What is purge Feature in pro/Engineer ?

Every time I hit save, a new file is created, thus I'll end up with many part1.prt files. How to fix this?


This is the way pro/e functions. If you are certain that you don't need to use the old files, you can purge them using File -> Delete -> Old Versions - it prompts for the file name (default the open file).

:-) You can also set up a map key that saves and purges at the same time.
That will keep your working dir clean. Depending on how you set the order you can have two or just one version saved.

These old file are like backup, Which will be created by pro/e when you are working in a part,
and when you save each time it will be saved as different file so you can have the same part at different stage.So if you wrongly saved a part at a wrong stage you can use old version file to open at last save stage.Which will be very useful when we are doing large parts and assemblies. 

Another way of doing purge is,

Windows->Open system window->Type purge and press enter(The directory mentioned will be your working directory)->Type exit and press enter 


Hope this one Helps !!!!!

Commonly asked Pro-e Interview questions...Part 3

1. Name six common assumptions the sketcher will make ?                                                                Six common assumption the sketcher will make are as follows - Horizontal and vertical, equal length lines, equal radius or diameter, co-linearity, 90 and 180 degree arcs, points on the same horizontal or vertical, points on other entities, tang-ency  symmetry, parallel and perpendicular lines. 
2. What is the difference between One Side and Both Sides in extrusion?                                                          One-side extrudes only one specified direction from the sketching plane. Both sides extrudes both sides of the sketching planes.  
3. How do you change dimensions of a feature?                                                                                Modify > pick the feature > pick the dimension > enter the new value > select regenerate. 
4. What is the model tree?                                                                                                                        The model tree is a graphical representation of the features and/or components in the model. 
5. Define "Parametric Feature Based Modeling" ?                                                                      Parametric means driven by parameters. Feature based means you define a series of instructions (features) to tell the system your design intent. Modeling means creating computer images coupled with geometric information defining a part or assembly.
6. What is datum planes created ‘on the fly’?                                                                                             The datum plane created on the fly means it was created when you were in the middle of creating something else and it goes away after the thing you really wanted was created. These are created using the 'make datum' command.  
7. List five uses of datum planes ?                                                                                                            Five uses of datum plane are as follows -                                                                                                Sketching plane                                                                                                                                       reference plane                                                                                                                                             dimension and alignment references                                                                                                     geometric tolerancing                                                                                                                                    creating cross sections. 
8. List three uses of datum axes ?                                                                                                                 Three uses of datum axes are as follow -                                                                                 Dimension and alignment references,                                                                                              center lines on drawings,                                                                                                                     geometric tolerancing and coaxial hole.  
9. List two uses of a datum coordinate system ?                                                                                      Datum coordinate system is used While exporting to IGES, STL and STP files  
10. Name a feature that can both add and remove material?                                                                       Rounds and champers are the features which can both add or remove the material.

Commonly asked Pro-e Interview questions...Part 2

1. What is the difference between object reference and geometric associativity?
    Object reference is a data management term that has to do with the way one object     references another. Geometric associativity has to do with how a parts geometry can be    changed from the part or drawing.

2. What are the file extensions given to sketches, parts, assemblies, drawings?

     Sketches - .sec, 

     Parts- .prt,

     Assemblies- .asm,

     Drawings- .drw

3. How should you create a new part or assembly? Why?
    You should always create a new part or assembly using the copy from option in the new   dialog box and copy a start part. This ensures the proper layer setup, saved views, datum planes, parameters, etc.

4. What is the use of config.pro file?
The config.pro file contains configuration options which control the behavior of Pro/ENGINEER. This file also contains user macros which are called map keys.

5. What is a trail file?
The trail file is a record of every menu pick and screen pick and keyboard input during an entire session of pro/engineer. This file can be retrieved and edited and replayed to retrieve work lost during an unexpected failure of a session.

6. What is the meaning of "store back"?
'Store back' refers to the behavior in which an object is stored back to the directory from where it was opened not necessarily the current working directory.

7. What is the difference between File -> Erase and File -> Delete?
File erase removes the object from the ram of the computer and file delete removes the object from the disk or hard drive of the computer.

