The Piping and Tubing Design Guide for SolidWorks Routing 2011

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By: Wes Mosier

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This manual is meant for instructional use only, and is in no way intended to replace the SolidWorks Routing help files or the SolidWorks Manual. In case of conflict, always refer to the documentation supplied with your SolidWorks license.

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. SolidWorks Corporation is a Dassault Systemes S.A. company. SolidWorks Corporation 300 Baker Avenue Concord, Massachusetts 01742 USA

This reference manual was prepared by: Wes Mosier

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Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 - Wes Mosier All Rights Reserved This publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose. This includes, but is not limited to transmittal by any means, electronic or mechanical for any purpose without the express written permission of Wes Mosier. The documents and files furnished by Wes Mosier for the use of the “Piping & Tubing Design Guide for SolidWorks Routing” is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of this license. Wes Mosier makes no warranty, either express or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding these materials, and makes such materials available solely on an “as-is” basis. In no event shall Wes Mosier be liable to anyone for special, collateral, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of the purchase or use of these materials. The sole and exclusive liability to Wes Mosier, regardless of the form of action, shall not exceed the purchase price of the materials described herein. Wes Mosier reserves the right to revise and improve his product as he sees fit. This includes the addition or removal of information from the publication. This publication describes the state of this product at the time of its publication, and may not reflect the product at all times in the future. Third Party Trademarks All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Third Party Software Credits SolidWorks Corporation is a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq:DASTY) company. SolidWorks® and SolidWorks Routing® are registered trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation. SolidWorks 2006 is a product name of SolidWorks Corporation. FeatureManager® is a jointly owned registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. Feature Palette™, PhotoWorks™, and PDMWorks™ are trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation.

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Subscription Service Guidelines Terms of Service for Using the Downloadable Documents This document, and all subsequent documents mentioned herein were downloaded from Wes Mosier at www.ForefrontStudios.com and are subject to the terms and conditions listed herein. 1) No document, file or verbatim used in any of the “Piping & Tubing Design Guide for SolidWorks Routing” manual may be distributed by any means, electronic or mechanical without written permission from the author, Wes Mosier. 2) This manual and all related files are property of Wes Mosier regardless of any purchases made. Wes Mosier reserves the right to revoke the rights to use these files at any time, for any reason. 3) Only the individual who is in charge of downloading the manual as provided at the time of registration may download portions of the manual or related files. 4) This manual may be freely distributed to any person located at the address provided upon registration so long as that person is employed by the company that registered the subscription service. Example: a. Joe Smith at Widgets Inc. at 123 Carefree Court, Lancaster, PA purchases the subscription service for the manual. b. Joe Smith is the only individual authorized to download the manual and related files from the download website. c. Joe may then distribute these files and documents in electronic or printed form to any individual who is employed by Widgets Inc. so long as that individual works at the same address as Joe Smith (123 Carefree Court, Lancaster, PA). d. If another individual employed by Widgets Inc. wishes to review the manual, but works in a field office at another location, he must purchase his own subscription service for the manual. e. Only authorized individuals at the registered address may view the document or related files. 5) If you do not agree with these conditions, then you may not download or view the manual or related files.

This manual is Copyrighted by Wes Mosier & all Rights are Reserved. Wes Mosier can be contacted regarding this manual at: [email protected]

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Typical piping skid Image Courtesy of Wes Mosier

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Table of Contents Chapter 1 – The Basics How the Routing Package Works………………………………………………. 1-1 Cpoints & Rpoints………………………………………………………… 1-1 Design Tables…………………………………………………………..... 1-2 The 3D Sketch……………………………………………………………. 1-4 Assemblies, Subassemblies, Parts & Routing Files………………..… 1-6 Routing Templates………………………………………………………... 1-8 How They All Work Together……………………………………………. 1-9 Routing Options and Settings……………………………………………………. 1-11 Chapter 2 - Required Features of Components Cpoints & Rpoints (What are they?)……………………………………………. 2-1 Pipe……………………………………………………………………………..….. 2-5 Tube…………………………………………………………………….................. 2-8 Elbows……………………………………………………………..………………. 2-12 Tees………………………………………………………………….…………….. 2-16 Flanges……………………………………………………….……………………. 2-17 Reducers…………………………………………………………….…………….. 2-17 Other Components (Valves, Filters, Strainers, etc…)…………….…………... 2-18 Chapter 3 – Starting a Route (creating a routing subassembly) Things to consider before starting………………………………………………. 3-1 The Design Library……………………………………………………………….. 3-2 Adding a starting component to the assembly…………………………………. 3-4 The Route Properties Dialog…………………………………………………… 3-5 Chapter 4 – Routing Pipe Route Properties/Settings………………………………………………………… 4-1 Routing Straight Pipe With Elbows……………………………………………… 4-3 Routing Bent Pipe…………………………………………………………………. 4-7 Ending Your Route………………………………………………………………… 4-10 Creating Custom Elbows (when you exit the sketch)…………………………. 4-11 Piping Routing Files……………………………………………………………….. 4-14 Chapter 5 – Routing Tubing Route Properties/Settings………………………………………………………… 5-1 Routing Rigid Tube……………………………………………………………….. 5-3 Routing Flexible Tubing.................................................................................. 5-4 Ending Your Route…………………………………………………………………5-6 Tubing Routing Files………………………………………………………………. 5-7

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Chapter 6 – Editing a Routing Subassembly Adding a Tee………………………………………………………………………..6-1 Adding Components to Your Route……………………………………………… 6-6 Using Split Points to Add Components to Your Route……………………….. 6-11 Removing Pipe or Tube Between Two Fittings……………………………….. 6-13 Adding Back Removed Pipe or Tube…………………………………………… 6-15 Adding a Reducer to Your Piping Route………………………………………… 6-16 Changing the Route Properties………………………………………………….. 6-24 Changing the Line Size/Schedule of Your Pipe/Tubing Route….………….. 6-26 Replacing Routing Components.....……………………………………………… 6-29 Chapter 7 – Miscellaneous Routing Procedures Pipe Penetrations…………………………………………………………………. 7-1 Adding Mounting Brackets & Pipe Supports……………………………………. 7-3 Forming Subassemblies………………………………………………………….. 7-10 Dissolving Subassemblies……………………………………………………...… 7-10 Using “Find References” to Relocate Pipe/Tubing Files…………...…………..7-11 Bolted Connections……………………………………………………….………. 7-12 Adding Branch Fittings (Weld-O-Lets & Bosses)………………………………. 7-13 Chapter 8 – Creating Custom Routing Components Creating Custom Components (Valves, Strainers, etc…)…………………….. 8-1 Cpoints………….. …………………………………………………………8-2 Rpoints……………………………………………………………………...8-4 The Vertical Axis………………………………………………………….. 8-6 Creating Custom Flanges & Start Parts………………………………………… 8-7 Chapter 9 – Inserting Subassemblies Into Your Route Creating a Routing Subassembly……………………………………………….. 9-2 ACpoints & ARpoints……………………………………………………………… 9-4 Inserting the Subassembly Into Your Route……………………………………. 9-6 Chapter 10 – Design Tables What Exactly Does the Design Table Do?……………………………..……….. 10-1 Adding Custom Properties…………………………………………………………10-2 Pulling the Data Out of the Design Table & Into My Drawing………………….10-4 Chapter 11 – The Drawing How to Crop Pipe So It Looks Like Pipe………………………………………… 11-1 Dimensioning Pipe & Tubing…………………………………………………… 11-2 The Bill of Materials……………………………………………………………….. 11-3

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About This Manual: The information provided in this manual is meant as a supplement to the online help files and documentation provided with your copy of SolidWorks 2008 and the SolidWorks 2008 Routing add-on. In case of conflicting/missing information, always consult the documentation and help files supplied with your copy of SolidWorks.

About the Author: Wes Mosier, CSWA, CSWP, CSWE Wes Mosier has been involved in the mechanical design, architecture, structural and process piping industries for over nineteen years as a Cad Engineering Design Drafter. He has written procedural manuals and technical documentation for large and small companies over the past 12 years, and has taught both lecture and hands on courses at private firms and technical conventions, including break-out classes at SolidWorks World. Wes Mosier has been using the SolidWorks Piping/Routing add-on for over 10 years while employed by engineering, fabrication and design firms in California. “I wrote this manual to give the users of SolidWorks Routing a heads-up approach to learning the basics of the tubing and piping package. Individuals who follow this document can gain a clear understanding of the fundamentals behind how the program works, and can adapt these procedures to suit their specific company needs. Simply put, this manual was written by a user, for the user.” -Wes Mosier

Special thanks to my wife Kelly, for putting up with my late nights and for all the encouragement.

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A quick note about the name: Throughout this manual, I will refer to SolidWorks Routing as both SolidWorks Routed Systems & SolidWorks Routing. In the early days of the software, it was originally called SolidWorks Piping, then changed to SolidWorks Routing when the electrical enhancements were added. The current “official” name is “SolidWorks Routed Systems”, but is widely known by any of these names. Depending on what country you are in, the spelling may be slightly different, but it is all the same software.

Step One: Turn on SolidWorks Routed Systems Is SolidWorks Routing Included in my Version of SolidWorks? SolidWorks Routed Systems comes included with SolidWorks Premium. It is not a part of the SolidWorks Professional package. It is easy to upgrade from Pro to Premium. Simply contact your reseller, and they will provide you with all of the necessary information. They can also tell you about all of the additional benefits and features available with the Premium package. To see which type of SolidWorks you currently have installed, open SolidWorks, and click “Help” on the top menu bar, then “About” towards the bottom of the drop-down.

Your type of SolidWorks will be shown here

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Activate the Routed Systems Add-In When you are positive that you have SolidWorks Premium edition, you must then be sure the Add-In for Routed Systems is enabled. To do this, simply select “Tools” from the top menu bar, then select “Add-Ins” towards the bottom. A window will appear displaying all of the add-ins that you have installed. Scroll down the list, and find the one called “SolidWorks Routing”.

If you do not see “SolidWorks Routing” in the list, then you either do not have “SolidWorks Premium” edition, or for some reason, the Routing Add-In was not installed when you originally installed SolidWorks. Contact your reseller for more information on either of these two cases. By checking the box to the left of the “SolidWorks Routing” name, you will activate the add-in for this current session of SolidWorks only. If you check the box to the right of the name, Routing will activate every time you start SolidWorks. It is recommended that you disable the add-in when not in use to conserve memory and other computer resources. Click the “OK” button and SolidWorks will load Routed Systems into memory. This will include adding approximately (5) five floating toolbars and a “Routing” drop-down to the top menu bar. You will not need all of these toolbars to route piping and tubing. Some of the toolbars contain electrical routing tools, and some of the toolbars are simply smaller versions of the larger ones.

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How the Routing Package Works At first glance, SolidWorks Routing would seem to be a very complex, hard to understand add-in. Although it is considered an advanced topic, it is actually quite simplistic in its design and utilizes basic SolidWorks principles to complete the routing tasks. Having a solid understanding of how SolidWorks functions, top-down design, creating parts, and editing assemblies in context is a prerequisite to learning SolidWorks Routing. When you create a route in SolidWorks, you are really just creating an in-context subassembly and creating a 3D Sketch to tell SolidWorks where your route goes. You can add components to your route by dragging and dropping them onto sketch points. You have probably already used most of the tools that SolidWorks Routing utilizes to create parts and assemblies. Some of these are Design Tables, 3D sketches, working In-Context, Parts and Subassemblies. Some other tools may be new to you like Cpoints and Rpoints.

Cpoints & Rpoints Every component that is used in a piping or tubing route must have some sort of identifier that tells SolidWorks that it can be used with the Routing package. That is what Cpoints & Rpoints do. Cpoints tell SolidWorks where to start a piece of pipe or tube from. (such as the end of an elbow where a piece of pipe would be buttwelded) They also contain routing properties that tell SolidWorks what size of pipe/tubing to route, and what direction it goes (away from the fitting, or towards it). There are three types of Cpoints: Fabricated Pipe, Tubing and Electrical. The type you use depends on what you want to route. Some parts contain both Tube Cpoints and Fabricated Pipe Cpoints, such as a pipe to tube adapter. The image below shows a typical buttwelded TEE pipe fitting. Notice that the Rpoint is on the intersecting points of the part, and the Cpoints are on the ends. When sketching your route, the Rpoint would be placed onto the point at the intersection of the segments. Cpoint

Cpoint

Cpoint

Rpoint Rpoints are used to locate the component on a point in the 3D Sketch, hence the name Route Point or Rpoint. When placing a component into a piping route, the Rpoints of components can be placed at the end point of a line, or on a “Split Point” in the 3D sketch.

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There are also variations of the Cpoints and Rpoints that are used in subassembly components. These are called ACpoints & ARpoints. These are used when inserting a subassembly into a route. I'll show you how to do that in Chapter 9, "Inserting Subassemblies Into Your Route". See also: Chapter 2 – Cpoints & Rpoints Chapter 9 – ACpoints & ARpoints

Design Tables Think of a design table as nothing more than a spread-sheet style representation of all the variables in configurations. Design Tables have commonly been used in SolidWorks parts and assemblies to show different variations of a part or assembly. (See the SolidWorks help files for more information on creating and editing Design Tables for standard parts and assemblies, and Chapter 10, Creating Design Tables) The cylinder shown here has two configurations in the part file. One configuration says that the diameter is 2” and is extruded 1”. The other has a diameter of 1” and is extruded 3”.

