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Dialog: Function-Block: Parameter-Control

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Parameter-Control Function-Block dialog-box

The motion-values at the input-connector to a Parameter Control FB can control the values of:

•	Dimensions

•	Extrusion Depths

•	Extrusion Offsets.

There is only one input-connector. Thus, if you want to use different motion-values to control other elements of the same type, you will need to add more than one Parameter-Control FB to the model.

Applications for the Parameter-Control FB include 'extruding toothpaste', 'filling bottles', ...

In MotionDesigner, I use a lower-case motion-name tab, when the the motion is for the input to a Parameter-Control FB.

If the motion is for a real machine-element, I use an ALL -CAPS motion-name tab.

This helps me identify each motion in MotionDesigner.

The Parameter-Control FB dialog-box

Dialog-ParameterControl

The controls in the Parameter Control FB are:

Enabled / Not Enabled check-box

'Top-Box' - Profiles and Extrusion elements are put here when you select them in the graphic-area.

You must click the element to put it in the 'Bottom-Box'...

'Bottom-Box - Elements that will be controlled by the motion-values at the input to the FB

The element types you can add are Dimensions, Extrusions and Profiles.

•	Dimensions: The dimension is controlled directly

•	Extrusion: The Solid is updated as the dimension is updated, if that dimension controls the shape of the Extrusion.

•	Profiles: The Extrusion-Depth of the Extrusion element.

Delete icon - to remove an element from the dialog-box - pre-select the element.

'OK', 'Cancel', 'Cancel and Undo all changes', 'Help' icons.

Control Actions - to be done by the Parameter-Control FB.

Parameters can you control with the Parameter-Control FB.

The elements must be in the model before you can control them with the Parameter-Control FB.

It is usual to connect a wire with motion-values to the input-connector of the Parameter-Control FB. The motion at the input-connector becomes the absolute values for the elements you want to control.

The elements you can add and control are:

•	Dimensions that you have added in the Part-Editor. The dimension may give a sketch-element's position or a sketch-element's dimensional size.

•	Extrusions that you have added to sketch-loops. You must add the Extrusion when the extrusion defines the Solid 'shape', and when a Dimension, which you have also added to the Parameter-Control FB, specifies the shape/size of a sketch-loop, to which you have added a Profile / Extrusion.

•	Profiles that you have added to a sketch-loop. The motion-values will control the Extrusion-Depth Parameter, as you would normal enter as a fixed dimension in the Extrusion dialog-box

How to use the Parameter-Control FB

Open the Parameter-Control FB dialog-box in the normal way. If necessary, see How to open a Dialog-Box.

To enable the FB

☑

Enabled

1.	Click the check-box to enable the dialog-box.

To add elements to the dialog-box

1.	Click the elements in the graphic area

To add a Dimension

1.	In the Mechanism-Editor, click the sketch-element to which you have added the dimension with the Part-Editor

2.	In the Part-Editor, click the dimension, or the sketch-element to which you have added a dimension.

The dimension appear in the Bottom-Box immediately and ready to be controlled by the FB.

To add a Profile and/or an Extrusion:

1.	In the Mechanism-Editor, click the Primary or Secondary Contour [Pink copy of the sketch-loop] of the Profile element.

The Profile and the Extrusion elements appear in the Top-Box.

To control the element, you must move the element to the Bottom-Box.

2.	Click the element in the Top-Box. The element moves to Bottom-Box.

You can click one or the two elements.

About the 'Bottom-Box'

Driven Parameter

The name of the dimension, whose value is driven by this Function-Block.

The name of the Extrusion-Offset or Profile.

Solve Element

A Part when the 'Driven-Parameter' is a dimension.

An Extrusion when the 'Driven Parameter is an 'Extrusion' or a 'Profile'

Control-Action

The actual action taken by the FB are:

'Update dimension' when the 'Driven Parameter' is a 'dimension'

'Update extension depth' when the 'Driven Element' is a 'Profile'

'Rebuild Solid' when the 'Driven Parameter' is an 'Extension'.

To delete an element:

1.	Select an element in one of the boxes, below,

2.	Click the 'cross' to delete it.

Tutorial and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 13.2 + © Machine, Mechanism, Motion and Cam Design Software by PSMotion Ltd