Modifying Models

By D Cheshire Page 1 of 6
Often when creating features in a model other features, created earlier,
are referenced. These references are called parent child relationships. For
example a hole cut into a block clearly references the block! The block is
the parent the hole is the child. The child cannot exist without the parent. If
the parent is removed the child must go too, or else another parent must
adopt the child. It is important to understand the hierarchy that is being
created in this way, as with a little thought it can be used to help your
design and not hinder it. This is particularly true when the design requires
modifying.
Relationships are created all the time within Pro Engineer. It is often
possible to design a feature in several ways, with apparently the same
result, but creating different parent child relationships. Some of these
methods will capture the design intent better than others. As an example a
hole may be created in another circular feature, a boss. The hole could be
dimensioned independently of the first feature. If the boss is moved the
hole will not move as well since there are no parent child relationships to
the first feature. If however the hole is made concentric to the boss a
relationship is built in that describes the design intent the hole and boss
are intended to always be concentric. Now the hole moves with the boss to
maintain the concentric relationship.
Parent Child Relationships
This tutorial is designed to show that solid modelling in a parametric
system need not be a rigorous fully structured procedure. Good technique
can allow flexibility in the design process. It is assumed that the reader has
already completed the previous modelling tutorials and is competent at
creating models.
Start by creating a new part called COVER using the mmns_part_solid
template. Next create an extruded protrusion as shown in Figure 1. The
protrusion should use the TOP datum as the sketching plane and the
FRONT datum as the BOTTOM reference and be created to a depth of
100.

Figure 1 : The Base Protrusion
What parent child relationships have been created in this feature if any?
As previously stated some dimensions (usually location dimensions)
create relations. Which of the dimensions you entered have created a
relationship? Which dimensions referenced other features for location?
The 100 and 150 dimensions control the position of the box relative to the
FRONT and RIGHT datums so a parent child relationship exists there. Is
there any relationship to the TOP datum? You chose the TOP datum as
the sketching plane (and the FRONT datum as a bottom plane) which also
creates a relationship. So your block is related to all of the previous
features! None of the datum planes could be deleted without deleting the
block. You can prove this by choosing from the pull down menu INFO >
PARENT/CHILD and picking on the block. A window appears as shown in
Figure 2 which states that the block has no children but its parents are the
TOP, RIGHT and FRONT datums.
Modifying Models
By D Cheshire Page 2 of 6

Figure 2 : Information On Parent Child Relationship
You may be already aware that the dimensions assigned to any feature
are not fixed. Their value can be changed at any time by using the EDIT or
command in the pop up menu. As a reminder right click on the protrusion
in the feature tree and choose EDIT. All of the dimensions used to define
the block will be displayed. Double clicking on these dimensions will let
you change the value. The modified value will be displayed in green
indicating the change. The modification will not affect the 3D model until
you choose EDIT > REGENERATE. Try this now by changing the 100
thickness of the block to 200. Regenerate to see the change and then
change it back to 100.
Next create a second protrusion for a flange. The flange should use the
TOP datum as the sketching plane and FRONT as the BOTTOM reference
and should be created in the same direction as the first protrusion
maintaining the overall height of 100. The sketch for the flange (Figure 3)
should be created by using the offset edge icon . The LOOP option
and click on the top surface of the first block allows all four sides to be
offset in one go choose and offset of 10. Finish the sketch and choose
the BLIND option with a length of 10.
This is an example of another type of parent child relationship. The use
edge and offset edge both reference existing geometry and so a parent
child relationship is formed.

Figure 3 : The Flange
Reordering Features
Since this part is going to be a cover the centre needs hollowing out. A cut
could be used for this but Pro Engineer has a special feature for this
purpose. It is called a shell feature you may have met it before. Use
INSERT > SHELL and pick on the bottom most surface in Figure 3 enter a
shell thickness of 10. The surface you picked will be removed and all of
the remaining surfaces will be offset by 10 to make the shell.

Figure 4 : The Shell
Modifying Models
By D Cheshire Page 3 of 6
The cover is full of sharp corners so add rounds (INSERT > ROUND).
There are eight edges to be rounded all around the outside of the cover.
There are four around the top and the four vertical sides so you will need
to hold the CTRL key whilst selecting them. Enter a radius of 25 for all
rounds.

