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Starting Route When Fittings are Route Subassembly Components

To create a pipe or tube route when fittings are route subassembly components:

  1. In Routing Options, make sure Automatically route on drop of flanges/connectors is selected.
  2. Insert a flange or other end fitting into the main assembly by clicking Insert Component (Assembly toolbar) or by dragging it from the Design Library, the File Explorer, an open part window, or Windows Explorer.

    The Design Library opens to the appropriate folder when you click one of the following:

    • Start by Drag/Drop Tool_StartByDragDrop_Piping.gif (Piping toolbar).
    • Start by Drag/ Drop Tool_CreateRouteByDragAndDrop_FlexibleTubing.gif (Flexible Tubing toolbar).

  3. Set options in the Route Properties PropertyManager, then click PM_OK.gif.

    The following happens:

    • A 3D sketch opens in a new route subassembly.
    • The new route subassembly is created, and appears in the FeatureManager design tree as [Pipe<n> or Tube<n>-<assembly_name>] .
    • A stub of pipe or tube appears, extending from the flange or fitting you just placed.

  4. Sketch the path of the run using Line Tool_Line_Sketch.gif (Sketch toolbar). For flexible tube routes, you can also use Spline Tool_Spline_Sketch.gif (Sketch toolbar). Press Tab to change from one sketch plane to another. See Visualizing the 3D Space for tips on working with 3D sketches.

    You do not need mates or sketch relations between the components of the route subassembly, because the sizes and positions are driven by the 3D sketch. Each component in the route subassembly is parametrically related to the 3D sketch. If you change the sketch in any way, the pipes, tubes, and fittings are updated automatically. For information on mating end fittings, see Mating in Routing Subassemblies.

  5. Add fittings as needed.
  6. Exit the sketch.
The following appear in the FeatureManager design tree of the route subassembly:
  • Components FM_folder.gif folder containing the flanges and fittings you placed in the route. If any custom elbow fittings are required, the sketch segments are highlighted, and the dimensions are displayed for each individual case. You can select an alternate fitting, create a custom fitting, or choose to form a bend in the pipe or tube.
  • Route Parts FM_folder.gif folder containing the pipe or tube that was created as a virtual component when you exited the sketch.
    • For pipes, configurations for each unique cut length in the current route are created.
    • For tubes, a separate part file is created for each tube segment in the route (unless you selected Multibody part in the Route Properties PropertyManager).
  • Route FM_Icon_Piping_Route.gif feature containing the 3D sketch that defines the path of the route. The 3D sketch is related parametrically to the components in the route subassembly. If you move a component, the route parts update automatically.
Click Edit Route Tool_EditExistingPipingRoute_Piping.gif (Piping toolbar) or Edit Route Tool_EditExistingFlexTubeRoute_FlexibleTubing.gif (Flexible Tubing toolbar) to edit an existing route.


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