Outputs

The cost engine, by evaluating a CSL module, establishes values for all the CSL module’s associated output identifiers. The output values established in the course of costing a part become available to other CSL modules during the costing process, as well as to the aPriori GUI when costing is complete.

What counts as an output identifier for a given module depends on the module’s type. CSL supports the following module types:

• Process taxonomy

• Operation taxonomy

• Process feasibility (routing rules)

• Operation feasibility (routing rules)

• Material stock selection

• Machine selection

• Tool selection

• Template pruning

• Process optionality

• Operation optionality

• Operation Precedence

• Operation Type Precedence

• Operation compatibility

• Zero or More Operation

• Idle Station Count

• Form merge rules

• Bend merge rules

• Shear form merge rules

An output formula is a formula whose left hand side is an output identifier. It specifies the value of one output (by assigning a value to the identifier). If and when the formula is evaluated, the assignment is made. See Formulas for information on formula evaluation.

Taxonomy Modules

Process and operation taxonomy modules include the following output identifiers:

• Formula names listed in the module’s formula table on the CSL Modules tab of the module’s associated process, operation, or template node in the CMWB.

• Formula names listed in the costTaxonomy formula table on the CSL Modules tab of the module’s associated process group (select Globally Available CSL/Lookup Tables).

Feasibility Modules

Process and operation feasibility modules, in addition to returning a boolean, include as output identifiers all formula names listed in the module’s formula table on the CSL Modules tab of the module’s associated process, operation, or template node in the CMWB. By default there are none, but users can specify custom outputs.

Stock Selection Modules

Stock selection modules include the following output identifiers:

• validMaterialStocks

• sortedMaterialStocks

• bestMaterialStock

• Formula names listed in the module’s formula table on the CSL Modules tab of the module’s associated process node in the CMWB. By default there are none, but users can specify custom outputs.

Stock selection modules can also have contingent output formulas, that is, formulas that are treated as output formulas when a related formula evaluates to a specified boundary value.

For the machining process group, the following are treated as output formulas when validMaterialStocks evaluates to null or an empty collection:

• virtualStockLength

• virtualStockWidth

For the sheet metal process group, the following are treated as output formulas when validMaterialStocks evaluates to null or an empty collection:

• virtualStockLength

• virtualStockWidth

• virtualStockHeight

• virtualStockThickness

• virtualStockInsideDiameter

• virtualStockOuterDiameter

Machine Selection Modules

Machine selection modules include the following output identifiers:

• machine

• Formula names listed in the module’s formula table on the CSL Modules tab of the module’s associated process node in the CMWB. By default there are none, but users can specify custom outputs.

Tool Selection Modules

Tool selection modules always include tool as an output identifier.

Tool selection modules have as contingent output formulas the formulas listed in the module’s formula table on the CSL Modules tab of the module’s associated process, operation, or template node in the CMWB (by default there are none, but users can specify custom outputs). When tool evaluates to a non-null value, the formula names in this table are treated as output identifiers.

Template Pruning Modules

Template pruning modules have no associated output formulas; they simply return a boolean.

Optionality Modules

Optionality modules have no associated output formulas; they simply return a boolean.