Equipment Support Structures

Site Map
Preface
Getting Started
Basic Tasks
Workbench
Description
Customizing
Glossary
Index

© Dassault Systèmes 1994-2001. All rights reserved.

 Site Map
Preface

Using This Guide

Where to Find More Information

Getting Started

Setting Up Your Session

Creating a Simple Structural Frame
Creating Non-uniform Columns
Creating Plates with Openings
Bracing the Foundation
Generating a BOM
Basic Tasks

Creating a Foundation Document

Workbench Description

Design Toolbar
Assembly Toolbar
Specification Tree

Customizing
Index
 Preface
CATIA Version 5 Equipment Support Structures allows you to quickly model equipment
supports, including foundations, for all disciplines. It offers an easy-to-use and easy-to-learn
graphic interface that lets you design equipment supports in context and take advantage of full
associativity when creating and modifying supports. Small equipment supports are sized by
design rules with often used supports taken from catalogs. Equipment supports are made of
plate parts and profile parts.
This product addresses preliminary and detailed design requirements for equipment supports,
machinery packages, gratings, and other miscellaneous supports including light legs and
hangers of distributed systems, headers for small equipment as well as other small
foundations.
As a scalable product, CATIA-Equipment Support Structures can be used with other CATIA
Version 5 products such as CATIA-Part Design, CATIA-Assembly Design, CATIA-Sheetmetal
Design, and CATIA-Generative Drafting.
This guide offers a step-by-step scenario to get you acquainted with the product and provides
detailed information on the Foundation command. Other commands in this workbench are
shared with the CATIA-Structure Design product and information concerning them is to be
found in the Structure Design User's Guide.

Using This Guide

Where to Find More Information
 Using This Guide
This book is intended to help you become quickly familiar with CATIA Equipment Support
Structures. You should already be accustomed with basic CATIA Version 5 concepts such as
document windows, standard and view toolbars.
To get the most out of this guide, use the following user guide wizard. It will help you better
locate information relevant to you as well as to the way you work.

User Guide Wizard

Go to:

The Getting Started tutorial. Once you have finished,

I am a first time user you should move on to the user task section of this
guide.
I want to know more about:
Creating foundations The Basic Tasks section of this guide:
Creating a Foundation Document
Creating grids The Basic Tasks section of the CATIA Structure
Design User's Guide:
Creating a grid
Creating structures The Basic Tasks section of the CATIA Structure
Design User's Guide.
You can make up a list of sections, create linear
members, infills, members on supports, plates and
end plates
Modifying, joining & moving structuresThe Basic Tasks section of the CATIA Structure
Design User's Guide.
You can modify members and plates, join structures,
translate, rotate and manipulate structures.
Interoperability with other V5 products The Advanced Tasks section of the CATIA Structure
Design User's Guide.
You can sketch profiles for user sections, create
cutouts, flanges and assembly constraints, and
generating drawings.
Working with user sections The Advanced Tasks section of the CATIA Structure
Design User's Guide.
You can sketch profiles for user sections, define
anchor points and create & complete parametric
section catalogs.
 Where to Find More Information
Prior to reading this book, we recommend that you read the CATIA Version 5 Infrastructure
User's Guide and the CATIA-Structure Design User's Guide.

The CATIA-Part Design User's Guide, CATIA-Assembly Design, CATIA-Sheetmetal Design

and CATIA-Generative Drafting User's Guide may also prove useful.
For information on VB macro capabilities, refer to the Automation Documentation.
Click to find out more about Conventions used in this guide.
 Conventions
Certain conventions are used in CATIA, ENOVIA & DELMIA documentation to help you
recognize and understand important concepts and specifications. The following text
conventions may be used:
The titles of CATIA documents appear in this manner throughout the text.
File -> New identifies the commands to be used.
The use of the mouse differs according to the type of action you need to perform.
Use this
mouse button, whenever you read
Select (menus, commands, geometry in graphics area, ...)
Click (icons, dialog box buttons, tabs, selection of a location in the document window,
...)
Double-click
Shift-click
Ctrl-click
Check (check boxes)
Drag
Drag and drop (icons onto objects, objects onto objects)
Drag
Move
Right-click (to select contextual menu)

Graphic conventions are denoted as follows:

indicates the estimated time to accomplish a task.

indicates a target of a task.

indicates the prerequisites.

indicates the scenario of a task.

indicates tips
indicates a warning.

indicates information.

indicates the end of a task.

indicates functionalities that are new or enhanced with this Release.

Enhancements can also be identified by a blue-colored background in the left-hand
margin.
 Getting Started
This tutorial will guide you step-by-step through your first Equipment Support
Structures session, allowing you to get acquainted with the product.
You will need a CATIA Version 5 session and should be familiar with basic concepts
such as document windows, standard and view toolbars.

You should be able to complete this tutorial in about 15 minutes.

The resulting foundation which consists of a braced-frame of beams and columns

should look like this:
 Setting Up Your Session
Creating a Simple Structural Frame
Creating Non-uniform Columns
Creating Plates with Openings
Bracing the Foundation
Generating a BOM
 Setting Up Your Session
This first task shows you how to enter the Equipment Support Structures workbench and
set up your V5 session.
In this task, you will:
Manage associativity
Customize settings
Typify your document as a a foundation document
Create a grid defining the overall dimensions of your foundation.
1. Select Equipments & Systems ->Equipment Support Structures from the Start
menu.
The Equipment Support Structures workbench is displayed.
2. Switch to Design Mode (Edit -> Representations).
Associativity

To ensure associativity between the structures you are going to create and the grid
used as a construction aid, set the following options.
3. Select Tools -> Options from the menu bar.
4. Click Mechanical Design -> Part Design in the left-hand box of the Options dialog
box, then select the General tab.
5. Check Keep link with selected object and Synchronize all external references.
Equipment Support Structures Settings

