Using the component viewer tools and commands

aPriori Component Viewer provides a number of tools and commands to display and edit GCDs for a part or an assembly. The available tools and commands vary depending on the Manufacturing Process Group.

Note You can access the Component Viewer tools and commands only when the cost of the part or assembly displayed in the Component Viewer is current. If the cost is not current, click the Cost button to calculate the current cost and allow access to tools and commands.

The following tools and commands are available in the Component Viewer:

• Analysis – Displays a list of characteristics that can be displayed on the component in the viewer

• Welding – Create a virtual weld for an assembly

• Setup Axis – Display setup & turning axes, Modify setup axes, and Limit turning axes

• Stock Form and Alignment – Display the automatically-chosen stock shape and alignment and override it

• Draw Direction/Ram Direction – For plastic molding, manually select the draw direction in which the part mold is opened. For Sheet Metal - Transfer Die, manually select the direction of the ram.

• Geometry Analysis – Identify which GCDs have properties or characteristics that drive costs

• Gear Definition -- Display the Gear Definition dialog; only enabled when displaying a part that includes gears, flutes, splines, or sprockets. See the "Working with Gears, Splines, Sprockets, and Flutes" section of the aPriori Cost Model Guide for more information.

• Set Main Surface for Sheet Metal Parts -- Display the Set Main Surface dialog. Only enabled when displaying a sheet metal part. See the " Main Surface for Hard Tooled Sheet Metal " section of the aPriori Cost Model Guide for more information.

• Flattening Options -- Displays the Flattening Options dialog. Only enabled when display a sheet metal part. See the "Flattening" section of the aPriori Cost Model Guide for more information.

• Right-click menu commands

• 2D Images for virtual parts that have no CAD model image (available in 2014 R1 SP1 and later) – Attach 2D Image, Remove 2D Image, and Close viewer