Reducers

A reducer is used to change the diameter of the pipe or tube at a selected location.

A reducer has two connection points (CPoints) with different values for the Diameter parameter.

You can also use the Routing Component Wizard in the Routing Library Manager to prepare a part for use in Routing.

You can create two types of reducers.

Concentric reducers

Concentric reducers must have a route point (RPoint) between the CPoints.

red_con.gif

The RPoint enables you to insert a concentric reducer at a point in the middle of a sketch segment. (Use Split Entities Tool_Split_Entities_Sketch.gif on the Sketch toolbar to insert a point in the middle of a sketch segment.)

When you add a concentric reducer to the end of a route segment, the route continues through the reducer and a short route segment is added beyond the reducer so you can continue the route.

Eccentric reducers

Eccentric reducers do not have an RPoint.

You can insert eccentric reducers only at the end of a sketch segment, not at a point that you inserted in the middle of a sketch segment.

red_ecc.gif

When you add an eccentric reducer to a route, the route ends with the reducer. To continue the route from the other end of the eccentric reducer, do one of the following:
  • Right-click the CPoint and select Add to Route (to add new items to the current sub-assembly).
  • Close the route sketch, then right-click the CPoint and select Start Route (to create a new subassembly beginning at the eccentric reducer).

Geometry Requirements - Reducer

The following item is optional for a component to be used as an eccentric reducer in SOLIDWORKS Routing.

You can create an axis in an eccentric reducer to control the angular orientation of the reducer in a route sub-assembly. When you insert the reducer, the vertical axis is aligned to the first construction line drawn in the 3D sketch at the insertion point.

Names of routing sketches and dimensions are case sensitive.

Axis

An Axis:
  • Named Vertical
  • Perpendicular to the route
Example:
reducer_vertical_axis.gif