You will now customize structure materials and specify paths giving you access to
the sections you will use to create your foundation.
6. Click Equipments & Systems -> Equipment Support Structures in the left-hand box
of the Options dialog box then select the Equipment Support Structures tab.
7. Set member and plate material to Steel.
8. To access available sections:
Create a user folder to contain these sections, naming it Section for
example
Enter e:\Section in the Directory field under Section storage to identify the
path to this folder.
9. Ensure that the path to the folder containing sample standard catalog sections in
the Directory field under Catalog storage is correctly set:
install_folder/startup/components/structuralcatalogs
For more information on the install folder, see the CATIA Infrastructure User's
Guide.
10. Click OK in the Options dialog box when done.
 Creating a Foundation Document

You must first typify your document as a foundation document. You will notice that
the Foundation command is the only command available.
11. Click the Foundation icon:

The Foundation Definition dialog box appears.

12. Identify your foundation document.

13. Click OK when done.
The document is characterized as a foundation document and
other workbench commands become available.
Creating a Grid

You will create a simple 3D grid defining the overall dimensions of your
foundation.
14. Click the Grid icon.

The Grid Definition dialog box appears.

15. Enter a name for the grid you want to create in the Name box:
The grid will be identified by this name in the specification tree.
16. Specify Cartesian grid coordinates:
Enter the distance between grid points in Spacing boxes (1000 x 1000 x 750 mm
respectively) as well as the number of points along x, y and z axes, 1 in each case.

17. Click OK to create the grid.

The grid is created and is identified in the specification tree.
 Creating a Simple Structural Frame
This task shows you how to create and place the four beams and two of the four columns making up the structural
frame of your foundation. But first, you will load the section you will use throughout the scenario.
1. Double-click the Member on Support icon.

The Member on Support dialog box appears.

Note that the Section field is blank: this is because there are as yet no available sections. You will load equal
angle shape L3x3x0.25 from the AISC catalog. This is the shape that you will use for members throughout this
scenario.
2. In the Section list, select Other section...
The Catalog Browser dialog box is displayed.
The current catalog is the correct catalog.
Browse the list of families and double-click
Equal_Angles (equal leg angle shapes):
All the shapes in this family are listed.
 Browse the listed shapes, then click
L3x3x0.25 to preview it.
Click OK.
The Section list in the Member on Support dialog
box is updated.

3. Set Type to Beam.

4. Set the anchor point, anchoring the section along the support axis, to Bottom left.
5. Define the member support: select one of the
grid lines.
Note: You are using the grid to assist you create
your foundation.

A preview guides you.

Notice that the section is not correctly oriented around its
anchor point.

6. Set Orientation to 270 degrees, then click OK in the dialog box to create the member.
 The dialog box appears again, ready for you to create the other beams.
7. Create the other three beams in the same way, taking care to orient them properly.

You are now ready to create the two straight columns.

8. Change the Type to Column and set the Anchor point to Bottom right, then select one of the vertical support
lines.
First column characteristics:
Anchor point: Bottom right
Orientation: 180 degrees

Do not forget to check section orientation before

clicking OK!
Right-clicking the member in the specification
tree gives you access to the contextual menu
and lets you make any necessary adjustments to
the definition of your member.

9. Create second column in the same way.

 Second column characteristics:
Anchor point: Top right
Orientation: 180 degrees

10. Click the Member on Support icon when done.

You will now finish this part of the scenario by moving the first column you created. As it references a grid
element, it is linked to the grid and must be isolated before you can move it.
11. Right-click the column in the specification tree and select Components ->Isolate Part from the contextual menu.
Note: You may need to update the member locally.
12. Click the Translation or Rotation icon and stay in the Translation tab in the Move dialog box that appears.

13. Select the member you want to translate: the first column created.
14. Enter -150 mm in the Offset Y, then click Apply in the Translation tab.
The column is moved the distance specified along the Y axis.

15. Click OK when done.

 Creating Non-uniform Columns
This task shows you how to create and place the two remaining columns.
Each column comprises three parts grouped together under a new component. You will create one of the
columns, then copy and paste it to create the other column.
1. Insert a new component (Insert -> New
Component).

2. Double-click the new component to make it

current and have members created under it.

3. Double-click the Member icon.

The Member Definition and Point Definition dialog boxes appear.

4. Close the Point Definition dialog box.
5. Keep the default options defining type and
section.

6. Set Anchor point to Bottom left.

7. Set Direction to Parallel to Z (Direction box list).

8. Check the Length box and enter 150 mm.

9. Select the start point of your column.

10. Adjust Orientation to 270 degrees and indicate in the geometry area to define the direction.

11. Repeat to create the bottom part, 300 mm in

length.

12. Click the Member icon again when done.

13. Isolate the bottom member in order to be able to move it: right-click the member and select
Components -> Isolate Part from the contextual menu.
14. Using the 3D compass, move it -100 mm along the X axis.
To facilitate use of the 3D compass, you may need to place the grid in the No Show space.
Right-click the compass and select Snap Automatically to Selected Object then select the
member.
The member is highlighted in the geometry area and the compass positions itself on the member.

Right-click the compass again and select Edit.

The Compass Manipulation dialog box appears giving the position of the selected member.
 Change the X coordinates to 900mm and click Apply new position to preview the result, then
click Close in the dialog box.
The member is moved as specified.

Restore the 3D compass to its original position (View->Reset Compass).

You are now ready to create the middle section. Selection is easier with the grid in the No Show space.
15. Click the Member icon.

16. In the Member Definition dialog box, uncheck Length and set Direction to Unspecified.
17. Select the vertex point on the member you have just moved as the start point.
Notice that the orientation is incorrect.
18. Adjust the orientation.
19. Select the vertex point on the top member as end point.

