This chapter describes the windows, menus, dialogs, usage conventions, and other details of the CE/TOL SixSigma user interface.

4.1 Main Window

The CE/TOL SixSigma main window (Figure 4-1) is the focal point for analysis and optimization of the tolerance model.

Figure 4-1.  Main window

4.1.1 Menus

The main window contains six menus. Menu options that are not currently active are grayed out.

File

The File menu (Figure 4-2) provides the tolerance model file management options.

Figure 4-2.  Main window File menu

New - Closes the current tolerance model and starts a new one.

Open - Opens a previously saved tolerance model.

Save - Saves the current tolerance model.

Save As - Saves the current tolerance model to a name and location specified by the user.

Preview Report - Opens a window showing the text report of the current tolerance model and allows the user to save the report as a text file.

Print Report - Prints the text report of the current tolerance model to a printer.

Print Spec Plot - Prints the Specification Variation Plot (Spec Plot) of the current (highlighted) design specification.

The File menu lists the most recently open tolerance models (Windows NT only). The user can open any tolerance model on the list by selecting it.

Pro/E

The Pro/E menu (Figure 4-3) is used to connect to Pro/E and perform data transfer between the CE/TOL SixSigma tolerance model and Pro/ENGINEER.

Figure 4-3.  Main window Pro/E menu

Connect to Pro/ENGINEER (Disconnect from Pro/ENGINEER) - Connects CE/TOL SixSigma to Pro/ENGINEER when Pro/E is running. If Pro/E is connected, the menu changes to Disconnect from Pro/ENGINEER.

Sync from Pro/ENGINEER - Updates the tolerance model with geometry changes in the Pro/E assembly.

Write Tolerances to Pro/ENGINEER - Writes tolerance values from the tolerance model to the parametrically linked variables in the Pro/E assembly. For information about parametrically linked variables, see the Parametric Part Dimensioning chapter.

Read Tolerances from Pro/ENGINEER - Reads tolerance values from the dimension and GD&T in the Pro/E assembly to the tolerance model.

Edit

The Edit menu (Figure 4-4) allows the user to manage the CE/TOL SixSigma settings and the Process Library data.

Figure 4-4.  Main window Edit menu

Preferences - Opens the Preferences dialog.

Save Preferences Now - Saves the current preferences settings to the preferences.txt file in the CE/TOL load point directory.

Process Library - Opens the Manufacturing Process Library for editing.

Analysis

The Analysis menu (Figure 4-5) provides tools for analysis and optimization of the tolerance model.

Figure 4-5.  Main window Analysis menu

Calculate Sensitivities - Starts the sensitivity calculation process for all design specifications defined in the current tolerance model.

Optimize - Opens the tolerance model optimization dialog for the active design specification.

Sensitivity Matrix - Opens a window showing the vector of first-order sensitivities and the matrix of second-order sensitivities of the active design specification.

Sensitivity Plot - Opens a sorted Pareto chart of the first order-sensitivities of the active design specification.

Contribution Plot - Opens a sorted Pareto chart of the percent contributions of the active design specification.

View

The View menu (Figure 4-6) allows the user to customize the CE/TOL SixSigma interface.

Figure 4-6.  Main window View menu

Toolbar - Shows/hides the toolbar at the top of the main window.

Status Bar - Shows/hides the status bar at the bottom of the main window.

Network Diagram - Shows/hides the Network Diagram window.

Help

The Help menu (Figure 4-7) provides access to on-line documentation and revision information.  Netscape Navigator 4.x or higher must be installed in order to access the on-line documentation.

Figure 4-7.  Main window Help menu

Help Topics - Opens the CE/TOL SixSigma on-line User Reference Manual.

About CE/TOL SixSigma - Shows the version number of the currently installed CE/TOL SixSigma.

4.1.2 Toolbar

The toolbar buttons (Figure 4-8) provide shortcuts to frequently used menu items. Options not currently available are grayed out.

Figure 4-8.  Main window toolbar

The menu items corresponding to these buttons are listed below in the order they appear on the toolbar.

New - Closes the current tolerance model and starts a new one.

Open - Opens a previously saved tolerance model.

