How to make a CABLE or PIPE???

[AerospacePaul]

Hello all,

I have two parts in an assembly, lets say two cilinders. One is fixed and the other can be moved just ahead, both circular faces facing each other. I wish to create a "cable" or a "pipe" between the circular faces of each cilinder in order to simulate a piping conection, but I want this pipe to adapt its shape as I move the upper cilinder in the assembly, how can I do this??? Please help! .... I dont know about Equipment&Systems workbenches at all!

Thanks,

Paul

 

[ferdo]

Hi,

http://2htts.com/CATBlog/index.php?itemid=19&catid=4

And with a little imagination you can do what you want.

Regards
Fernando

 

[jackk]

Paul,

There's an easy way to do this with Part Design and Wireframe workbenches. The Equip workbench might be better, but I don't know too much about it either)

Assuming you have an assembly that includes two cylinders (or "connectors"), and another Part for the cable.

Add a point to each of the cylinder parts, where the cable will start/end.

With the assembly window open, Activate the cable part and change the workbench to Wireframe or Surface. Now just make a 2-point spline curve by picking the points on the cylinders and use the circular faces to define the tangent directions, making sure the arrows point in the correct direction. You might want to play with the Tensions to adjust the length of the spline.

(this should result in the points and faces in the cable part becoming linked to the parent geometry in the cylinder parts.)

[I'm ignoring publications - they should be used, but I'm trying to keep this short and simple]

Once you have the spline curve, you can use the Rib command to add the wire diam.

Now, go back to the assembly and move the cylinder parts to wherever you want. Update the assembly, and the spline should follow those linked points/faces.

(the problem with this solution is the cable length is not fixed)