If I were to create a design table for this part, it might look like this:

Dimension Names

Configuration Names

Dimension Values

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The design table for the standard library pipe file looks something like this:

Column “A” contains all of the configuration names. Column “B” has the part number for that configuration. Column “C” contains the pipe identifier. (remember this column data for later) Column “D” shows the nominal diameter of the pipe. Column “E” is the actual O.D. of the pipe. Column “F” lists the wall thickness of the pipe. Column “G” is a calculated I.D. of the pipe. Column “H” shows the weight per foot of pipe. Most of these columns are linked directly to sketches used in the part, while others are linked to feature dimensions or properties. Any column that has a “$prp@” in front of it is linked to a custom property in your part or assembly. SolidWorks uses this information to display the pipe on the screen in the 3D sketch, creates a routing file when you exit the 3D sketch after routing a pipe, and to display this information in the drawing’s bill of materials. Other columns can be added to the Design Table including Material, Chamfer information, Specifications, Manufacturing Notes, Purchasing Information, special notes on each type of pipe, and even color. Elbow files, Tees, and many other piping/tubing components all use design tables to allow the user to quickly organize, display, add to, and alter the raw data that SolidWorks uses to create your route. A custom valve without any configurations would not need a design table to be used in a route. See also: Chapter 10 – Design Tables, Adding Custom Properties

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The 3D Sketch In SolidWorks, you need a way to draw the path of your pipe or tubing. You do this using a 3D sketch. This allows you to run a layout in any direction, using any dimensions or constraints that you would normally use in a 3D sketch. 3D Sketches are commonly used in parts to draw a path that can be used as a sweep extrusion path. When you draw a route in the 3D sketch, SolidWorks basically extrudes the pipe or tube along that same path. When you start a new route, SolidWorks automatically opens a new 3D sketch for you to draw with inside of a new subassembly.

While routing in a 3D Sketch

After Exiting the 3D Sketch

As you draw your routing lines, SolidWorks displays a piece of pipe at the nominal size that is taken from the pipe or tube design table. You can tell the routing package to add bends automatically, and if you so choose, elbows can be placed automatically on the bends when you exit the 3D sketch.

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You can use Sketch Planes, Sketch Relations, Construction Lines, and Dimensions to further define your Routing Sketch, just like you would with any other 3D Sketch you make. It is recommended that you fully define your route sketch, or things might mysteriously move without warning.

See also: Chapter 1 – Routing Options & Settings Chapter 3 – Starting a Route Chapter 4 – Routing Pipe Chapter 5 – Routing Tubing

Assemblies, Subassemblies, Parts & Routing Files An assembly is just a file that contains multiple parts and subassemblies. A subassembly is nothing more than an assembly that is inside of another assembly. (basically, a nested assembly) It too can contain more subassemblies and parts. When you're using the Routing Package, the subassembly also contains the 3D Sketch that is used to create your route. Parts are components such as elbows, valves, flanges, etc… that are brought into a routing subassembly to form a “route”. Routing files are part files that SW will create from the Pipe and Tube “Base part files” when you exit a 3D sketch. I'll explain the “Base part files” more a bit later in this chapter. These files can either be saved externally like a normal part or virtually inside the routing subassembly. Let's just say that I create a new assembly and start a route (the route automatically turns into a subassembly) and bring parts into my route like flanges and tees. I now have the main (top level) assembly that I started with and a routing subassembly inside it that contains all the routing components (parts) and routing files (more parts that are the individual pipe segments). This might sound a little confusing at first, but maybe it will help if I give you a real world example: Let’s say I open a new assembly and save it, (I cannot start a route in a new assembly that has never been saved) and then insert a 4” flange from the Design Library, and start a new route. The new route will be the routing subassembly inside my main (top level) assembly. I can have multiple routing subassemblies in my main assembly to form complete piping and tubing systems. In my route, I use 4” schedule 40 pipe, and drew some sketch lines up, then over, then down. When I exit the 3D sketch, SolidWorks will automatically create a “virtual subassembly” inside this top level assembly that contains a “virtual” pipe part that is a modified version of the Pipe Identifier Property of the pipe file I selected when I started the route. That “virtual” pipe part will contain configurations for all the different lengths of pipe I just created. (The Pipe Identifier is taken from the design table of the

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base pipe part file that I selected when I started the route, and is slightly modified to remove any commas or special characters.) When I save my top level assembly, SolidWorks will tell me that my assembly contains some “virtual components” and ask if I want to save them out to a separate file, or keep them virtual inside the assembly. See Chapter 4 – Piping Route Files. The above example is based on routing fabricated pipe with elbows, and will vary slightly if you are routing bent pipe, or tubing. You may also have set your Routing Options differently to automatically save out the parts instead of creating virtual components.

Main Assembly Name

Parts in Assembly Route Sub Assembly

Components In Route Route Part Files Route 3D Sketch

In the above condition, the Route Part Files are saved as Virtual Components inside the TransferLine subassembly. You can tell this by the [ ] enclosed around the “06-STDA106B^TransferLine” part name. The “06-STD-A106B” portion of the name is automatically assigned based on a derivative of the pipe identifier property (see page 13) used in the Base Pipe Part file that was selected when you started the route. The “^” also tells you it is a Virtual Part inside of the TransferLine subassembly.

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Next to every Route Part, the instance count is shown between the , and the configuration name is shown in parenthesis. In the above condition, the Route Parts are stored as Virtual Components inside the TransferLine.sldasm subassembly. A typical “routing file” would look like this in the Feature Tree:

06-STD-A106B (06-STD-A106B,3)

11.43in

Part File Name rd 3 time this file is used in this subassembly This is the name of the configuration being used This is the length of the piece of pipe in the route

Routing Templates Templates are used throughout SolidWorks as a base file for creating new parts, assemblies and routes. For example, if you were to open SolidWorks and start a new part, SolidWorks will open the Part.prtdot template file, and use it for your new part. The template file contains all of the information pertinent to starting a new file, such as units, colors, settings, grid size, options, document properties, etc… Routing templates are no different. You can customize how your Routing Subassemblies begin by editing the routing template. For example, you can add extra planes in the template to specify elevations, set up project specific units, or you can create a base-sketch of the floorplan of a building and use it as a reference to route your piping that includes grid lines, coordinates, etc.

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Every time you start a new route, you can specify the routing template for that project, and have all of your routing subassemblies use the same template.

The default template file is located in the “SolidWorks\Data\Templates” directory and is called “routeAssembly.asmdot”.

It is recommended that you edit an existing routing template file, then save it as your own custom template, rather than start a new assembly and save it in the template format.

How They All Work Together (cpoints, rpoints, assemblies, routing files, 3D sketches, and routing templates) (it is assumed in this section that you are routing piping with elbows and that in your Routing Options, “Save Route Parts Externally” is unchecked and that “Save Route Assembly Externally” is checked. For more information on Routing Options, see the next section “Routing Options and Settings”. Refer to the “See Also” comment at the end of this section for routing tubing or bent pipe) Here is the order of operations and how they all work together… •

•

•

When you open a new assembly, save it, then insert a component into the assembly that has a Cpoint. SolidWorks will prompt you to start a new route by showing the "Route Properties" dialog in the Feature Manager if you have “Automatically Route on Drop of Flanges/Connectors” selected in your Routing options. See also, Chapter 3 – Starting a New Route It is here that you can specify a route assembly file name, the template you wish you use, the Base Pipe Part file you will use for the route, the schedule of pipe, coverings on the pipe, weld gaps, the Elbow Part file you will use, and several other items. SolidWorks will then insert a new subassembly into the current assembly that is based on the Routing Template you selected, and automatically switch to you editing an in-context 3D Sketch inside that new assembly. The component you dropped into the assembly that started your route is automatically moved into the

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•

•

• • • •

subassembly by SolidWorks. If you were to start your route using a component already in the assembly, that component would not be moved into the routing subassembly. This is important to understand. Also keep in mind that the component you just placed into your assembly may not have mates assigned to it yet, so it will more than likely need to be mated in place after you edit your route. This may also cause your route to move slightly. This is why it is important to properly constrain your route sketches while editing. One trick is to add “Mate References” to the parts you will used to start your route. That way, when you drop them into your assembly, you can snap them to a mating component to lock them into place. You can add fittings, components, and branches as necessary by dragging and dropping parts onto sketch endpoints or split entity points from the Design Library, and Windows Explorer. There are a number of different ways you can add components to your route. We will cover them all in Chapter 4 – Routing Pipe Once you are finished sketching the route, exit the sketch, and SolidWorks will populate the route with elbows and create the Virtual Routing Files that correspond to the sizes of pipe you routed in the 3D sketch. The default file name of each of these files is taken from the Pipe Identifier field in the Design Table of the size/type of pipe you routed, the route subassembly name and the top level assembly name. Those routing files will contain configurations for each length of pipe you routed of that size. At this point, you should be editing the routing subassembly in context. Return to the top level assembly to continue. You now have a main assembly with a routing subassembly that contains parts for the fittings and components that you routed. Once you save your assembly, with the newly created route tucked safely inside, SolidWorks will inform you that you have Virtual Components nested within the assembly and ask you what you want to do with them. At this point you can choose to keep them as virtual components or save them out to separate files. For now, let’s save them inside the assembly as virtual components.

The graph at left shows the relationship between the Routing Subassembly file, the base pipe file, the size/type configurations, and the Routing Files.

See also: Chapter 4 – Routing Pipe Chapter 5 – Routing Tubing

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Routing Options and Settings There are several customizable options and user settings associated with the Routing Package. This is a brief explanation of their functions. The Routing Options Page is located on the Tools-Options dialog, under System Options.

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General Routing Settings Automatically Route on Drop of Flanges/Connectors If this box is checked, SolidWorks will start a new route if you drop a part with routing properties (Cpoints) into an assembly. The component you dropped into the assembly will automatically be moved into the routing subassembly when the route is started. This means the part will not be constrained inside the routing subassembly. SolidWorks will create a fixed relationship between the routing subassembly and the top level assembly you started the route in so that the route does not move around randomly. It is my recommendation that you add a Mate Reference to the component that you will be starting the route with, so that when you drop it into the assembly, you can snap it in place onto an existing piece of equipment or component. If this box is unchecked, you can drop routing parts into an assembly, and SolidWorks treats them like any other part without starting a route. If you were to drop a flange onto a vessel nozzle without starting the route so you can add mates to lock the flange into position. Then go back and start a new route from the Cpoint on that flange, the new routing subassembly would not contain the flange. The route will start from the pipe protruding from the Cpoint on the flange, but will not have the flange in the routing subassembly.

Automatically Route on Drop of Clips: If his box is checked, SolidWorks will automatically try to run your route through the clip whenever one is dropped into a tubing or electrical routing subassembly. In the image below, I started a new assembly and then inserted a Tubing-Male Pipe Weld Connector from the Design Library. I then right-clicked on the tubing Cpoint and started a “Flexible” tubing route.

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With the Option Box UNCHECKED, I then dropped a PClip into the route while I was editing it. As you can see by the image below, my route hasn’t changed, except that now I have a clip inserted into the assembly.

If I go back into the Routing Options by selecting “Tools-Options” from the top menu and check the box next to “Automatically Route on Drop of Clips”, and then insert the same clip, the route will attempt to run the tubing through the clip. See the image below.

This technique also works with orthogonal piping routes and it can also be turned on or off mid-route as shown above without exiting the route. See Chapter 8, Creating Custom Clips for information on how to make your own hold-downs, u-bolts, clips, etc for use in piping and tubing routes.

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Always Use Default Document Template For Routes: If his box is checked, SolidWorks will grey out the option for selecting a Routing Template file when you start a new route. (see image below)

The "browse" box is unselectable if the “Always Use Default Document Template For Routes” box is checked. This means you are forced to use the template specified under "Routing File Locations"

Automatically Create Sketch Fillets As you route your 3D sketch, the filleted corners that the elbows will sit on will be created if this box is checked. Otherwise, fillets will not be added to the route automatically, and elbows will not be automatically placed in the route when you exit the sketch. This option is not interchangeable during routing. Whatever condition this box is in when you start the route, will be applied to the route continuously. You cannot start the route without sketch fillets, then exit the route, change the setting, edit the route and expect sketch fillets to be placed automatically. The condition is applied when you start a route, and remains in that condition until you start a new route.

Automatically Add Dimensions to Route Stubs: A Route Stub is a short piece of pipe or tubing that is added to the ends of a routing part when you bring it into a route. If this box is checked, SolidWorks will add a dimension defining the length of that stub.

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Enable Route Error Checking: If this option is checked, SolidWorks will check your route and inform you if your Route Sketch contains an error. In the example below, there should be a fillet between the horizontal sketch line and the vertical sketch line to represent an elbow. There is not, so SolidWorks denotes an error in the sketch by placing a red circle with an “X” in it inside the feature tree.

Shown above: Enable Route Error Checking selected

Shown above: Enable Route Error Checking unselected

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Display Error Balloons: If “Enable Route Error Checking” is selected, then this option becomes available, if not it is grayed out. If this option is checked, then SolidWorks will inspect your route as you draw the sketch lines, and display a notification balloon telling you when there is an error on your sketch line, and give you a recommendation on how to correct it. See image below.

Include Coverings in the Bill of Materials: If his box is checked, SolidWorks will add the material covering your route (insulation, etc) to the Bill of Materials when a drawing is made.

Save Route Assembly Externally: If his box is checked, SolidWorks will create a new assembly file for your route, based on the name and save location used when you started your route. This file will not be saved inside the main assembly as a Virtual Component, but instead on your hard drive. When you start the route, you will have the ability to specify a location and name of the file.

Save Route Parts Externally: If his box is checked, SolidWorks will create a new pipe part file for your route, based on the “Pipe Identifier” property in the Base Pipe Part file. If this option is unchecked, SolidWorks will save the file inside the routing subassembly as a Virtual Component.

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Use Automatic Naming for Route Parts: If his box is checked, SolidWorks will automatically name the Routing Part Files when you exit the route based on the Pipe Identifier Property specified in the Base Pipe Part file. Otherwise, you will be prompted for the file name and location of the Routing Part File.

Use Triad to Position and Orient Components: If his box is checked, SolidWorks will display a “Triad” or “Positioning Orb” to rotate and move the component after you drop it into your route.