None
constant
wall thickness

Figure 5 : Rounded Corners
The problem with this is that rounding the outside edges does not round
the inside edges! The wall thickness is no longer constant. Ideally the
rounds should have been added before the shell feature. Do we have to
delete the shell and add it again after the round? No. The order of features
can be changed within the bounds of parent child relationships since you
cant place a child before its parents. There are no parent/child
relationships stopping this move. To reorder a feature click and drag the
name in the feature tree. Drag the last round feature up the feature list if
you try and drag it before its parents the feature names will be highlighted
in blue. The model will regenerate with internal and external rounds and
the thickness of the whole model will be the same just like you had
added the rounds before the shell.


Figure 6 : Features Reordered
Inserting Features
The next step is to add a circular boss protruding from the top surface of
the cover. If this is created as an extruded protrusion then once again
there will be a material thickness discrepancy because the boss has been
created after the shell. We could add it now and then re-order it to the
correct position but since you noticed this problem early (you did didnt
you!) there is an alternative method. The new feature can be inserted into
the tree by dragging the Insert Here reference in the feature tree to below
the second protrusion. The model will be taken back in time to the point
before the rounds and shell were added. Now add the boss using the
dimensioning scheme shown in Figure 7. The 80 and 30 dimensions
reference the FRONT and RIGHT datums. The boss thickness is 15. After
creating the boss bring back the rest of the model by dragging the Insert
Drag the round
above the shell
Modifying Models
By D Cheshire Page 4 of 6
Here reference in the model tree to the end of the list. The model will be
regenerated with the boss before the shell maintaining a constant wall
thickness.


Figure 7 : Boss Dimensioning Scheme
Drag the Insert Here reference in the feature tree to the bottom of the list
to continue modelling in the normal manner. Now complete the model with
a hole through the boss. This should be an EXTRUSION using the THRU
ALL option to remove material and should be created with the
dimensioning scheme shown in Figure 8. This is an identical scheme to
the boss and is not the obvious way to do it, its not even the correct way
of doing it but it illustrates a point!

Figure 8 : Hole Dimensioning Scheme
Now further down the design cycle it is found that this boss (and its hole)
need to be moved. No problem! Right click on the boss in the feature tree
(the third protrusion) and choose EDIT and change the 80 length to 60.
Regenerate the model and alls well! Not quite try it!

Figure 9 : The Boss Has Moved But Not The Hole!
Modifying Models
By D Cheshire Page 5 of 6
The hole hasnt moved because it was dimensioned independently of the
boss. No parent/child relationship was established even though this would
be good practice in this case. You could just modify the dimensions of the
hole as well but lets change the model to capture the design intent.
First modify the (now) 60 back to its original 80 and EDIT >
REGENERATE so the boss is back to its original position. The hole needs
the dimensioning scheme changing. To do this, right click on the hole in
the feature tree (the cut) and choose EDIT DEFINITION. Enter the sketch
mode with PLACEMENT> DEFINE and delete the circle. Create a new
circle this time using the concentric option . Choose the icon click on
the circle around the boss and click again to place the circle. You will
notice that no linear (positional) dimensions are created because the
circular hole is aligned to the boss thereby creating a parent/child
relationship. End the sketch and the definition. Now try making the
modification again and the hole should move with the boss.
Adding Draft Angles
Finally to show you the power of what you have learnt and as an excuse to
introduce a new feature type lets assume that to allow the part to be
removed from the injection moulding machine easily we need to angle the
sides. These are called draft angles. Again to ensure we keep a constant
thickness we need to add the draft before the shell. Drag the Insert Here
icon to below the second protrusion in the feature tree. Now choose
INSERT > DRAFT or the icon.

Figure 10 : The Draft Dashboard
In the dash board click on References menu and the options in Figure 11
will be shown. First click in the Draft surfaces pane then select with the
CTRL held the four vertical walls of the cover (see Figure 12). Next click in
the draft hinges pane and click on the large top surface (see Figure 12).
Type in a draft angle of 2 and click on to change the draft direction if
necessary.

Figure 11 : Draft References

Figure 12 : The Draft and Hinge Surfaces
Drag the Insert Here reference in the feature tree to the bottom of the list
to continue modelling in the normal manner.
Review
So what should you have learnt?
Understand Parent Child Relationships.
How to reorder feature.
How to insert features.
How to create Draft Features.
Any problems with these? Then you should go back through the tutorial
perhaps several times until you can complete it without any help.
Modifying Models
By D Cheshire Page 6 of 6
What Next?
You may wish to experiment yourself with these techniques whilst
modelling the shape below. Scale or estimate all dimensions. Notice that
most faces are angled to aid moulding so you will need to use Draft
Features or other techniques.