The middle part is created.

 You will define how ends of members are cut before copying the non-uniform column.
Defining joints can also be done later when the entire frame has been created. In this case, define miter
cuts on the original column and they will be propagated to the copy. An update, however, is necessary.
20. Double-click the Joint icon.

The Joint Definition dialog box appears.

21. Set Type to Miter cut.

22. Select the member to trim: one of the members.

23. Select the member to which you want it

trimmed: an adjacent member.

24. Click OK to create the miter cut.

25. Repeat for the other joint.
26. Click the Joint icon again to exit the command.

You are now ready to copy the column.

27. Right-click the new component in the specification tree and select Copy from the contextual menu.

28. Right-click the product under which you want to paste the component in the specification tree, i.e. the
root product, and select Paste from the contextual menu.
 The component and all three parts are copied at the same location as the original. You will now simply
move the component to its new position.
28. Move the component just created to its correct location:
Double-click the root product
Select the Translation or Rotation icon
Select the component just created using Copy / Paste
In the Move dialog box, translate the component -800 mm along the Y axis, click Apply to see the
result and then OK when satisfied.
 Creating Plates with Openings
This task shows you how to create and place two plates. Plates are positioned with respect to existing
structures.
Plate contours and openings are sketched: the Plate command lets you access the Sketcher workbench
directly.
First, however, you must define the planes on which you will create the plates. This is done in the Part Design
workbench.
1. Switch to the Part Design workbench:
Select the root product.
Select Start -> Mechanical Design -> Part Design.
2. Select View -> Toolbars -> Reference Elements (Extended) to display the toolbar containing the Plane
command.
3. Double-click the Plane icon.

The Plane Definition dialog box appears.

4. Set Plane type to Through two lines.

5. Select an edge on the first column.
6. Select an edge on the second column, then
click OK in the dialog box.
The first plane is created.

7. Define the other plane you need.

8. Click the Plane icon again when done.

9. Double-click the root product to return to the Equipment Support Structures workbench.
10. Click the Plate icon.

The Plate Definition dialog box appears.

11. Select one of the planes you have just created as the support plane for the plate.
12. Enter a plate thickness of 10 mm.
13. Click the Sketcher icon in the Plane Definition dialog box to sketch the plate contour and opening.

The Sketcher workbench opens.

14. Click the Rectangle icon and sketch the
plate contour.

15. Click the Ellipse icon and sketch the

contour for the opening in the plate.

16. Click the Exit Workbench icon when done.

You return to the Structure Foundations Design workbench and the system previews the plate and
opening.

17. Click OK in the Plate Definition dialog box to create the plate.
18. Repeat to create the second plate.
Your foundation now looks like this:
 Bracing the Foundation
This task shows you how to add a brace to complete your foundation. The brace is positioned with
respect to existing structures.
1. Double-click the Member icon.

The Linear Definition dialog box appears.

2. Define brace characteristics:
Set Type to H-Brace.
Set Anchor point to Top left.
Set Orientation to 270 degrees.
3. Set Direction to Parallel to YZ plane to create the brace in this plane.
Start and end points will be defined by creating points on existing members. You may need to
restore the Point Definition dialog box.
4. Define the start point:
In Point Definition dialog box, click Point on member.
The dialog box expands to include an Offset field.
Select bottom end of the member from which you
want to start the brace.
Selecting the bottom end computes the offset from
this end.
Enter an offset of 200 mm in the dialog box.
Click OK when satisfied.

5. Check, and adjust if necessary, section orientation.

Right-clicking the member in the specification tree gives you access to the contextual menu and
lets you make any necessary adjustments to the orientation and anchor point of your member.
6. Define the end point:
In Point Definition dialog box, click Point on member.
Select the top end of the member at which to end the
brace.
Selecting the top end computes the offset from this
end.
Enter an offset of 200 mm.
Click OK when satisfied.

The brace is created and your foundation looks like this:

Notice that brace ends are not neatly finished.

7. Click the Member icon again when done.
Defining How Member Ends are Cut

All that is left now is to define how brace ends are to be cut.
8. Double-click the Joint icon.

The Joint Definition dialog box appears.

9. Set Type to Weld cut.

10. Select the member you want to trim: one of the braces.
11. Select the member to which you want it trimmed: one of the uniform columns, then click OK.
The brace is trimmed to the column.

12. Repeat to trim the brace to the column at the other end, and click OK.
The brace is trimmed nicely at both ends. The specification tree is updated to include cutback
information.

13. Click the Joint icon again when done.

 Generating a BOM
This task shows you how to generate a bill of materials in the form of an Excel report from
your model.
The macro SectionQuantityList.CATScript that we will use to generate the BOM is delivered
in the /install_folder/code/command folder.
For more information on the installation folder, see the CATIA Infrastructure User's Guide.
1. Make a multiple selection of all the structures in your document.

2. Select
Tools->Macro->Macros...
The Macro dialog box
appears.

3. Select the macro:

Set Macro in to External File
Click Select in the dialog box
Navigate in the Select External File dialog box and select the CATScript.
The CATScript is listed in the Macro dialog box.
4. Select the macro in the Macro dialog box and click Run to run it.
An Excel spreadsheet opens and the bill of material is generated. It looks like this:
 Basic Tasks
Creating a Foundation Document
Other commands in this workbench are shared with the CATIA-Structure Design product and
information concerning them is to be found in the Basic Tasks section of the this User's Guide.
Making Up a List of Sections
Creating Linear Members
Creating Infills
Creating Members on Supports
Creating Plates
Creating End Plates
Modifying Members
Modifying Plates
Joining Structures
Translating Structures
Rotating Structures
Manipulating Structures
Creating a Grid
 Creating a Foundation Document
This task shows you how to typify your document as a foundation document.
1. Select Equipments & Systems ->Equipment Support Structures from the Start
menu.
The Equipment Support Structures workbench is displayed. Notice that only the
Foundation command is available when you enter the workbench.
2. Click the Foundation icon:

The Foundation Definition dialog box appears.

