Pipe module similar to sheet metal module

[andreas.norviit]

Hello,

Where I work, we have our own pipe bending machine which bends stainless steel pipes in different dimensions.

When we draw pipes, we use the sweep command and if you are lucky the path of the pipe needed can be drawn as a 2D-sketch. Of course there are many occasions when it has to be drawn as a 3D-sketch.

When we have drawn the pipe, we have to calculate the length of the "flat pattern" to be able to give the right instructions to the pipe cutting department who has to cut the raw material into the right length.

To calculate the length of the pipe we have to go to "edit sketch" and measure the loop of the sketch. Sometimes we have to go into several sketches and add the length of each one manually. Then we need to calculate the right material subtraction (not familiar with the right word in English) for each type of pipe and the bending angle. Then we have to manually write the length of the material in the BOM-list. It is always a risk that you forget to change this value when revising a pipe and that can cause large amount of pipes cut in the wrong length to be scrapped.

My suggestion to make a proper pipe module is the following:

1. Choose the pipe dimension

2. Start with a straight piece by writing the length

3. When you want to add a bend, choose the angle of the bend and the rotation angle of the bend

4. Repeat bends until the pipe is ready

5. Create a "flat pattern" where bend lines are visible

6. Put the right flattened length in the parts list

I have always thought of the current pipe module as a tool where you only can create "cosmetical" pipe runs which aren't useful in any practical way. Please right me if I'm wrong.

Best regards

Andreas

[mikeh2]

We need to ensure we don't limit it to just round pipe/tube.  Need to include square & rectangular as well.

Regards

[swalton]

We would use this for bending electrical conduit, or rigid hydraulic lines. 

Don't forget I-Beams and other structural shapes.

[tomasz.sztejka]

I don't know if it will be any of use for You, but instead of measuring length on sketches You can ask Inventor about the volume of part and knowing a dimensions of the swept sketch (diameters) you can calculate how long the straight pipe made of the same amount of material would be. This can be even made into a simple iLogic rule which will update the length parameter in f(x) table on each geometry change so You wouldn't need to compute it by hand.

[marcos.pellizzoniT2NXB]

here is the iLogic rule to calculate pipe length

InventorVb.DocumentUpdate()
volume=iProperties.Volume
Pipe_Lenght = volume / ((PI * R ^ 2) -(PI * r ^ 2))

where

R=External radius of the pipe

r=Inner radius of the pipe