Use Centerline Dimension: Checking this box will tell SolidWorks to dimension your route from the Centerline of the pipe when dimensioning it to other components or surfaces in the routing subassembly. In the image below, “Use Centerline Dimension” is left unchecked, and SolidWorks created the dimension from the wall to the nearest outside surface of the pipe, not the centerline. When you are editing the route and place a dimension, you can switch to the “Other” tab and change the setting on the fly. If you created the route with insulation and check the box marked “Include covering thickness” then SolidWorks will dimension to the outside of the insulation instead.

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Component Rotation Increment (degrees): This value determines the increments that a part will be rotated when you drag a component onto your route, and hold down the shift key, and a left or right arrow key before letting go of the left mouse button.

or Pressing the above combination of keys will rotate your component before you drop it when you drag it onto a point in your route.

Text Size for Connection and Route Points: This number is the font height of the text for connection and route points. If the slider is to the far left, the text is very small, but you can still select the CPoint and Rpoints.

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The image below left shows the result of the slider set at 1, the image below right shows value set to 10.

Piping / Tubing Create Custom Fittings: If this box is checked, SolidWorks will allow the creation of custom elbow files if “Use Elbows” is checked in the Route Properties, and you have an elbow angle in your route that cannot be found under the “BendAngle@ElbowArc” dimension name in the elbow’s design table that matches that size of pipe. The image below shows a route using 60 degree custom elbows.

If your company standards do not permit the use of custom elbows, then this box should be left unchecked. I recommend leaving this option unchecked, as sometimes you could end up with an 89.9 degree elbow by accident in your BOM. See Chapter 4 – Creating Custom Elbows, for more information on creating custom elbows when you exit the routing sketch.

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Create Pipes On Open Line Segments: If this box is checked, SolidWorks will generate pipe for 3D sketch segments that have fittings at only one end. For example, if this is unchecked, and your sketch segment is connected to a flange at one end, and is open on the other, no pipe will be generated on that segment. The image at right shows a typical piping segment while in the 3D sketch. Regardless of the option box being checked, the pipe shows as it is drawn in the sketch.

When you exit the 3D sketch, the effects of the option box being checked or unchecked are displayed.

This option will only work if there are at least two components in a route. If there is only one part in the route, then the pipe will always be displayed.

The image below left shows the effects of having the option box checked, and creating a route where pipe has been created on an open line segment. The image below right shows what happens if the option box is unchecked and a route is created on an open line segment.

Route created with box checked

Route created with box unchecked

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If an elbow, or a bend is added after a component, a pipe segment with an open line segment will display the pipe after exiting the 3D sketch regardless of the status of the check box. See image below.

The image above is taken from a route where the option box was left “unchecked”. You cannot switch the option between checked and unchecked as you draw a route. If you start a route with the option checked, and decide later that you would rather leave it unchecked, you cannot make the switch in the middle of the route.

Electrical Cabling Enable Minimum Bend Radius Check for Cables: This option box is only used for routing electrical cables. For routing flexible tubing, this option is located in the Route Properties panel when you start a new flexible tubing route.

Enable Minimum Bend Radius Check for Wires: This option box is only used for routing electrical cables. It will report an error if the bend radius for individual wires inside a harness is too small.

Slack Percentage: This option box only applies to routing electrical cable. See the SolidWorks help files for more information on routing electrical cables.

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Routing File Locations These paths tell SolidWorks where to find the components that will be used in your routing subassemblies. It is HIGHLY recommended that you place ALL the components to be used in these path locations, or SolidWorks may get confused, and load the incorrect parts.

(Also see Chapter 3 – The Design Library & Chapter 13 – Using the Routing Library Manager)

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Cpoints & Rpoints Almost every part used in a piping or tubing route must have some sort of identifier that tells SolidWorks that it is part of the Routing package. That is the function of the Cpoints and Rpoints. Cpoints are Connection Points that tell SolidWorks where to start a piece of pipe or tube from. They also contain routing properties that tell SolidWorks what size of pipe/tubing to route. The Cpoint can be designated as a Fabricated Pipe, Tube or an Electrical Connection Point. Electrical Connection Points are not covered in this Piping & Tubing manual; please refer to the SolidWorks documentation for more information on routing electrical components. Rpoints are Routing Points that are used to locate the component on a point in the 3D Sketch. These points can be the end point of a line, or a “Split Point” in the sketch.

Rpoint (placement of component)

Cpoint (size, type & starting point of pipe/tube) Cpoints and Rpoints are added at the “Part” level and are created on top of existing sketch points, sketch line endpoints, or the origin.

Pipe Between Cpoints Reducer Located Using Rpoint

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Let’s walk through adding a Connection Point to a buttwelded valve. Open the file CH02-4inBW-Valve.sldprt and follow the steps below.

1. To place a Cpoint, select the point that you want it placed on top of, and then control-select a face on the part that is facing perpendicular to the direction you want the pipe to run.

I like to create a sketch, at the very end of my feature. The plane I use runs through the center of my part, so my sketch is in the middle of my part too. Then I add 2 sketch points where I want my Cpoints to be.

Sketch Point Face

2. From the “Routing” toolbar, select “Connection Point”.

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3. The Feature tree will now display the properties for the new Cpoint. In the Connection Point properties area, set whether you want this Cpoint to be a Piping or Tubing Cpoint. Select Fabricated Pipe

4. Set the Nominal Size of tubing or pipe that you wish this Cpoint to represent. (you can have multiple configurations in a part to have multiple Cpoint pipe/tubing sizes) Enter the Nominal Pipe Size Here 5. If you wish to make this Cpoint follow a specific property, enter it here. For example, let’s say that this valve HAS to be connected to a Stainless Steel Flange. In your flange part file, you would add a column in the design table that would be called “$prp@Specification” and only flanges or pipe that have Stainless Steel in that column would be allowed to connect to this Cpoint. This step is completely optional, no value is required.

At my company, we have 23 different specifications. Each specification determines what class of flange to use, wall thickness of pipe, material, etc. So my pipe & elbow files have the specification names for each type of pipe or elbow. For example, a typical specification name for me is S600-A. We name our configurations in the pipe file 1” S600-A, 2” S600-A, and so on. The Material for that specification is always ASTM A312 TP304. Having the specification name in the Specification column of the design table will tell SW to only offer us the sizes that match the specification name of the Cpoint. So any pipe I route on that spool will always be ASTM A312 TP304.

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6. Select Okay

to insert Cpoint1 into the Feature Tree.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 to create Cpoint2 on the other side of the valve. 8. To add the Rpoint, select the “Origin” and then select “Route Point” from the Routing toolbar.

Origin 9. There are no options to set, so select Okay the Feature Tree.

to insert Rpoint1 into

10. The valve should now contain 2 Cpoints and 1 Rpoint. You can now insert the valve onto the endpoint of a routing line, or onto the sketch entity of a routing line such as a Split Point.

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Pipe (Base Pipe Part File) You can open the “Pipe-Astm-A53.sldprt” file provided that I created for these examples, and compare my part to yours if you have questions. SolidWorks uses a Base Pipe part file that contains all of the required information to route piping. You specify the pipe file and the configuration you wish to use when you first start your route. SolidWorks then uses the information in that configuration to display the route and create the routing files when you exit the 3D sketch. All Base Pipe part files must contain the following:

You should keep everything exactly like I have it shown in these steps. Make sure that when you name features, sketches, and dimension names, that you type in EXACTLY what I have shown here. For example, naming the sketch with the 2 concentric circles ”Pipesketch” is a lot different from naming it “PipeSketch”. Also, do not add spaces between words if I don’t show them. Again, “Pipe Sketch” is not the same as “PipeSketch”. The design table, and Routing software will look for specifics. This isn’t a game of horse-shoe people, close doesn’t cut the mustard.

PipeSketch The part file must contain a sketch named PipeSketch, consisting of two concentric circles with dimensions named OuterDiameter and InnerDiameter. The sketch plane for “PipeSketch” must be placed the “Front” plane and the center of the circle must be constrained to the origin.

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To rename the sketch dimension, select it, and then type the new name here. Do not change the “@PipeSketch” text, just the text in front of it. Extrusion An extruded feature of the sketch named “PipeSketch” with an extrusion dimension named “Length”. Don’t forget to rename the Extrusion feature to “Extrusion”

Extruded “PipeSketch” named “Extrusion”.

Rename the Extrusion Dimension to “Length@Extrusion”

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FilterSketch A sketch named “FilterSketch” that consists of a circle with a dimension named “NominalDiameter@FilterSketch”. The Sketch Plane for “FilterSketch” needs to be the “Front Plane”. You can Hide the sketch after you make it doesn’t display in your routing assemblies.

Sketch named “FilterSketch” Design Table Design tables are easy to create and set up. Especially since you can create and edit them using Microsoft Excel. The design table needs to include columns for the following: • • • • • •

Configuration Name (the title of the this column is left blank) InnerDiameter@PipeSketch OuterDiameter@PipeSketch NominalDiameter@FilterSketch $PRP@Pipe Identifier $PRP@Specification (optional)

Do NOT include the “Length@Extrusion” dimension in the design table.

The above list is the minimum required to create a base pipe file. I would also recommend adding columns for material, weight per foot, part number, color and description.

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Figure 2A – Typical Base Pipe Part Design Table The above Design Table is taken from the “Pipe-Astm-A53.sldprt” file that I provided in the “RM Files” file that is available as a download with this manual. For this file, I added the column $PRP@DESCRIPTION so my drawing’s bill of materials has something to populate from. I also linked the $PRP@PipeIdentifier column to the $PRP@DESCRIPTION column. SolidWorks uses the PipeIdentifier property to create the Routing Part File names when you create a route. See Chapter 10 – Design Tables for more information on setting up the design table, properties, etc…

Tube (Base Tube Part File) You can open the “Tube-Astm-A269.sldprt” file I created for these examples, and compare my part to yours if you have questions. SolidWorks uses a Base Tube part file that contains all of the required information to route tubing. You specify the tube part file and configuration that you wish to use when you first start your route. SolidWorks then uses the information in that configuration to display your route and create the routing files when you exit the 3D sketch. All tubing files must contain the following:

I would suggest keeping everything like I have it shown in these steps. Make sure that when you name features, sketches, and dimension names, that you type in EXACTLY what I have shown here. For example, naming the sketch with the 2 concentric circles ”Pipesketch” is a lot different from naming it “PipeSketch”. Also, do not add spaces between words if I don’t show them. Again, “Pipe Sketch” is not the same as “PipeSketch”. Required Features of Components 2-8

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PipeSketch The part file must contain a sketch named PipeSketch, consisting of two concentric circles with dimensions named OuterDiameter and InnerDiameter. The sketch plane for “PipeSketch” must be placed the “Front” plane.

Sketch named “PipeSketch” 3D Sketch A 3D sketch is needed that has one straight line starting from the center of the “PipeSketch” circles, and extending out some amount. The length of the line, and the name of the 3D sketch are inconsequential. Be sure the line is NOT a construction line.

3D Sketch

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Thin Sweep Feature A thin-sweep of the sketches named PipeSketch & the 3D sketch are required to start the tube. The “ThinSweep” thickness dimension needs to be named “WallThickness”, its full name in the design table will be “WallThickness@ThinSweep”. Also, be sure your “Thin Wall Direction” goes towards the inside of the tube, and not outward or your OD will become your ID. ThinSweep Feature

FilterSketch A sketch named “FilterSketch” that consists of a circle with a dimension named “NominalDiameter”. The Sketch Plane for “FilterSketch” needs to be the “Front Plane”.

Sketch named “FilterSketch”

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Tube assembly showing the two main types of tubing routes. (Flexible & rigid)

Design Table I mentioned earlier that some values would be determined by the design table. So now it’s time to pay the piper. Design tables are easy to create and set up. Especially since you can create and edit them using Microsoft Excel. The design table needs to include columns for the following: • • • • • • •

Configuration Name (the title of the this column is left blank) InnerDiameter@PipeSketch OuterDiameter@PipeSketch NominalDiameter@FilterSketch “WallThickness@ThinSweep” $PRP@Pipe Identifier $PRP@Specification (optional)

The above list is the minimum required to create a Base Tube Part file. I would also recommend adding columns for material, weight per foot, part number and description.

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Figure 2A – Typical Base Tube Part Design Table See Chapter 10 – Design Tables for more information on setting up the design table, properties, etc…

Elbows There are two types of elbows that you can use in a routing subassembly. 1. Rigid Elbows 2. Base Elbows Rigid elbows are drag-and-drop items. They cannot be inserted onto the sketch fillets automatically, and are created for use with a specific bend angle. They are parts like any other component such as a valve or filter, and require the same features. (2 Cpoints & 1 Rpoint)

These are examples of rigid elbows that would be inserted into the route by the user.

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SolidWorks will not automatically add elbows to a tubing route. They must always be added manually.

Base elbows are created so they can be automatically inserted by the Routing package onto the fillets of your route when you exit the 3D sketch. They can be customized automatically by SolidWorks to be used with almost any bend angle.

This is an example of a Base elbow that was automatically inserted by SolidWorks onto a sketch fillet to automatically create a 60 degree elbow.

Base elbow files require the following: Route Sketch A sketch named “Route” on the “Top” plane that consists of a circle that is aligned horizontaly from the Origin, and contains two dimensions named “Diameter” and “BendRadius”. The BendRadius dimension is equal to to the “BendRadius” dimension in the sketch named “ElbowArc”. The “Diameter” dimension will be driven by the Design Table, and is the actual outside diameter of the elbow.

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The dimension “BendRadius@Route” will end up being the actual bend radius of the elbow and will be driven by the design table. See image at right.

ElbowArc Sketch A sketch named “ElbowArc” on the “Front” plane, consisting of an arc with dimensions named “BendAngle” and “BendRadius”. The value for “BendAngle” will be driven by the design table, while the dimension “BendRadius@ElbowArc” is equal to “BendRadius@Route”. The two “BendRadius” dimensions can either be linked using the “Link Values” command, or “BendRadius@ElbowArc” can be specified as equal to “BendRadius@Route” using an equation. Just remember that the dimension “BendRadius@Route” must be driven by the design table.

