Variant rule & saved variant rule(SVR) will be discussed,referring to the same example from variant data post of classic variant.

Variant Rule

To determine the variant of the structure to be configured, variant rule is set. For the defined options , values are set (from the list of values for the specific option) in the variant rule dialog box. Click the Variant Rule button on the toolbar or choose Tools→Variant Rule.

PSEVariantsMode preference is set to legacy to display variant rule dialog box. The preference is set to hybrid or modular to display configure dialog

It is not required to specify values for all the options available. Only mandatory option values may be specified. Optionally, you can set values for non-mandatory options too. Few options may have default value, that is already set.

Setting Single/Multiple Value for variant rule

• Single Rule-Single Value(one option-one value) for 100% BOM
• Single Rule-Multiple Value(one option-multiple value) for 120% BOM

Configuring 100% BOM

Single Rule-Single Value

Variant rule is loaded in default mode. For each of the specified option, only one value can be set in the variant rule dialog.

Configuring 120% BOM

Single Rule-Multiple Value

In the Variant Rule Dialog, select ‘Allow multiple option values for option’. For each of the option, multiple values can be selected now. The selected values are displayed as an (OR) expression. It can be changed by setting different delimiter in PS_option_value_delimiter preference.

Note: In 120% BOM, defaults, derived default values and variant rule checks are not evaluated.

By clearing the checkbox, ‘Allow multiple option values for option’ 120% BOM is changed to 100% BOM and configured by default variant rule. Defaults, derived default values and variant rule checks will be evaluated for 100% BOM.

Saved Variant Rule

Saved Variant Rule is a variant rule workspace object. Product structure is configured by its variant data , when variant rule is set in the Variant Rule Dialog. Options and its specified values are set in the dialog. Values can be set by user, can be fixed default or derived default. Variant rule will configure the structure, loading occurrences based on variant conditions on it.

Variant rule that configured the structure, can be saved as workspace object in the same state, to exactly reconfigure this structure in later sessions. They may be required when:

• User does not want to re-enter the values in the variant rule every time, they login to teamcenter.
• The specific configuration of the product structure is required later for testing, analysis, or marketing purposes.

Click on Save As in the rule dialog to save this rule as SVR. Specify a name for this SVR and fill the other required fields. Fixed and derived default values can be saved in SVR as ‘Set by User’ values, when Save default and derived default values as user set is selected.

Teamcenter stores saved variant rules on the top-level item revision of the structure in the current window. This SVR is attached to item revision by manifestation default relation type.

Load Saved Variant Rule from database

To load the SVR from database ,click on Load button in Variant Rule dialog box . Any SVR attached to current selected line in the structure is displayed in the Load Variant Rule dialog box. SVR to load can be searched by item revision or by SVR name to add to the SVR list.

In this example, in the car product structure, a subassembly is opened in the structure manager. Saved Variant Rule 1 & SVR 2 are SVRs attached to subassembly’s corresponding item revision. Required SVRs are added to the list and SVR is selected to set it in variant rule (state indicated as Set by<rule>) to configure the product structure.

Loading Type

Any existing option value already set in the variant rule dialog will be affected by loading type as follows:

• Selecting ‘Override’, any option not defined by loaded SVR, will be unset in the variant rule dialog box.
• Selecting ‘Update’, any option not defined by loaded SVR, will maintain its state in the variant rule dialog.
• Selecting ‘Allow Multiple Variant Rules’, will allow atleast two or more SVRs to be loaded and set in variant rule dialog box. These rules cannot be modified. This option is used to configure Overlay BOM.

In Variant Rule Dialog , before selecting SVR.

After selecting SVR-Luxury Car with ‘Override’ loading type:

After selecting SVR-Luxury Car with ‘Update’ loading type:

Configuring Overlay BOM

In overlay BOM, user can select multiple saved variant rules (SVRs) to configure the structure. Evaluation of multiple SVRs is as an OR expression of values for the same option.

Let’s take an example:

SVR1

SVR2

Evaluation of Rule for Overlay BOM (SVR1 & SVR2)

In an overlay BOM, default values, derived default values, and variant rule checks are not evaluated.

Overlay mode requires at least two SVRs to load. In an overlay configuration, individual SVRs may have multiple values for their options. Variant tab editing not allowed for options, option default & rule check branches in overlay mode.

Variant Item

Variant Item specifies nonvariable elements of the structure. Variant Item is partially supported in structures that include classic variants. It has to be manually created and linked and cannot be automatically created or updated while using classic variant. It is discussed more with modular variant, where variant items are fully supported.

PSEAllowLegacyVICreation preference needs to be set to true to allow creation of variant item for structures that include classic variant options.

Also Read:

Classic Variant-Variant Data

Modular Variant Configuration in Structure Manager

Variant Items-Modular Variant

Difference between Classic & Modular Variants

Revision Rules in Teamcenter

 

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