aPriori Professional User Guide
1 Introduction
About aPriori
How We Do It
Value Proposition
Democratization of Cost
Technical details
Getting help
Setting a language for the aPriori Professional online Help documentation
aPriori Online Help Documentation Language Availability
Online Help Documentation Language Options and Settings
Set the aPriori Professional online Help documentation language using aPriori settings
The aPriori interface
Navigation pane
To expand a folder in the navigation pane
To open a component within a folder
Arranging the aPriori interface
To show or hide the navigation pane
To show or hide the message pane
To select a layout
To set the current layout as the default
To show or hide the Database Connection Monitor
Setting a language for the aPriori interface display
Language Options and Settings
Configure Windows settings
Set the aPriori Professional display interface language using aPriori settings
Special Characters
2 Getting Started
Technical requirements
Installing aPriori
Starting aPriori
Troubleshoot NX Driver Incompatibility Issues
Exiting aPriori
Uninstalling aPriori
3 aPriori Cost Ticker Basics
Starting the aPriori Cost Ticker
To start aPriori Cost Ticker in CAD-Independent mode
To start aPriori Cost Ticker in Direct Integration mode
Costing a component in the aPriori Cost Ticker
To cost a new component
To cost a previously costed component
Expanding the aPriori Cost Ticker
To expand the aPriori Cost Ticker
To contract the aPriori Cost Ticker
Switching to aPriori Desktop
To switch to aPriori Desktop
aPriori Cost Ticker icons and command buttons
4 aPriori Desktop Basics
aPriori modes
CAD-Independent mode
Direct Integration mode
Active and inactive scenarios
Opening a component in aPriori
Opening a component from a CAD file or CAD system
To open a part in CAD-Independent mode
To open an assembly in CAD-Independent mode
To open a component (part or assembly) in Direct Integration mode
Opening a component from the aPriori database
To open a component from the aPriori database using the Search tool
To open a recently saved component
To open a component from the navigation pane
To open the most recent scenario (keyboard shortcut)
Initial costing: The Cost Guide
Production Scenario Tab, Basic options
Production Scenario Tab, Company-Defined Attributes
Production Scenario Tab, Targets
GCD Tolerances tab
Process and Machine Options Tab
What you can do at different stages
Costing with CAD Properties
Reconcile Inputs
Using the Search tool
Changing the file associated with a component
To change the file association
Copying cost settings from one component to another
Copying assembly cost settings to children
To copy assembly cost settings to children
Using the Cost Object Info window
The Production Info tab
The Administrative Info Tab
The Quoted Cost Tab
Notes about purchased parts
Subsequent costing and costing with scenarios
Subsequent costing in CAD Independent mode if the component is file-connected
Subsequent costing in CAD Independent mode if the component is file-disconnected
Subsequent costing in Direct Integration mode
Using the Cost menu
To cancel a costing operation
More About Costing
Component scenario tabs
Component Viewer
To change the size of the Component Viewer
Cost outputs
To change the display currency
Manufacturing process
Geometric cost drivers
To show GCD labels in the component viewer
To show GCD labels in the CAD application
Status messages
To view / hide messages
To clear all messages
To export messages into a file
Saving cost information
To save current cost information for a component
Refreshing the database connection
To refresh the database connection
Monitoring Database Connection Speed
Changing user preferences
Start aPriori with CAD application
One Click Costing™ (enabling/disabling auto-costing in response to CAD changes)
Default Production Inputs
Cache New Digital Factories on Start-up
Default Scenario Name
Viewer
Use Official Scenarios in New Assemblies
Multi-Body Options
Managing Unit System Settings
Predefined Unit Systems
Custom Unit Systems
Which Quantities’ Displays are Affected by Unit System Changes?