8. What is the difference between File -> Save and File -> Backup?
File save stores the object in the directory where it was opened from and file backup copies the object to the specified directory using the same name.

9. After performing a File, Save As, what is the current object?
After performing a file save as command the current object is not a new object it is the old object.

10. If I use Window in Pro/Engineer and Close without saving my model, have I lost my work?
      No

Data Recovery in Pro\Engineeer in Case of system crash... :-(

                              Is there anything more frustrating than losing your work? Have you ever had to work extra hours re-creating models that you have done once already?  This Tip shows how you can recover your Pro/ENGINEER model in the event of a software crash or shutting down a model and erasing from memory having not saved your model. Once Pro/ENGINEER has been shut down it creates a Trail file in the working directory. With a little bit of modification and technical wizardry this file can be used to recover any accidentally lost data.

Firstly you should mange these files properly to make sure they are easily accessible to you.

     1.       Create a folder in any logical location on your computer called Trail Files.

2.       Open a session of Pro/ENGINEER and go to TOOLS>OPTIONS

3.       Here you can set some config options that will allow you to use the trail files.

Search for trail_dir and browse to the folder you previously created and also addset_trail_single_step and set the value as "yes". Apply these two settings and save to your config.pro file. When this has been done any trail files created will be stored in the folder you created above and they will be able to be used to recover your lost data.

When this has been done any trail files created will be stored in the folder you created and will be used to recover your lost data.

4.   The next step is to locate the trail file you want to use. After each session is shut down. Pro/ENGINEER creates a new file and names that file one increment higher that the last.

To be able to use this file it needs to be renamed using the following conversion. Delete the number after the extension and then rename from “trial” to a name of your choice. In this example we have renamed from trail.txt.19 to recover.txt

Open a new session of Pro/ENGINEER and go to TOOLS>PLAY TRAIL/TRAINING FILE and then browse and open the renamed trail file.

The trail file dialog box comes up. Each time you click STEP the system takes you through each step of your previous Pro/ENGINEER session.

Click STEP until the model is at a stage where you want to save it and then select END. You will then be able to save the model to the current working directory.                                             

Note: Once the trail file has been renamed you can open it up as a text file. 

If the system has crashed or you have shut down the model and erased from memory then you can delete this action from the trail file and select continue. The model will play through its entire creation without having to press step and will stop before you closed the window. You can then save the model.

See image to the for an example of what to delete.

Commonly asked Pro-e Interview questions...Part 1

1. What is bend allowance?
   Bend allowance is a measure of how much extra material is required to accommodate a bend in sheet metal. This is a function of the bend angle, bend radius, thickness of the material, and a variable called the K-factor. Bend allowances vary based on the angle of the bend, the type and thickness of the material, and the method used to create the bend. Calculating the bend allowance is necessary to create a finished product of the correct size.
   
   
   
   
2. Bend allowance formula?
   The bend allowance formula for sheet metal is as follows. (0.0173 x R + 0.0078 x T) x N= Bend Allowance. In the formula, R= desired radius of bend, T= Thickness of material, and N= Number of degrees in the bend. Using this formula will allow precise bends of sheet metal for various applications.
   
   
3. What is restructuring?
   The assembly restructure tool allows you to reorder your assembly structure between main assembly and sub assemblies
   
   
   
   
4. What is GD & T, why it is used?
   GD&T stands for Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances, as defined by ASME Y14.5M-1994.
   An International Language
   Provides Uniformity 
   
   
5. What are the different types of tolerances we use on drawings?
   Limit Tolerances – (12.75/12.25 )
   Plus/Minus Tolerances
   – Unilateral Tolerances - (12.00 + or - xxx)
   – Bilateral Tolerances - (12.00 +xxx/- xxx)
   
   
   
   
6. Classification of FITS and its application?
   – Clearance fit
       • The parts are toleranced such that the largest shaft is 
          smaller than the smallest hole
       • The allowance is positive and greater than zero
   – Interference fit
       • The max. clearance is always negative
       • The parts must always be forced together
   – Transition fit
        • The parts are toleranced such that the allowance is 
           negative and the max. clearance is positive
        • The parts may be loose or forced together
   
   
   

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