Save - Saves the current tolerance model.

Print Report - Prints the text report of the current tolerance model to a printer or a text file.

Connect to Pro/ENGINEER (Disconnect from Pro/ENGINEER) - Connects CE/TOL SixSigma to Pro/E.  If Pro/E is connected, this menu changes to Disconnect from Pro/ENGINEER.

Calculate Sensitivities - Starts the sensitivity calculation process for all design specifications defined in the current tolerance model.

Optimize - Opens the tolerance model optimization dialog for the active design specification.

Network Diagram - Shows/hides the Network Diagram window.

Help Topics - Opens the CE/TOL SixSigma on-line User Reference Manual.  Netscape Navigator 4.x or higher must be installed in order to access the on-line documentation.

4.1.3 Tolerance Model Tree

The Tolerance Model Tree (Figure 4-9) is located below the menu and toolbar of the main window. It displays the tolerance model information in a tree structure.

Figure 4-9.  Main window Tolerance Model Tree

The top level of the tree is the Pro/E assembly or assembly simplified rep the tolerance model is associated with.

The next level of the Tolerance Model Tree is composed of the parts and the kinematic joints that have been included in the tolerance model. The part and joint icons can be expanded to expose the tolerances that are found on each part or joint. Each tolerance in turn can be expanded to expose the variables that it controls. The following chapters provide detailed information about parts, joints, tolerances, and variables.

The columns of the Tolerance Model Tree summarize some of the important information of each part, kinematic joint, tolerance, or variable.

4.1.4 Design Specification List (Spec List)

The Design Specification List, also referred to as the Spec List, is located below of the Tolerance Model Tree on the main window (Figure 4-10). It lists all the design specifications that have been defined on the current tolerance model.

Figure 4-10.  Main window Design Specification List

Each row of the Spec List (excluding the bottom row) represents a design specification. The columns of the Spec List display some of the important information of each design specification. The bottom row of the Spec List displays the results of the design specification roll-up. A check in the box to the left of each design specification icon indicates that it is included in the design specification roll-up.

Only one design specification is active in CE/TOL SixSigma at a time. A design specification is activated by highlighting it in the Spec List.

4.1.5 Specification Variation Plot (Spec Plot)

The Specification Variation Plot window, also referred to as the Spec Plot, is located at the bottom of the main window (Figure 4-11). The resulting statistical distribution plot or worst-case variation plot of the active design specification is shown in this window.

Figure 4-11.  Main window Specification Variation Plot

4.1.6 Status Bar

The status bar (Figure 4-12) is located at the bottom of the main window.

Figure 4-12.  Main window status bar

The left portion of the status bar gives information about the menu or toolbar item on the main window to which the mouse cursor is currently pointing. The PTC symbol is displayed in the first field to the right of the information field.  This field indicates whether CE/TOL SixSigma is connected (“unbroken” PTC symbol) or disconnected (“broken” PTC symbol) with Pro/E.  The interface units are displayed in the next two fields to the right of this PTC field. These two fields indicate the angular and linear units the tolerance model information is displayed in. The interface units are set as user preferences and can differ from the units of the Pro/E assembly and parts. The right-most field indicates whether CE/TOL SixSigma is currently set to perform statistical tolerance analysis or worst-case tolerance analysis.

4.2 Assembly Network Diagram

The tolerance model creation operations are accessed through the Network Diagram window. The Network Diagram window is separate from the main window. By default, it is located below the main window.

The Network Diagram window displays the Assembly Network Diagram and the Part Network Diagram. The Assembly Network Diagram (Figure 4-13) provides an abstract view of the parts in the tolerance model, the joints that connect them, and the design specifications that represent the fit and performance requirements of the assembly.  The associated Pro/E assembly name is in the window title bar.  If the tolerance model is created against a simplified rep, the simplified rep name is shown in parenthesis after the assembly name.

Figure 4-13.  Assembly Network Diagram

4.2.1 Menus

The Assembly Network Diagram has four menus.

File

The File menu (Figure 4-14) provides the tolerance model file management options.

Figure 4-14.  Assembly Network Diagram File menu

Save - Saves the current tolerance model.

