Issues creating FRP pipe fitting families

[Anonymous]

Lacking any FRP Piping families, I am creating my own.  I have created my custom pipe dimensions (profile), and successfully created Flanges and Blind Flanges (no lookup tables, but they "flex" just fine).

However, now I am attempting to create Elbows - LR 90 and 45, and SR 90.  I hoped to create from an existing lookup family, but seems overwhelming.  And transitions - just a simple concentric reducer won't flex.

I assume someone out there may have encountered this issue.  I have read countless blogs and AU lessons on this, but it looks like 2018 may be somewhat different, as I am not able to create a new "standard" and then have the family export a lookup table if one did not previously exist.  And, trying to import a renamed and revised lookup table has not worked thus far.  Ack!!

Anyone have recommendations or lessons learned they could share?  Puhleeze?!

[Secttor]

Hi @Anonymous

You should focus on Revit default (built-in) fittings families..to see how they're made. I haven't understood exacly your worries regarding lookuptables, which are used to give values in the rfa's based on an excel content. 

[Anonymous]

I have tried using the built-in families. Currently at issue is changing millimeters to inches in the table then reloading, getting all sorts of parsing errors and unexpected end of expression errors when importing a revised lookup table, etc. I used generic welded fittings, as those are closest to what will be buttwrapped FRP style of fittings.



As I mentioned, I was able to create Flanges and Blind Flanges. But I am flummoxed at moving ahead trying to customize transitions (partially due to the height and width offsets built in - I just want to create concentric for now, nothing fancy!!).



Thanks for trying to help, tho. I am just beyond that a bit. 🙂

[robert.klempau]

Hello @Anonymous,

I like to help you but you need to give me a bit more information about the family that you want to create.

can you provide me with a picture of the real world object and give me a data sheet of that object.

I will provide you a family but more important a screencast where I show you how to create this family and how lookup tables work.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate your offer of help. I do understand how the lookup tables work, and have made several work as customized copies for FRP fittings. One of the issues I have tried to figure out is when I create a fitting from scratch, and the dimensions flex properly, but not the revolved solid. Not sure how or why it doesn't work consistently, as I had done others which worked just fine. ?!?



I am currently trying to figure out elbows and should have those done later today.



Thanks, tho, for your offer.

[Secttor]

The're can be a lot of reasons why the geometry won't flex. It could be easier to see a screenshot or even attach rfa in order to investigate better.

[Anonymous]

I have attached my fitting Tee, which was copied from the "generic - welded" family, along with the revised lookup table, converted to inches for all dims, along with the corrected fitting OD for FRP.

I have also included the data sheet for the tee dimensions (page 8 of the *.pdf) I am using for the CtoE dims - the fitting ODs listed are correct in the lookup table.

What I have seen is that if I add a new parametric, ie for 3" tee, the CtoE dimensioning and model correct, but not the OD of the fitting.  In other words, the flex is not complete.  And I am not sure why. 

[robert.klempau · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

The problem is in the family.

With the "Center to End" (1) parameter you read the CtE column from the lookup table.

But that parameter is not connected to the dimension in your family.

The parameter "Center to End Label" (2) is but has a fixed value so your family won't flex.

  

see your situation below.

You could add the parameter "Center to End" (1) as a formula to "Center to End Label" (2) or add the "Center to End" (1) parameter to the dimensions like you see below.

Tip: when using existing families to create new ones, first analyze the family first. How is it working? Then start modifying! But most important is to keep testing in between the step you take.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much!  This helps!  I will have to go back to see how the "label" dimension was set in the original.

But thanks for the assistance.