To generate a pipe with Smap3D Piping the software does not require any 3D geometry. Only the characteristics ‘wall thickness‘ and ‘outer diameter‘ in the library files are sufficient.
Nevertheless, the following article describes a creation process of a custom pipe which can be used with Smap3D Piping and can also be placed as a 3D model via Smap3D PartFinder.
If you do not require to place your custom pipes by different techniques but automatically via Smap3D Piping, you do not have to create a 3D model (an empty part file is sufficient) and a variable characteristic for pipe length in ‘Standard Parts Assistant’.
How to create a custom pipe?
I. Create a 3D model of a pipe in your CAD system
1) Create a 3D pipe model (by extruding) in part environment. Set a variable (in Equations) to control extrude protrusion depth (pipe length).
2) Save the file with the desired filename.
II. Register the pipe in the standard part database
1) Launch the Smap3D Database administrator
2) From the toolbar or the menu start the ‘Standard Parts Assistant’. Then follow the steps in the wizard:
Step 1 – select ‘Add from manual data entry’
Step 2 – select the required component file
Step 3 – this step is skipped automatically when working or there are not entries necessary
Step 4 – set an existing or create a new category
The category for pipes should contain three characteristics (at least) – two constant (describing the wall thickness and outer diameter) and one variable (controlling the pipe length).
The constant characteristics names should be consistent with those defined for wall thickness and outer diameter in the ‘characteristics file‘.
To the “Variable” field of the length-controlling characteristic type the name of the equation/variable used in the 3D pipe model (extrude protrusion depth). The row then goes red (to identify a variable characteristic).
For each characteristic you should set a ‘unit class’ and the appropriate unit (e.g. mm).
In the ‘Properties‘ section there is also the possibility to add (or remove) custom properties.
Step 5 – set values for characteristics and file properties.
If you select an existing category in step 4, step 6 will be skipped.
Step 6 – set a ‘Visual Navigation’ category (optional)
Step 7 – Click ‘Finish’ to register the component into the database, or click ‘Cancel‘ to write the setting into the component file, but without import of the file into the database.
For the detailed information on Standard Parts Assistant and registering standard parts in general please refer to the ‘DatabaseAdministrator’ help.
III. Define the pipe in the pipe specification
1) Start the pipe specification editor.
2) Open the required pipe specification or create a new one.
3) Add a row, select your component via the standard parts provider and fill in the required parameters..
4) Save the pipe specification.
Since Plant Design 2016 you can use the Component Wizard for an easy and fast creation of such components:
The Component Wizard
Druck