Print Diagram - Sends a plot of the Assembly Network Diagram to a printer.

Close Window - Closes the Network Diagram window.

Edit

The Edit menu (Figure 4-15) provides utilities to add and delete items from the tolerance model.

Figure 4-15.  Assembly Network Diagram Edit menu

Add Part - Opens the Create Part dialog.

Add Joint - Opens the Create/Edit Joint dialog.

Add Spec - Opens a sub-menu with two options, Measurement and Joint DOF (Figure 4-16).

Figure 4-16.  Add Spec sub-menu

Measurement - Opens the Create/Edit Measurement dialog.

Joint DOF - Opens the Create/Edit Joint DOF dialog.

Delete Selected - Deletes the object highlighted in the Assembly Network Diagram.

Part/Joint Order - Opens the Change Part/Joint Order dialog.

The user can also open the Edit menu by right-mouse clicking on the background of the Assembly Network Diagram window.

View

The View menu (Figure 4-17) allows the user to customize the Network Diagram window.

Figure 4-17.  Network Diagram View menu

Toolbar - Shows/hides the toolbar at the top of the Network Diagram window.

Status Bar - Shows/hides the status bar at the bottom of the Network Diagram window.

Arrange - Arranges part, joint, and design specification icons in the Assembly Network Diagram.

Part Diagram - Changes from the Assembly Network Diagram to the Part Network Diagram of the highlighted part.

Help

The Help menu (Figure 4-18) provides access to the on-line documentation.  Netscape Navigator 4.x or higher must be installed in order to access the on-line documentation.

Figure 4-18.  Network Diagram Help menu

Help Topics - Opens the CE/TOL SixSigma on-line User Reference Manual.

Toolbar

The toolbar buttons (Figure 4-19) provide shortcuts to frequently used menu items.

Figure 4-19.  Assembly Network Diagram toolbar

The menu items corresponding to these buttons are listed below in the order they appear on the toolbar.

Save - Saves the current tolerance model.

Add Part - Opens the Create Part dialog.

Add Joint - Opens the Create/Edit Joint dialog.

Measurement - Opens the Create/Edit Measurement dialog.

Arrange - Arranges part, joint, and design specification icons in the Assembly Network Diagram.

Help Topics - Opens the CE/TOL SixSigma on-line User Reference Manual.  Netscape Navigator 4.x or higher must be installed in order to access the on-line documentation.

4.2.2 Status Bar

The status bar (Figure 4-20) is located at the bottom of the Network Diagram window.

Figure 4-20.  Network Diagram status bar

The left portion of the status bar gives information about the menu or toolbar item on the Network Diagram window to which the mouse cursor is currently pointing. The Under and Over fields on the right side of the status bar compose the Degree of Freedom Checker (DOF Checker).

4.2.3 Degree of Freedom Advisor

If the preferences are set to do so, the Degree of Freedom Advisor (DOF Advisor) will indicate which degrees of freedom are improperly constrained. It will place a number next to and red arrow on the part or joint on the Network diagram window that should be examined for DOF problems.

4.3 Part Network Diagram

The Part Network Diagram is accessed from the Assembly Network Diagram by right-mouse clicking on a part icon and selecting View Part Graph from the pop-up window (Figure 4-21). The Part Network Diagram replaces the Assembly Network Diagram in the Network Diagram window.

Figure 4-21. Accessing the Part Network Diagram

The Part Network Diagram (Figure 4-22) provides an abstract view of the overlay dimensioning scheme of each part. It shows the DRFs, GD&T callouts, and datum features on a part, as well as the joints and design specifications that reference datum features on the part.

Figure 4-22. Part Network Diagram

4.3.1 Menus

File

The File and Help menus on the Part Network Diagram are identical to the File and Help menus of the Assembly Network Diagram.  The Edit and View menus are described below:

Edit

The Edit menu (Figure 4-23) provides utilities to add and delete items from the tolerance model.

Figure 4-23. Part Network Diagram Edit menu

Add Datum - Opens the Datum Create/Edit dialog.

Add DRF - Opens the DRF Create/Edit dialog.