Changing Decimal Places Display Settings
Connecting to and disconnecting from CAD
To disconnect from the CAD application in aPriori Desktop
To connect to the CAD application in aPriori Desktop
To connect to aPriori in the CAD application
Closing a component in aPriori Desktop
Switching to aPriori Cost Ticker
aPriori Desktop icons and command buttons
Cost Status Icons
aPriori Desktop table controls
5 Using aPriori Desktop
Working with scenarios
Using the Scenario Menu
Creating and editing scenarios and snapshots
To create a new scenario
To edit a scenario
Saving a scenario
Working with initial scenarios
Working with official scenarios
To make a part or assembly scenario the official scenario
Locking and unlocking scenarios
To lock a scenario
To unlock a scenario
Locking the scenario of a part or assembly
Refreshing the current scenario
To refresh the current scenario from the database
To refresh GCDs from the CAD model
Identifying types of scenarios
Deleting a scenario
To delete a scenario
Switching Scenarios in Assembly/Roll-up Details view
To switch scenarios of assembly components
Assembly Scenarios with missing Sub-Component Scenarios
Importing and exporting component costs
Functional overview
Basic workflow for sharing data
Data Integrity: What happens when a part being imported already exists in the database
Importing BOMs
Using the component viewer tools and commands
Displaying part characteristics
Copying the component image to the clipboard
Virtual welds
To create a virtual weld
To edit a virtual weld
To copy virtual welds
To view virtual welds
To delete a virtual weld
Part setups for machining
To display currently used setups and potential setups
To define or activate a setup axis
To deactivate a setup axis
Turning axes
To display turning axes for a part
Defining stock form and alignment for the Stock Machining and Bar & Tube process groups
To define stock form and alignment manually
Defining draw direction for casting and injection molding
To define draw direction manually
Working with the Heat Map (Geometry Analysis)
Cycle Time & Removal Rate
Design Standards
Issues
Machining Technique
Tolerances
Using component viewer commands
Specifying 2D Images for virtual components
To specify or change an image from the viewer
Controlling the resolution of the Component Viewer
Controlling the colors of the Component Viewer
Collaboration and Usability
Using roll-ups
Creating and editing roll-ups
To create a roll-up
To add a component to a roll-up
To copy a roll-up table
To define roll-up properties
To edit a component quantity for a roll-up
To remove a component from a roll-up
To edit a roll-up
To view last saved values
To view current values
To view roll-up components
To save a roll-up as a scenario
Cutting, copying, and pasting between roll-ups
To cut or copy a component to another roll-up
Using dynamic roll-ups
Creating and editing dynamic roll-ups
To create a dynamic roll-up
To edit a dynamic roll-up
To update dynamic roll-up components
To copy a dynamic roll-up table
To define dynamic roll-up properties
To edit a component in a dynamic roll-up
To view last saved values
To view current values
To view dynamic roll-up components
Using functional groups
Reapplying functional groups templates
Functional group naming conventions
Best practices using functional groups
To create a functional group template
To create functional groups using a functional group template
Comparing the costs of alternative designs
Creating and editing Comparison Summary views
To create and work with a Comparison
To save, find, and re-open Comparison Summaries
Using Matrix Costing
Scenario Naming
Recommended Workflow
Scenario Cleanup
Limitations
Creating new components without CAD
To create a non-CAD-based component
Working with non-CAD-based assembly components
To modify an assembly structure
Overriding computed values
A note about Cost Overrides and One Click Costing
Performing Part Details overrides
To enter overrides in the Details tabs
Show Formula Dependencies
To use the Show Formula Dependencies feature
Performing selective Cost Summary overrides
To enable and enter cost summary overrides
To disable cost summary overrides
Performing total cost summary overrides
To create a manually costed component
To convert a manually costed part to aPriori costed
Precedence of production input overrides
Working with the Overrides Summary dialog
BOM reports
To generate a BOM report
Spreadsheet Reports
