Ancillary Rule Checker Example

The following example rule will be used to illustrate how to use Ancillary Rule Checker, and how to modify application defaults:

The ancillary application defaults for ancillary BT23 can be found in the Supports Ancillary Data window. The following tables shows how this rule compares to the ancillary defaults:

Perform an Ancillary Rule Check

Running a check for this rule produces the following results:

In this example, the application defaults do not restrict material selection, but the rule does. The user has limited the ancillary to use SS material only. Because this adds a constraint beyond the defaults, the Validity column displays the message Note: Additional Material rule. This message is informational only, as the material restriction is valid.

The temperature range in the rule is not valid. The error message states Invalid: Temperature rule maximum is out of ancillary range. The user set a minimum temperature of 0degC, which is within the ancillary’s default minimum of –30degC, so this is not the issue. The conflict occurs at the maximum temperature: the rule sets an upper limit of 200degC, but the default maximum is 100degC.

If a user searches for an ancillary with SS material, a bore of 100 mm, and a temperature of 150degC, this rule would attempt to select a BT23 ancillary. Because 150degC exceeds the default maximum temperature, the ancillary fails validation and is not selected.

To resolve this issue, the user must adjust the rule’s upper temperature limit in Rule Manager so that it falls within the application’s default temperature range, as shown here:

When the rule is checked again, it is confirmed that the temperature is now set to a valid range:

It may be necessary to change the application defaults. See Modify Application Defaults for more information.