size ejector pin that Hasco makes for the ZI 41 Type.
The name of the instance should correspond to the dimension by which you would like to select (in this case Diameter). Since the name of the instance is a dimension, and decimals, spaces, or slashes cannot be entered as the instance name, create a convention of underscores and dashes to recognize decimal and fractional values. For inch fractional values, use underscores in place of slashes, and dashes in place of spaces. For example: 1/16 would be 1_16. 1-1/2 would be 1-1_2. For decimal and metric values, use zeros for spaces, and underscores for decimals.
For example: 0.117 becomes 0_117, or 3.3 millimeters become 3_3
15. Set the Size_Lay_Descr to your desired Title name for the Size option in the dialog box. Type this name in the Param Table for all instances, for example, Diameter.
16. Set the (Desired name for next level ) _Lay_File values as follows:
Catalog Directory Name_ Pre Previous Level Name _(Units)_ Previous Level Name_Current Level Name _(Desired name for next level)
It does not matter what value you use to describe the next set of layouts. This is the recommended way of doing it since it shows the type of part you are working on.
First level (in this case Vendor ) under which you are creating this layout
Units (Inch or Metric)
Last level (in this case Type ) under which you are creating this layout
Level you are currently in (In this case size)
Level you want to see next (in this case length)
17. In the example case for the ejpin_hasco_in_zi41_size Layout file, use the following name for the first instance: ejpin_hasco_in_zi41_1_16_Len.
18. Enter the values for dimension parameters. These values are the actual values that drive the model along with the values you will see in the dialog box. Make sure you enter real numbers for the second parameter you created (Dimension) rather than the instance name. The instance name is what the user will select, but the second parameter actually drives the template model.
19. Continue with the above steps until the last searchable dimension.