Bulk editing components
6 Access Control
Access Control Overview
How it is implemented
How this might affect you
Error messages and log files
Using Search
Digital Factories
Costing
Deep Costing and Costing All Scenarios
Material Catalog
Overlay Digital Factories
Digital Factory Manager
Viewing a Costed Component
Access Control Principles
Some additional guidelines to remember
Additional details
Resources
Permissions
7 Manufacturing Process Information
Manufacturing process routing tree/table
Manufacturing process commands
Selecting a primary process group
To display the primary process group details
To change the primary process group
Selecting material
Change material catalog
To change the material catalog
Change selection policy
To change the selection policy
Select material
To select material
Change material stock
To change material stock
Change material purchase volume
To change material purchase volume
Change material unit cost
To override material unit costs for the current part
To revert to using the value specified in the Digital Factory
Change material utilization
To change material utilization
Editing production, administrative, or quote information
To edit production, administrative, or quote information
Specifying or importing tolerance and roughness values
How tolerances map to GCDs
How aPriori calculates achievable tolerance ranges
How aPriori determines cycle time adjustment factors
Using the Tolerance Policy Editor
To open the Tolerance Policy Editor
To edit the tolerance policy for a component
Manually editing specific tolerances
To enter tolerance and roughness values using the Tolerance Editor
To enter tolerance and roughness values using the Geometric Cost Drivers pane
Importing PMI from CAD
aPriori Support for PMI
Notes about virtual threads and taps
Importing and reviewing PMI from CAD
How aPriori imports roughness (Ra and Rz) values
To import PMI
Troubleshooting PMI
To set DEBUG-level logging for PMI:
To view PMI log messages:
Notes about specific CAD systems and PMI
CATIA
NX
Creo
SolidWorks
Editing yields
Good Part Yield and Final Yield
Viewing and setting Good Part Yield values
Calculations related to yield
Selecting a Digital Factory
To display Digital Factory details
To select a Digital Factory
Selecting a machine for an operation
To view the machines that can be used by a process
To manually select a machine for a process
Editing process setup options
Selecting a process routing
Viewing options
Understanding the legend
Nodes
Node status icons
Expandable nodes
Selecting and editing a routing
To select and edit a routing
Selecting alternative processes
Reverting to aPriori auto-selected routing
To revert to the routing automatically selected by aPriori
Using the right-click menu
Selecting an unfeasible machine for a process
To select an unfeasible machine for a process
Using the auto-select parent process command
No Cost Feature
To apply a No Cost Feature in the Routing Selection editor
To apply a No Cost Feature to a GCD
Creating custom processes and routings
Creating a custom routing
To create or edit a custom routing
Creating a custom operation sequence
To create or edit a custom operation sequence
Creating a custom process
Assigning operations to different processes
To manually assign GCD operations to another process
Highlighting associated GCDs
To highlight associated GCDs
Specifying simultaneous operations
To specify simultaneous operations
To remove an operation from the simultaneous Group node
8 Geometric Cost Drivers
Overview
Working with large parts
Displaying GCDs
To display all GCDs for a component
To display only relevant GCDs for a component
Geometric cost drivers tree/table
Editing values in the GCD properties table
To edit a value
Costing a component after editing GCD properties
GCD commands
GCD operation sequence selection
To open the Operation Sequence Selection window
To assign the No Cost Feature operation to a GCD
"Not Supported" GCD Messages
Operation sequence table
Viewing options
Understanding the legend
Node Borders
Expandable nodes
Selecting and editing an operation sequence
To select and edit an operation sequence
Selecting alternative operations
Using the right-click menu
GCD properties
GCD categories
Component GCDs
Base Properties
Blank
Main Surface
Parting Line
Subcomponents
Volume GCDs
Stock Trims
Bulk Removals
Pockets
Rings
Void
ComboVoid
AxiGrooves
Heligroove (Helical Groove)
SlideBundles
LifterBundles
