Custom Long Radius Elbows

[daniel.merritt26]

Hello,

In my industry we use pneumatic conveying lines that have 24in, 36in, and 48in radius elbow sweeps.  Pipe diameters are typically 3in-6in.  I have created a family (see attached) and it works just fine, until I do anything less then 90 deg (30,45,60,90 are typical).

Also I cannot create a rolling sweep/offset with it...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have attempted to recreate existing pipe fittings, conduits seem to be the closest, but these never work out.

Ideally, I would like to change the pipe radius depending on the scenario and angle if needed (rolling offset 2 @Anonymous vs 2 @90).

[iainsavage]

I suggest that you follow the attached guide for how to set the various parameters and add end sockets.

I suspect the problem with the reduced angle fitting is that you don't have a formula to determine the centre to end distance.

[iainsavage]

ignore this bit of the document that I uploaded

For recent versions of the software the lookup table is loaded directly into the family.

[daniel.merritt26]

@iainsavage I created a new elbow using the steps/guidelines.  This is a generic elbow (not manufacturer specific).  The fitting is only working if I created it as a 90 deg and 3in pipe for example, any other angle or size results in a warning saying the fitting is not present. I created a family type for 12in,24in,36in,48in.

[iainsavage]

Angle parameter needs to be Instance and in order to do that you will first have to change the Centre to End parameter to instance as well (otherwise the formula won't work.

[daniel.merritt26]

@iainsavage This worked perfect for the 3in Diameter.  When I tried other diameters it was saying there were no fittings (not giving me an option to draw a 90 etc.). I tried changing all the diameter associated parameters to Instance, but that did not work, it would want to just throw the 3in back in and not change pipe size.

[iainsavage · Accepted solution]

These parameters need to be instance:

The connectors will then change diameter by reading the pipe diameter and the connector size will then drive the values of the other diameters and radii.

In the project routing preferences make sure that the size range for each type is set to All.

As far as I can see it then works okay:

[iainsavage · Accepted solution]

attached

[daniel.merritt26]

@iainsavage This is amazing, thank you so much for your help! Works perfect.

[iainsavage]

You are welcome.

Now you just have to add the pipe sockets at the ends if you want!

That will probably need the use of a lookup table, or maybe nested If..Else formulas, because the geometry of the sockets for different pipe diameters probably won't follow a simpe formulaic relationship.