Pipe routing - Include top level within sub assemblies

[pcharltonQPPCB]

Hello

I have created a pipe routing assembly inside another assembly as I have done many times before. I am quite familiar with this. However this time I would like to create drawings of the individual pipe runs but also show the top level on the drawings as reference.

My initial thought was to create a level of detail of the top level with the piping assembly supressed so that I can place the top level into each of the individual pipe run assemblies. This I thought might get around the placing an assembly within itself issue...

However, in order to edit the piping sub assemblies I need to edit this within the top level assembly as they are now owned by the top level. The problem is, when I try to change the level of detail within the place component options dialog, the level of detail is greyed out so it cannot be changed. I can do this if I open the sub assembly but I am unable to save the file as it is out of context.

I really don't want to created a duplicate of the top level excluding the piping assembly in order to insert within the sub assemblies as I believe this to be counterintuitive and could lead to errors if the top level is ever changed (and the duplicate is not).

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Paul

[A.Acheson]

Hi @pcharltonQPPCB 

I think you will want to use view reps if you want to include the general arrangement in the same drawing as the sub assemblies. I w9uld stay away from level of detail as that is reduntant in newer inventor version. The other method is to just place in the drawing views and have two model reference within the same drawing. Can you share images of what the issues are that your facing?

[pcharltonQPPCB]

Hi @A.Acheson 

Many thanks for your quick response.

The problem with using view representation is that the piping assembly is just hidden and I run into the issue with placing an assembly inside itself.

Regarding having the 2 models within the drawing is that the balloons do not correspond with the parts list as they are 2 different assemblies. Please see attached image.

I have also attached a screenshot showing level of detail being greyed out on the place component options dialog box I am getting when trying to place the top level assembly within the subassembly and specifying the level of detail.

P.S. I should have clarified that in relation to the attached image of the drawing with the 3 views that I have included as an example, the parts list is generated from "VIEW1" (the sub assembly), but I would like my views to be like "VIEW2" & projected view "A" (top level assembly). I hope you can see my predicament... 

[A.Acheson]

Are you trying to place in the T&P Parent-T&P Runs? or the level above? Top level-T&P Parent-T&P Runs

If the pipe assembly is hidden is it then phantom? 

[pcharltonQPPCB]

I have an assembly (A) with the unit and pipe nozzles. Within that assembly I have created the tube & pipe assembly (B) which includes all of the individual pipe runs (C).

As mentioned I have created a level of detail within assy (A) which has assy (B) supressed. I am then trying to place assy (A) within each of assy (C) so that I can show on the drawings the pipe position in relation to Assy (A).

Assemblies (A) & (C) are set to have normal BOM structures. As for Assembly (B), I currently have this set to Phantom but may change this to Normal depending if I decide to have a dedicated drawing for that assembly.

Hiding an assembly doesn't make it Phantom. A Phantom assembly wont show on a BOM, instead it's children will.

Thanks again.

[A.Acheson]

Hi @pcharltonQPPCB 

Industry standard would have Assembly A as the general arrangement(GA) (Parent) and Assembly B/C as the child all referenced from the top down. Placing the GA into all the children drawings is alot of work for one and could potentially lead to more errors. 

However if I was to attempt to do this I would use a view Rep of the GA to show the details I want. I wouldn't use any level of detail(LOD) suppression. From INV2022  onwards LOD dissapears so I wouldn't depend on using this workflow if you intend to upgrade soon.  If you have two assemblies in the drawing you just have to make sure you place a partslist for each Assembly and keep them seperate. Using one partslist will likely end up in a mess. Hopefully this helps. 

[pcharltonQPPCB · Accepted solution]

I have come up with a work around if anyone is interested.

Instead of the pipe routing assembly being created within the assembly that I want to show in my individual pipe run drawings, I have created a Phantom assembly which consists of the piping assembly and my original top level assembly. This way my piping assembly and the assembly that I want in my pipe runs are now siblings rather than parent/child. Now I can place the top level inside my pipe runs without the issue of placing an assembly within itself.

Hope all this makes sense as its difficult to explain in words.