Bending/forming GCDs
Bends
Multiple Bends
Forms
Lances
ShearForms
Ends
Holes GCDs
Simple Holes
Complex Holes
Multi Step Holes
Ringed Holes
Surfaces GCDs
Planar Faces
Curved Walls
Curved Surfaces
Sharp Edge
Weld GCDs
2-Model GCDs
GCD relations
Ends On
Intersects
Lies Near
Lies Outside
Parallel
9 aPriori Cost Tables
Overview of the cost tables
A note about Fully Burdened Cost
Part Summary tab
Component Information
Production Information
Material Information
Cost by Category (%)
Cost by Processes (%)
Component Costs and Targets
Validation and Design to Cost
Prerequisites
Workflow
Validation and Design to Cost: Stock Machining
To validate aPriori’s assumptions about Stock Machining
To use the Design to Cost tab for Stock Machining
Notes and examples for Validation and Design to Cost
Thickness Violations in Casting and Plastic Molding Design to Cost
Cost Summary
Part Details and Assembly Details
Investment
Assembly tracker
Assembly process detail
To select the Assembly Process Detail view
Creating new views
To create a new view
Changing the Number of Decimal Places
To change the number of decimal places by changing the Decimal Place Override value:
To change the number of decimal places by updating the aPriori User Properties file:
10 Bulk Costing and Analysis
Overview
User inputs files
Process Setup Option columns
CSL Formula Override columns (non-custom processes only)
Custom (User defined) Attribute columns
Pinned Routings
Specifying routings with canonical format
Routing and feasibility columns
How to specify different datatypes in CSV files
Bulk costing groups of parts
To create a new bulk cost group
To open an existing bulk cost group
To edit, add, and refresh components from a bulk cost group
To create a new row from an existing row
Bulk costing part scenarios and assemblies
Deep costing assemblies
Deep cost behavior
Deep cost status
Costing multi-body parts (free bodies)
Limitations with multi-body STEP assemblies
To bulk cost a multi-body STEP assembly
Bulk Costing 2-Model Machining Parts
Bulk costing data fields
Scenario support fields
Bulk costing required User Defined Attributes
Creating scenarios through Bulk Costing
Editing bulk costing inputs
Bulk Costing Menu Reference
Costing a bulk cost group
To cost a bulk cost group
Costing with CAD properties
Costing without a CAD file
Associating an image without a CAD file
Cost Overrides
Reviewing bulk costing and analysis results
Running from the Command Line
bulkLoad.cmd
Syntax
Arguments
Example
Important Note About Forward and Back Slashes
bulkLoad.properties file
plugin.properties file
Running as a Scheduled Task
Bulk Costing Usage Reports (System Admins)
To configure and run createUsageReport.cmd
Understanding cost failures during bulk costing
Improving performance
11 Spreadsheet Reports
Introduction to aPriori Spreadsheet Reports
Excel and Google Sheets Compatibility
When to Use Spreadsheet Reports
System-Defined Spreadsheet Reports
To generate a spreadsheet report from the UI
Custom Spreadsheet Reports
File types
Report Definition Files
Report Output Files
Workflow
Creating a Custom Spreadsheet Report
Defining What You Want to Do
Editing XML Files
Complexity
To Generate XML or CSV Files
Elements of Report Files
Basic Structure of the XML File
The <reports> Tag
The <CostModelWatchPoints> Tag
The <node> Tag
The <CSL> Tag
The <Formula> and <Macro> Tags
Commonly Used Variables
Built-in Aggregation, Quoted Cost and other Formulas/Attributes
User Defined Attributes
Using the <Macro> Tag
Figuring Out What Variables to Use
Including part images and nesting diagrams in your report
Including information about scenario overrides
PivotTables
When to use PivotTables
To Define a PivotTable Template
To Use a PivotTable to Filter out Data
Using More Filters
Installing and Running Custom Reports
From the GUI
By Copying
Caveats
Define a shared store (System Admins Only)
Running from the Command Line
runAprioriReport.cmd
Syntax
Arguments
Examples
Troubleshooting FAQ
XML Configuration File Reference
Column Headings
<reports>
Attributes:
Child Elements:
<CostModelWatchpoints>
Attributes:
Child Elements:
<node>
Attributes:
Child Elements:
<OperationNodes>
Attributes:
Child Elements:
<CSL>
Attributes:
Child Elements
<Formula>
Attributes:
<MACRO>
Attributes:
<GcdTypes>
Attributes:
Child Elements:
<Gcd>
Attributes:
ChildElements:
<Attribute>
Glossary
aPriori Professional User Guide
Glossary
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