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The arc must start in the CENTER of the circle in “Route” sketch, and continue up and in the direction above the origin. Sweep Feature A sweep feature named “Elbow” using the sketches “Route” and “ElbowArc”. Shell Feature A shell feature with the thickness dimensioned named “Wall Thickness”. Connection Points There must also be connection points on both ends of the elbow where you want the pipe to begin and end when it meets the elbow. Elbow Chamfer The chamfers shown in the library’s standard elbow part file are not required. In the real world, most elbows do contain a chamfer to hold weld material if they are to be buttwelded into a routing system. Some piping routes are welded differently and do not require a chamfer.

Buttwelded Ends

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Equations The two equations that are shown in the library’s standard elbow part are optional. They specify the dimensions of a Chamfer on the ends of the elbow. Design Table There must be a design table with a configuration for each size of elbow that you will use in your routes. The design table needs to include columns for the following: • • • • • • • •

Configuration Name (the title of the this column is left blank) BendAngle@ElbowArc BendRadius@ElbowArc Diameter@Cpoint1 Diameter@Cpoint2 Diameter@Route Wall Thickness@ElbowShell $PRP@Specification (optional) The above list is the minimum required to create a base elbow file. I would also recommend adding columns for material, weight, part number and description.

Figure 2A – Typical Base Elbow Part Design Table See Chapter 10 – Design Tables for more information on setting up the design table, adding custom properties, etc…

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Tees A tee part contains three connection points, and one route point. When inserted into the routing 3D sketch, the route point is inserted at the intersecting endpoints of three separate sketch line segments. The Cpoints on the tee are at each connection port, and the Rpoint is placed at the intersection of the branches.

Line Segment

Line Segment Line Segment See also: Chapter 4 – Adding a Tee to the Route Chapter 8 – Creating Custom Components (Tees)

Flanges A flange must contain at least one Cpoint and one Rpoint. The Rpoint positions the flange in the routing subassembly, and the Cpoint controls location and properties of the pipe that will be routed off of it.

Rpoint (placement of component)

Cpoint (size, type & starting point of pipe/tube)

See also: Chapter 8 – Creating Custom Components (Flanges)

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Reducers You can add a reducer to your route when you want to change the size of pipe or tubing. The connection points on the ends of the reducer have different size properties, allowing you to route one size of pipe or tube into the fitting, and another size exiting it.

Typical piping header with cascading concentric reducers.

There are two types of reducers that you can use… Concentric Reducers Concentric reducers have two Cpoints, and one Rpoint. They can be placed at the end of a sketch segment, or on a “Split Entity” point. Eccentric Reducers Eccentric reducers have two Cpoints, and do not contain a Routing point. They must be placed a the end of a sketch segment, and cannot be placed onto a “Split Entity” point. See also: Chapter 6 – Adding a Reducer to Your Piping Route Chapter 8 – Creating Custom Components (Reducers)

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Other Components (Valves, Filters, Strainers, etc…) Components like these that are inserted into your route only require one Connection point for every entry/exit port on the part, and a Routing point to determine the part’s location in the sketch.

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Things to Consider Before Starting Before you begin a routing subassembly, there are a few things you need to consider. 1. Will the route be part of a larger assembly? 2. What is the purpose of the route? a. Will it be used as a place-holder only? b. Will the route be used for fabrication purposes? 3. How detailed will the route need to be? 4. Has the route been broken up into spools? a. Will there need to be drawings of the spools? 5. What is the size of the project? 6. Will there be a lot of routes for this project? a. Should you set up a routing template? 7. Will there be custom components? a. Do you have the sizes & dimensions of them? 8. Is this the final design of the route? a. Will there be size changes later? b. Will the route path change later? c. Will the starting point change later? d. Will certain components be changed later? 9. Will you be routing Pipe, Tube or both? 10. Have you set up a file structure to store parts and routing files in? All of these things are important to know before starting your route. Some things can be changed later in your route, others cannot. Some changes will call for the need to start the route over from scratch while others can be done with a few simple mouse clicks.

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The Design Library SolidWorks Routing comes with a basic library of pipe and tubing components for you to insert directly into your route. Most of these parts will need to be customized to meet your company’s requirements, such as part numbers, descriptions, etc. The Design Library has changed a bit over the past few years since it was first introduced in SolidWorks 2005. The Design Library is located in the Task Pane. Refer to the SolidWorks Help Files for information on adding parts and assemblies into the Design Library. The Design Library is part of the Task Pane and is normally shown as just a few “tabs” on the right side of your screen.

Task Pane Tabs

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If you do not see tabs like the ones shown above, then you may need to first display the Task Pane by selecting View, Task Pane from the top menu.

An odd-looking toolbar will appear (usually on the right side of the screen) with some arrows and tabs on it. The top tab opens task pane to display the SolidWorks Resources. The second tab opens the Design Library, and the third tab opens the file explorer. Click on the second tab down from the top to open the Design Library.

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The Design Library contains folders that store various types of Features that you can drag into your parts or assemblies. It also contains the Piping and Tubing library parts that you will use to start your route. You can add paths, folders, and your own parts to the Design Library for quick reference to your company’s custom parts.

(Please refer to the SolidWorks Documentation provided with your software for more information on adding folders, parts & assemblies to the Design Library)

Adding a Starting Component to the Assembly There are several ways to start a new routing subassembly. Design Library You can drag a piping or tubing fitting from the Design Library into your assembly. You can then select The configuration that You wish to use for this part.

Notice I said that you can drag a “fitting” into your assembly, not a pipe or tube part file. You should always insert a starting component for the route, such as a flange, or valve.

Insert – Component Pull-down Menu You can insert a piping or tubing component from the Insert-Component pull down menu just like you would insert any other part or subassembly.

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Start From a Cpoint If you already have a valid routing component in your assembly, you can right click on the Cpoint that you wish you start your route from, and select “Start Route”.

Route Properties Dialog When you start a new route, SolidWorks will display the “Route Properties” menu in the Feature Manager. If you started your route with a Piping Cpoint, the Fabricated Piping Properties will be displayed, or the Tubing Properties will be shown if you started the route with a tubing Cpoint. Continue to Chapter 4 if you are creating a piping route, or Chapter 5 if you are creating a tubing route.

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Routing Properties/Settings It is assumed that at this point, you have inserted a Routing Component into an assembly, and have either right-clicked on a Cpoint and selected “Start Route” or the option to “Automatically Route on Drop of Flanges/Connectors” is checked and the Route Properties dialog opened after inserting the component. In this section, we will discuss how to create a Fabricated Piping route, so all of the Fabricated Piping options are displayed. For routing tubing, see chapter 5.

Route Properties Displayed in the Feature Manager

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Let’s take a moment to explain what we’re looking at in the Feature Manager. •

Routing Subassembly: This is what your new Routing Subassembly will be named. Never use the default value, always name and store your routes using intelligent methods.

•

Routing Template: This is the name that will be used to create your new Routing Subassembly. You can choose to use the SolidWorks standard file, or a custom one you have created. This option will be un-editable if “Always Use Default Document Template For Routes” is checked in the Routing Options.

•

Pipe: This is the current “Pipe” base file that you will use. You can choose a different file by selecting “Browse”.

•

Base Configuration: This is the configuration of pipe that you will use from the Pipe.sldprt base file. All of the information about the pipe is taken from this configuration. SolidWorks selects a default configuration based on the information taken from the Cpoint used to start this route.

•

Wall Thickness: This value is pulled from the Base Configuration above and is shown for reference only.

•

Use Weld Gaps: By selecting this option, the menu will expand to allow you to type in a dimension for the width of the gap.

•

Use Standard Length: By selecting this option, the menu will expand to allow you to type in a standard length of pipe spool to use in your route. In most cases, a length of approx. 20 feet is considered a “stick” of pipe that comes from a supplier. Once checked, you can also choose to have a coupling automatically inserted between each “stick”

•

Bends – Elbows: This is where you decide whether you wish you use elbows, bends, or a mixture of the two.

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•

Elbow: You can select the elbow part file that will be inserted automatically into your route.

•

Base Configuration: This is the configuration of the elbow file that you wish to route.

•

Bend Radius: This area is available for editing if you are using “Bends”. Otherwise, the bend radius from the elbow configuration is displayed here.

•

Coverings: This button allows you to add a Covering to your pipe run, like insulation, tape, and even paint. The neat thing about this, is that you can add multiple layers and thicknesses.

•

Parameters: This area displays the current pipe OD and allows you to specify a “Schedule” to follow.

•

Options: These are the same options that are displayed in the “System Options-Routing” dialog. See Chapter 1 – Routing Options and Properties for a description of these features.

Once you are satisfied with your settings, Press

to start editing your route.

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Routing Straight Pipe with Elbows A 3D sketch is opened, and a sketch line now protrudes from the Cpoint that you started the route with.

If you see a dimension on the stub of pipe that was created, then you have “Automatically Add Dimensions To Route Stubs” checked in the Routing Options.

You can click on the point at the end of the line, and drag it out to a desired length.

If you don’t see a point on the end of the line like the one shown above, then you need to display sketch points. Do this by going to Tools-Options-System Options-Sketch, and make sure the “Display Entity Points in Part/Assembly Sketches” box is checked.

Let’s learn more about this the old fashion way…. hands on, because the best way to truly grasp how to do something, is to try it for yourself.

1. Start a new assembly and save it with a name you can remember, and put it someplace where you won’t forget about it. 2. Open the Design Library (if it’s not already open) and drag a weld neck flange from it, onto the origin of the assembly. The configuration to use is: “WNeck Flange 150-NPS4” 3. Select “OK” and the “Route Options” dialog displays in the feature tree, give the route subassembly a good name, and place it someplace memorable. 4. Make sure that “Automatically create fillets” is checked under “Options”. 5. Use the standard SolidWorks Library Folder Path, and the standard pipe and elbow base files. Use the default configurations for each, because in this instance, SolidWorks knows best.

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6. Be sure that “Always use elbow” is checked, and then select to begin your route. 7. The 3D sketch will open, and a line will now be protruding from the Cpoint that started your route. Be sure that “Display Sketch Endpoints” is activated under the system options. 8. Add a 36” dimension to the route line.

9. Drag a line from the endpoint, at a 90 degree angle, out approximately 36”.

Because “Automatically create sketch fillets” was turned on, at the turn, a fillet was added that has a radius that was taken from the configuration of the elbow file.

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At this point, you can also remove the fillet that was just created by selecting “undo” once. Don’t do it now though, I only mentioned it to let you know you CAN do it if you want to add a “rigid” elbow to your route. This will remove the fillet and create a “corner” that you can drag and drop an elbow onto.

10. Exit the 3D sketch. Since you chose to use elbows in your piping route, they will automatically be placed onto the fillets that are at the turns of your route.

•

Notice that when you exited the 3D sketch, you are now editing the “Routing Subassembly” in context of the top level assembly.

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Select

to stop editing the routing subassembly, and return to the main assembly.

You can tell if you are editing the routing subassembly by looking at its color in the feature tree. If it is currently being edited, it will be shown in blue. The Edit Component button will also be depressed.

Routing Bent Pipe

If you selected “Always form bends” in the route properties window, you had the ability to enter the “Bend radius” for the turns, and decide if you want the radius to follow the “Inside” or the “Centerline” of the pipe.

After setting your route properties and selecting “Okay”, a 3D sketch is opened, and a sketch line now protrudes from the Cpoint that you started the route with. You can click on the point at the end of the line, and drag it out to a desired length.

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If you don’t see a point on the end of the line like the one shown above, then you need to display sketch points. Do this by going to Tools-Options-System Options-Sketch, and make sure the “Display Entity Points in Part/Assembly Sketches” box is checked.

Let’s learn more about this the old fashion way…. hands on, because the best way to truly grasp how to do something, is to do it yourself.

1. Start a new assembly and save it with a name you can remember, then put it someplace you won’t forget about. 2. Open the Design Library (if it’s not already open) and drag a weld neck flange from it, onto the origin of the assembly. The configuration to use is: “WNeck Flange 150-NPS4” 3. Select “OK” and the “Start Route” dialog box pops up, save the route subassembly someplace where you can memorable, and give it a name you won’t forget. 4. Make sure that “Automatically create fillets” is checked under “Options”. 5. Use the standard SolidWorks Library Folder Path, and the standard pipe and elbow base files. Use the default configurations for each, because in this instance, SolidWorks knows best. 6. Be sure that “Always form bends” is checked, and then select to begin your route. 7. The 3D sketch will open, and a line will now be protruding from the Cpoint that started your route. Be sure that “Display Sketch Endpoints” is activated under the system options.

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8. Add a 36” dimension to the route line.

9. Drag a line from the endpoint, at a 90 degree angle, out approximately 36”.

Because “Automatically create sketch fillets” was turned on, at the corner, a fillet was added that has the bend radius that you specified in the “Route Properties”.

10. Exit the 3D sketch. Since you chose to use bends in your piping route, no elbows are added to the piping route.

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11. SolidWorks will now ask you to save a “Routing File” with a name similar to “4in Schedule40-.sldprt” This part file is unique to this route, and contains different configurations for each different length of pipe in the route.

It is recommended that for your normal routing projects, that you assign a “unique” name to each routing file that you create, or it could cause potentially disastrous errors in your routes if brought into a larger assembly.

•

Select

Notice that when you exited the 3D sketch, you are now editing the “Routing Subassembly”, not the top level assembly. to stop editing the routing subassembly, and return to the main assembly.

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Ending Your Route This is probably the easiest section to cover in the manual. You can end your route at any time by simply exiting the 3D Sketch. In the real world, pipe very rarely just ends unless it is a field welded connection, so adding an “end of route” fitting such as a flange or pipe cap is simply just a matter of dragging it onto the end of your route. Any component containing at least one Cpoint can be used as an end of route item. You can end your route with a valve for instance, and just not continue the pipe on the other end. It should be noted that if you have “Create Pipes On Open Line Segments” unchecked in the Routing Options, you must add an end of route component to the line or the pipe will not be created. See Chapter 1 – Routing Options and Settings for more detail.

