Detecting Interferences

This task explains how to use the Clash command to check for interferences in your document.

Checking for interferences is done in two steps:

Initial computation: detects and identifies the different types of interference.

Detailed computation: computes the graphics representation of interferences as well as the minimum distance.

Open the AnalyzingAssembly01.CATProduct document.

Click the Clash

icon.

The Check Clash dialog box and the dedicated Clash Tools toolbar appear.

The default interference analysis is detecting clashes and contacts between all components in the document.

Two interference types are available:

	Contact + Clash: checks whether two products occupy the same space zone as well as whether two products are in contact (the minimum distance is less than the total sag).
	Clearance + Contact + Clash: In addition to the above, checks whether two products are separated by less than the pre-defined clearance distance.

Results differ depending on the interference type selected for the analysis. See figure.

Set the interference type to Clearance + Contact + Clash.

Enter the desired clearance value in the field that becomes active next to the interference type. For example, enter 25mm.

Activate the second Type drop-down list box and select the computation type.

Four computation types are available:

	Between all components (default option): tests each product in the document against all other products.
	Inside one selection: within any one selection, tests each product of the selection against all other products in the same selection.
	Selection against all: tests each product in the defined selection against all other products in the document.
	Between two selections: tests each product in the first selection against all products in the second selection.

Select the computation type to Between all components.

If you set the computation type to Between two selections, define the first selection then click to activate the second selection field (Selection 2) and select desired products.

Notes:

	Any sub-assembly in the specification tree is considered a valid selection.
	Continue clicking to select as many products as you want. Products are placed in the active selection. To de-select products, reselect them in the specification tree or in the geometry area.
	Click in selection fields (fields turn black) to view your selections and be certain that you have selected the products you intended: selected products are highlighted.

Click Apply to check for interferences.

A progress bar is displayed letting you monitor and, if necessary, interrupt (Cancel option) the calculation. The Check Clash dialog box expands to show the results.

Notes:

To run another interference analysis, simply change the calculation parameters (interference type and selection) and click Apply.

To know more about Clash command results, refer to Reading Interference Results.