3. Identify your foundation document.

4. Click OK when done.
The document is characterized as a foundation document and
other workbench icons become available.
You are now ready to create your structures. If desired, you can create a grid to
help you.
 Making Up a List of Sections
Sections used to create structures can be:
Standard catalog sections
Samples of standard catalogs are supplied with the product. Sections in these
catalogs are parametric sketches associated with design tables (CSV-type Excel
files).
User-defined sections.
This task shows how to make up a list of standard and user catalog sections suited to your
needs that you can then access via the Section box list of Linear Member Definition, Infill
Definition and Member on Support dialog boxes.
No sample document is provided.

Standard Catalog Sections

1. Double-click the Section
icon.

The Catalogs Browser

dialog box opens letting
you browse and preview
the contents of the
current catalog.
2. Click the Browse
another catalog

icon to open
the File Selection
dialog box and
choose another
catalog.

3. Select the OTUA

catalog for
example and
click Open.
4. Browse the list of
families in the
Catalog Browser
dialog box and
double-click the
family of interest,
for example IPE.
5. Browse the list of
shapes and
select the section
of interest, for
example IPE200,
then click OK in
the dialog box.
For information
on options in the
Catalog Browser,
see Using
Catalogs in the
CATIA
Infrastructure
User's Guide.
6. Repeat until all the sections you are likely to need have been selected.
Selected catalog sections are saved in the folder defined in the Section storage box of
the Structure Design tab in the Options dialog box (Tools -> Options -> Mechanical
Design) and can, subsequently, be accessed directly in the Section list of the appropriate
dialog box.
The Other Section... option in the Section box list of Linear Member Definition, Infill
Definition and Member on Support dialog boxes also gives you access to the catalog
browser.
User-defined Sections

User-defined sections are of two types:

Parametric sections stored in a user catalog and accessed in the same way as
standard catalog sections.
Resolved sections stored directly in the folder dedicated to storing sections.

Both types of section can be created using the Sketcher.

For more information on sketcher capabilities, see the Sketcher User's Guide. A simple task
illustrating the use of the sketcher is included in this guide; see Sketching.
For more information on creating parametric section catalogs, see the advanced tasks
section in this guide.
1. To make up a list of user sections:
Double-click the Section icon and proceed as above for standard catalog sections.

Or,
Store resolved sections directly in the folder defined in the Section storage box of the
Structure Design tab in the Options dialog box (Tools -> Options -> Mechanical Design).
User sections can then be selected in the Section box list of the Linear Member
Definition, Infill Definition or Member on Support dialog box.
 Creating Linear Members
This task shows how to create linear members.

No sample document is provided.

1. Click the Member icon.

The Linear Member Definition and Point Definition dialog boxes appear.

Note: Double-click the icon to keep the dialog box and create more than one member.
2. In the Type list, select the type of member you want to create:
Column
Beam
H-Brace
V-Brace.
You can define custom member types using the Tools -> Option command.
3. In the Section list, select the shape you want to use. Click:
One of the available section names, or
Other section... to access catalog sections not already listed.

The first time you enter the workbench, you must initialize the section list with catalog and/or user sections.
4. In the preview or in the Anchor point list, select the desired point at which to anchor the section along the support axis.
Note: Since the section selected is
symmetrical, gravity anchor points
coincide with standard anchor points.
The illustration to the right shows
standard and gravity anchor points for
a channel shape section.
5. In the Orientation box, use the arrows to change the angular dimension value and orient the section around its anchor
point:
The Orientation field is updated in 90 degree increments by default. Right-click in this field to change the
step.
In the illustrations below, the anchor point is top left.
6. In the Direction list, select how you want to place the member.
You can place members using points, a plane or an axis.

Unspecified Planes and Lines

When placing parallel to or on an unspecified plane, click the Direction box and select a plane before defining
the member limits.
The member is placed parallel to or projected onto the plane.
When placing parallel to an unspecified line, click the Direction box and select a line before defining the
member limits.
Specifying an Offset to XY, YZ or XZ Plane

Specifying an offset is particularly useful when creating members between two existing structures. The offset is
computed along the normal to the defined plane.
Click the Offset checkbox and enter a value or use the arrows to change the value in the Offset field. You can
enter a positive or a negative value.
Select wireframe elements or two existing structures.

This option is only available when the selected direction is parallel to the XY, YZ or XZ plane.
7. Define the limits of the member you want to create:
You can define the start and end limits of a member in a variety of different ways, by
Entering coordinates
Selecting wireframe elements

Selecting the end of an existing structure:

The member starts or ends at the end

point of the support axis of the
selected structure.
 Selecting one of the vertices of a section

Creating a point on an existing structure using the Point on member option in the Point Definition dialog box
Specifying a length
Entering Coordinates

Enter point coordinates in the Point Definition dialog box or in the power input field in the status bar.
You can combine coordinates and selection of wireframe elements when defining start and end points for
members.

Selecting Wireframe Elements

Wireframe elements are useful construction aids. To create a construction grid, see Creating a Grid.
Select a wireframe element in the geometry area.
You can combine coordinates and selection of wireframe elements when defining start and end points for
members.
Creating a Point on an Existing Structure

Click Point on member in the Point

Definition dialog box.
Select the end of an existing structure: the
offset is defined from the selected end.
Enter an offset in the dialog box or slide
the offset handler.
Click OK.

