DSL KF SAE-J2044 Cover Port Design Application


The Port Design Application is a Knowledge Fusion Modeling Feature based on Standard SAE-J2044. It creates all the geometry needed to model a molded port for Fuel Handling Plastic Covers of Module Reservoir Assembly (MRA). This application groups all the steps needed to model the Port of a Cover body in one feature as a whole: 2D profiles, swept feature operations, detailing features and boolean operations are all integrated as one NX modeling feature. All necessary parameters are allowed to be modified through the User Interface Dialog; many other parameters can not be changed since are all based on SAE-J2044 Standard. This Knowledge Fusion Application is designed to work as a standalone feature and as part of a major application; depending upon if the Port application is working alone or as a part of a bigger application some functions may or may not be available at the User Interface Dialog.

Next are listed the steps to be followed.

Target Body

The Knowledge Fusion Feature is intended to be placed over an existing Cover body and not to exist as a stand alone feature. However users can create and place the Port Feature wherever they want and only must define the Coordinate System (CSYS) from which all location parameters are referenced from. If no CSYS is defined the application won’t execute; also this CSYS can not be the Absolute Coordinate System. The User Interface Dialog has a button that invokes the CSYS Constructor dialog which allows building up a new CSYS or reference from an existing one.

If the CSYS defined is equal to the Absolute CSYS, the "Apply" and "OK" buttons will be insensitive.

Furthermore if the Port Feature is being executed by another Knowledge Fusion Application the CSYS Constructor button may be unavailable if the Cover body is generated by this other application.

WARNING: The Cover Body should have its center at Absolute Coordinates (0, 0, 0) and it top view match XY Plane. In most cases this may not be a problem since Covers generally are modeled at this location. If this is not true position the Cover at (0, 0, 0) and align its top view with XY Plane. Also make sure the bottom face of the Cover Flange is at coordinate Z = 0.

Create Port Procedure

To use the Port Design Application, follow these steps:

  1. In Modeling Application go to Insert --> Design Feature --> Delphi EC Fuel Handling --> Port Design.
  2. Define parameters as they are required.
  3. Define a CSYS for the Port Feature. Usually Port Feature CSYS can be created using the three points method and select the center of the Dome or Flange (depending upon if the Port is going to be placed over the Dome or Flange) and 2 Quadrant Points. However any of the CSYS Constructor methods may be used to locate and orient Port Feature CSYS.
  4.  Make sure “Port has Ribs?” toggle is checked.
  5. Click OK or Apply to create the Port.
  6. Unite the Port Feature to the Cover Body
  7. Subtract the tool body provided to cut both, the Port Feature and the Cover Body to create the hole that passes through the Cuff and the Port Boss

NOTE: Clicking "OK" creates or updates geometry and exits the dialog; "Apply" creates or updates geometry but leaves the dialog opened to keep changing options.


WARNING: The Port Design Application has been developed in such a way that Port Ribs must always exist. If Ribs are not required they are suppressed by toggling off “Port has Ribs?” option. However, during Port creation they must be unsuppressed for some features to get created or Port creation will fail. Once the Port Feature is generated it is OK to go back and suppress Port Ribs

Edit Port Design Application Instances

Editing an instance of the Port Design Application is fairly easy and can be treated as any other modeling feature. E.g. extrude, revolve, blend, and so forth.

As with any normal feature there are several ways mentioned below.

  1.  In Modeling Application go to Edit --> Feature --> Parameters and from the feature list select "Cover Port SAE-J2044" and click "OK".
  2.  In "Part Navigator" double click the "Cover Port SAE-J2044" feature.
  3. In "Part Navigator" right click the "Cover Port SAE-J2044" feature and from the pull down list select "Edit KF Application Object".
  4. With selection filter set to "Select Features", double click any geometric portion of the Port feature.

IMPORTANT: Depending on Port Design Application settings some modeling features may or may not exist inside the Port Feature. This becomes important when Port Feature gets changed and geometry that was not originally created needs to be added. NX always adds new features at the end in the part navigator. Hence new features within the Port Feature will be applied after the boolean features causing errors

Always perform a Make Current Feature over the Port feature before changing anything else than Port Location parameters

make current feature

Any of the steps above will open the Port Design Application User Interface Dialog to edit the selected Port instance.

To delete a Port feature follow the same steps as for deleting any modeling feature in NX.

What Port Design Application is?

Port Design Feature is a Knowledge Fusion Application that creates a Plastic Cover Port based on Standard SAE-J2044. It groups most of the knowledge when it comes to design a Port with Quick Connector interface. Different options found in several MRA applications are available in this Knowledge Driven Application so re-use of knowledge and access to it is easier and instant than ever; users no longer have to refer to past models or other sources to model a Quick Connector Port for Plastic Covers.

kf_ports_geo_eg.jpg

Port Design Feature User Interface (UI)

Port Design Feature has a User Interface Dialog which allows modification of many parameters. Any parameter not in the UI means it is not possible to change its value. There are several parameters that are application controlled or ruled by design, engineering or manufacturing.

To learn what every parameter does click here.

Application UI

Troubleshooting

If during create or edit of the Port you experience any error please review your settings and correct any invalid input. There are mainly three error causes.

  1. Trying to create a Port Feature with Port has Ribs?” toggle set to off.
  2. Applying changes to the Port Feature without having performed a "Make Current Feature" on the Port Feature it's self
  3. Ignoring warning messages. This warnings are intended to inform the user of an invalid input and have it corrected. However users can skip this warnings and proceed to apply changes; every skipped warning will become an error when creating or updating the Port Feature.

If everything seems to be fine and the error still exists delete the Port and create a new one with the desired options. The Port Design Application has been developed in such a way that user will get messages and errors if some design rules are not followed letting the user know his/her misses. However, many invalid inputs won't pop out messages and make the application fail.

In case you are not able to recover from the error please Report the Issue or maybe you would like to  Request an Enhancement.