Setting a variant rule

To configure a particular variant of a structure, you use a variant rule. The variant rule defines the options in the structure for which you can set values. The marketing and sales organizations typically use the variant rule to configure a particular variant of the product. However, such configurations are limited to those that the design engineer allowed when creating the variant data on the structure.

Note Some options may already have default or derived values set as part of the basic variant data. The rules define further variant data that can be created on the structure. There are three ways of setting a valid variant rule that configures an allowed variant of the product. This additional variant data is stored on an item revision. Variant rule checks Variant rule checks prevent the designer from defining option values or combinations of option values that are not allowed, as shown in the following figure. Defining a variant rule check A variant rule check consists of a condition (for example, engine = 1200 AND gearbox = automatic) and a warning message (for example, Incompatible engine and gearbox). Both the condition and the warning message are displayed if the condition is met when a user attempts to set values in the variant rule. Teamcenter displays the error when the user tries to specify the condition, rather than allowing the user to set a number of values and then displaying a number of error messages. There are two main uses of checks: To prevent incompatible option values. For example, you want to prevent users from configuring a 1200 engine with an automatic gearbox if this combination is not allowed for technical reasons. To limit the range of allowed values for a specific option in a particular product. This may be necessary when assemblies are shared between different products in which there are different allowed option value ranges. Derived defaults Derived defaults allow one option value to set any number of other related option values. Options that potentially have derived values are indicated in the variant rule as potentially derived and must be completed last. In the example in the following figure, if the option car type is set to GLX, the option radio is set to stereo by default. Defining derived values Fixed defaults Fixed defaults allow an option to be set to a specific value. In the example in the previous figure, the default value for fog lights is no; unless specified, fog lights are not fitted. The fog light components are not shown at this level of the structure.