Create Panel Fittings

Structural Design User Guide

Plates : Create Panel Fittings

Creates a Panel Fitting (PFIT) element which can be used to represent any item which is attached to a Panel. These can be used to indicate such things as the presence of the penetrating item or an ancillary item such as an inspection cover, doorway or manhole. A PFIT is positioned relative to the origin of its owning panel.

As with a bolted joint, panel fittings can incorporate (or consist entirely of) negative volumes which represent holes in their owning panels.

A panel fitting is positioned relative to its owning panel’s origin by setting the position properties and is orientated about an axis perpendicular to the panel by setting the beta angle properties. It can be justified to align its origin plane with the top face, centre plane, or bottom face of the panel by setting the justification property. As an example, a stylised manhole might be defined.

A PFIT is a catalogue item which can be used to represent any type of geometric entity which is to be owned by, and positioned relative to, a panel. Typically, the catalogue might include panel fittings which represent, for example, doors, windows, access manholes and lifting lugs.

You are prompted to Select panel

Click to identify the panel to associate with the fitting to display the Panel Fitting window.

The Panel Fitting window allows you to associate a catalogue specification with the fitting and modify the dimensions of the fitting component parts. The functionality of the Panel Fitting window is identical to the Section Fitting window. Refer to Create Section Fitting for further information.

Once a fitting has been selected using the Panel Fitting window. You can position the fitting on the panel.

You are prompted to Specify Position (Just: #) or

Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify the position of the fitting.

A fitting is created and displays in the 3D view.

Throughout the fitting creation process you can press ESC to cancel the command. Additional functionality is also available.



Justification	Press the down arrow key and select Justification to define the justification position of the fitting. Input a justification value in the field and press Enter or press the down arrow key and select a justification value.
Angle	Press the down arrow key and select Angle to rotate the fitting. You are prompted to Specify Angle <#deg> Input an angular value in the field and press Enter or click to identify the angle of the fitting.
Repeat	Press the down arrow key and select Repeat to create multiple fittings. You are prompted to Specify position (Just: #) or <Finish> Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify the position of the fitting. The prompt is repeated allowing you to create multiple fittings. Input F at the prompt and press Enter to end the command.
Top outwards	Press the down arrow key and select Top outwards to create a fitting with top outward justification.
Top inwards	Press the down arrow key and select Top inwards to create a fitting with top inward justification.
Centre outwards	Press the down arrow key and select Centre outwards to create a fitting with centre outward justification.
Centre inwards	Press the down arrow key and select Centre inwards to create a fitting with centre inward justification.
Bottom outwards	Press the down arrow key and select Bottom outwards to create a fitting with bottom outward justification.
Bottom inwards	Press the down arrow key and select Bottom inwards to create a fitting with bottom inward justification.
Finish	Press the down arrow key and select Finish to end the command.

The new PFIT element displays in the Model Explorer.