Adding Parts sections to Block Diagrams in SysML

[steve.m]

HI,

I am new to the SysML component of EA and am having trouble working out how to model parts on a block. I can see on the example that the main block as a parts section. In the Internal Block Diagram, the parts are modelled with the property stereotype. In my model, no matter what I do, they all appear in the block in the properties section - even if I use a Part form the SysML 1.2 or 1.1 tool boxes.

Is there any definitive tutorial which can help with this - apart from the sample EAP as that does not show how these models were achieved.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[philchudley]

It certainly works using SysML 1.3 and the latest version 12

On a Block Definition diagram add a Block in the usual manner
Add another Block (which is a part of the first Block) to the diagram

Using the quicklinker, create a Part Association (composition) from the second Block to the First Block

EA will automatically create a Part element for the second Block and add it to the list of Parts. If you name the Role, then this is used for the name of the Part.

Please note the diagram may not updated immediately.

Also note that in SysML 1.3 Parts are known as Properties and the Block compartment is labelled Properties and not Parts

Cheers

PHil

[steve.m]

Thanks for the reply Phil.

I am on 1213 and just quickly tried out what you suggested.
I created a new EAP and selected SysML 1.3 - Systems Engineering Model from the model wizard
I opened the generated Design Module - Design Model diagram
Added a block and named it "System Block".
I then added a second and called it "Sub System".
Created a part association between the two blocks (black diamond at the System block side)
Added a role called sub to the "Sub system" side.
Closed and re-opened the diagram and the System block does not contain "Parts". It only contains "Properties" section with the entry of "sub: Sub System".

I tried the above with a new Block Diagram also after selecting "EXTENSIONS - SysML Technology - Load SysML Technology".

I am just not sure what I am missing.

Regards,
Steve

[steve.m]

Also note that in SysML 1.3 Parts are known as Properties and the Block compartment is labelled Properties and not Parts

Although you had it in bold, I only took note of it now That the compartment is labelled as properties and not parts. This is the base of my question.

In the EA Example, the compartment is labeled as parts which is what was confusing me.

I have a work around though I don't know what issues will be down the line. The workaround is to create a block diagram from under SysML 1.2 and there the "part blocks" will be in a compartment labeled "parts".

Thanks.

[robinch]

Hi,

If it matters, "properties" for the compartment seems correct to me because a SysML property mainly represents a <name, thing> relationship held by the block where the thing can be a value, a part or a reference. If the compartment is labelled "parts", I would expect it to only contain the block properties which hold the second category of things.

Robin

[steve.m]

Thanks Robin,

As I say, I am new to SysML and getting a bit bogged down with the different notation styles between revisions. There is just a discrepancy in the resource material I have and the way it was being displayed in EA. If the consensus is that the compartment should be "properties", then I can work with that.

Regards,
Steve

[robinch]

Steve,

No worry, I share your discomfort as I am trying to climb up the exact same steep learning curve. Starting with SysML and a tool and a template project not perfectly aligned to a specific version of the specifications is not for the faint of heart :-).

Out of curiosity, I had a look at the SysML 1.3 specifications about this (8.3.2.2, page 45). Basically, the document just provides hints for labelling the block compartments but the final choice is apparently left to the tool implementor or even to the user.

Regards,

Robin