Add Virtual Components to an Assembly

You can create a virtual component from aP Pro, without using a base CAD model.

Note: if you have a CAD model, you can add the component directly, see Add Components to an Assembly.

Introduction

Virtual components can include components sourced from a supplier, non-mechanical components such as lubricant, or early conceptual parts for which a CAD model does not yet exist.

In addition:

• You can manually associate new or existing subcomponents with an active assembly regardless of the assembly’s association to a CAD model.
• You can build around an existing CAD-based assembly, to create a new component which incorporates CAD-based assembly and part components, or create an entirely virtual component.

A virtual assembly component uses the Assembly process group, using those groups' default Digital Factories, but with no default material or process routing.

Note: Virtual components do not appear in the CAD view.

Add a Virtual Component

Tip: See Creating and Analyzing Components without CAD for general details about this process.

To add a virtual component to an assembly:

1. Select the top-level assembly in the assembly tree, then right-click and select Add > New > Part

   (or select Add > New > Assembly to add an assembly).

2. Enter the virtual component details:

   

   After you add this component to the assembly, it appears in the assembly tree:

   

Tip: You can also create virtual assembly structures using the BOM Loader

Edit Virtual Components

You can edit the assembly structure and associated subcomponents using editing options in the Assembly Details tab, including, Copy, Cut, Paste, Edit Quantity and Remove. See View Assembly Details for details of these options.

You can also drag and drop a manually associated subcomponent to move it within the assembly structure.

Note: You cannot edit CAD-based assembly structures and subcomponents this way. For example, you cannot remove CAD-based subcomponents or change their quantity.