Mirror functions as applied to AFX beams.

[ByDesign]

I'm probably just missing some detail, but I'm wondering about mirror functions for AFX beams. Can't seem to find a way to mirror things without doubling or duplicating parts.

Almost every demo I've seen on AFX has symmetric aspects, so I can't figure out why they would create them redundantly. Sure, reusing beams is great, but why not build one side and mirror it?

A simple example is shown in this image. I have the first portion, but can't figure out how to get to the second without a higher level assembly -- but either way, it's wrong because you'd never build it with so many "half" parts.

That's a simple example, but I need it for much more complex work. The effort to do the same thing (almost) 4 times is driving me nuts. Please let me know what I'm missing. I'm probably just a dough head, but I can't find anything in a Google search or in PTC's help. Maybe I'm using the wrong search words?

[BenLoosli]

If you wouldn't build it so many 'half' parts, don't design it with 'half' parts.

There is nothing in the mirror routine that will combine 2 parts into one. It will do exactly as intended, mirror what is there around a datum plane, or 2 in your case taking a 1/4 design into a full design.

Redesign it the following way:

1 part - Design it with the 2 side beams, part reused and spaced accordingly.

2 part - Add the 1 angle cut piece and reuse it for the other 3 positions.

3-part - Add the cross-beam member and reuse it for the other 13 positions.

3 components, 20 pieces.

[ByDesign]

Thanks for the reply.  This model I show is pretty simple for purposes of illustration.  The broader application just means a lot of duplicated work -- duplications in beam ends, duplication in brackets, gussets, etc..  Yes, I've messed with mirroring just some components and building others by doing half the work in AFX, then mirroring at the part level.  It's more work than needed IMHO, and there are more down-the-road hiccups when things change.

I hate it when people say "yeah, but I do it in Solidworks", but, well, I do.  I have both systems here, and I was really hoping someone knew the magic bit to show me how to do it in Creo.  Based on a few responses, I'm guessing the answer is no.  Too bad, but you have more experience, I'm sure, so thanks for letting me know.

[tbraxton]

This should be useful in the context of what you want to do. I model many designs with planar or axisymmetric symmetry as a section and then mirror the geometry to complete the solid part model. Not AFX but the principle still applies, I think.

Mirror geometry, not the part; you will have control over which bodies the solid is added to.

https://support.ptc.com/help/creo/creo_pma/r9.0/usascii/index.html#page/part_modeling/part_modeling/To_Mirror_all_the_Geometry_in_a_Part.html 

[ByDesign]

Thanks for the response. Yes, mirroring at the part level is beneficial, for sure. Even mirroring full parts in the Framework assembly. The issue, IMHO, is the effort to do this with a more complicated structure. It has to be done piece by piece, part by part, gusset by gusset, bracket by bracket. It's a lot of time to do it one by one when it's all the same "mirror" function. To do more than one at a time, you have to deal with multiple levels of assemblies (like I did for the full shape in the image above).  There are a lot of interaction limits to having some parts in one assembly and some in another, all within yet another higher level assembly.

As mentioned, I was just hoping Creo had a clean way that I'm just not finding.  Thanks.

[MartinHanak]

Hi,

I hope @SamuelBrantner  can add some comment.

[SamuelBrantner · Accepted solution]

Hi @ByDesign,

AFX is not compatible with mirroring half parts as you described.

There are many issues that we would need to address in order to make this work, if it is possible at all with the current implementation.

The best way to work with AFX would be to assemble the full length models and use the existing functionalities to reuse and reposition the elements.

I hope this helps.

[ByDesign]

Thank you @SamuelBrantner for the definitive answer.  Glad to know I'm not just missing something.

Perhaps I'm not seeing the whole picture, but it seems like applying existing functions will do the job really well.  Add a pick in the mirror process to ask if the parts are to join together, or if the system should create new parts.  It already asks about a new part, or to reuse the part, so another choice to join (keep the result within each part) is consistent.  Really, it's combining existing functionality.  It would be easy enough, when mirroring in an assembly to have the user do 2 mirror operations - one mirror feature for parts that need to join (current part mode functionality), then a second mirror feature for the parts that don't join (current function, but expanded to include more than one part at a time).  Let the customer choose.  If they create something weird or inconsistent with a profile, that's OK.

Another possibility is to have a results box like when making an assembly cut, where the customer can choose which parts are joined in the mirror, and which parts to create a new "mirrored" part.  That's consistent with existing assembly functions.

New functionality for parts to join is really not new, since we can do it in part mode now.  The only issue I see with expanding the existing assembly mirror function to allow more than one part in the same feature is naming.  But, in AFX, that is already handled.  Or, in an assembly results box, include it (let the customer change the name if they want).  I see this as applying existing functions in a fairly simple, combined way to drastically enhance and accelerate AFX construction.  All the brackets, and gussets, and little things in the current process take a lot of time in redundant work.  More important, is all the extra redundant work when things need to change.  It would save a ton of time, and help avoid little mistakes like missing a bracket or gusset.

How do we switch this thread to be an enhancement request?

Anyway, thank you again for letting me know that it is not possible in the current software.

[SamuelBrantner]

Hi @ByDesign ,

the mirror feature comes from PTC and is not under our influence. 

From AFX perspective it is not good to use the mirror functions as those profiles can no longer be modified with AFX.

The PTC mirror removes all features from the mirrored models and therefore AFX can no longer control those models.

This can lead to inconsistent BOM information and also other unforeseen issues. So generally we would strongly recommend creating each part individually with AFX. The time you save by mirroring will get you later on I think.

We do not have any plans to create an AFX specific mirror functionality at all. So you don't need to open an enhancement request.

I hope this clarifies things.

[ByDesign]

Thank you, @SamuelBrantner , for the explanation.  I did not know AFX is separate code.  That explains a lot.

Something to consider going forward.  In recent years I have found the mirror functionality extremely valuable in SW.  Used it a lot, and it saves a ton of time.  There is a lot about SW I don't like, but the mirror functions, especially with respect to beams, is something they did well.  Maintains BOM and works in the drawings.  I'd love to see that level of capability in Creo.

Thanks again for the time to explain.  Have a wonderful day.