4.4.15.5. Crossing connection

Crossing connection

With the Crossing connection type (X), the centroidal axes of two profiles cross each other at a certain spatial distance. This allows precise modeling of connections in which parts run above one another or offset from one another.

Prerequisites

Before you start creating the crossing connection, make sure that the following points are fulfilled:

• Software: Advance Steel™ is installed (for this chapter). The procedure is the same in AutoCAD Plant 3D™.
• SuCri: Module 3 is loaded and licensed.
• Model: Two profiles (main profile and crossing profile) exist in the model, and their axes cross each other in space.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Open the connection dialog

1. Open your model in Advance Steel™.
2. In the ribbon, navigate to the SuCri tab.
3. In the Module 3 group, click Connections.

Expected result: The connection dialog with the seven connection types appears.

Step 2: Select the "Crossing" connection type

1. Click the Crossing button. Confirming with OK is not necessary, the selection starts immediately.

Alternatively: If Module 3 is pinned to the tool palette, click Crossing in the Connections group (command SuCri3ConnectCrossing).

Expected result: The window is hidden, and the command line prompts you to select the main profile.

Step 3: Select the main profile

1. At Select beam to connect to (main profile), click the main profile. This is usually the continuous main part.

Step 4: Select the crossing profile

1. At Select Beam to Connect, click the profile that crosses the main profile. Confirming with Enter is not necessary.

Expected result: SuCri shows the list of matching crossing connections with image, description and item code.

Step 5: Select the connection

1. In the list, click the desired product. SuCri places it in the model immediately.
2. Plates, screws and offset are specified by the selected product. There is no separate properties window.

Step 6: Check and finish

1. Check the connection visually for collisions by rotating and zooming in the model.
2. Make sure that all structural requirements (number of screws, welds) are met.
3. Close the dialog with Close and save your model.

Expected result: The crossing connection is fully modeled and ready for drawing derivations.

Important notes

• Axis distance: Pay close attention to the spatial distance between the centroidal axes. If the distance does not match the product, the command line states the required and the current distance.
• Order: Always select the main profile first and then the crossing profile.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Use ESC to cancel and F3 for object snap.

Troubleshooting

• No matching connection offered: The selected profile sizes or their distance do not match any product, or the profiles do not cross each other. Check the command line as well as the distance and angle tolerance in the Module 3 settings.
• Wrong product or collisions with screws: Select a different product via right-click on the connection box > SuCri Connection > Modify.
• Wrong geometry: Make sure that during the selection you really clicked the main profile first and then the crossing profile. When in doubt, delete the connection and create it again.

Related articles

• Placing connections, the general procedure in the connection dialog.
• Update or copy connection, swap the product or transfer the connection.
• Deleting a connection, remove connections correctly.

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