Parts with Special Attributes

There are special part attributes that you should be aware of that modify the appearance or behavior of a part within CAD and part structures. Attribute values are assigned to parts programmatically, or can be entered when you create or update a part in Windchill.

The Assembly Mode attribute identifies whether a part is an assembly or a component. The value of this attribute can be set to one of the following.

• Separable — The part is an assembly that can be disassembled without destroying it. For example, a mechanical assembly put together with removable fasteners such as screws.

• Inseparable — The part is an assembly that, once built, cannot be disassembled without destroying it. For example, a welded metal assembly.

The Configurable attribute identifies a part that has child parts representing multiple designs that satisfy selected option choices or parameters. The value of this attribute can be set to one of the following.

• Yes — The part is used to organize one or more optional product structure implementations that support a specific product capability.

• No — The part is fixed, it has no optional product structure implementations.

• Variant — A variant is a part structure, derived from a configurable part (which may use advanced selection logic and list-based options) using the configuration process. A variant captures the desired implementation from a variety of possible implementations. In essence, it is the final product of the part configuration process.

The Gathering Part attribute identifies a part that is not manufactured, but is created to facilitate the CAD design by acting as a “part container”. Gathering parts do not appear in product structure reports such as a BoM, and their children are rolled up to the next higher-level assembly in the product structure tree. The value of this attribute can be set to Yes or No.

The Phantom attribute identifies a part that is not physically assembled and stored, but is created to facilitate the product manufacturing process. For example, a welding jig. The value of this attribute can be set to Yes or No.

The Phantom attribute is available only when Windchill MPMLink is installed.