Defining More Template Rules

We will now continue by defining the remaining rules for the Box.

Exercise continues:

1. Select Y length in the Rules list and define its rule as CDPR WIDT.

2. Select Z length in the Rules list and define its role as CDPR HEIG.

3. Leave the Orientation rule unset (that means, None). This means that the orientation must always be set by the designer to suit the local requirements when the template is instanced.

4. Select Position. Notice how the Attribute Rule form has attribute type POSITION at the top of the form. This indicates that the rule entered must be a valid position rule.

   Remember that the box origin is at its center. We want to set the position such that the kickplate assembly is positioned with the bottom face of the box coplanar with the surface of the panel. To do this, we must move the box up by half its height with respect to the PFIT.

   Define the positions rule as U (CDPR HEIG / 2) (note the spaces before and after the / operator).

   OK the rule definition.

   The Defined Rules list for the Box should now appear as follows:

   

5. In the Template Members list on the Template Members Parameters form, select the BOX.

   Click the Copy Rules button. Now select the NBOX owned by the BOX (indented relative to the Box in the list). Now click the Paste Rules button to copy rules from the BOX to NBOX.

   The required X length of the NBOX (/Kickplate-Inner) is equal to the X length of the Box (/Kickplate-Outer) minus twice the wall thickness (see diagram in Defining the Template Properties). To achieve this, edit the X length rule to

   CDPR LENG - 2 * CDPR WTHK

6. Set the Y length rule to

   CDPR WIDT - 2 * CDPR WTHK

7. Set the rule for the Z length of the NBOX so that it has the same height as its owning Box.

   Because the NBOX is positioned with respect to its owning Box, its elevation will already be correct: you do not have to move this one by half its height. Therefore, leave both the Position and Orientation rules unset.

   The Defined Rules list for the NBOX should now appear as:

   

   The Box and NBOX together represent a rectangular kickplate assembly positioned on the surface of the panel. In the next step we will set the rules for the second NBOX, owned by the TMPL, which is to penetrate the panel below the kickplate assembly.

8. Set the rules for the X length and Y length of the second Nbox to be the same as those for the first NBox.

9. We want to set the Z length of the second NBox to the thickness of the panel which it is to penetrate. To achieve this, set the Z length rule to CDPR PTHK (remembering that PTHK is itself derived from the panel thickness, as specified by the property definition).

10. The position of the second NBox is to be such that its upper face is coplanar with the lower face of the Box, which means that it must be moved down by half its height. Set an appropriate rule to do this.

    The Defined Rules list for the second NBox should now appear as:

    

    That concludes the definition of the kickplate design template. Check the 3D View to ensure that the geometry looks correct. If not, correct the errors before finally saving the design.

In the next chapter we will add the template into a catalogue database specification for panel fittings, so that it can be referenced for inclusion in a structural design model.