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LEARNING ROUTING AND UNABLE TO CREATE VALID ROUTING COMPONENT

Question asked by Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 14, 2017
Latest reply on Feb 15, 2017 by Andreas Rhomberg

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I am attempting to create an hydraulic hose using Routing. Of course that is not one of the standard routing options and the routing library does not have hydraulic fittings or hoses in it that I can find which is fine with me because I want to use our company standard parts with standard part numbers and descriptions. I am attempting to learn Routing using the tutorials at the same time so that is probably where the problem comes in. I have used the Routing Component Wizard to define the hose end fittings (which don't fit any of the supplied categories to my knowledge) and have created a hose using the Wizard as well. When I attempt to Start a Route I am selecting the Connecting Point of the fitting, editing it in the manager, and then attempting to select a starting point. I keep getting the message that that I do not have a Valid Routing Component. I suspect that either I have the wrong Connecting/Routing Point or there is a problem with flexible hose as opposed to ridged pipe. Can someone offer any suggestions?

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Peter De Vlieger Feb 15, 2017 9:49 AM
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Jim,

Your parts don't have configs let alone a design table so I don't see how it would function in routing.
Neither does your hose.

Your parts have to have the information about what size of tube they are meant for because that helps determine what tube will be used.
Just as your hose part needs configs so to help make the choice between sizes.

Be patient, keep reading and watching youtube video's. Follow a course at your VAR will help somewhat as well with at least the basics.
Check out The SolidWorks Routing Manual . I only bought it after a few years of using Routing and it still had valuable information for me then so for a newbie it will certainly help.

Have a nice one
Peter
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- Jim Steinmeyer @ Peter De Vlieger on Feb 15, 2017 10:42 AM
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  Peter,
  I don't understand why my parts need configs or a design table. If I want a 3/8" hose I go to the Design Library and select 366006, if I want 3/4" hose I select 366023. If I need an end for the 3/8" hose I place 367066 in the model and constrain it. If 3/4" I use 367105. No need for a design table, at least I don't understand why there would be. Our company has been using SW for 15 years without routing and there are hundreds of models with individual hose ends not configured ones. I don't like two different models with the same part number in our system so I would have to change them all out if I wanted to use a one size fits all with configs.
  I did go through the Routing Library Manager and used the Routing Component Wizard to revise the hoses and hose end fittings to contain the information that should be required but maybe that isn't enough. Maybe I also did not select the correct options, don't know. I wish the VAR was an option but I have been waiting a year for funds to attend a class to install and use the "free" PDM Standard that comes with our license, I don't think routing class funds will come any faster. Guess I will have to search the interwebz some more.
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  - Peter De Vlieger @ Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 15, 2017 10:50 AM
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    Jim,
    
    I have to ask, have you ever used configs and/or ever used design tables ?
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    - Jim Steinmeyer @ Peter De Vlieger on Feb 15, 2017 11:00 AM
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      Peter,
      Yes I have made many terribly confusing assembly models using configs controlled by design tables. Sometimes if you are replacing parts with a different size it is nice to have them easily replaceable. Unfortunately, all of our fittings and hose ends that we now use, and have been using for years are not done with design tables. Probably due to the mess that has been called ToolBox. To avoid having to have different models of the same part number ( and a config is simply a nested model) in our system it is greatly preferable to edit the existing parts to be routing capable.
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      - Peter De Vlieger @ Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 15, 2017 11:11 AM
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        Jim,
        
        No offence was meant, just wanted to know how much you were familiar with that side of things.
        
        Now I can understand that the company has a way of doing things and as mentioned earlier it's not impossible to indeed set up each and every part to be routing enabled (Cpoints, Rpoints, etc.) but I do hope you have a very limited library of parts or have some junior trainee to do that because if not you'll be in for a very boring and tedious task.
        
