How to model a bend that is rolled an at some angle using AutoPIPE?
Modeling elbow is fairly simple once a person learns the secrete. The secrete is the TIP of the bend. TIP stands for Transition Interface Point. AutoPIPE requires that the user model the TIP and then continue to the next location in any direction. Once the 2nd leg of the bend has been established the bend will be drawn based on the incoming angle to the TIP and the exit direction to the next point after the TIP and the Radius entered.
In this case, shown above, where is the TIP point located:
1. Directly at node point B10?
2. Directly at node point H01?
3. is the TIP point going to the be at the intersection of the vertical run from H01 being extended to the same height as the horizontal pipe, and then the horizontal pipe adjusted?
4. is the TIP point going to the be at the intersection of the lowering the horizontal pipe to the same vertical level as H01?
Finding the TIP can be task all by itself when modeling from opposite directions as shown here. One easy way to first increate the coordinate accuracy on the Edit Model Options dialog to 4, and then use the measure command to find the distance between the 2 node points.
The distance was found to be:
DX = -0.0043, DY = 0.1350, DZ = -1.0000, Dist = 1.0091
Note: be mindful of the units for this distance, in this scenario = FT.
Solution:
1. Move / Stretch / modify the piping segment containing H01 -0.1350 so that it is directly in the Z axis, or Dy = 0.00 at the imaginary TIP point.
2. Measure the 2 node points again to confirm that H01 is now on the Z axis:
3. Delete node point H01
4. The current node point is now the previous point Before / After H01. Now insert a new run, Before / After to connect to B10.
5. Use the Segment Join command at this location, B10, TIP.
Note, the join command may renumber the entire segment.
6. Next use the convert command to convert node point to bend
Done!!
1. Move / Stretch / modify the piping segment containing B10 DX = -0.0043, DY = 0.1350, DZ = -1.0000, so that it is directly B10 is directly atop H01 at the imaginary TIP point
2. Same as above, Delete node point B10,
3. The current node point is now the previous point Before / After B10. Now insert a new run, Before / After to connect to H01.
4. The current node point is now the previous point Before / After H01. Now insert a new run, Before / After to connect to H01.
5. Use the Segment Join command at this location, H01, TIP.
The solution for the remaining options is essential the same as indicated above, locate the TIP point, model from both direction as needed to reach the TIP point, join the segments, and convert from Run to Bend. Simple!!!
The hardest part of this solution is to know how much farther does the pipe on segment H need to be extended to reach the same vertical height as Segment B. Time to use that old trig from high school, you now the leg, and angle, solve for the hypotenuse. Otherwise you can cheat and use a drafting application to lay it out and then just measure it.
Again, the hardest part of this solution is to know how to modify the piping before node point B10 so that B10 then intersects at H01
Bend & Miter Piping Components - Modeling Approaches
Bentley AutoPIPE