An Introduction to Assembly Arrangements

with Unigraphics NX2

By John Lovingood
Intro to Arrangements

Arrangements are a way to show multiple positions of

components within an assembly. They allow repositioning of an
object in three translational directions, as well as three rotations.
Arrangements allow the user to keep an accurate assembly structure
and avoid duplicates of components as is done with layer-based
assembly positions. By using Arrangements, your Assembly
structure will exactly match the Agile BOM.
Arrangements must be created with components, not just solid bodies
or parasolids.
For Arrangements to work correctly, the mating constraints must allow
the motion, i.e.. rotation or translation.
Arrangements do not depend upon Layers, the use of parameters, the
Motion Application, altreps or multiples of the same component.
Arrangements should not be used in Specification (Drafting) files as
this will disrupt Explosions (Keep Assembly in Default Arrangement).
Intro to Arrangements

There are several steps involved in

creating Arrangements:

• Select the Assemblies

Application.
• Turn on and bring the
Arrangements column in the
Assembly Navigator.
• Right click on the Descriptive
Part Name header in the Assy
Navigator. The select the
Columns tab and then the
Configure tab.
Intro to Arrangements

• Select the Arrangement

Column and check the box
beside it. Move it up through
the list so that it is just under
the Descriptive Part Name
Column.

• When done correctly, the

Assembly Navigator will look
like this 

• Next, add components and

mate them per the assembly.
Intro to Arrangements
For this demonstration, we will
create an Arrangement for a
simple latch assembly.
(arrangement_demo_jcl)
The assembly consists of a
housing, a latch pawl, a shaft,
a button and two screws.
Assemble the components per the
design and use mating
constraints. Be careful about
aligning faces and mating
surfaces.
In this example, the button moves
back in the housing, pushing
on the pawl, which rotates on
the shaft. A spring preloads the
latch against the button (not
shown)
Intro to Arrangements

2. To create an Arrangement,
select all of the components
in the assembly, then right
click to bring up the
Component Properties Box.
• Select the Parameters tab
and check the Individually
Positioned box under
Arrangements.

• The next step is to create

the Arrangements. Right
click over the assembly and
select Arrangements and
Edit.
Intro to Arrangements

If there are no Arrangements

created, the column will be
blank (there are none to
choose from).
The Assembly Arrangements dialog
box is now displayed.
Arrangement 1 is the default
arrangement, but can be
renamed: stowed, deployed,
up, etc. For this example, the
default Arrangement will be
“LATCHED”.
A second arrangement can now be
created. This one will be called
“UNLATCHED”. Use the copy
button to create the second
arrangement.
Intro to Arrangements

The green check shows which

Arrangement is in use. The
lower button allows an
Arrangement to be set as
the default. This is at the
discretion of the user.

To setup the “UNLATCHED”

Arrangement, select it and
then check the Use button
(top right), or double click
it. Close the Assembly
Arrangements window. The
“UNLATCHED” Arrangement
is now shown in the
Arrangement column.
Intro to Arrangements

In this example, the button

moves back 0.1in, and the
latch pawl rotates around
the shaft by 19°.
Reposition the components to
their new position.

The Arrangements can now be

toggled by right clicking on
the assembly and then
Arrangements and the
desired Arrangement.
When the Assembly is saved,
the active arrangement is
set (i.e. will be loaded with
part)
Intro to Arrangements

Arrangements can be stacked

within assemblies and
subassemblies.
To do this, simply create a new
arrangement in an upper
level assembly and set the
lower level assembly to the
desired arrangement. Then
save the upper level
assembly. Repeat as
needed.
Ex. 1006065-001, 1005375-045, 1007342-015
As an example, see 1005375-
045. In this case, the
hinges, table leaves and rail
have arrangements that are
controlled at the top level.
Intro to Arrangements

By stacking arrangements, an
upper level assembly could
control all of the motion of
the seat: TTOL, Z-bed, Lie
flat, Foodtray deployment,
Video Deployment, etc.
Intro to Arrangements

Lastly, be careful with

arrangements if you are
adding or subtracting
components. Make sure that
your arrangements still
work properly. Otherwise,
you will have components
out of place =>

Notice the shroud that has

moved, and the lone
fastener in space. =>
Intro to Arrangements

Questions?