Specifying a Length

Enter point coordinates or select a wireframe element to define the start point.
Click the Length checkbox and enter a value or use the arrows to change the value in the Length field.
Indicate in the geometry area to identify the direction.
A preview of the member guides you as you create. Any changes in the member definition are immediately reflected
in the preview.
 Parallel to the z-axis; moving cursor in negative direction
Anchor point: Bottom left
Default orientation.

Parallel to the z-axis; moving cursor in

positive direction.
Anchor point: Center
Orientation: 90 degrees.

The member is created and has the characteristics defined in the Member Definition dialog box.
The linear member is added to the specification tree.
To modify a member, right-click it in the specification tree and select the appropriate command from the
contextual menu.
You can translate, rotate and manipulate members.
 Creating Infills
This task shows how to create infills between two members.

No sample document is provided.

1. Click the Infill icon.

The Infill Definition dialog box appears.

2. In the Type list, select the type of infill you want to create:
Column
Beam
H-Brace
V-Brace
You can define custom member types using the Tools -> Option command.

3. In the Section list, select the shape you want to use. Click:
One of the available section names, or
Other section... to access catalog sections not already listed.

The first time you enter the workbench, you must initialize the section list with catalog and/or user sections.
4. In the preview or in the Anchor point list, select the desired point to anchor the section along the support
axis.
Note: Since the section selected is
symmetrical, gravity anchor points coincide
with standard anchor points.
The illustration to the right shows standard and
gravity anchor points for a channel shape
section.
5. In the Orientation box, use the arrows to change the angular dimension value and orient the section around
its anchor point:
The Orientation field is updated in 90 degree increments by default. Right-click in this field to
change the step.
In the illustrations below, the anchor point is top left.

6. Specify the number of infills you want to place in the Number box by scrolling to a new value with the up
and down arrows.

7. (Optional) Define a support plane:

Click the Support box and select a wireframe plane or a planar face of an existing element.
If no support is defined, infills are created in the plane defined by the selected structures.
8. In the Position box, select
Relative to position infill sections with respect to the plane defined by the selected structures
Or,
Absolute to take infill section orientation into account.

Relative Absolute
9. (Optional) In the Offset box, set an offset with respect to the plane in which the infills will be created.
10. Select the first structure (reference 1).
11. Select the second structure (reference 2).
The point at which you select structures is important. The system determines the end nearest this point and
computes infill spacing along the selected structure from this end.
A preview guides you as you create. Any changes in the infill
definition are immediately reflected in the preview.
 Options in the Spacing boxes let you define the distances between infills as well as between infills and the
ends of selected structures.
12. Specify infill spacing:
To have infills placed at equal distances along structure 1:
In the Mode box, select Equal.
To specify infill position and spacing with respect to the first structure (reference 1):
In the Mode box, select Defined
In the D1 box, enter a value or use the arrows to change the value to specify the distance from the
end of the structure to the first infill
In the D2 box, enter a value or use the arrows to change the value to specify the distance between
infills
In the D3 box, enter a value or use the arrows to change the value to specify the distance from the
last infill to the other end of the structure.

Note: In the Defined mode, you must enter distances D1 and D2. Distance D3 is generally deduced by the
system.
To define infill position and spacing with respect to the second structure (reference 2): In the Mode
box, select the appropriate option:
Equal: infills are placed at equal distances along structure 2
Perpendicular to 1: infills are placed perpendicular to structure 1
Perpendicular to 2: infills are placed perpendicular to structure 2
Same as 1: D1 and D3 distances are applied when placing infills along structure 2.
 Use the Same as 1 option when structures are not parallel to keep the same distances between infills and
the ends of structures.

13. When satisfied, click OK to create the infills.

Infills are created and have the characteristics defined in the
Infill Definition dialog box.
Infills are added to the specification tree.

To modify infills, right-click in the specification tree and select the appropriate command from the
contextual menu.
You can translate, rotate and manipulate infills.
 Creating Members on Supports
This task shows how to route straight and curved members along an existing support.
The member can be trimmed to planes, intersection elements or faces of existing
structures selected as limits.
This command is particularly useful when creating curved members.
Open the MemberOnSupport.CATProduct document.
1. Click the Member on Support icon.

The Member on Support dialog box appears.

2. In the Type list, select the type of member you want to create:
Column
Beam
H-Brace
V-Brace.
You can define custom member types using the Tools -> Option command.

3. In the Section list, select the shape you want to use. Click:
One of the available section names, or
Other section... to access catalog sections not already listed.

The first time you enter the workbench, you must initialize the section list with
catalog and/or user sections.
4. In the preview or in the Anchor point list, select the desired point to anchor the
section along the support axis.
Note: Since the section selected
is symmetrical, gravity anchor
points coincide with standard
anchor points.
The illustration to the right
shows standard and gravity
anchor points for a channel
shape section.
5. In the Orientation box, use the arrows to change the angular dimension value and
orient the section around its anchor point:
The Orientation field is updated in 90 degree increments by default. Right-click in
this field to change the step.
In the illustrations below, the anchor point is top left.

6. Select the support curve or line:

Select wireframe elements created using the Grid command or the CATIA V5
Wireframe and Surface Design product. You cannot select elements of a sketch.
The member will be routed along the selected support.
A preview guides you as you create. Any changes in member definition are
immediately reflected in the preview.
Arrows identify the direction along which a positive offset is calculated.
 Right-click in the geometry area to access the contextual menu allowing you to
specify the number of sections previewed.
7. To orient the section with respect to a reference curve or surface, click the
Reference box and select the desired curve or surface.
Specifying a reference lets you create twisted members.

8. Select the first limit to which you want to trim the member
9. Select the second limit.
10. (Optional) In the Offset box, enter a value or use the arrows to change the value to
offset limit 1 or limit 2 by the specified distance.

