Get references for Piping in assembly

[HenrikF]

Hi! I have a problem making pipes, or steampipes in an application. I was provided with an assembly, containing both parts and sub-assemblies of which I have no ability to edit. In two different sub-asseblies I got two hose fittings, which I want to fit a tube between.

If it is possible I would like to make my tube in a seperatet part, using "Insert>Advanced>pipe"-command and datum points.
However, I have problems to determine the starting and stopping position for the hose, ie. where in my part the tube should be drawn.

The way I want it to work, is that I include my tube-part in the assembly, turn Reference control to all, and puts datum points in my tube-part which references to the tubefittings in the assembly. But then I gets a dependency between my assembly and my tube-part which I dont want to have.

Is there any way to "break" that dependency so that my tube part have no connection to my assembly whats so ever? But still includes my datum points with right relative position to each other?

I cant figure this out =)

Best reg
Henrik

 

[nrostrander]

Henrik,

The way I found works the best is to create an assembly and position all the componets that you need to connect. The next step is to place datum planes at the connection of the first componet. Now measure the distances in all three planes to your next componet. In your tube part, create a datum point set and position the first datum point offset, not on, 0.00 from all three default datum planes and the second point offset from the default datums to the end connection (i name the datum point set "connection_points"). Now I create a pipe feature and select from datum points set, now create a new datum point set "on the fly". Position the first point on your first point of the "connection_points". Add additional intermediate datum points in the set, and finally place your last point on the second datum point of your "connection_points" set. Finish the feature as normally.

I use this method so adjustments to the end points easily achieved by just changing the dimensions of the "connection_points" set.

Just remember that if changes to the connection points in the assembly occur, your pipe will not auto adjust. You can also look into creating a skelton model for your piping if you have many connections. But for simple designed pipes, this method works best for me.

V/R
Nathan
CAD Technician/ISO Director
Compass Systems, Inc. (

http://www.compass-sys-inc.com/

)