Delete Selected - Deletes the object highlighted in the Part Network Diagram.

View

The View menu (Figure 4-24) allows the user to customize the Network Diagram window.

Figure 4-24. Network Diagram View menu

Toolbar - Shows/hides the toolbar at the top of the Network Diagram window.

Status Bar - Shows/hides the status bar at the bottom of the Network Diagram window.

Arrange - Arranges part, joint, design specification, DRF, and datum feature icons in the Part Network Diagram.

Assembly Diagram - Changes from the Part Network Diagram to the Assembly Network Diagram.

4.3.2 Toolbar

The toolbar buttons (Figure 4-25) provide shortcuts to frequently used menu items.

Figure 4-25.  Part Network Diagram toolbar

The menu items corresponding to these buttons are listed below in the order they appear on the toolbar.

Save - Saves the current tolerance model.

Add Datum - Opens the Create/Edit Datum Feature dialog.

Add DRF - Opens the Create/Edit DRF dialog.

Arrange - Arranges part, joint, design specification, DRF, and datum feature icons in the Part Network Diagram.

Assembly Diagram - Changes from the Part Network Diagram to the Assembly Network Diagram.

Help Topics - Opens the CE/TOL SixSigma on-line User Reference Manual.  Netscape Navigator 4.x or higher must be installed in order to access the on-line documentation.

4.4 Symbol Display and Highlighting in Pro/E

CE/TOL displays tolerance model symbols and highlights those symbols and their associated Pro/E features in the Pro/E assembly window to give the user information about the tolerance model (Figure 4-26).

Figure 4-26.  Symbol display and highlighting in Pro/E

4.4.1 Symbol Display

CE/TOL displays three types of symbols in the Pro/E assembly window to represent the tolerance model:

·         Design Specifications

·         Kinematic Joints

·         Datum Reference Frames

CE/TOL preference settings determine which symbols are displayed in Pro/E.

4.4.2 Highlighting

If the preferences are set to do so, selecting a spec, joint, DRF, part, or datum in the Network Diagram will highlight the corresponding symbol in the Pro/E assembly, along with the Pro/E features (surfaces, edges, axes, datums) used to define the selected items. In addition, if a part is in parametric mode, highlighting a dimension from the Edit Part dialog will highlight the corresponding dimension in Pro/E.

The highlight in Pro/E option can be turned on or off from the Pro/E tab of the Preferences dialog.

CE/TOL highlights three items in the Pro/E assembly:

·         CE/TOL tolerance model symbols

·         Pro/E features used to define a tolerance model symbol

·         Pro/E part dimension parameters

Highlighting an icon on the CE/TOL Network Diagram highlights the corresponding symbol, feature, or dimension in Pro/E. The user has a fine degree of control over which symbols are displayed, which symbols are highlighted, and which symbol references are highlighted.  All of the display and highlighting options are controlled through the Preferences Dialog.

4.5 User Interface Conventions

4.5.1 Tree Operations

The CE/TOL SixSigma user interface uses tree structures (Figure 4-27) on several windows and dialogs. The tree structures organize the important information of the tolerance model, and their operation is similar to file management tree utilities (such as the Windows NT Explorer).

Figure 4-27.  CE/TOL SixSigma tree structure

The tree structure can be expanded or collapsed by clicking on the +/- at the far left of each tree row. Information about each item in the tree is displayed in the columns of the tree. If a column does not apply to a specific row item, that column is left blank for the row.

4.5.2 Network Diagram Layout

As a tolerance model is created, symbols corresponding to each part, joint, design specification, datum feature, DRF, and GD&T callout are added to the Assembly and/or Part Network Diagrams. CE/TOL SixSigma places these symbols in a default location. The user can manually move the symbols on the Network Diagram windows by clicking and dragging with the mouse. The Arrange option under theNetwork Diagram View menu can help with the initial placement of the symbols. The tolerance model will remember the new locations of the symbols.

4.5.3 Double-Click for Edit

To open the edit dialog for a particular item, the user can double-click a part, joint, design specification, datum feature, DRF, tolerance, or variable symbol in the Network Diagram, Tolerance Model Tree, and many other tree structures in the interface.

