Adding New Plant Variables

This section provides an example of adding new plant variables (also known as cost model variables) to a process group. The example uses the sample custom process AbrasiveJet Cut, which is copied from Laser Cut, and will mimic Waterjet Cut (see Adding a New Process to a Process Group). An additional example is also included, to support a further customization related to cycle time padding.

This section includes the following subsections:

• Adding Plant Variables for a New Process

• Adding Plant Variables: Padding Cycle Time

For more information on plant variables, see Working with Plant Variables in Working with Cost Model Data and Metadata.

Adding Plant Variables for a New Process

Follow these steps to add the AbrasiveJet plant variables:

1. In the navigation pane, expand Global Cost Model Information, and double click Cost Model Variables.

2. In the editing pane, scroll to the bottom, and double click the cell underneath New:

   

3. Enter the information in the table below. Double-click a cell to enter a value. In the Unit Type Name field, when you select an item from the dropdown list, a value for the Unit field appears automatically.

 

Varaible Name	String Value	Unit Type Name	Unit	Notes
abrasiveJetAbrasiveCost	.7275	CostPerMass	US Dollar / kilogram	Cost of garnet abrasives for use in AbrasiveJet Cutting. Used to calculate expendable tooling cost.
abrasiveJetCornerAjustmentFactor	.09	Time	second	Additional cycle time applied to account for the extra time required to stop the feed rate at each corner during AbrasiveJet Cutting.
abrasiveJetCutTimeAdjustmentFactor	1.4			Adjustment applied to AbrasiveJet cut time to account for the extra time required for acceleration or deceleration to the required feed rate.
abrasiveJetInsertCost	155	Currency	US Dollar	Cost of inserts for use in AbrasiveJet Cutting. Used to calculate expendable tooling cost.
abrasiveJetInsertLife	400	hr	hour	Life in hours of inserts for use in AbrasiveJet Cutting. Used to calculate expendable tooling cost.
abrasiveJetKerf	.6858	Length	millimeter	Kerf width for an AbrasiveJet Cut part.
abrasiveJetMaxMixingTubeDiameter	1.524	Length	millimeter	Maximum possible diameter of the abrasiveJet mixing tube.
abrasiveJetMaxOrificeDiameter	0.4	Length	millimeter	Maximum possible diameter of the abrasiveJet jeweled orifice.
abrasiveJetMaxPartThickness	254	Length	millimeter	Maximum part thickness for AbrasiveJet Cutting. AbrasiveJets can actually cut thicker parts but the cutting model breaks down above this threshold.
abrasiveJetMinPartThickness	.03	Length	millimeter	Minimum part thickness for AbrasiveJet Cutting.
abrasiveJetSmallEdgeThreshold	.005			Ratio of individual edge segment length to total perimeter length below which an edge is considered small and must be cut using a slower feed rate.
abrasiveJetWallThicknessToDepthRatio	.003			Minimum allowable ratio of wall thickness to part thickness for an AbrasiveJet Cut part.

Adding Plant Variables: Padding Cycle Time

This section adds a plant variable to support cycle time padding. This variable can be used directly in a taxonomy module (see Padding Cycle Time by Adding a Constant), or to supply a default value for a process setup option (see Adding a Setup Option: Padding Cycle Time). See also Modifying a Machine Type: Padding Cycle Time.

Follow these steps to define the variable:

1. In the navigation pane, expand Global Cost Model Information, and double click Cost Model Variables.

2. In the editing pane, scroll to the bottom, and double click the cell underneath New:.

3. Enter a new line in the table, specifying the following information:

   2. Field Name: AbrasiveJetCycleTimeAdditiveAdjustment

   3. String Value: 0

   4. Unit Type Name: Time