Creating Custom Elbows (as you exit the sketch) If you are routing pipe that uses elbows, and you create a bend that is anything other than 90 degrees, SolidWorks will ask you to create a custom elbow when you exit the 3D Sketch. This section is only valid if you have “Create Custom Fittings” checked in the Routing Options. This section does not cover how to create custom elbow part files for use in your piping or tubing routes. See Chapter 8 – Creating Custom Elbows for that.

This section is best described using a more “Hands-On” approach. (Hands-on is always good!)

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Custom 50 Degree Elbow Standard 90 Degree Elbow

The route shown above contains a 50 degree elbow and a 90 degree elbow. SolidWorks will use the standard base elbow file to create the 90 degree elbow, but doesn’t know how to create a 50 degree elbow. Let’s say that I just drew the route shown above. When I exit the 3D sketch, SolidWorks will automatically place the 90 degree elbow in my route, and ask me what to do about the 50 degree elbow. SolidWorks zooms in on the elbow, highlights it red, then displays this dialog box:

Pipe Size Bend radius for that size of pipe Angle of bend

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Parameters This area shows the elbow’s information. The Diameter and Angle are taken from the base elbow file that was specified when you started the route.

Options Here you have three choices: 1. Use Default/Alternate Elbow: Select this if you already have an elbow file that has a diameter of 5”, a radius of 7.5”, and an angle of 50 degrees specified in its design table. 2. Make Custom Elbow: Select this if you want to create an elbow file from an existing elbow file. The elbow file you use must contain a configuration that has a 5” diameter, and a bend radius of 7.5”. The angle does not matter because SolidWorks will modify the file to have an angle of 50 degrees. 3. Create Form Bends: Select this if you want to “Bend” the pipe to this angle instead of adding an elbow.

Create Elbow Using: This area displays the elbow file that was specified when you started the route. SolidWorks has looked in this file, and cannot find a configuration of elbow that has a 5” diameter, a 7.5” bend radius and a 50 degree bend. All three parameters were not met, so SolidWorks is asking you what you want to do about this custom elbow. If you have “Make Custom Elbow” checked under “Options” then you can “Browse” for a file to create the new elbow from, or use the elbow file specified here to create it from. Configuration to Use: This area displays the valid configurations of the file specified under “Create Elbow Using:” The configurations displayed all contain parameters for 5” pipe with a 7.5” bend radius. If “Use Default/Alternate Elbow” is selected under “Options”, you must select a configuration from this list to use. If none are shown, then the elbow file you have selected under “Create Elbow Using:” does not contain any configurations with the required pipe diameter and bend radius parameters. If “Make Custom Elbow” is selected under “Options”, you must select a configuration from this list to create the new custom elbow out of. If none are shown, then the elbow file you have selected under “Create Elbow Using:” does not contain any configurations with the required pipe diameter and bend radius parameters.

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Save Custom Elbow As: If you have “Make Custom Elbow” checked under “Options” then this is where you need to specify a new file to save as your new custom elbow. SolidWorks will create this file based on the three Parameters displayed above, and save them into this file. When you are finished, select “Ok” to add the elbow or bend to the route. See also: Chapter 2 – Required Features of Components - Elbows Chapter 8 – Creating Custom Routing Components - Elbows

Piping Routing Files Routing files are part files that SolidWorks will create from the base pipe file when you exit the 3D sketch, after you create a new route. For example, if you start a new route, and use 3” schedule 40 pipe, when you exit the route, SW will prompt you to save a part file called 3in Schedule40-.sldprt. If you routed straight pipe with elbows, then that part file will contain a configuration of each straight piece of pipe that you routed. For example, if you started your route with a weld neck flange, and on the buttwelded end of the flange, you ran a 12” piece of pipe, then added an elbow, then a 6” straight piece of pipe and added another flange onto the end of that, when you exit the sketch, SolidWorks will prompt for you to create a routing file that contains 2 configurations. One configuration for the 12” length of pipe, and another for the 6” length.

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3in Schedule40.sldprt

In the image above, the file 3in Schedule40.sldprt will contain 6 different configurations, one for each different lengths of 3inch schedule 40 pipe used in the route. If you routed pipe with bends, then the part file will contain configurations for “some” of the straight lengths of pipe, and prompt for you to create a new routing part file for sections of pipe with bends. 3in Schedule40-2.sldprt

3in Schedule40-1.sldprt

3in Schedule40-3.sldprt

In the image above, the file 3in Schedule40-1.sldprt will contain 4 different configurations, one for each 3inch schedule 40 length of pipe used in the route, and the other two routing files will each contain one configuration for the bent piping segment. The default file name that is assigned to the routing files when you exit the sketch, is taken from the parameter named “Pipe Identifier” in the design table of base pipe part file that you specified when you started the route. SolidWorks will remove any “,” (commas) that are in the parameter, and use it for the default file name. Then SolidWorks adds on the routing subassembly name you are routing, and then the top level assembly name the routing subassembly is located in. For example, the pipe identifier for a 3 inch schedule 40 pipe is “3in, Schedule40”. The comma will be dropped, and the default routing file name will be “3in Schedule40-.sldprt.“

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Route Properties/Settings After specifying the route subassembly name and location, and selecting “OK”, the “Route Properties” data is displayed in the Feature Manager. (For the example shown here, I inserted “Connector-37Flare-MS” from the sample part files available where you downloaded this manual.) In this section, it is assumed that you started a Tubing route, so all of the Tubing options are displayed. For fabricated piping, see chapter 4.

37 Deg Flare to MS Straight Thread Connector included in the sample files

Flared tubing end

MS straight thread end

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Let’s take a moment to explain what we’re looking at in the Feature Manager.

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Tube: This is the current “Tube Base Part File” that you will use for your route. You can choose a different file by selecting “Browse”.

•

Base Configuration: This is the configuration of tube that you will use from the Tube Base Part File. All of the information about the tube is taken from this configuration.

•

Wall Thickness: This area displays the wall thickness of the tube you selected in the “Base Configuration”.

•

Use Flexible Hoses: This is where you decide whether you wish you use rigid or flexible tubing. If this is checked, then you can use splines to route your tubing. If not, then you can only use straight lines to route your tubing.

•

Save Tubes as a Multibody Part: This determines whether the tubing route you create will contain one part file with a different multi-body part for each segment, or if left unchecked will create a separate part file for each segment. (My personal preference is to check this box and use one multibody part. You should play with this option to see which is best for you)

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Let’s take a moment to explain what we’re looking at in the Feature Manager.

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Elbows: These options are grayed out because the software will ONLY form bends and will NOT automatically add elbows to tubing routes.

•

Bend Radius: This specifies the radius of the tube bends.

•

Inside or Center Line: This determines where the bend radius will be measured to. (The inside bend of the tubing, or the center line of the tubing.)

•

Coverings: This button allows you to add a Covering to your pipe run, like insulation, tape, and even paint. The neat thing about this, is that you can add multiple layers and thicknesses.

•

Parameters: This area displays the current pipe OD and allows you to specify a “Schedule” to follow.

•

Options: These are the same options that are displayed in the “System Options-Routing” dialog. See Chapter 1 – Routing Options and Properties for a description of these features.

Once you are satisfied with your settings, Press

to start editing your route.

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Routing Rigid Tube

If you left “Use Flexible Hoses” unchecked in the route properties window, you are now ready to route rigid tubing.

After setting your route properties and selecting “Okay”, a 3D sketch is opened, and a sketch line now protrudes from the Cpoint that you started the route with. You can click on the point at the end of the line, and drag it out to a desired length.

If you don’t see a point on the end of the line like the one shown at the end of the line above, then you need to display sketch points. Do this by going to Tools-Options-System-Sketch, and make sure the “Display Sketch Points” box is checked.

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You can use the “Line” tool to draw routing lines in the 3D sketch. Every time you add a new line, you make a turn. If “Automatically Create Sketch Fillets” is turned “on” (checked) in the Routing Options, SolidWorks will automatically add bends in the tubing that have the bend radius you specified under “Route Properties” when you started the tubing route.

When you are done routing tube, exit the 3d sketch, and SolidWorks will finish creating your route. See Chapter 4 – Tubing Routing Files for more information

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Robotic Arm Pneumatic Layout Using Flexible Routed Tubing

Routing Flexible Tubing SolidWorks Routing also gives you the ability to route Flexible Tubing for use as air hoses, low pressure hydraulic lines, etc… The correct lengths of tubing/hoses are automatically placed in the Bill of Materials.

If you checked “Use Flexible Hoses” in the route properties window, you are now ready to route flexible tubing.

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You can use the “Spline” tool to draw flexible routing lines in the 3D sketch.

If you make a bend with the spline, that has a radius less than the “Bend Radius” that you specified in the Route Properties when you started the route, SolidWorks will highlight that area in red. Simply adjust the spline points in that area to give the bend a larger radius. See image below.

You can also use the “Line” tool to draw routing lines. Every time you add a new line, you make a turn. If “Automatically Create Sketch Fillets” is turned “on” (checked) in the Routing Options, SolidWorks will automatically add bends in the tubing that have the bend radius you specified under “Route Properties” when you started the tubing route.

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Straight Lines

If you started a route with rigid tubing (leaving the “Use Flexible” option unchecked when you started the route) and you decide later that you want to add a flexible piece to your route, simply use the spline tool to add a new segment to the end of your rigid line. SolidWorks will then ask you if you want to start routing flexible tubing from that point on. You can also right-click on the route, select “route properties” and check the “Use Flexible” option to change the existing rigid route to flexible.

When you are done routing tube, exit the 3d sketch, and SolidWorks will create your flexible tube route.

Ending Your Route This is probably the easiest section to cover in the manual. You can end your route at any time by simply exiting the 3D Sketch. In the real world, tube very rarely just ends, so adding an “end of route” fitting such as a tube nipple or plug is simply just a matter of dragging it onto the end of your route.

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Any component containing at least one Cpoint can be used as an end of route item. You can end your route with a tube valve, for instance, and just not continue the tubing on the other end. It should be noted that if you have “Create Pipes On Open Line Segments” unchecked in the Routing Options, it will not have any effect on your tubing route. That option only applies to fabricated piping. When you exit the 3D sketch (to stop editing the route) SolidWorks will prompt for you to save the “tubing routing files”. See below for a description of what these are.

Tubing Routing Files Routing files are part files that SolidWorks will create from the base tube file when you exit the 3D sketch after you create a new route. For example, if you start a new route, use 1/2” tube, and leave the “Multibody Part” option unchecked, when you exit the route, SolidWorks will prompt you to save a part file called Tube-500x.010-.sldprt for every single segment of tubing that you routed. If you routed rigid tubing, then SolidWorks will prompt for you to save a separate file for every tubing segment you routed. See image below for an example.

Tube-500x.010-1.sldprt

Tube-500x.010-2.sldprt Tube-500x.010-3.sldprt Tube-500x.010-4.sldprt

Tube-500x.010-5.sldprt

In the image above, there will need to be 5 separate routing files, one for each segment of tubing that is routed. This does not work the same as fabricated piping, where there would only need to be a couple of routing files, each containing multiple configurations for like lengths of pipe. This is because pipe is created using extrusions and tubing is created using sweeps.

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The default file name that is assigned to the routing files when you exit the sketch, is taken from the parameter named “Pipe Identifier” in the design table of base tube part file that you specified when you started the route. SolidWorks will remove any “,” (commas) that are in the parameter, and use it for the default file name. Then SolidWorks add the routing subassembly name and the top level assembly name onto the end. For example, the pipe identifier for a 1/2 inch OD, piece of tube with a wall thickness of .010 is “Tube-500x.010”. The comma will be dropped, and the default routing file name will be “Tube-500x.010-. If you do choose to check the “Multibody Part” option when you first start your route, then SolidWorks will create one Routing File that contains multiple bodies for each segment. This is my preferred way of routing tubing so that I am not left with 20 or 30 different files to archive at the end of my project. This is something you need to try for yourself, and see which method you prefer.

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Adding a Tee The procedures for adding tees to fabricated piping and tubing routes are basically the same. The example shown below illustrates how to add a tee to a piping route, and can be easily adapted for tubing.

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Adding a Tee (to your piping route) Once a route has been created, you can add Tees and other types of fittings to it.

1. Edit the route of an existing routing subassembly, or start a new one. 2. Before you add the Tee to the route, you must first define the branches of it in the route. See example below.

Line Segment Line Segment

Line Segment Line Segment Right Way

Line Segment Wrong Way

A tee must be placed at the endpoints of 3 separate line segments as shown at above left. The method shown on the right will not work.

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There are two ways to get three separate line segments for use with a tee. WAY #1 : Draw 2 Lines You can draw two lines on the end of an existing routing point. Two methods are shown below. Method one: (starting with the branch)

Then come back and draw a second line going the other direction.

First draw a line as though you were making a turn. Method two: (starting on the run)

First draw a line as though you were making a turn.

Then come back and draw a second line continuing on from the first. (After you make the turn, if “Automatically Create Sketch Fillets” is turned “on” in the routing properties, a fillet will be placed at the corner. To remove it, press “Undo” twice, and the fillet will be removed.)

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WAY #2 : Draw 1 Line, Split the Others You can create the main branches by splitting the existing route line, and adding the third branch off of it. This technique is shown below.

Right-Click on the line that you wish to use as the run of the tee, and select Pick a point on the line that you will define as the center of the tee. SolidWorks will split the line into two segments, creating a Split Entity. The point between the two lines is often called the split entity Point.

Split Entity Point

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Now draw a line perpendicular to the route, starting from the split entity point that you just created. This line will be the branch of the Tee.