4.5.4 Pro/E Pick Button

Whenever a CE/TOL SixSigma dialog requires the user to pick something in the Pro/E assembly window, it is signified with a Pro/E pick button (Figure 4-28).

Figure 4-28.  Pro/E pick button

The number above the mouse image indicates the number of feature picks that must be made in the Pro/E assembly window (except for the DRF Create/Edit dialog, in which the number indicates the maximum number of picks that can be made). Clicking on the Pro/E pick button brings the Pro/E assembly window to the front of the screen and activates the Pro/E Get Select menu. CE/TOL SixSigma then waits until the user makes the required number of picks and chooses either Quit Select or Done Select from the Pro/E Get Select menu. The CE/TOL SixSigma interface then returns to the front of the screen.. When making selections in Pro/E, all standard Pro/E selection options are available (Pick, Query Sel, Sel By Menu, etc.).

4.5.5 Right-Mouse Click for Edit/Delete/Advanced

In the Network Diagram, right-mouse clicking on an icon (part, joint, design specification, DRF, datum feature) will open a pop-up menu for that item. The menu will give the user the option to edit or delete the item. It may also provide some advanced options, such as changing to the Part Network Diagram view of a part.

Right-mouse clicking in the open area of the Network Diagram will open a pop-up menu identical to the Edit menu.

4.6 User Preferences

The Preferences dialog (Figure 4-29) allows the user to customize the display, analysis, and optimization options available in CE/TOL SixSigma.

Figure 4-29.  Preferences dialog

The Preferences dialog is opened by selecting Preferences from the Edit menu on the main window. It is divided into six tabs (seven on UNIX): Pro/E, Diagram, Display, Analysis, Optimize, and Params.

·         Pro/E - Determines what tolerance model information is displayed and highlighted in the Pro/E assembly window.

·         Diagram - controls the display of Degree of Freedom Advisor feedback, Part Sequence, and Joint Sequence in the Network Diagram window.

·         Display - defines default tolerance and capability values and specifies the format of the information displayed on the CE/TOL interface.

·         Analysis - controls the analysis method (statistical/worst case) used, the accuracy of the sensitivities (1st or 2nd order), and the process library path.

·         Optimize - controls the tolerance and process optimization parameters.

·        

Params - provides access to parameters used by the sensitivity calculation algorithms.  These values should not be changed by anyone but expert users.

In WindowsNT, the default preference values are stored in the “preference.txt” file in the CE/TOL loadpoint directory.  On UNIX, the default preference values are stored in the “.cetolrc” file in the users home directory.  The default preference values are updated to match the current preference settings by selecting Save Preferences Now from the CE/TOL Edit menu.  Many of the preference values are also stored locally in the tolerance model file.  When the tolerance model file is read back in to CE/TOL, the local preference values take precedence over the default preference values.  The “Local?” column in the tables indicates whether the preference is stored off in the tolerance model file and restored the next time that model is read into CE/TOL.

4.6.1 Pro/E Preference Tab

The Pro/E preferences tab determines what tolerance model information is displayed and highlighted in the Pro/E assembly window (Figure 4-30).

Figure 4-30.  Pro/E Tab

Group	Preference	Definition	Local?
Display Symbols	Spec	Display spec symbols in Pro/E	No
	Joint	Display joint symbols in Pro/E	No
	DRF	Display DRF symbols in Pro/E	No
	Single Part Mode	Display only those symbols in Pro/E relative to the currently active part in CE/TOL	No
	Symbol Size	Symbol scaling factor	Yes
Highlight Objects	Spec	Highlight spec symbol in Pro/E when corresponding icon highlighted in CE/TOL	No
	Joint	Highlight joint symbol in Pro/E when corresponding icon highlighted in CE/TOL	No
	DRF	Highlight DRF symbol in Pro/E when corresponding icon highlighted in CE/TOL	No
	Part	Highlight part in Pro/E when corresponding icon highlighted in CE/TOL	No
	Datum	Highlight entity in Pro/E when corresponding icon highlighted in CE/TOL	No
	Variable	Show dimension parameter in Pro/E when corresponding dimension highlighted in CE/TOL Part Dialog	No
	Highlight Symbol References	Highlight entities in Pro/E used to define spec, joint, or DRF icon highlighted in CE/TOL	No

4.6.2 Diagram Preference Tab

The Diagram tab controls the display of Degree of Freedom Advisor feedback, Part Sequence, and Joint Sequence in the Network Diagram window (Figure 4-31).

