topic Tube and pipe - adding flange in Inventor Forum

Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 11:50:49 GMT

Hi.

I've created a pipe style that's a mixture of welded and flanged pipework. I've started the route from a tank outlet flange (the flange is modelled as part of the tank). Currently the model shows the pipework welded to the tank outlet flange, but obviously I want to add a flange to the end of the pipework to allow it to connect to the tank outlet.

What's the best way to do this?

I have found the "Edit Fitting Connections" command, which shows the end connection to the tank (a separate part in the assembly) but the Engagement is shown as "User Defined" and greyed out so I can't change it (see screenshot). Is there some way to change it to specify a flange?

Many thanks

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Mark.Lancaster — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 13:06:25 GMT

@cbenner may have a better solution for you..

But I would've started my route, place my route flange (gasket if needed) using the connect fitting option and then started routing from the back side of the new flange.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

cbenner — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 13:13:33 GMT

Hi!

As @Mark.Lancaster said, it is a pretty good practice in the future to add the end flanges on your equipment before you start routing. However, it is not required. Once you have a route in place like in your image, you can place the flange and/or gasket from the Content Center (or from your parts location... I know you're not using CC), using the "Insert" function for placing the fitting. I would strongly advise setting your viewcube so that you are looking straight at the connection, not isometric. Insert can be very jumpy and place the fitting in the wrong spot. You will see a red and blue arrow on either end of the fitting, the red arrow is where it will connect. To toggle between them (to flip the connection) tap the space bar. Now place the fitting over the end of the pipe, at the tank. It should "snap" into place there and you can pick to drop the fitting. It will place the fitting and adjust your spool length. It takes some practice, so save before you try this.

Good luck!

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 13:48:45 GMT

Thank you both for the replies. In this case, it's not a big deal for me to delete my route and start again, but obviously in other scenarios it would be, so I'll try to learn both methods.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:06:28 GMT

@cbenner sorry, I can't see an "Insert" command anywhere - only "Place". Thanks again

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Mark.Lancaster — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:12:30 GMT

When you place the fitting, right mouse click and select Insert Component on the context menu.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

cbenner — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:13:34 GMT

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:31:00 GMT

Thanks.

My problem now is that I can't get it to snap to the end of the pipe no matter what I do...

Screencast below. Anything obvious I'm doing wrong?

Thanks again

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

cbenner — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:37:53 GMT

@Anonymous From your video it looks like you are using Insert on the unconnected end of your pipe. Insert only works between two connections. It would work between your pipe and the tank on the other end, but not here. At this end I would probably use "Connect". This is also on the right click menu. You have Place, Connect and Insert. You need to be able to know when to use each of these options.

Place - for fittings going "inline" on your pipe route.

Connect - For fittings going on an open end of a pipe or another fitting, where there are no exisitng connections.

Insert - For placing a fitting between two exisitng fittings, or between an existing fitting and pipe.

Hope this helps.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 14:53:02 GMT

@cbenner ah ok, I see what you mean, but I thought it should work as the end of the pipe is connected to a sketch in one of the parts in the assembly. Maybe "connected" means it has to be connected to something sold, rather than just a sketch. I'll try it at the other end.

Thanks again

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:15:07 GMT

I started my route again and it seems to be working ok now.

I've just inserted a valve, and it automatically cut my pipe, and left 2 mm weld gaps between the pipe and the valve flanges (I've specified 2 mm weld gap in my style).

I then added a flange to the end of the pipe (Place Fitting - select the flange - (context menu) Insert Fitting), to connect to the valve flange. The problem is that it cuts my pipe 2mm away from the flange as it assumes I want to weld to the back of the flange. How do I insert the flange so that the pipe goes inside the flange as it should do for a slip on flange?

Thanks again

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:31:46 GMT

Right click the flange, select Edit Fitting Connections. In the drop down in the bottom of the dialog, you can specify which part connection to use.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

salariua — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 07:29:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Right click the flange, select Edit Fitting Connections. In the drop down in the bottom of the dialog, you can specify which part connection to use.

To highlight Aaron's note, you can use the engagement of the pipe, flange or custom where you can enter a manual value. As a side note you can trim/extend the pipe.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:01:54 GMT

Hi. Thanks for the replies. I don't have the option to change the connection - it's greyed out...

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

salariua — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:03:40 GMT

And when you click on the Flange?

I mean, when you choose "ASME ...." in the Edit Connection window.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:14:55 GMT

The "ASME..." in the window is the gasket, not the flange. If I select it it allows me to move the flange relative to the gasket, but the relationship between the pipe and and the flange doesn't change.

I can select the pipe end (instead of the flange), and choose Edit Fitting Connections, but the options for both the tee and the flange are greyed out when I try to change them.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

salariua — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:19:57 GMT

Attach the flange here. right click iproperties, copy location on disk and attach it here.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:22:31 GMT

Here it is...

Many thanks

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

salariua — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:07:15 GMT

Done a quick test and I am not getting your error. Mind you I don't have your styles, conduits, etc. In my style it didn't trimmed the pipe segment at all.

Will have to test some more but now I am running out of time.

Re: Tube and pipe - adding flange

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 11:53:09 GMT

No problem, thanks for taking the time to look at it, I appreciate it.

It's probably some weird combination of style options as you say. I'll continue to play around with it.