Export to PowerFab Bolt XML data

Tekla Structures
Tekla PowerFab
Not version-specific
Tekla Structures
Not version-specific
Tekla PowerFab Tekla PowerFab GO
export to epm
Export to PowerFab
XML Files
xml
PFXT
Environment
Not environment-specific

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Prerequisite Knowledge

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Default data included in XML file

Data Description Example Data
PartId Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) of the bolt group.

<PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>

PartMark* This will always be blank because bolts in Tekla Structures do not have part marks.

<PartMark />

MainMember* This will always be false because bolts in Tekla Structures are always attached to a member and never the main member.

<MainMember>false</MainMember>

PartQuantity Number of bolts in the bolt group,

<PartQuantity>3</PartQuantity>

Shape The default values for shape are HS, MB, NU, WA, or STD. * <Shape>HS</Shape>
Dimensions The diameter and length of the bolt as defined in the Bolt catalog properties.

<Dimensions Metric="0">HS 0.75" x 2.5"</Dimensions>

Grade

For Bolts (HS or MB), the grade is defined by the Standard set in Bolt assembly catalog properties.*

For Nuts, Washers, and Studs, the grade is defined by the  Standard set in the Bolt catalog properties.*

<Grade>F1852</Grade>

Length** The length value will not be populated as it is provided in the Dimensions.

<Length UOM="in"></Length>

Remark Will report Field or Shop based on bolt group the Bolt type property.

<Remark>Field</Remark>

* The SHAPE and GRADE data may be overridden by the hard coded translations.

** These fields are sections that are required for parts, but are not applicable to bolts. Because the format for bolts is the same, the values will be empty.

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Shape

The default values for SHAPE are HS, MB, NU, WA, or STD depending on the Type specified in the Bolt Catalog

Image
Screenshot highlighting the Bolt Catalog bolt types and callouts showing the default shape for export to PowerFab

It is possible to manually override individual bolt group bolt SHAPE by specifying the User-defined values for Bolt Shape. It is not possible to manually override nut or washer SHAPE values.

Image
Screenshot of the Bolt Group User-defined values highlighting the "Bolt Shape" value.
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Grade (Material)

Bolt Assemblies GRADE data is output differently depending on the component of the assembly. Bolts obtain the GRADE data based on the Bolt Assembly Catalog Standard value for the assembly.

Image
Screenshot of the Bolt Assembly Catalog highlighting the "Standard" field and explaining that this value is output in the XML data for Grade.

All other bolt assembly elements obtain the GRADE data based on the Bolt Catalog Standard value for the assembly.

Image
Screenshot of the Bolt Catalog highlighting the "Standard" field and explaining that PowerFab XML data output for Nuts, Washers, and Studs is populated from this field.
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Hard coded translations

When Export to PowerFab compiles the XML file data, there are a few hard coded translations that are performed. These can affect both the <SHAPE> and <GRADE> data that is exported.

Note:
These translations are not applied when specifying a User-defined Bolt Shape.

Anytime a Grade contains the text "TC", then the shape is set to "HS"

<SHAPE>HS</SHAPE>

If the bolt Grade contains "TC" and "A325", then the grade is set to "A325TC"

<GRADE>A325TC</GRADE>

If the bolt Grade contains "TC" and "A490", then the grade is set to "A490TC"

<GRADE>A490TC</GRADE>

If the bolt Grade does not contain TC, but does contain "A325, "A490", "F1852", "F2280" or "F3148", then the shape is "HS", and the grade is left as-is.

<SHAPE>HS</SHAPE>

If the bolt grade does not contain TC and isn't any of those grades, then the shape is set to "MB"

<SHAPE>MB</SHAPE>

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Example XML data for bolt assembly

<AssemblyPart>
      <PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>
      <PartMark />
      <MainMember>false</MainMember>
      <PartQuantity>1</PartQuantity>
      <Shape>HS</Shape>
      <Dimensions Metric="0">HS 0.75" x 1.5"</Dimensions>
      <Grade>A325TC</Grade>
      <Length UOM="in"></Length>
      <Remark>Field</Remark>
</AssemblyPart>
<AssemblyPart>
      <PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>
      <PartMark />
      <MainMember>false</MainMember>
      <PartQuantity>1</PartQuantity>
      <Shape>NU</Shape>
      <Dimensions Metric="0">NU 0.75"</Dimensions>
      <Grade>HEAVY_HEX</Grade>
      <Length UOM="in"></Length>
      <Remark>Field</Remark>
</AssemblyPart>
<AssemblyPart>
      <PartId>1cd0dbe6-bc01-4dd4-a47d-4a78c4766642</PartId>
      <PartMark />
      <MainMember>false</MainMember>
      <PartQuantity>1</PartQuantity>
      <Shape>WA</Shape>
      <Dimensions Metric="0">WA 0.75"</Dimensions>
      <Grade>PLAIN</Grade>
      <Length UOM="in"></Length>
      <Remark>Field</Remark>
</AssemblyPart>
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