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Assembly FEM > Non-associative workflow

Positioning component and subassembly FEMs within an assembly FEM

Positioning by moving components

You can use the standard Assemblies Move Component command to position non-associative component and subassembly FEMs within an assembly FEM. You typically move a non-associative component FEM:

  • When adding an existing FEM, and Positioning is set to Move in the Add Component dialog box.

  • When adding a new FEM, and you are prompted to by the software.

Note:

The By Constraints positioning method is not available when moving non-associative component FEMs in an assembly FEM. Assembly constraints require CAD geometry.

In addition, you can move a non-associative component at any time:

  • Right-click the component FEM in the Simulation Navigator and choose Move Component.

  • From the Assemblies menu, choose Move Component.

  • Choose Assemblies tab→Component Position group→Move Component .

You cannot move an associative component FEM that is mapped to a CAD component using the Move Component command. However, you can replace a mapped component with an alternate representation, and then move the replacement component FEM.

For more information about the Move Component command, see Move Component.

Returning components to their original position

If a component or subassembly FEM has been repositioned within the assembly FEM, you can use the Move Component to Global command to return the component to its designed position. To do so, right-click the FEM in the Simulation Navigator and choose Move Component to Global.

Positioning by coordinate systems

You can use coordinate systems to position component and subassembly FEMs within both associative and non-associative assembly FEMs using the Position Component by CSYS and Manage Component Positioning CSYS commands.

  • The Position Component by CSYS command lets you:Position a component or subassembly FEM by selecting an existing coordinate system with the desired position and orientation in space.Create and assign a new coordinate system based on the current position of the component or subassembly FEM. You can then reposition this coordinate system as needed to control the position and orientation of the component or subassembly FEM.Use this command to position one component or subassembly FEM at a time, or create one coordinate system at a time.

  • The Manage Component Positioning CSYS command lets you:Create and assign multiple coordinate systems at one time based on the current location of each component or subassembly FEM. You can then reposition any of those coordinate systems as needed to control the position and orientation of the component or subassembly FEMs.Remove the positioning relationship between multiple component or subassembly FEMs and the coordinate system assigned to each.Use this command to create coordinate systems and manage positioning relationships for multiple component or subassembly FEMs at one time.

When you assign a positioning relationship between a component or subassembly FEM and a coordinate system, the position and orientation of the component or subassembly in the assembly are no longer controlled by existing CAD geometry, but by the coordinate system you assign. Upon assigning the coordinate system, a warning message appears to alert you of this change.

When you position a subassembly FEM using a coordinate system, all component FEMs within the subassembly are positioned with respect to the coordinate system you choose.

For more information on positioning component and subassembly FEMs using coordinate systems, see Position a component or subassembly FEM using coordinate systems within an assembly FEM.

How do I

Add an existing FEM to an assembly FEM

Add a new FEM to an assembly FEM

Add a new FEM component from an FRF set to an assembly FEM

Add a new FEM component from a Mode Set to an assembly FEM

Position a component or subassembly FEM using coordinate systems within an assembly FEM

Replace component FEMs

Manage component FEM loading

Override component FEM properties

Learn more

Non-associative workflow

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Positioning component and subassembly FEMs within an assembly FEM, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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Source: https://docs.sw.siemens.com/en-US/doc/289054037/PL20200601120302950.advanced/id623271_v1 · retrieved 2026-07-17