Lines, lofting into tubes and then changing lines afterwards...???

[Anonymous]

I am trying to design a manifold. It has a flange and 4 pipes.

I created the flange and then created the curved lines to the dimension I needed to start with. Of the 4 pipes there are are 2 pairs of the same pipes.

I have some questions regarding the finished pipe after lofting.

I need the 4 pipes to all be the exact same length (which is fine at the moment as I have duplicated all 4 pipes), however I need to then align the pipes such that the 4 open ends of the pipes all meet at a specific point. The issue I have is that I need both pairs of pipes need to be the same length when they meet but both pairs will follow a slightly different path so as to not contact each other.

Is there a way to fix the total length of the lines I have used so that I could manipulate one pair to get them to fit without contacting the other pair knowing they will remain the same length?

Appreciate any help on this.

[davebYYPCU]

Not easily, as the Inspect > Measure tool measures one article at a time,

I would use a centre line - spline, and adjust the centre line's nodes until they match the measured distance of one for the other. 

Mirror tool will do the pairs.

Might help....

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for the reply.

I figured I could adjust the straight sections of the lines on two extending one and then shortening the same by the same amount 'manually' so to speak, but wasn't sure if F360 could do it for me automatically.

Do you know if I should be able to adjust the 'line' and have the affect on the lofted tube occur simultaneously?

If so ca you give me any pointers as I have been unable so far to work out how to do it.

If the pipe are close in length but not perfectly so I could live with that.

Is there a way to move the ends of the pipes such that they will only move as far as to contact and then stop on each other as opposed to passing over/through each other?

[davebYYPCU]

Well, it's catch 22, here, to get equal length, high probability you will have to go to a 3d sketch, but I don't know of the remaining design you want

Fusion is seni automatic for this if you use splines, then clicking on it will tell you the lenght in the lower right bottom of the screen,

Lofted pipe?, if it is changing crossection you would do that otherwise the pipe or sweep commands with centrelines is the way to go,

my suggestion for the 2d spline, is so it can be measured, tweak the points on it and measure again, to get it close, before copying with lines and arcs

same will work for lines and arcs but lots of maths that way, If I take the picture literally, you would be measring up to 5 centreline segments each time something moves.

Yes you can make the pipe, and slide - adjust the endpoints of the lines and arcs, if they are not totally constrained, in the modelling area, without editing the sketches.

Last question - in a assembly yes it called joints with contact sets, not used them much, can't help on that point,

other than to say, it would be better to have a collection box, tie the exit ends of the centrelines to each manifold, and then stretch the pipes to suit both ends.If you can keep it symetrical then its only half the working out.

Might help... 

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

I'm not sure if it's possible to do with only a straight section between the upper and lower bends.  Try creating a single pipe with one end shorter than the other with a (minimum) difference of the pipe diameter.  Make a copy of the pipe, rotate it so the short end is opposite the original pipe's short end.  Move it left or right to the desired distance for the upper connection.  Rotate it on the other axis to align the lower end.  You may need to curve the center section of the second pipe in order to align the top and bottom in their proper places.

p.s. This was done with a plane on path and the sweep command.  Pipe would probably be a better choice.

[Anonymous]

Many thanks both of you for the replies.

I have only just seen them today and have to go out now so I will look at them again in more depth later when I am back.

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this, I see what you mean and feel that your suggestion is the best solution. Putting a slight bend in the outer pipes to shorten the position of the end pipe without affecting its overall length is the way forward.

I've just got to try and replicate what you have done with the sweep option.