3. Now that you have three separate segments, you can insert the Tee. As with most things in the Routing Package, there is more than one way to do this too. The three most popular methods are shown below. a. Insert Component Existing Part/Assembly You can select the intersecting point of the 3 segments, then insert the Tee onto it like you would insert a part into the assembly. b. Design Library You can drag a Tee from the Design Library onto the intersecting point of the 3 segments. c. Drag From Windows Explorer® You can drag a Tee part file from Windows Explorer® onto the intersecting point of the 3 segments. 4. For this exercise, lets drag the Tee onto the intersecting point of the 3 segments, from the Design Library and select the Schedule 40 configuration.

Try all of the ways to create the 3 line segments, and also try all 3 ways to insert the tee onto the route. The more ways you know of accomplishing a task, the easier it will be for you to create your routes. Each way has its advantages, you just need to find the right one for you.

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After inserting the Tee, the branches take on the properties of the Cpoints in the Tee, and update the route. You can now continue on from either route line independently.

Adding Components to Your Route Tees and elbows are just a few of the fittings you can add to your piping or tubing subassembly. The next step is to add Components such as valves, filters & strainers. There are many different types of components that you can add to your route, and many different ways they can be made. Here, we will assume that you will be inserting a valve that is to be welded onto your line. The valve we will use follows all of the rules in Chapter 2 – Required Features of Components. It contains two connection points, (one for each inlet/outlet), one Rpoint for positioning, and a Vertical Axis to orientate the valve in the route.

1. Edit an existing routing subassembly that uses 4” pipe or create a new one.

We will add the valve here

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2. Edit the route. You can do this by expanding the subassembly in the feature tree, right clicking on “Route”, and selecting “Edit Route”. 3. You should notice that the route is composed of 4” Schedule 40 pipe, so the valve that we will be inserting must also have connection points that are rated at 4” as well. 4. We are now at a cross-road. We need to decide if our valve will stand up vertically in the route, or if it will be clocked at some angle. Try both options below to see how they differ. Vertical Valve: a. Drag and drop the file “CH06-4inBW-Valve” onto the end of the route line.

Add Valve Here

b. The Valve will automatically be placed “sitting up” with a vertical orientation. This is because the valve part file contains an “Axis” called “Vertical”. When components that contain one of these are brought into a route, SolidWorks will orientate the part so the axis called “Vertical” is pointing straight up.

Vertical Axis

Valve’s Feature Tree

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Clocked Valve: a. Draw a “Construction Line” on the end of the route line, and constrain it

“Vertically”.

Construction Line

b. Now draw another “Construction Line” starting from the same point as the

first, but be sure this one does not constrain to anything, and is “Perpindicular” to the route.

Correct: Line is “Unconstrained” and is “Perpindicular” to the route.

Wrong!: Line is “Unconstrained” but is NOT “Perpindicular” to the route.

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c. Drag and drop the valve file “CH06-4inBW-Valve.sldprt” onto the end of the route line.

d. The Valve will automatically align with the last construction line drawn. e. Select the end of the last construction line you drew, and rotate it around the piping route. The Vertical axis on the valve stays aligned with the construction line.

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f.

Add a dimension between the two construction lines to lock your valve to a desired angle.

1. Now that you have placed the valve at the angle that you want, it is time to continue the route out the other end. 2. Edit the route, right-click on the “Cpoint” on the outlet of the valve, and select “Add to Route”.

Right-Click on the Cpoint

Then Select

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3. Now the route is continued out this end of the Valve.

Continued Route

Using Split Points to Add Components to Your Route SolidWorks is a very versatile program, allowing you several options on how you can do different things. Here I will show you how to add components in a very quick and efficient manner using “Split Entity Points”. Okay, this is THE way to add components and fittings to your route. I add everything this way, valves, strainers, flanges (yes flanges!) and then I remove the pipe between the fittings to make face-to-face connections.

If you want to route FAST, then this is the way to do it!

1. Edit an existing 4” Pipe routing subassembly, or you can create a new one.

We will add the valve here

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2. Now, drag the route line out so it is twice as long. We’re going to place the valve right in the middle of the line. 3. Right-Click near the middle of the line, and select “Split Entity”.

R.M.B.on the line, then select

4. Pick a point on the middle of the line. The routing line will be broken into two segments.

Split Entity Point

Line split into two segments. A “Split Entity Point” is just a fancy word to describe the point that is created when you break a line into two segments. The “Point” is nothing more than the “merged” end-point of the two lines.

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5. Now drag and drop the valve file “CH06-4inBW-Valve.sldprt” onto the “Split Entity Point”. The “Rpoint” of the valve is placed on the point, and the pipe enters and exits from the “Cpoints”.

Of course, you can also add the construction lines on top of the Split Entity Point before you add the valve so you can clock it if you want. This technique is shown earlier in the chapter.

Removing Pipe or Tube Between Two Fittings (Face-to-Face Connections)

When creating a route, you cannot draw a line in the 3D sketch, add an elbow, then drop a flange onto the end of the elbow. Instead, you must add the elbow, draw a length of pipe then drop a flange onto the end of the pipe. In order to get a fitting-to-fitting

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connection of the flange and elbow, you can “Remove” the pipe (or tube) that is between the two fittings.

1. Edit a route, right-click on the line segment that you wish to remove, then select “Remove Pipe” from the menu.

2. You should notice two things just happened. The pipe between the flange and the elbow was removed, and the pipe between the flange and the elbow wasn’t really removed. What?? Okay let me explain. SolidWorks Routing NEEDS a piece of pipe between the two fittings to make it a continuous route. So what happened was that the pipe wasn’t really removed, it was just made really, really, really short. Notice the odd looking thing that was created when you removed the pipe.

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Odd looking thing

That odd looking thing is actually a dimension. Yep… a dimension. Double-click on it, to edit it. See, it really is a dimension. It is actually a dimension of the pipe that was removed. Well… it wasn’t really removed, it was just made really, really short. .00007874 inches to be exact.

Any pipe with a length less than 0.0001 will not be displayed in the Bill of Materials. But… since the pipe DOES exist, SolidWorks will try to create a Routing File of the pipe when you exit the 3D Sketch. See Chapter 4-Piping Routing Files for more information on routing files. Okay, you just removed the pipe, and you saw that it wasn’t really removed, and you saw that it is now constrained to a dimension that you didn’t add. Why didn’t it remove the pipe completely, and why did SolidWorks add the dimension??? See the next section “Adding Back Removed Pipe or Tube” to find out why.

Adding Back Removed Pipe or Tube Okay, when you removed the pipe or tube from between the two fittings, a dimension was created that is really, really short. The whole purpose behind SolidWorks creating this dimension, and constraining it to the pipe that you just removed (but really didn’t) is so you can come back and add it later if you want to. Wasn’t that nice of them? Double-click on the dimension associated with Cpoints on either side of the face-to-face fittings, and change it to say… 12”. When you hit “Okay”, you’ll notice that the pipe (or tube) that was previously removed, now has a length of 12”. See how easy that was to add back the removed pipe??

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You can add and remove the pipe from the route as many times as you wish. But once the pipe has a dimension (from you adding it yourself, or from removing it previously, then adding it back) the dimension must be deleted, or when you remove the pipe, SolidWorks will try to add a new dimension a really, really short length, and the route will become over-defined. Sometimes, it will be difficult to find the dimension associated with that piece of removed pipe. If you look at the associations of the Cpoints on either side of the removed pipe, the dimension you’re looking for will be highlighted on the screen.

Adding a Reducer to Your Piping Route Piping routes don’t always contain only one size of pipe. Many times they will contain multiple sizes depending on branch connections, and system pressure requirements. Below is one such example of a route that contains multiple sizes, and multiple reducers.

Typical piping header with cascading concentric reducers.

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When adding reducers to your route, it is helpful if the route is not yet finished, or things could get complicated. For example, if you have a route that starts off with a 4” flange, has 10 feet of pipe, then has an elbow, a 5 foot straight section of pipe, then another 4” flange, and you’re boss comes in one day and tells you to add a reducer “before” the elbow, that reduces from 4” to 2”, you’ll have to clean up a few items. After inserting a reducer, the elbow will need to be fixed, because SolidWorks will update part of the elbow, but not all of it. You will also need to manually change the flange at the end of the line from a 4” to a 2” so the Cpoints on it match the 2” pipe that attaches to it. But let’s worry about all of that later, and start with the basics. There are two types of reducers you can add from the Design Library. They are concentric and eccentric reducers. A concentric reducer has “concentric” inlets and outlets. An eccentric reducer maintains the flow of fluid in a straight line, and is commonly used in gravity-flow systems such as drainage or sewage.

Concentric Reducer

Eccentric Reducer

To add a concentric reducer to your route, simply create a split-entity point (see Chapter 6-Using Split Points to Add Components to Your Route) and drop the reducer onto it from the Feature Library. When you drag the reducer onto the split point, it will show a preview of the part as it will be placed in the route until you release the mouse button to drop it. If it appears to be facing the wrong direction, simply press the “Tab” button on your keyboard while holding the part over the split point, and it will flip over and change direction. Release the mouse button to drop the reducer onto the split point. You can also add the reducer onto the end point of a route line, right-click on the Cpoint of the reducer, and select “Add to Route” to continue the pipe out of the other side of the reducer.

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Concentric Reducer added to endpoint of line

Right-Click on Cpoint to continue from + Select “Add to Route”

The route now continues on the other end of the reducer.

Use this same method to add an eccentric reducer to your route.

If you wish to add a concentric reducer to an already existing route, where an elbow, or a flange will be affected, then you must do a little bit of editing to those components.

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In the above route, I want to add a 5”x3” concentric reducer between the flange on the right, and the elbow. I know that the elbow size and bend radius will be affected by a line size change, and the flange on the left will need to change from a 5” to a 3” flange as well. The first step is to realize that there may be some errors in the route as I make my changes. But don’t worry, this is common, and we will fix them after we add the reducer. I start off by adding a “split point” where I want the center of the reducer to be located.

Split Point

Next I drag the concentric reducer from the Design Library and hold it over the split point. If it is facing the correct way, then you can drop it onto the point, if not, you need to press “Tab” on the keyboard to flip it the other direction.

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After dropping it into place, the elbow and pipe after the reducer may disappear. This is because that end of the route is still looking at the flange on the left, which has a Cpoint property of 5” still, while the line properties after the reducer were changed to 2” by SolidWorks. Due to the conflict, the route is not shown on the screen. You need to change the configuration that the route assembly is using from one that is 5”, to one that is 3”. In order to do this, you have to exit the route, ignoring any errors that appear. Right-click on the Route Assembly in the Feature Tree, and open it.

Right-Click

Select “Open Assembly”

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SolidWorks will now open the Route Subassembly file for editing. Rightclick on the flange and select “Properties” under the “Component” section.

Select “Properties”

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A box with all of the flange’s properties will pop up. Under “Referenced Configuration” the configuration of the flange that is used in the Route Subassembly will be highlighted. (Shown below outlined in BLUE.)

Change this to a 3” flange so it matches the reducer’s outlet size. (Shown above outlined in RED.) Select Ok to close this box. The route will change to show the 3” pipe that it was missing before, and SolidWorks will ask you to save the new 3” Route File. Give it the appropriate name, save it, and close this routing assembly to return to the main assembly that we opened this one from.

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The elbow was updated automatically, and the flange on the left is now 3” to match the line size. If you want to add an eccentric reducer to an existing line, you will need to delete everything after where the reducer will go, and add the reducer onto the end of a line. (eccentric reducers cannot be placed on a split entity point because they offset, and do not flow in a straight line) You can then redraw the route after adding the eccentric reducer.

After doing all of this, the elbow’s bend radius may not update to show the right dimension. If this happens, when you exit the 3D sketch, SolidWorks will ask you to create a custom elbow that is 3” nominal OD, but still has the bend radius of the 5” elbow. Select “Cancel”, edit the route again, and change the dimension of the bend radius to the correct size for a 3” elbow. Ansi standards dictate that the bend radius of a 3” Long Radius elbow is 4.5”. (1.5 x Nominal OD) The bend radius of a 3” Short Radius elbow is 3”. (1.0 x Nominal OD)

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Changing the Route Properties (of existing routes) Once a route has been created, there are still several properties that can be changed. While editing an existing route, right-click on a route line, and select “Route Properties”. The Feature Tree will change to display the Route Properties dialog. For Fabricated Piping Routes:

Pipe: You can change the base pipe part file that is associated with the route.

Base Configuration: You can select a configuration with a different thickness schedule, material, etc.. Bends – Elbows: You can switch the route from using bends and elbows at any time. Elbows that already exist in the route will stay elbows, and any current bends will stay as bends. Elbow: You can specify a different elbow part file to use in the route. Base Configuration: You can select a configuration with a different wall thickness, material, etc… Library Folder Path: You can tell SolidWorks to look in a different directory for all of the files associated with this route. Route Options: You can change these options at any time during the life of your piping route.

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For Tubing Routes:

Tube: You can change the base tube part file that is associated with the route.

Base Configuration: You can select a configuration with a different thickness schedule, material, etc..

Bend Radius: You can change the bend radius of the turns in the tubing route. Library Folder Path: You can tell SolidWorks to look in a different directory for all of the files associated with this route. Route Options: You can change these options at any time during the life of your tubing route.

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Changing the Line Size/Schedule of Your Pipe/Tubing Route Once a route has been created, you can come back and change the OD and Schedule of the route and all of the components in it. The schedule, wall thickness, material, etc… are all configuration items that can be changed in the Route Properties dialog. The line size however is something that can only be changed by opening the Routing Subassembly and changing the items in it one by one.

Right-click on the Route Assembly in the Feature Tree, and open it.

Right-Click

Select “Open Assembly”

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SolidWorks will now open the Route Subassembly file for editing. Rightclick on the flange and select “Properties” under the “Component” section.

Select “Properties”

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A box with all of the flange’s properties will pop up. Under “Referenced Configuration” the configuration of the flange that is used in the Route Subassembly will be highlighted. (Shown below outlined in BLUE.)

