How can I insert a 90 degree elbow in the middle of my route
after it is completed as a straight line in order to make it into
an L shape? I've tried everything I can think of and I just can't
seem to get it.
Routing is pretty finicky sometimes, so you might have issues
trying to change the path. However, if you go to the routing
assembly in the Feature Manager, right-click and pick Edit Route,
you should be able to change the sketch to fit your needs. Just be
warned that sometimes things don't exactly work out, and it may be
faster to recreate your route if it is not too complex.
Dan - you are exactly correct that it may not work out
exactly as anticipated. For the particular route I was fighting
with, I had to re-make it from scratch. But I did have more luck in
another route yesterday afternoon.
For those needing to edit routes to add alternative paths to the
original route, it is best to remove the route sketch segments
necessary, add the new paths (manually dropping elbows onto 90 deg
points if necessary), and then merging the points of the route that
were broken. The diagnostics tools works pretty well to help fix
broken paths. Just don't exit or rebuild the route until your
sketching is complete.
Like Dan stated, sometimes it works, and sometimes not - depends on
the complexity. Thanks!
I agree with Dan. Also the best way to fix route problems is
to go edit route and modify the route segments and paths. Delete
the route paths and redo it. I find it faster that way than having
to pull my hair and complain. By the way, with the elbow concerns
you have, I have never had to manually insert an elbow into the
route. It automatically fills it for you as long as you make enough
room to add the elbow radius.
On another note. I've noticed other threads where people were
asking how to create 45 deg elbows into the route....Ahh my secret
is spreading. I created the 45, 90 deg LR and SR elbows
configurations into one part file and whenever I create a path, I
add the angle dimensions in the sketch....solidworks automatically
puts the 45 or whatever angle you have in your elbow part, into the
route. It even works with 70 deg elbows if you put that angle in
the "bend angle" in the elbow design table.
For those needing to edit routes to add alternative paths to the original route, it is best to remove the route sketch segments necessary, add the new paths (manually dropping elbows onto 90 deg points if necessary), and then merging the points of the route that were broken. The diagnostics tools works pretty well to help fix broken paths. Just don't exit or rebuild the route until your sketching is complete.
Like Dan stated, sometimes it works, and sometimes not - depends on the complexity. Thanks!
On another note. I've noticed other threads where people were asking how to create 45 deg elbows into the route....Ahh my secret is spreading. I created the 45, 90 deg LR and SR elbows configurations into one part file and whenever I create a path, I add the angle dimensions in the sketch....solidworks automatically puts the 45 or whatever angle you have in your elbow part, into the route. It even works with 70 deg elbows if you put that angle in the "bend angle" in the elbow design table.
Cheers!