Creating a Tube in an Assembly

[raymondgajewski]

In an assembly how do I pick a part to begin my pipe/tube run? I have an asm file that is the entire plant with equipment. I have a part drawing, in the asm, for piping. When I edit in place the piping file, I can't select any of the equipment in the plant layout part file. I can activate the part, but that doesn't give me a starting point or reference to utilize for the tube/pipe run.

 

[bshand]

If you want to reference other parts in the assembly for a profile or path sketch (probably a 3D sketch) you need to make sure "peers" is on. While in-place editing the part go to tools/edge locate/peers.

 

[raymondgajewski]

I see that for 3D sketching but not in XpresRoute and can't figure out how to add the command to XPRESROUTE. The "Edge Select" only shows up on 3D sketch's menu.

 

[bshand]

OK. You didn't specify that you're using Xpressroute. With that I can't help. Never used it.

 

[raymondgajewski]

Thanks for the information. So you utilize 3D sketches for the piping/tubing runs you create? I wasn't sure if that was an easier way, seems to be.

 

[bshand]

You can tell me if Xpresroute is/isn't a better tool for tubing runs. Doesn't it have smart ends/fittings, etc.?
Anyway, yes, if I was just modeling a tube with a plain part that occupies more than one plane I would use 3D sketches. 3D sketches are new in ST7 I believe. Prior to that you had to generate a lot of planes and sketches in order to construct a multidimensional tube. A rather big PITA.

 

[raymondgajewski]

That is correct. Both tube and piping have "connectors" built into the process. But, you/I can't select other components as reference points. (initial post)

 

[bshand]

Unfortunately I know next to nothing about Xpresroute. You should post your question on a much more active forum:

http://community.plm.automation.siemens.com/t5/Solid-Edge-Forum/bd-p/solid-edge-forum

Answers will likely be almost immediate from many users.

 

[beachcomber]

You shouldn't have any problems locating other parts - but they have to be activated.

bc.
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