Limits can be planes, intersection elements or the faces of existing structures.

11. Click OK to create the curved member.
The member is created and has the characteristics defined in the Member on
Support dialog box.
The curved member is added to the specification tree.

To modify a member, right-click it in the specification tree and select the

appropriate command from the contextual menu.
You can translate, rotate and manipulate members.
 Creating Plates
This task shows how to create different types of plate, except end plates.

Open the CreatingPlates.CATProduct document.

The sample documents looks like this:

1. Click the Plate icon.

The Plate Definition dialog box appears.

2. In the Type list, select the desired type of plate.

You can define custom plate types using the Tools -> Option command.

3. In the Thickness box, use the arrows to change the thickness value or enter a value
directly in the box.
4. Select a support:
The support can be a plane or the face of an existing structure.
5. In the Offset box, use the arrows to change the distance value or enter a value directly in
the box to create the plate parallel to the support, offset by the specified distance.
6. Define the contour of your plate:
Click the Sketcher icon to open the Sketcher workbench
Sketch the plate contour in the support plane
Exit the sketcher.
For more information on the Sketcher, see the Sketcher User's Guide.
The plate is created. You can now make any
on-the-fly modifications and see them
reflected in the preview.

Or,
Select points, lines or edges in the
document to define the plate contour.

An arrow normal to the support

and identifying the direction of
extrusion is displayed. As you
select elements, a preview
appears to guide you. Elements
you select are projected onto the
support plane.
Click Apply or double-click to create the
plate.

7. Select the arrow or click the Reverse direction option in the dialog box to extend the plate
in the opposite direction from that shown.
8. Adjust the plate thickness.
9. Click Apply when satisfied.
 You can also modify the shape of your plate and for example create a corner using the
Sketcher.
10. Click OK when done.
The plate is created and has the
characteristics defined in the Plate Definition
dialog box.
The plate is added to the specification tree.

11. Create another structure between the two

plates using a plate face as support.
Your structure now looks like this:

To redefine a plate, right-click it in the specification tree and select Definition from
the contextual menu.
You can translate, rotate and manipulate plates.
 Creating End Plates
This task shows how to create a special type of plate called an end plate.
Click here to find out how to create other types of plate.

No sample document is provided.

1. Click the End-Plate icon.

The End Plate Definition dialog box appears.

2. In the Type list, select the desired type of plate.

3. Define the length, width and thickness of the plate using arrows to change the values or entering
values directly in boxes.
The length and width are defined with respect to the
local axis system of the structure, for example, in the
case of an I shape, the width is defined along the
x-axis parallel to the flange and the length along the
y-axis parallel to the web.

4. Select the end of the structure at which you want

to place the end plate:
A preview appears. An arrow identifies the
direction of extrusion.

To reverse the direction of extrusion, click the arrow or click Reverse direction in the dialog box.
You can adjust all plate characteristics in the dialog box, then click Apply to preview the results.
5. Click OK when satisfied.
The end plate is created as defined and is
added to the specification tree.

Creating Several End Plates by Multiple Selection

Simply Cntrl-click to select more than one structure end and have several end plates created in one
go.
Changing the direction of extrusion or other plate characteristics applies to all end plates.
 Modifying Members
You can modify the definition (type, section, anchor point and orientation) of members as well as extend,
stretch (unconstrained linear members only) and flip them.
All modifications are done via the contextual menu on structures selected in the specification tree.
Note: You cannot select structures you want to modify in the geometry area.

This task shows how to modify members.

No sample document is provided.

1. Right-click the member you want to modify and select the
type of modification you want to make from the contextual
menu.
You can:
Modify the type, section, anchor point and
orientation of members (Definition).
Add a positive or negative offset at member ends
(Extend).
Stretch unconstrained linear members (Stretch).
Flip the section (Flip).
If you have created a large number of structures, right-click the structure of interest in the geometry area
then select the Center Graph command to find your structure in the specification tree.

Modifying the Definition of Several Members by Multiple Selection

You can modify the definition of several members in one go by Cntrl-clicking members in the
specification tree.
Extend, Stretch and Flip commands are not available if a multiple selection is made.
2. Make the required modification.

Definition: make your selection(s) in the Definition dialog box that appears and click OK when
done.
Extend: the Limits Definition dialog appears. Set new values in offset boxes and/or select a new
limit where appropriate then click OK when done.

For structures created by specifying a length, you can also modify the length value.

Stretch: a graphic manipulator is displayed letting you stretch the unconstrained linear member
along the main axes of the section. Stretch your structure and click OK in the Point Definition
dialog box when done.

Important: This command is only available for unconstrained linear members, i.e. those
created by entering coordinates or with the Keep link with selected object option
de-activated).
Flip: select this command to flip an asymmetric section.
 Modifying Plates
You can modify the definition of both plates and end plates.
All modifications are done via the contextual menu on structures selected in the specification tree.
Note: You cannot select structures you want to modify in the geometry area.

This task shows how to change plate characteristics.

No sample document is provided.

1. Right-click the plate you want to modify and select Definition from
the contextual menu.

If you have created a large number of structures, right-click the structure of interest in the geometry area then select the Center Graph
command to find your structure in the specification tree.
Modifying the Definition of Several Plates by Multiple Selection

You can modify the definition of several plates in one go by Cntrl-clicking plates in the specification tree. This capability is not available
for end plates.
Note: Plate contours can only modified one by one.
2. Make the required modification in the Definition dialog box that appears and click OK when done.
If you selected a plate: If you selected an end plate:

The table below summarizes what you can modify:

Plates End plates
Multiple selection Yes, but plate contours can only No
be modified singly
Type Yes Yes
Thickness Yes Yes
Offset Yes No
Contour Yes Length & width
Direction of extrusion Yes Yes
 Joining Structures
Joints define how member ends are cut and are associative. If you modify the member,
the joint is automatically recomputed.
This task shows how to specify the type of joint between members.

