E-Z Beam Release ( Modeling ) (a custom component )

Tool summary :

  • Can add slots to the top flange of a wide flange or welded plate wide flange beam. The slots serve as lift holes for the E-Z Beam Release tool.
  • E-Z Beam Release can be found in Modeling in the " Command group " called ' Toolbox ' in Toolbar Configuration (classic) or in the Ribbon Editor (lightning). It is available at no additional cost to SDS2 software users whose support accounts are current. For more information, contact your SDS2 sales representative.

The E-Z Beam Release custom component creates lift holes for the E-Z Beam Release tool, which is manufactured by Freedom Tools, LLC. The E-Z Beam Release tool makes it easier for erection crew to attach and detach an "I" beam to and from a crane's lift line so that the beam is easier to erect at the construction site.

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   To add, edit, or delete an E-Z Beam Release custom component :

  • Defaults: When you add this component to connect two beam flanges for the first time during a Modeling session, options on this window are populated with choices made at Home > Project Settings > Job > Plugin Defaults > Components > Beam Flange to Flange Connection . Thereafter, during that same Modeling session, each subsequently added beam flange to flange component will use the settings from the component that was last added or last edited.
  • To add an E-Z Beam Release custom component.

    • Method 1 (preselection) : 1 ) Preselect a wide flange or welded plate wide flange beam. 2 ) Choose Model > Component > Add or click the icon. 3 ) Select " E-Z Beam Release " as the custom component you want to add. 4 ) On the E-Z Beam Release window, make appropriate choices, then press " OK ." 5 ) If User and Site Options > Modeling > " Automatically process after modeling operation " is set to ' Process and create solids ', two slots are immediately added to the top flange of the beam you selected in step 1. If not, the slots will be generated on the beam the next time that beam undergoes Process and Create Solids .
    • Method 2 (in-tool selection): If you do not preselect a beam as described in step 1 for method 1, you will be prompted to " Locate member to add to ."
    • Method 3 (multiselection): If you want to simultaneously add the E-Z Beam Release custom component to multiple beams, you can select multiple beams in step 1 of method 1.
  • To edit an E-Z Beam Release custom component, you can double-click its cube (to open the E-Z Beam Release window) or you can open its beam's edit window and make the changes you want in the [ E-Z Beam Release ] section. The Component Selection Tool can also be used to edit (and find) custom components. The " Selection filter " must be ' Default ' or ' Custom Components ' in order for you to use the double-click method of editing.
  • To select a E-Z Beam Release custom component, simply click on its bolts or cube when the " Selection filter " is set to ' Default ' or ' Custom Components ', You can also select the appropriate member's E-Z Beam Release listing in the model tree .
  • To delete a E-Z Beam Release custom component: 1 ) Select the component. 2 ) Press the Delete key (or choose Edit > Delete ).
  • Another way to delete a E-Z Beam Release custom component: 1 ) On the component's Beam Edit , select " E-Z Beam Release " in the navigation tree (left panel). 2 ) Right-click and choose " Delete " on the menu. The [ E-Z Beam Release ] section disappears. 3 ) Press the beam window's " OK " button to make the deletion of the component permanent.
  • In the Model Tree , the custom component is listed under its member as E-Z Beam Release when " View By " is set to ' Member piecemark ' or ' Member number '. The component is listed after its member's connection components ( Left End and Right End ), and before that member's submaterials, welds and bolts.

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   E-Z Beam Release custom component settings :

-------     E-Z Beam Release ------

Hole locate options: Based on center of gravity or 2 hole sets based on offset dimension from C. O. G. or 1 hole set based on offset dimension from C. O. G .

' Based on center of gravity ' centers the slots for the E-Z Beam Release tool at the center of gravity point on the top flange of the beam.

' 2 hole sets based on offset dimension from C. O. G. ' creates two hole sets, one set to the left of the center of gravity point on the top flange of the beam (C.O.G.), the other set to the right of the center of gravity point. The center of each of these hole sets is marked by a purple cube. The distance that each of these purple cubes is from the center of gravity is the " Offset dimension ."

' 1 hole set based on offset dimension from C. O. G. ' creates one hole set, the center of which is placed the " Offset dimension " and the " Offset direction " from the center of gravity point on the top flange of the beam (C.O.G.).

Hole pattern rotation (degrees): Auto or Auto .

' Auto (checked) ' instructs E-Z Beam Release to calculate the optimal rotation of the slots.

' Auto (not checked) ' lets you enter a positive or negative number of degrees. A positive number rotates the hole pattern counterclockwise. 0 rotates the slots so that they run parallel with the flange. A negative number rotates the hole pattern clockwise.

Offset dimension: A distance (in the primary dimension " Units " or other units ). This applies when " Hole locate options " is set to ' 2 hole sets based on offset dimension from C. O. G .' or to ' 1 hole set based on offset dimension from C. O. G .'.

When the " Hole locate options " is set to ' 2 hole sets based on offset dimension from C. O. G. ', this " Offset dimension " is applied twice, once for the hole set to the left of the center of gravity, and another time for the hoe set to the right of the center of gravity.

When the " Hole locate options " is set to ' 1 hole sets based on offset dimension from C. O. G .', the single hole set that this apples to is centered this "Offset dimension" from the center of gravity in the specified " Offset direction " (' Left ' or ' Right ').

Offset direction: Left or Right . This applies when " Hole locate options " is set to ' 1 hole set based on offset dimension from C. O. G. '.

' Left ' centers the two slots in the hole set the " Offset dimension " to the left of the center of gravity point on the top flange of the beam. The direction left is the direction from the center of gravity toward the left end of the beam.

' Right ' centers the two slots in the hole set the " Offset dimension " to the right of the center of gravity point on the top flange of the beam. The center of the two slots is marked by a purple cube. The direction right is the direction from the center of gravity toward the right end of the beam.

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