Change this to a 3” flange so it matches the reducer’s outlet size. (Shown above outlined in RED.) Select Ok to close this box. The route will change to show the 3” pipe that it was missing before, and SolidWorks will ask you to save the new 3” Route File. Give it the appropriate name, save it, and close this routing assembly to return to the main assembly that we opened this one from.

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Replacing Routing Components Once a route has been created and components such as valves and filters have been added, it is sometimes necessary to swap out one component for another. It should be noted that the new component should be the same size, and contain the same mating faces to make the transition from the old part to the new one easier. When replacing components within a route, the routing line must also continue at the same point as the original part. For example, you cannot replace a concentric reducer with an eccentric reducer because the route path offsets, and the route line after the reducer will need to be moved to accommodate the new location. Any mates or dimensions will cause the sketch to become over constrained.

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Pipe Penetrations In some cases, adding tees are not always feasible or cost effective. One alternative to adding a tee to a route would be to create a pipe penetration. The pipe branch can be any size that is equal to or less than the main (run) pipe. One end of the branch pipe is cut into a saddle shape that matches the OD of the run pipe, and a hole is cut into the run pipe that matches the ID of the branching pipe. The branch pipe is then welded onto the run pipe. See image below for an example.

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In order to create a pipe penetration, a branching line is drawn coming off of a main routing line. The main routing line is not broken into two parts like you would do with a tee, but is instead one continuous line. Line Segment Line Segment

Line Segment Line Segment Wrong Way

Line Segment Right Way

The main run must be a single line segment in the 3D sketch. The endpoint of the branch line must have a coincident relationship with the main run segment. You cannot create a penetration at the intersection of 3 segments. To create a Pipe Penetration: While editing an existing route, draw the branch as shown in the image above. Then right-click on the point where the main run and the branch intersect, and select “Penetrate”.

The cuts are added automatically to the pipe segments as custom configurations.

Note: If you right-click on the point, and “Penetrate” is not shown in the menu, the most likely cause would be because the branching line has not yet been defined. If you add a fitting to the end, of the line (above I added a flange) to define the branch size, then SolidWorks will be able to identify the size of the penetration.

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Adding Mounting Brackets & Pipe Supports When using SolidWorks Routing, there are two ways you can add pipe supports and mounting brackets to the assembly. You can either add the supports to the structure, then run your route through them, or you can create the route, and add the supports to the assembly afterwards.

Adding Supports to the Assembly After You Route When adding supports and brackets to an assembly after the route has been created, great care should be taken to apply the appropriate mates to the support, and the route so that if the route were to change, the assembly doesn’t get mating errors. For example, if I were to create a route, then come back and add pipe supports like the ones shown above, I would need to keep the pipe supports floating, and apply a mate from the center of the support, to the centerline (temporary axes) of the route line. When I edit my route, and the pipe moves left or right, I would want the pipe support to move with it. If I fully-define the support with mates, then it cannot move, and I will get mating errors in the assembly if I change my route.

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Adding Supports to the Assembly Before You Route When adding supports and brackets to the assembly before routing pipe or tubing, you should fully define them so the route is locked in place by them. You can also add points, and axes to the supports for use with flexible tubing to make routing quick and easy.

Open the tutorial assembly “CH07-FlexTube01.sldasm” and be sure to display “sketches” and “routing points”. In this little tutorial, you will start a route from tube adapter “A”, route a flexible tube through the two clips, then end the route at adapter “B”.

Adapter “A”

Tube Clips

Adapter “B”

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1. Right-click on “Cpoint2” of adapter “A” and select “Start Route”. The feature manager will change to display the Route Properties. Be sure to select “Use Flexible” so you can route using lines and splines. Click okay when you have set up the route properties.

2. Drag out the starting routing line so it extends past the adapter about an inch.

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3. Right-Click on Cpoint2 of Adapter “B” and select “Add to Route”. Drag the starting line out a couple of inches past the adapter.

4. Now select the “Spline” tool and draw a spline from the end of the route line on Adapter “A” to the first sketch point on the top clip.

1st point

5. Continue drawing one continuous spline through the following points:

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2nd point

3rd point

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4th point

5th point

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6. And that’s it. Exit the route, save the routing file and return to the top assembly. The flexible tubing will now run through the clips.

The tubing clip has two sketch points on it that we used to route the spline through. This allows the sketch spline to enter the clip, straighten out, then exit the clip. If the clip had only one sketch point, the spline would arc through it, and would actually slice through the clip.

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Forming Subassemblies In some cases, it is easier to build all of the mechanical and structural components of a facility at once, then break them up into smaller subassemblies according to area or system before adding the piping or tubing. 1. Select the components in the Feature Manager that you want to group into a sub assembly. 2. Right click on one of the selected components and pick “Form New Subassembly Here” from the menu. 3. Save the new subassembly file to the appropriate location and all of the components you selected will be added to the new subassembly file. The subassembly is then automatically inserted into the Feature Tree at the level where the selected components were selected.

Dissolving Subassemblies You can dissolve a subassembly into individual components creating one main top level assembly containing only parts. 1. Right click on the subassembly you want to dissolve in the feature manager tree, and select “Dissolve Subassembly”. The components are then brought out of the subassembly and placed in the current assembly document as individual parts. The subassembly file you selected is then removed from the feature manager tree and is no longer associated with this current document.

The assembly file you selected to dissolve is not deleted from your computer. It is only removed from the current document.

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Using “Find References” to Relocate Pipe/Tubing Files The Find References command is normally used to locate and copy all of the files associated with an assembly.

It should be noted that the Base Pipe part file and the Base Tube part files that are used in the route will not be found using Find References. Therefore, if you are using this command to relocate and archive all files associated with a particular routing assembly, the Base Pipe part file and the Base Tube part files will need to be relocated manually.

After spending quite some time creating, modifying, editing, adding to, and removing from a routing subassembly, it is recommended that you use the Find References command to gather, and relocate the routing files. This will basically “purge” all of the unused routing files, components, and temporary files that are no longer associated with the route.

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Bolted Connections ANSI Flanges are usually bolted together with STUDS. You cannot just drag and drop a STUD from the SolidWorks Toolbox because a stud is a long threaded rod with no head on it to create a positioning mate from.

So, you’ll have to create a stud part file and drop it into all of the holes on all of your flanges, and then come back and add nuts for each end of the stud manually. Or… You could create an assembly that contains the stud, the nut, and all of the configurations for every size/rating of flange, and simply drop it into your routing subassembly.

If you are going to go through the trouble of creating an assembly of studs and nuts to drop onto flanges, then why not create an assembly containing the studs, nuts, gaskets & flanges too?? You could create configurations in the one file that has studs, nuts, a gasket, and two connecting flanges, studs, nuts, and one flange, studs, nuts, and no flanges, and one with just the flange. This way, you can have configurations in your routing subassemblies that have all of the components (to show in dwgs) and a memory-light version that has only the flanges (working environment).

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Adding Branch Fittings (Weld-O-Lets & Bosses) Simply put… a boss fitting is an object that is usually welded onto the side of a piece of pipe. The outlet port of the fitting can consist of threads, a welded connection, electrical connections, etc…

In the picture at left, I have welded an Allan Aircraft Pipe to Tube fitting with a female AN port and inserted a coupling.

You can create Weld-O-Lets, Thread-O-Lets & Socket-O-Lets the same way you would a boss fitting. They are even added the same way too!!

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To insert a weld-o-let into an existing pipe run: 1. First off, closely observe the picture of the weld-o-let below. You’ll notice a “Vertical” & “Horizontal” axes. These will define its location later. Also, notice how the weld-o-let was made. (Open the file CH07-Weldolet01.sldprt) How this weld-o-let is created is very important. For this example, we’re going to add a 2”x 6” Weld-o-let onto an existing 6” pipe run.

2. While “Editing” your route in sketch mode, insert a “construction line” where you want your weld-o-let to be. You should dimension the line so it doesn’t move, & you should also constrain it on an x,y,z axes. The idea here is to make your construction line perpendicular to your pipe route.

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3. Exit your route, and edit the assembly. Now, insert the weld-o-let anywhere on your screen. It is important that you insert the weld-o-let at the “TOP ASSEMBLY” level and not in the Route Assembly. Select the correct size (configuration) of weld-o-let to insert. In this case, it is a 2”x 6”. When the “Fabricated Piping” box pops up, Pick “Cancel” and insert the component into the assembly. (See the “feature tree” below to see what I mean.

Weld-O-Let in top assembly level. (NOT in route)

4. Be sure the “Axes” & “Sketches” are displayed in your drawing. 5. Make the weld-o-let “Horizontal” axes coincident with the pipe route segment by adding a “Coincident Mate” to constrain the “Horizontal Axes” to the pipe route.

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6. To orient the weld-o-let in the desired direction, you need to make the weld-o-let “Vertical” axes coincident with the construction line added in step 2.

7. Your weld-o-let is now in place. It is relatively simple to do when you build parts that do the work for you.

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8. You now have two options…. If you want the branch to CONTINUE on your previous route, simply edit that route, right click on the “C-Point” on the weld-olet, and “Add to Route”. Alternately, you can right click on the “C-Point” at the assembly level, and start a NEW route by selecting “Start Route” at the assembly level.

Adding the weld-o-let does not automatically cut the hole in the pipe. You can add a bored hole thru the run-line by selecting the pipe, editing the part in context, and using the “Cut_Sketch” that is located within the weld-o-let file to cut-extrude a circle. This is only recommended for detailed drawings requiring a section cut of the pipe.

Once you’ve inserted your Boss fitting or O-let, you can edit the pipe and cut a hole in it for detail views. (Just like the real thing!)

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It is easier than you think to create custom routing parts. This chapter will cover a few of the basic and most often used components. Try different things with these parts or create your own variations to see how they interact in the model.

Creating Custom Components (Valves, Strainers, etc…) Rarely do piping or tubing routes contain just flanges, elbows and tees. There are also valves, filters and regulators that are not included in the standard routing library. These parts are typically modeled from vendor cut sheets or other sources. Once you have the dimensions, and the part is modeled there are some routing features you will need to add in order to bring it into a SolidWorks Routing subassembly. Let’s start with a part model of a typical buttwelded valve. I created the part to the exact dimensions provided by the manufacturer. The valve will not have multiple configurations or sizes, so there is no need for a design table. At the moment, the valve is nothing more than a typical SolidWorks part that you would bring into an assembly. Since we will be inserting the valve into a routing assembly, it needs a little more information.

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Cpoints All components inserted into a routing assembly require at least one Cpoint. Cpoints tell SolidWorks Routing what size of pipe to attach to the end of the valve and where to break the pipe to insert the body of the valve. Cpoints are created from existing “points” of any feature sketch. The points can be endpoints of lines, vertices, or just plain sketch points. It is recommended however, that you create a sketch specifically for the Cpoints of the part. This valve is centered on the Right Plane, so a sketch should be created on that plane to house the sketch points.

For this valve, since it is buttwelded, sketch points are added at the center of the face that will be welded up against another component or pipe.

Sketch Points mated to the “midpoint”.

Isometric view showing sketch points along the center of the valve.

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Cpoints can now be added on top of the sketch points. To do this, exit the sketch, and select one of the sketch points. Now CTRL-Select the mating face of the valve for that sketch point.

With the mating face and one of the sketch points selected, pick “Connection Point” from the “Routing” toolbar.

The Feature tree will now display the properties for the new Cpoint. In the Connection Point properties area, set whether you want this Cpoint to be a Piping or Tubing Cpoint. Select Fabricated Pipe

Set the Nominal Size of pipe that you wish this Cpoint to represent. Enter the Nominal Pipe Size Here

If you are unsure about what size to use, then press “Select Pipe” and browse to the Base Pipe Part File that you will use for your route, and select a configuration. The Diameter will be pulled from that. The other fields are optional, and will be discussed later for more advanced components.

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Select Okay

and a Cpoint feature will now be created in your part.

You may be wondering why you had to select a face when you created the Cpoint. The face tells SolidWorks which way the pipe or tubing will enter or exit the cpoint when you place the part into a routing assembly. Take note of the little arrow (shown in red) in the above image. The arrow will be “collinear” with the pipe or tube in the route. If you were to select a face that is vertical, then the arrow would be pointing upwards, and the pipe or tube would not enter the valve correctly.

Repeat these steps to create the Cpoint on the other side.

Rpoints Most components used in a routing assembly require an Rpoint. Rpoints tell SolidWorks where to place the part in the assembly. For example, if you were to drag a tee onto the intersecting point of three lines, the Rpoint would be placed at that point. The Rpoint for our valve needs to be placed at some point between the Cpoints, and should be in line with them. Rpoints are added similar to Cpoints. They are placed on top of existing sketch points, vertices, line endpoints, or even the origin but do not require a face be selected because they have no particular direction they flow. For this valve, we will need to create a sketch point between the Cpoints.

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To keep the part clean and tidy, I’m going to add the sketch point to the same sketch that I used to create the Cpoints from. I draw a construction line from one Cpoint to the other, then place a new sketch point in the middle of that line.

New construction line

New sketch point

Exit the sketch, and pre-select the sketch point that you just created. Now select “Route Point” from the “Routing” toolbar.

The Route Point properties will be displayed in the Feature Manager. There aren’t really any options to set, the only property shown, is the point you selected to place the Rpoint on. Select Okay route.

and the Rpoint is added to the

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The valve is now finished, and can be inserted onto a “Split Entity Point” or the endpoint of a routing line in the route’s 3D sketch. Vertical Axis The vertical axis is an optional feature that can be added to components so when they are added to a route, they are rotated a certain direction. For example, if I add a vertical axis to the valve shown below, it will always be inserted into a route sitting straight up, and not upside down, or rotated to one side.

The Vertical Axis feature must be named “Vertical” with a capital “V”, lowercase “ertical” and be the last feature in the part’s feature tree. See also: Chapter 2-required features of routing components (Cpoints & Rpoints) Chapter 6-Adding components into your route

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Creating Custom Flanges & Start Parts Flanges and Start Parts are the starting components of most routes. Understanding how they function, how they can be manipulated, and how to create them are essential to high power routing.

