Pipe feature reference curves - automate?

[mebilloz]

Hi All

I have just started working with the 'insert...pipe' functionality in ProE, looking at doing some automotive headers. In general terms a number of datum point define the basic pathway, the pipe feature askes for a bend radius and ProE makes quite a nice job of making the pipe follow this path.

Problem is: For the detailing of this pipe which has a number of bends that may be any angle, and at any orientation to each other, I would like a curve on the outside of the bends to allow the alignment of the pipe during fabrication.

What will work, though somewhat painful is:
1. Create a second datum curve through points, const radius to replicate the pipes centreline (default centreline seems unselectable).
2. Create a datum plane through the datum curve, though the bend in question
3. Create a XSEC using the bends datum plane
4. Create a datum curve using the xsec

Wondering if anyone has a better way?

Thanks

Bill

 

[krow72]

You should be able to make the datum plane thru the points that you used for the pipe. Then you can use intersect between the plane and the pipe surfs. With intersect you only pick the surfaces you want a curve thru so you don't have all the extras that you don't need with the x-sec curves.