Formulae with Information boxes
There are sometimes items on the part, such as the position of some drill holes, or whether to take a cut-out, which can only be decided when product requirements are entered at the product requirements screen. That is, they depend on customers' choices. A Variable is often used for these items but it is sometimes more convenient to use an information box.
To work in this way set up the variable in an information box for the relevant part and then pass the contents of the information box number to the machine instruction.
For example, with a part TOP1 in product DESK1
DESK1 has two manufacturing options:-
- Desk without cut-out in top
- Desk with cut-out in top for computer cable
Achieve this by setting up an information box for TOP1 to contain a variable.
Part Material Length Width ...... Inf box 2
TOP1 WHITEHHG 1200 x 760 ......... @CUTOUT@
When selecting DESK1 as a product requirement at the Product requirements screen the program prompts for a value for the variable CUTOUT.
This is answered as either 0 for NO or 1 for YES.
Place the CutOut instructions in a Group (Cut-outs often require more than one instruction)
In the part drawing of TOP1 set the group On / Off box to refer to information box 2
Function: Group
Description Cut out for cables
Back
On / Off #2#
Instructions 2
X offset
Y offset
The expression #2# determines whether the group is turned on or off. The symbols #2# are replaced by the contents of information box 2 which in this case is 0 or 1 as entered at the product requirements screen, for example, 1 would mean the group is ON and the cut-out is made and 0 means the group is OFF and the cut-out is not made.
Alternatively enter the @ variable CUTOUT in the variable table. The variable type can then be specified as Boolean and this is automatically translated to 1 or 0.