No sample document is provided.

1. Click the Joint icon.

The Joint Definition dialog box appears.

2. In the Type list, select the desired type, for

example Normal cut.

Types available are:

None: no cut.
This option lets you remove a previously applied cut.
Weld cut: a cutting plane is used to cut the member you want to trim.
Miter cut: members are perpendicular with ends cut at an angle.
Normal cut: ends of members are cut perpendicular to the support axis.
3. In the Offset box, use the arrows to change the offet value or enter a value directly
in the box to offset the member you want to trim from the trimming member.
4. Select the member serving as limit (trimming member).
5. Select the member you want to trim.
It is important to select members in the correct order.

6. Click Apply to create the cut.

Members are cut back as specified in the dialog box and the joint is identified in the
specification tree.
Curved members cannot be trimmed because the cutting plane may intersect the
curve at more than one location.
 Translating Components
This task will show you two ways to translate a component:
by entering translation values
by selecting geometrical elements to define a translation direction.

The component to be translated must belong to the active component.

The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is available for this command. For more about this
option, refer to Access to geometry in the Infrastructure User's Guide.
If you are working in Assembly Design workshop, this task can be accomplished if you use CATIA P1
configuration only.
Open the MovingComponents01.CATProduct document.
1.
Click the Translate or Rotation icon .

The Move dialog box is displayed.

Either you specify an offset value between the element and x, y or z axis, or you select a geometric
element to define the direction you need.

2. Select the component to be translated, i.e.

CRIC_BRANCH_3.

By entering values
3. Enter 50 mm as the offset value, in the Offset X field. The component will be translated along x axis.

4. Click Apply.
The selected component is translated accordingly.

5. Click the Invert button to reverse the previous operation and translate the component in the
opposite direction.
The component is translated in the opposite direction.
You can click Apply as many times as you wish to translate the component to the desired position.

6. Click OK to close the dialog box.

7. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

By selecting geometric elements

8. Click the Selection button to define a new translation with respect to a geometric element.
The Translation tab contents is grayed out.
If you select a line or a plane you need to enter a distance value. The translation is then done along
the selected line or normal to the selected plane. Selecting two faces or planes assumes these
elements are parallel.
 9. Select the red and blue faces as shown.
These faces are parallel.

CATIA computes the distance between these faces. The Offset field then displays this distance
value:
Offset X: 20mm
Offset Y: 0mm
Offset Z: 0mm
10. Click Apply to translate the blue component.
You can apply this translation to any other
components. You just need to select it and click
the Apply button.

11. Click OK to exit.

Using CATIA P2 configuration, you can translate constrained components using the Shift key and
the compass.
 Rotating Components
This task will show you the two ways of rotating a component:
by entering the rotation angle and specifying the rotation axis
by selecting a geometric element as the rotation axis and entering the angle value.

The component to be rotated must belong to the active component.

The option "Automatic switch to Design mode" is available for this command. For more about this
option, refer to Access to geometry in the Infrastructure User's Guide.
If you are working in Assembly Design workshop, this task can be accomplished if you use CATIA P1
configuration only.
Open the MovingComponents01.CATProduct document.
1.
Click the Translate or Rotation icon .
The Move dialog box is displayed.
The Move dialog box is displayed. Translation options are available. To find out how to translate
components, refer to Translating a Component.

2. Click the Rotation tab.

3. Select the component you wish to rotate, that is

CRIC_BRANCH_1.
 Entering a rotation angle

4. For example, check the Axis Y option to specify the axis of rotation.

5. Enter 90 as the angle value in the Angle field.

6. Click Apply.
The selected component is rotated accordingly.

7. Click OK to close the dialog box.

8. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3.

Selecting geometry to define the axis of rotation

9. Click the Selection button to define a new rotation with respect to a geometrical element.

10. Select the edge as shown to specify the new

rotation axis.

11. Enter 90deg in the Angle field.

12. Click Apply to rotate the red component.
You can apply this rotation to any other
components. You just need to select it and click
the Apply button.

13. Click OK to exit.

Using CATIA P2 configuration, you can rotate constrained components by means of the Shift key
and the compass.
 Manipulating Components
The Manipulate command lets you move a component freehand with the mouse. It is less constraining
than the Translate and Rotate commands.
This task will show you how to manipulate a component.

The component you wish to manipulate must belong to the active component.
Open the MovingComponents02.CATProduct document.

1.
Click the Manipulate icon .

The Manipulation Parameters dialog box appears. You can translate or rotate components using
one of the following options:
The first and second horizontal rows are reserved for translations. You can move your
component along the x, y or z-axis as well as in the xy, yz and xz planes
The third row is reserved for rotations. You can rotate your component around the x, y or
z-axis
The fourth column lets you specify the direction of your choice by selecting a geometric
element. This element defines the direction of the move or the axis of rotation.

2.
Click the Drag along Y axis icon .

3. Select Set1 as the component to be translated.

4. Drag Set1.
The component is translated in the Y axis direction.

5.
Now select CRIC_FRAME and click Drag around Y axis icon .
6. Drag the component. You are rotating it around the Y axis.
7. Check the option With respect to constraints. If you repeat the previous operation, you will notice
that you are not allowed to do it. The existing parallelism constraint prevents you from moving the
component.

