Configuring structures with variant rules

Configuring structures with variant rules You can configure product structures using variant rules, which allow you to define options, their allowed values, and variant conditions to create a single generic product structure that can be tailored for different product variants. You can understand how to manage default options, derived defaults, and variant rule checks. Manufacturers often want to develop a range of products based on the same generic platform, offering their customers choice, but at the least engineering cost. One approach is to create a single generic product structure that can be configured for each variant of the product offered. Using Teamcenter, you can define options and the corresponding allowed values and attach them to an item, typically the top-level item in the structure. For example, you can define a Gearbox option with the allowed values of Manual and Automatic. You then attach a logical expression, referred to as a variant condition, to any occurrences of the components that are configurable, for example, the automatic and manual gearboxes. The expression refers to the defined options and can be as complex as necessary. You choose the desired option values for a configuration and set them in a variant rule. Teamcenter evaluates the variant conditions on the occurrences in the structure against the set option values, and components are configured accordingly. Unconfigured components can be hidden. A designer can preset the option values in the variant rule. The preset value may be a default option or a derived default option. Default option A default value is a value that you preset for an option. For example, the option aerial may have a default value set to standard. Derived default option A derived default is a value that is set to a value that depends on a condition. For example, the option radio may have a value stereo if car type = GLX. For more information about default and derived default options, see the Working with option defaults in Structure Management on Rich Client ─ Usage. Designers can define combinations of option values that are not allowed using the variant rule checks. A variant rule check consists of a condition (for example, engine = 1200 AND gearbox = automatic) and an error message (for example, Incompatible engine and gearbox). An error message containing the condition and message is displayed if the rule check fails when you configure a structure with the variant rule. You can view existing variant rules and variant configuration data. Additionally, you can change the configuration data and save the updated rule as a new variant rule. You can apply any existing or updated variant rule configuration to your structure. To view or update saved variant rules, ensure that the PSEVariantsMode preference is set to legacy. Engineering BOM Management ─ Usage, 2606 Unpublished work. © 2026 Siemens