        Can it be done, sure but one will have to make the choice to alter how the company does things or to actual use the program as intended. After a while you'll see where you can bend the rules, so to speak, but in the beginning it helps if you try to do it the regular way.
        Else it's like using a screwdriver as a hammer, it works but will result in a shoddy job.
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  - Andreas Rhomberg @ Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 15, 2017 10:52 AM
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    Jim,
    
    I have used Vendor cad files without configs. and added C-points.
    i suspect there maybe a minor disconnect between fitting and Tube sizing/spec.
    can you Copy a standard Library Tube and modify?
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    - Peter De Vlieger @ Andreas Rhomberg on Feb 15, 2017 10:56 AM
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      Jim,
      Andreas has a point. Indeed, fittings don't have to have configs and I have done the same as him in a pinch, using a 3rd party model, drop some of the needed elements on it (Cpoints, Rpoint, Vertical etc.) but you lose out on a whole lot of intelligence not to mention if things have to change. Certainly if it's for something you'll need frequently.
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    - Jim Steinmeyer @ Andreas Rhomberg on Feb 15, 2017 11:06 AM
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      Andreas,
      Tube yes. Although then I would have to learn how to use the Property Tab Builder (yes Glenn I will get to it) to place all of our properties. However I do not see any hydraulic hose fittings that I could use. And as I mentioned to Peter, we already have several legacy hose ends that would need to be replaced if I am unable to set them up for routing. Adding C-points was easy to figure out. Maybe reusing the hose is the best way to go.
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Dave Bear Feb 15, 2017 10:10 AM
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Hi Jim,
I haven't ventured anywhere near routing yet but don't the tutorials cover something as basic as showing you how to configure a fitting and how to select it's proper connecting point? If it doesn't then I'm screwed when I come to do the hoses for my engine......

Dave.
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- Jim Steinmeyer @ Dave Bear on Feb 15, 2017 10:50 AM
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  Dave ,
  You would think so wouldn't you? The tutorials I have found show how to do a basic fitup using the components out of the supplied Routing Design Library: steel pipe, weld on flanges, slip on hoses, no hydraulic components at all. Nothing on setting up new components. You will be able to install the radiator hoses as they just go over barbed fittings but the high pressure ones will be more tricky. There is a good tutorial on electrical connectors though, as long as you are using the connectors they supply you will be fine. Otherwise I hope I have figured out how to do it by then so I can help you.....
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  - Dave Bear @ Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 15, 2017 11:08 AM
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    By the way things are sounding, it might just be easier to model my other hoses and connections (heater hoses, oil hoses etc.) lol.
    
    Dave.
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    - Jim Steinmeyer @ Dave Bear on Feb 15, 2017 11:12 AM
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      Yes,
      Currently to get the project done I am taking my hose model and adding a configuration for each different hose and then creating a 3-D sketch for each config. This will have to get renamed and go the way of the Doo-Doo bird when I gain mad skilz.
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      - Peter De Vlieger @ Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 15, 2017 11:34 AM
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        Jim and Dave,
        
        If you want a quick result and it's something that is rarely needed then using a swipe is the way to go as long as your certain there won't be any major changes.
        
        IF however it's something you will be using often then it will take some serious time to not only learn how to make it do what you want (and how to get it in the company's rules and habits) but it will also take a while to set it up in general if you really want most if not all benefits that it can give you.
        
        In the end though it's worth it.Especially when it behaves and there's no new bugs introduced.
        When it doesn't work as it should then I for one have been known to go in a full fledged Gordon Ramsey mode.
        
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Andreas Rhomberg Feb 15, 2017 10:19 AM
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There is not much useful information in the SW Material. Wes Mosier wrote a Manual that is available for purchase The SolidWorks Routing Manual , it gives you a lot of detailed information to get started.
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- Jim Steinmeyer @ Andreas Rhomberg on Feb 15, 2017 11:27 AM
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  Andreas Rhomberg and Peter De Vlieger,
  As I work at this and think more over your posts I think I am getting a picture. I can use what ever fittings I want just add the C-Points. Then I could reuse their hose model but add my dimensions and custom properties. Along with blowing away about 500 configurations.
  That might work easily enough. Property Tab Builder here I come.
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  - Andreas Rhomberg @ Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 15, 2017 11:38 AM
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    Property Tab Builder will be your Friend!
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    - Jim Steinmeyer @ Andreas Rhomberg on Feb 15, 2017 11:45 AM
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      I know, I know, just haven't learned how to use it with an existing part yet.
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      - Andreas Rhomberg @ Jim Steinmeyer on Feb 15, 2017 11:53 AM
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        If you spend 2hrs playing with the setup, you will know how it works and how to use it.
        Use it for a week and you will always use it.
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LEARNING ROUTING AND UNABLE TO CREATE VALID ROUTING COMPONENT

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