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vzak12-Amethyst
12-Amethyst
May 30, 2017
Question

Flexible hose for Reuse in multiple different assemblies - solution for simple case.

  • May 30, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 14786 views

If you look how to create simple flex hose so that it could be reused in multiple assemblies of different geometry – this is for you.

Please note, that proposed technique will fit only for cases when flexible hose goes port – to – port and does not have intermediate points that need to snap to geometry i.e. most simple case. It actually can have internal routing points but only so that they are defined relative to connectors and do not have to snap outside.

Solution uses existing Creo capabilities in flexible components and mechanism general connections (will work even in Wildfire), and its main purpose is to avoid standard flex hose assembly modification while stitched to yet another place. Below come pictures and explanations.

  1. General view of resulting assembly with flex hose :

top_flex_pipe_asm_1.jpg

  1. Flexibility definition inside flex pipe assembly (FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM in attached example) :
    In order for assembly to be fully flexible and never modify the original one, add following features into Model Properties / Flexibility : Line stock (from assembly) and Solid Pipe (from solid pipe, if you create it). Also prepare assembly level parameter called DO_YOU_WANT_FLEXIBILITY = Yes / No*.

    flex_pipe_flexibility_4a.jpgflex_pipe_flexibility_4b.jpg
  2. Interfaces preparation on flex pipe assembly level (can be skipped, but makes life very simple):
    1. MOUNT_CSYS_1 interface of General Connection type, Coincident, select CONNECTOR_1 mounting CSYS. Interface should be of “placing” type.
    2. MOUNT_CSYS_2 interface of General Connection type, Coincident, select CONNECTOR_2 mounting CSYS. Interface should be of “placing” type.
    3. MOUNT_HOSE_ASM - combined interface that includes both previous ones, of “user defined / placing” type

      flex_pipe_interface_3a.jpgflex_pipe_interface_3b.jpgflex_pipe_interface_3c.jpg
  3. Other specifics in flex hose assembly (see picture below) :
    1. Both connectors should be places as fully packaged – no constraints at all. This is critical for the workflow to succeed.
    2. Fixed length can be used over the hose, if desired.

      flex_pipe_asm_2.jpg
  4. Upon placing flex hose assembly into top assembly, confirm “yes” to use flexibility and in flexible varied items dialogue change parameter DO_YOU_WANT_FLEXIBILITY = Yes , and then OK. Ensure that your placement shows “Interface to Geometry” and select respective 2 coordinate systems to locate flex hose assembly. Confirm placement and then regenerate – hose will update its location as required.

    flex_pipe_confirm_flexibility_5a.jpgflex_pipe_change_param_5b.jpg

  5. Now same hose can be placed as many times as needed to different locations, and will always adopt to each occurrence respective geometry. It can be multiplied also by Component Repeat, Copy – Paste Special (new references) and any other existing way. At any of these, original assembly is not modified. Enjoy attached movie for entire workflow.


As mentioned above, having more routing points inside flex hose assembly is possible if they are all created respective “internal references” in the same assembly.  Having external references for routing points that each time will need to snap to another outer assembly geometry is a problem and not supported in current solution.

There is a way to do so, but it is more complicated and loses the simplicity of this solution.

So this is NOT a “full blown” flexible hose solution yet.

Hope you found this useful, any related questions and comments are appreciated.

Regards

  • Vlad

    2 replies

    V
    vzak12-AmethystAuthor
    12-Amethyst
    June 8, 2017

    Just in case anyone tried this out, any feedback / comments are appressiated.

    We are indeed interesetd to see if it serves the needs, if yes then to what extent and what are the main gaps remaining in your use cases.

    B
    byork17-Peridot
    17-Peridot
    June 8, 2017

    Vkad,

    I see this only practical if I have a very simple routing where I don't care what the path of the house is.  What if I need to change/tweak the path in between to route through or around something?

    V
    vzak12-AmethystAuthor
    12-Amethyst
    June 8, 2017

    Brian,

    You are right that current solution addresses only most simple flex hose case - for rather short port to port hoses, where the path is not so important. We are still interested to know if it works for the users who have these simple cases, and if they face issues using it - what are these issues.

    In addition we are looking to identify next most basic / critical capabilities that will make this solution usable in more cases, and what you mention "route between / around something" supports what we also consider as a next highest priority capability. Getting such input will help us enhance current solution with more critical capabilities in future.

    Regards

    - Vlad

    p.s. we do have more complicated designs for flex hose assembly, that allow addition of routing points at a moment of flexible component placement (for e.g. you may decide you need 3 or 5 routing locations), and if someone is interested to try I can upload it here.

    However these designs are bit more complicated , hence we could not recommend them for common usage.

      K
      Karol5-Regular Member
      5-Regular Member
      June 15, 2018

      Hi Vlad,

       

      I have used you method for flex hose and it is working great in assembly.

       

      However I have another level of subassembly with flex hose assembly in it, and wish to reuse this subassembly (same as with flex hose assembly) in several top level assemblies. In other words, I would like to add one level in between.

       

      Here is example of structure I would like to obtain:

      TOP_FINAL_RESULT1.ASM

       - SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM (flexible - new level)

          - FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM (flexible)

       

      TOP_FINAL_RESULT2.ASM

       - SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM (flexible - new level)

          - FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM (flexible)

       

      I tried to propagate flexibility to subassembly (SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM) same method as you proposed for FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM, but no success.

       

      Do you know if this could work?

       

      Thanks in advance,

      Karol

      V
      vzak12-AmethystAuthor
      12-Amethyst
      June 18, 2018

      Hello Karol,

       

      Let me better understand your design intent, then I hope we'll be able to adopt design to 2 levels.

      In your case, you do  expect that hose gets connection references only in TOP_FINAL_RESULT_XXX.ASM, right ? You are OK with not having it connected anywhere at a SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM level ?

      What else does SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM contain beside hose subassembly ?

       

      Regards

      - Vlad

       

      TOP_FINAL_RESULT1.ASM

       - SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM (flexible - new level)

          - FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM (flexible)

      K
      Karol5-Regular Member
      5-Regular Member
      June 20, 2018

      Hi Vlad,

       

      First, thanks for quick reply.

       

      My plan is to have:

      •FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM - designed straight, so I can make nice drawing of it. Same time, to be able to reuse it in several assemblies using flexibility. Same case as described in your initial post. Additionally, in my case one of those higher level assemblies, would be SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM.

       

      •SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM containing:

      1.Solid manifold made of couple of fittings, reducers, straight pipes, ball valves with flexible handles (driven by angle parameter).

      2.Flexible hose (FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM) which, at one side is fixed to mainfold, and other end is loose. Represented by CONNECTOR_3.PRT in my example.

       

      •In both TOP_FINAL_RESULT_XXX.ASM I would like to:

      1. position in space one end of solid manifold with with one end of hose on other end of it,

      2. position other end of hose in different location in each assembly.

       

      See my example with additional level added.

       

      To summarize:

      If FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM used directly in top level assembly, I would like to drive location of hose ends from top level (same as in your case).

      If FLEX_PIPE_FOR_REUSE.ASM used in SUBASSY_FOR_REUSE.ASM (mid level), I would like to drive location of hose ends as well from top level (through location of solid manifold.

       

      Thanks in advance,

      Karol

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