Reference Ports - Intergraph Smart 3D - Reference Data

Intergraph Smart 3D Hangers and Supports Reference Data

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English
Product
Intergraph Smart 3D
Subproduct
Hangers and Supports
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Reference Data
Smart 3D Version
12.1 (2019)

While part ports define the connection relationship between parts in an assembly, reference ports define how a support assembly attaches to the supporting object (such as a beam or a wall) and the supported object (such as a pipe or cable tray). Unlike part symbol ports, reference ports are provided by the software and cannot be moved.

The example support that we have been discussing needs two reference ports, one on the beam and one on the pipe. The Z-axis of the port on the supported object (in this case, the pipe) always points toward the supporting object (the beam). Conversely, the Z-axis of the port on the supporting object (the beam) port always points toward the supported object (the pipe).

When you are defining a CSD, the reference port on the pipe is named ROUTE. The reference port on the beam is named STRUCTURE. If you are connecting to more than one beam or structure, those ports are named STRUCTURE; STRUCT_2; and so on.

Other ports named STRUCTALT and ROUTEALT are available if you are creating supports on sloping structure or sloping pipe. While the STRUCTURE port gives you the port location with the support perpendicular to the structure, the STRUCTALT port gives you the port location with the support vertically connected (parallel to the global Z-axis) to the structure. For a Circular Section structure member, the STRUCTURE ports are created on the surface at the closest position to the route axis. For non-circular structure cross sections, the STRUCTALT ports are created on the center axis line of the member. If the structure is not sloping, the STRUCTURE port and the STRUCTALT port are in the same location and orientation of the STRUCTURE port.

Sometimes, it might be useful to visualize the location and orientation of the Reference Ports. To see the ports, use the Catalog Browser to navigate to and place \Piping\HS Assembly V2\Diagnostic Supports\Reference Port and Bounding BoxDiagnostic Support. This support lets you visualize where the default and alternate structure and route ports are located and oriented. You can modify the values of the Show Reference Ports property of this support to toggle the display between the default and alternate ports.

See Also

Part Ports
Constraints
Joints