Standard Flange

Start Part

Flanges Flanges contain an Rpoint for positioning at the end of existing routes, and a Cpoint to specify the routing information. They can be brought into an assembly, and a route can be started off of the Cpoint, or they can be placed at the end of a line to end the route. Since the Flange only contains one Cpoint, pipe can only enter it from one side. This means the flange can only be placed at the beginning or at the end of a route. What happens if you want one route with multiple bolted sections? Here’s a pro’s trick…. Replace the Rpoint with another Cpoint, and add an Rpoint between the two Cpoints. Now pipe will enter one side of the flange, and exit the other. This allows you to draw one long line, add “split entity points”, add components and flanges, then remove the pipe from between the fittings for one long piping route with flanges that does not end at every flange.

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Flanges that have multiple configurations for multiple sizes should contain a design table to sort all of the information. Start Parts Start Parts are used by pros to create routes without beginning or ending connections. They are nothing more than an end of route item that isn’t a component, it just “starts” a route. They contain one Cpoint, and do not require an Rpoint since they are only used to “start” a route, and are not added to the end of one. (Rpoints are only used to place a component into an existing route.) For example: Let’s say your boss comes in and asks you to make a pipe spool that will be welded into place. There are no flanges, so how do you start your route? Well, by using a “Start Part” you can drop it into your assembly and route your pipe/tubing off of it.

Once your route is complete, simply hide or suppress the start part and it will not appear in your model, the drawing, or the bill of materials. The start part is nothing more than a component with one Cpoint, and multiple configurations to drive the different sizes. Think of it as a flange, without all of the extra stuff like material, weight, part numbers, descriptions, etc…

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The design table for a start part can look as simple as this:

The design table contains the different configurations used in the part (column A), the PIPE_OD@Sketch1 column is linked to the dimension defining the size of the extruded circle in Sketch1, and the Diameter@CPoint1 column controls the Cpoint sizes for the different configurations. Think of it as something similar to a pipe end cap. In my start part, I like to make the face that the Cpoint direction protrudes from green, and the opposite face red. This way, when I insert my start part into an assembly and the “Display Route Points” setting is off, I can easily position my part in the direction I want it to face.

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To keep the start part from showing up in the drawing’s bill of materials, follow this procedure: After inserting the component into an assembly, right click on the part in the Feature Tree, and select “Properties”. Then simply check the box called “Exclude from bill of materials”. The part will not be included in any BOMS associated with this assembly.

Check this box to exclude this part from the BOM. The part will still be displayed in any views where it is seen on a drawing. Although you can either “hide” this part here in the assembly, or right-click on the part in the drawing view, and select “Display, Hide Part”. Another way to keep the part from displaying in drawing views is to create the part out of a Plane, not an extruded feature. In the above example, I extruded a circle, then created the Cpoint using the origin and the face of the extruded circle as my “perpendicular to” surface. You can also skip the extruded circle step, and simply select the origin and a “Plane”. Now when you insert the part into the assembly, there are no features to display, so all you have is a part with a Cpoint. You will still need to hide it from the BOM since it is a part.

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SolidWorks Routing gives you the ability to insert component assemblies into a route like you would a normal routing part. The graphic below shows a valve assembly composed of seven parts that has been brought into a tubing route. The bill of materials in the drawing will show the individual parts and quantities of the assembly.

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Creating a Routing Subassembly You can use any SolidWorks part files or subassemblies to create an assembly to insert into a route. The only requirement is that the Cpoints and Rpoints that will be in the new subassembly file, are already on the parts that you bring into the assembly. For example: I want to create an assembly to bring into my route that contains a flanged valve, a flange on either side, and all of the nuts and bolts.

1. The first step is to start a new assembly file and save it. For this example, I will call it “ValveAssem01.sldasm”. 2. The first step is to bring in the 4” flanged valve that I want to use and mate it into my assembly so it is defined in space. 3. Next I will drag and drop two 4”, 150# Weld Neck Flanges straight from the Feature Library, then mate them to the valve so they are fully constrained.

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4. Now bring in some parts of threaded studs and nuts. Mate these to the weld neck flanges, and the valve’s flanges. You do not need to bring in sixteen studs, and 32 nuts. Just add enough for one bolted connection on each set of flanges.

5. To make it easier, simply use “Component Pattern” to add the rest of the nuts and studs to the assembly.

6. All that is left is to tell SolidWorks that this is a routing component.… I mean… assembly. If this was a part file, you would add Cpoints and Rpoints to tell SolidWorks where the pipe will enter/exit the part. Since this is an assembly, we need to add ACpoints and ARpoints. (get it… ACpoints… [A is for Assembly..C is for Connection])

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ACpoints & ARpoints ACpoints & ARpoints are the assembly level version of a part’s Rpoint and Cpoints. They are added similarly to the way Cpoints and Rpoints are added to a part. 1. You can only add ACpoints and ARpoints onto EXISTING Cpoints and Rpoints INSIDE of the parts you brought into your assembly. Look closely at the valve and the flanges below. The flanges contain Cpoints (so you can insert the flange part into a route) and the valve contains an Rpoint that I added so I can create the ARpoint. (The Cpoints and Rpoints are located in the parts themselves, not in this assembly.)

2. Select one of the Cpoints, and pick “Connection Point” from the “Routing” toolbar. The Feature Manager will now display the standard “Connection Point” properties with the exception that all of the options are “grayed out.” All of the settings for the ACpoint are defined by the Cpoint in the part file. So all of the data is transferred from the part’s cpoint, into the ACpoint.

3. Select “Okay”

to create the ACpoint and continue.

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4. Repeat the above steps to create the ACpoint on the other flange. 5. Now select the Rpoint in the middle of the valve, and pick “Route Point” from the “Routing” toolbar.

6. There are no options to set here either, so select “Okay”

to continue.

7. You should now have an assembly that contains a valve, 2 flanges, all of the necessary nuts and studs, two ACpoints, and one ARpoint. The assembly is now ready to be inserted into a routing subassembly.

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Inserting the Subassembly Into Your Route Once you have a subassembly with ACpoints and ARpoints, you can insert it into a routing subassembly like you would any other routing component. 1. Simply start a new route or open an existing one. For this example, I’ll just create a new route by starting a new assembly, saving it, then drag in a 4”, 150# Weld Neck Flanges straight from the Design Library onto the origin. 2. Next, I’ll drag the pipe out a bit, then add a “Split Entity Point” onto the middle of the line.

3. I then select the “Split Entity Point”, and from the top pull-down menu I select “Insert Component Existing Part/Assembly” and select the file ValveAssem01.sldasm that I just finished making. 4. When I hit OK, the assembly is inserted into my route, onto the split entity point.

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The assembly will now appear in my drawing’s bill of materials as multiple parts and not just one big part. I do not have to insert the assembly onto a split entity point, I can also insert it onto the endpoint of a sketch line, and then continue the route from the other end if I so choose. I can also go back into the valve assembly and add gaskets, or multiple configurations for high-resolution (more memory, better looking) or lower resolution (less memory, nuts, studs, gaskets not shown) for use in the working environment while I model the rest of the systems.

High resolution for presentation & drawings

Low resolution (no nuts & bolts) for working model

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Design tables (as mentioned in Chapter 1-The Basics) are nothing more than spreadsheet style representations of the variables in configurations. This section will briefly cover some of the properties that design tables control that affect how your route will react and what values you can use in the bill of materials. For information on creating, editing, or manipulating design tables, please refer to the standard SolidWorks documentation. Understanding how design tables function is a valuable asset to the routing package.

What Exactly Does the Design Table Do? The Design Table that is linked to a routing component such as a pipe file or valve basically does only two things. 1. It controls all of the properties for that part in the route such as Cpoint information and feature dimensions. 2. It holds information that can be put into the drawing annotations and tables. For example, the following design table is for a typical tee part.

Column “A” contains all of the names for the various configurations. Column “B” contains the part number used in the bill of materials. Column “C” is the pipe identifier that SolidWorks uses for routing data. Column “D” is used in the sketches to build the part feature. Column “E” is the actual outside diameter of the part used to build the feature. Column “F” is the wall thickness used to build the feature. Column “G” is the inner diameter which is used to build the part feature. Other columns can be added to contain information such as Specification, Material, Supplier, weight per foot, etc… All of this data can be used in the drawing for the bill of materials, annotations, etc…

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Adding Custom Properties Adding custom properties to the design table is as simple as adding a column to the worksheet, assigning it a name, and adding the data to each configuration under it. For example, if I wanted to add properties for description, supplier and lead time, to the design table for the custom “base” elbow that I made in chapter 8, I would only need to add the columns for each of those properties and name those columns $PRP@Description, $PRP@Supplier, and $PRP@LeadTime.

Newly added columns By editing the design table, and adding the columns with names that have the “$PRP@” prefix, when I exit the design table, SolidWorks will add these properties to the “Configuration Specific File Properties” of the part. I can now add a bill of materials to my drawing and place these properties into it.

Pulling the Data Out of the Design Table & Into My Drawing Extracting the data from the design table for use in the bill of materials is a very simple process in SolidWorks 2004. The image below shows a drawing I made using the custom elbow file I made in Chapter 8. I have pulled the custom property “Description” that I added to the elbow’s design table, and put it into the bill of materials. In this section, I will show you how to extract the data from the design table and include it in the bill of materials.

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On the drawing, hover over the top of the farthest-right column in the bill of materials. Right-mouse-click when the pointer symbol changes to this:

When you right-click, select “Insert below for detail)

Column Right” from the menu. (See image

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A new blank column will be added to the right of the “Description” column.

A box will appear over the new column asking what properties you want to display.

Now repeat the above steps, adding another new column to the right of “LeadTime” and make this new column link to the property “Supplier”.

I now have all three of the custom properties that I added to my custom elbow file in the bill of materials. Experiment with the design table, and custom properties to see how the bill of materials reacts. Just remember to add the “$PRP@” prefix before every property name in the design table, or SolidWorks won’t know what to do with it.

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Now that you’ve routed your piping or tubing, it is time to sit back and enjoy the benefits of parametric modeling. The SolidWorks drawing package allows you to quickly and easily create spool and assembly drawings of the piping/tubing files. For information on creating or editing drawings, please refer to the standard SolidWorks documentation. Understanding all of the commands and tools of the drawing package will allow you to create high quality production drawings.

How to Crop Pipe So It Looks Like Pipe You may have noticed that when you use the crop command on a cylindrical object, the edges of the cropped piece make the part look square. Here is a little trick that will enable you to get that “cylindrical cut” that looks oh so slick.

Standard Crop

Enhanced Crop

Okay, this process is very simple. All that is required is that when you draw the cropping boundary, that you add a “spline” over the pipe. Then add another curve after you create the crop. Here’s an example: 1) In a viewport, draw the cropping boundary like you would normally.

2) Now add a spline where the pipe meets the crop rectangle, and trim the rectangle.

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3) Select the sketch lines, and crop the view.

4) Now sketch an arc from the pointed end to the midpoint, and you’re done.

Dimensioning Pipe & Tubing Dimensioning pipe and tubing on a drawing is relatively simple, but I want to mention a few of the different ways to add dimensions to the drawing. Pipe is normally dimensioned the following two ways: 1) To a face (end of pipe, face of flange, etc..) 2) To the Centerline (of pipe, components, etc..) Dimensioning to faces with SolidWorks is quite easy, since you can see and select the faces. Adding dimensions to centerlines is also pretty simple, because you can just view the Temporary Axes, and dimension to those. But you don’t always want to show ALL of the axes on a drawing when you print, so you turn off the temporary axes, and suddenly your dimensions appear to be in the center of the component, but since there aren’t centerlines, the drafting standard is no longer used.

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One way around this, is to display the temporary axes, dimension to them, then draw construction lines over the top of the axes for display purposes. Now when you turn off the temporary axes, the dimensions appear to be to the centerlines. In reality, they are actually to the temporary axes of the part. Now if the part changes, so does the dimension.

The Bill of Materials Adding the bill of materials to the drawing is relatively simple, but I would like to comment on a couple of issues you may encounter when adding one to a routing drawing.

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Piping/Tubing Template One of the strongest features of the routing package, is the ability to add cut lengths of pipe/tube to the bill of materials. When you add a bill of materials to a routing drawing, you have to ability to choose the old “Excel Based Bill of Materials” or the new, updated, easier to use, wonderful new table style. SolidWorks provides a piping template for use with the old Excel based bom, but not with the new table style. In order to add cut-lengths to the table style bill of materials, you will need to add a column to the table, and select “SWPipeLength” as the Custom Property that drives the column. This is easy to do, and only takes a moment to add. See the documentation provided with SolidWorks for more information on customizing the Bill of Materials. Pipe/Tubing Cut Lengths You will notice that the bill of materials provides the cut lengths for each length of pipe/tubing you route for bill of materials that have a column with the value “SWPipeLength”. This is a really nice feature to have for piping since each piece of pipe is a separate part number. This makes it easier to fabricate. Tubing works the same. When you route a long tubing system with lots of breaks in the tube for valves, connectors, etc… SolidWorks will give you one separate part for each individual section of tube. In reality, you only want to know the approximate length of all the tubing required for the assembly. The way to do this is to add up all of the lengths of tubing, then hide all of the tubing parts in the bill of materials except one, double-click on the cell with the cutlength, and manually change the value to the total length of all the tube. Flexible Tubing Cut Lengths If you route flexible tubing using a spline, you will notice that the bill of materials updates with the exact length of tubing routed. What happens if you have a hose on a piece of machinery that pivots? When you change to different positions, the length of the spline changes. In the real world, the tubing would just flex and bend. It would not shorten and lengthen. To solve this problem in the bill of materials, simply double-click on the cell that has the tubing length, and enter a new length of the hose/tubing that you want to stay fixed. This way, as your model moves, and the spline grows and shortens, the bill of materials stays constant. Just remember to update the bill of materials manually if you make design changes to the length of the spline.

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