8. Click OK to exit.

Use the Shift key and the compass to manipulate constrained components.
 Creating a Grid
Using grids lets you position structures more easily as well as design in context. You can create structures referencing geometrical grid elements.
Design changes can then be introduced by modifying the grid and updating the structure in consequence.
Note: You can also design in context using assembly constraints.
This task shows how to create a new grid that you can then use as a construction aid to create members.
A grid is made of wireframe elements (lines, points and planes) and is identified in the specification tree. It can be created using either the
Cartesian or Polar coordinate system.

Start the Structure Design workbench (Mechanical Design ->Structure Design from the Start menu).
1. Click the Grid icon.

The Grid Definition dialog box appears.

2. Enter a name for the grid you want to create in the Name box:
The grid will be identified by this name in the specification tree.
3. Select Relative or Absolute in the Mode list to define the grid construction mode.
In the absolute mode, grid planes are positioned with respect to the grid origin. Planes can be repositioned independently of one another.
In the relative mode, grid planes are positioned with respect to each other. Moving a plane impacts other planes offset from that plane.
This is the default mode.
4. Enter absolute coordinates in the Origin box or select a point in the geometry area to define the grid origin.
If you select a point, the point is identified in the dialog box. The grid origin is now linked to this point.
5. In the First direction in XY plane box:
In the Cartesian tab, enter H and V coordinates to define the local x-axis.
Or,
Click the Polar tab and enter an angle to define the polar axis.
Or,
Select a line in the geometry area.

Note: By default, the local x-axis is positioned along the absolute x-axis.
If you select a line, the line is identified in the dialog box. The first direction is now linked to this line.
6. Specify grid coordinates:
In the Cartesian tab, specify the distance between grid points and number of points along x, y and z axes.
Or,
In the Polar tab, specify the radius, amplitude and spacing along the z-axis as well as the number of grid points in each case.
 Note: Clicking More expands the dialog box and lets you enter up to three more different combinations to define your grid.

7. Click OK to create the grid.

The grid is created and is identified in the specification tree.
Grid planes are associative: moving a plane will update the grid.

This is useful when modifying a structure: move a plane (double-click to edit) and see the structure defined using the grid updated when you
double-click the root product in the specification tree if the following options were set in the General tab in the Options dialog box (Tools ->
Options, Mechanical Design):
Keep link with selected object
Synchronize all external references for update.
 Workbench Description
The Equipment Support Structures Version 5 application window looks like this:
Click the hotspots to see related documentation.

Design Toolbar
Assembly Toolbar
Specification Tree
 Design Toolbar

See Creating a Foundation

See Creating a Grid
See Making Up a List of Sections
See Creating Linear Members
See Creating Infills
See Creating Members on Supports
See Creating Plates
See Creating End Plates
See Joining Structures
 Assembly Toolbar

See Translating Structures and Rotating Structures

See Manipulating Structures
 Specification Tree

Icons displayed in the specification tree and specific to the Equipment Support Structures
workbench are as follows:
Typifies document as a foundation document.
A linear or curved structure.
Support axis along which the section is anchored.
A flat structure.
 Customizing
Equipment Support Structures Settings: Before you start your first working session, you
can customize the way you work to suite your habits.
Equipment Support Structures Settings
This first task shows you how to customize Equipment Support Structures settings.
Select Tools -> Options... from the menu bar.
1.
The Options dialog box appears.
2. Click Equipment & Systems -> Equipment Support Structures in the left-hand box.
3. Click the Equipment Support Structures tab.

The Equipment Support Structures tab lets you customize:

Member and plate default colors and materials:
Member color: select the default color for members in the box
list.
Plate color: select the default color for plates in the box list.
Member material: select the default material for members in the
box list.
Plate material: select the default material for plates in the box
list.
 Manage user types:
Add: enter the name of the member or plate type then click Add
to add user types.
Remove: select the member or plate type in the list then click
Remove to remove user types.
Paths to directories containing sample standard catalog sections and
available sections:
Catalog storage / Directory: identifies the path of the directory
containing sample standard catalog sections:

downloaddirectory/OS/startup/components/structuralcatalogs
where OS is the operating system, for example intel_a
(Windows NT).
Section storage / Directory: identifies the full path of the
directory containing available sections, for example e:\Section.

This directory contains resolved user-defined sections

stored here directly and any sample standard or
user-defined catalog sections accessed via the Section
command or the Other section... option. It is recommended
that an empty directory be identified.
4. Click OK in the dialog box when done.
 Glossary
A

Corresponds to the point at which a section is

anchor point
anchored along the support axis

A geometric or dimension relation between two components in an assembly, for example a

assembly constraint
surface contact or parallelism constraint
C
In the Structure Design workshop, there are two types of constaint:
constraint Construction constraint
Assembly constraint
A relation between the structure you create and the underlying wireframe geometry used as
construction constraint
construction geometry
curved member A structure having initial curvature
E

Special type of plate. The length and width are

defined with respect to the local axis system of
the structure, for example, in the case of an I
endplate
shape, the width is defined along the x-axis
parallel to the flange and the length along the
y-axis parallel to the web

I
infill One or more linear members created in one go between two structures.
J
The way members are fastened together. Several cuts are proposed:
joint Weld cut: a cutting plane is used to cut the member you want to trim
Miter cut: members are perpendicular with ends cut at an angle
Normal cut: ends of members are cut perpendicular to the support axis
L
linear member A straight structure, for example a column or beam
M
member A linear or curved structure
O
orientation Defines how the section is oriented around its anchor point
 P
plate A flat structure
S
section Profile defining the shape of a member
support axis The line in a member along which the selected section is anchored
W
Elements such as points, lines or curves used as construction aids to help you create your
wireframe element
structures
 Index

C
creating
foundation
grid
structures

F
foundation
creating
Foundation command

G
grid
creating

J
joining
structures
L
list of sections
making up

M
making up
list of sections
modifying
structures
moving
structures

S
structures
creating
joining
modifying
moving