About attribute propagation

Attribute propagation allows you to automatically populate the values for an assembly from the structure, instead of manually re-entering component attribute values in each new assembly.

Teamcenter copies attribute values from individual components, which you specify as propagation start points (PSP), to the root node of the assembly. In the example below, the Tip Angle attribute associated with the Drill is propagated to the Tool assembly, because it is identified as the PSP.

You can then focus your Classification searches on the assembly class and more quickly find the resource data you need to manufacture a particular process or operation. Because selected component attributes are stored in the assembly class, you do not need to search the entire component list to find the attribute information you need.

PSPs define at which component in the resource structure attribute propagation begins. Only one PSP is allowed per structure unless you are working with a multitool assembly. See Working with multitool assemblies. You can set a PSP at any level in the resource assembly structure. When the assembly is saved, Resource Manager identifies the PSP in the structure and looks to that component for the attribute value to propagate. If the attribute is not found in that component, the application moves up the structure hierarchy toward the root node one component at a time, until it finds the attribute. After the attribute is found, its value is added to the root node and saved with the assembly.

Any attributes that are shown in the Properties view in italic are propagated attributes. This means that Teamcenter searches for the component in the structure that is marked as the PSP and displays that value. In the above example, when determining which value to display for Adaptor Diameter in the tool assembly, Teamcenter looks down the structure until it finds the component marked as the PSP, in this case, the drill. It then searches first for the Adaptor Diameter attribute in the drill. The attribute is not in the drill, so Teamcenter moves up the hierarchy and looks for the attribute in the adaptor. Teamcenter finds the attribute, so it displays its value (10 mm) in the Adaptor Diameter box in the tool assembly.

Tip

Click the NX CAM button in the Properties view to see all the attributes that are applicable to NX CAM. These are also the propagated attributes.

The MRMPropagationAlternateAttributes preference allows you to specify alternate attributes for propagation.

Reverse attribute propagation

In some cases, the highest component in the structure contains the attribute that should be propagated to other components in the structure. You can use a particular preference to identify specific attributes that should propagate downward rather than upward. See About reverse attribute propagation.