Figure 4-31.  Diagram Tab

Group	Preference	Definition	Local?
Network Display   Options	DOF Status	Display Under and Over constraints on parts and joints	No
	Part Sequence	Display part sequence number	No
	Joint Sequence	Display joint sequence number	No

4.6.3 Display Preference Tab

The Display tab settings define default tolerance and capability values and specify the format of the information displayed on the CE/TOL interface (Figure 4-32).

Figure 4-32.  Display Tab

Group	Preference	Definition	Local?
Default Values	Tol	Default overlay tolerance value	Yes
	Cp	Default dimension process Cp value	Yes
	Dk	Default dimension process Dk value	Yes
Output Metrics	Assembly Quality	Quality metric displayed for assembly specs	Yes
	Part Quality	Quality metric displayed for part dimensions	Yes
Units	Linear	Linear display units for the main window and various dialog boxes	Yes
	Angular	Angular display units for the main window and various dialog boxes	Yes
	Default to Pro/E assembly Units	Sets the Linear and Angular display units preferences to match the Pro/E assembly units	Yes

4.6.4 Analysis Preference Tab

The Analysis tab controls the analysis method (statistical/worst case) used, the accuracy of the sensitivities (1st or 2nd order), and the process library path (Figure 4-33).

Figure 4-33.  Analysis Tab

Group	Preference	Definition	Local?
Mode	Statistical	Display statistical results	Yes
	Worst Case	Display worst case results	Yes
Options	Include Second-Order Effects	Calculate 2nd and cross partial derivatives	Yes
	Include Dk Effects	Include the Dk factor in statistical part and assembly quality metrics	Yes
Process Library	Filename:	Process Library file path	Yes

4.6.5 Optimize Preference Tab

The Optimize tab controls the tolerance and process optimization parameters (Figure 4-34).

Figure 4-34.  Optimize Tab

Group	Preference	Definition	Local?
	Target Assembly Quality	Target sigma value used for statistical assembly quality optimization	Yes
	Target Part Quality	Target Cp value used for statistical and worst case quality optimization	Yes
	Min. Stddev	Minimum process standard deviation optimization tool will scale a process to	Yes
	Min Tolerance	Minimum value the optimization tool will scale a tolerance to	Yes
	Tolerance Rounding	Value to which optimized tolerances are scaled to the nearest multiple of	Yes

4.6.6 Params Preference Tab

The Params tab provides access to parameters used by the sensitivity calculation algorithms (Figure 4-35).  These values should not be changed by anyone but expert users.

Figure 4-35.  Params Tab:

Group	Preference	Definition	Local?
	Derivative Step Size	Step size used to take numerical derivatives for sensitivities	Yes
	Closure Step Size	Step size used to iterate for closure during sensitivity calculation	Yes
	Maximum Closure Residual	Max amount parts allowed to deviate from perfect contact during sensitivity calculation	Yes
	Maximum Closure Iterations	Max number of iterations CE/TOL will do to close the loops during sensitivity calculation	Yes

4.6.7 Print Preference Tab (UNIX Only)

The Print tab (UNIX only) contains the UNIX print command (Figure 4-36).  All plots will be sent to the printer specified.

Figure 4-36.  Print Tab (UNIX only)

Group	Preference	Definition	Local?
Destination	Printer	Send the print job to the specified printer	No
	File	Send the print job to a file	No
Printer	Command String	UNIX print command	No

4.7 UNIX Interface Configuration File

The appearance of the UNIX version of CE/TOL can be modified via an application defaults file.  The file is named "Cetol.ad", and is located in the CE/TOL load point directory.  The file is self-documenting, and controls the font style and font size for the CE/TOL interface text, the on-screen plots, and the printed plots.  All the font parameters and some of the interface color schemes can be changed by editing this file.