About Component Groups

A component group is a small network that consists of several objects but is considered as a single entity. A dedicated attribute, the Instantiation Rule, allows you to define the behavior of the component group during the placement. Using component groups enables you to save time when creating a network design.

This page discusses:

See Also
Creating a Component Group

General Information

This section provides you with more general information about component groups.

A component group has the following characteristics:

  • The component group is a miscellaneous part.
    Note: The Create 3D Part option in the 3D Part tab of the Piping Miscellaneous dialog box must be disabled.
  • The miscellaneous part is a small network containing a number of piping or tubing parts and routes.
  • The miscellaneous part has ports corresponding to the ends of the small network.

Instantiation Rule

The instantiation rule defines the behavior of the component group.

The administrator defines the instantiation rule value on the references. Depending on the value, the component group has a specific behavior during its placement in the network design.

Three values exist:

  • Reuse Reference
  • New Reference
  • Reuse or New reference

Reuse Reference

If the component group has Reuse Reference as instantiation rule, then:

  • The component group is instantiated like a standard reference.
  • The component group cannot be modified after instantiation.
  • Only the Replace command is available.

Behavior with Commands

The Duplicate or Mirror Instances command is not available.

New Reference

If the component group has New Reference as instantiation rule, then:

  • The component group is managed like a pattern and all the instances of the component group are recreated under a targeted product.
    Note: The component group is not instantiated.
  • Each reference of these instances is managed following their reference mode. For more information, see Piping/Tubing Instantiation.
  • All the links defined between the different objects inside the component group are recreated.

Behavior with Commands

The Duplicate or Mirror Instances command is not available.

Reuse or New Reference

If the component group has Reuse or New Reference as instantiation rule, then the component group is instantiated like a standard reference and the instances of the part are either instantiated or duplicated, depending on their reference mode.

This instantiation rule is specifically used for component groups containing a flexible route.

The component group must follow these rules:

  • The miscellaneous part must contain at least one flexible part and the Length mode is strongly advised.
  • The flexible part must be connected with hoses or other parts that are inside the component group.
  • If the component group contains a rigid route, then this rigid route has imperatively the Reuse Reference mode when it is instantiated, so that edition of the rigid route is forbidden.
  • Only the component group and the flexible part are duplicated. All the other parts inside the component group are instantiated.

Behavior with Commands

Some commands have a specific behavior with this type of component group:

  • If the miscellaneous part is the root product in your design, you have access to all functionalities to create or modify the component group definition. If the component group is instantiated, then you can only:
    • Modify the position of the component group parts using the Adjust Layout command.
    • Switch the algorithm of the flexible part between FLX and standard.
    • Add passing points and supports.
  • All spool functionalities are not applicable to the component group, as the component group is a spool itself.
  • Insulation is managed inside the component group but cannot be applied on the component group.
  • With the Resize, Comply with Spec, and Replace commands, the whole component group is modified.
  • With the Connect command, two behaviors are available:
    • If the first end of the flexible part is already connected, then the second end moves to be connected and the shape of the flexible route is modified.
    • If the first end is not connected, then the whole component group moves and the shape of the flexible route is not modified.
  • The Duplicate or Mirror Instances command is not available.