Max Pipe Length

[Aplant Monkey]

Does anyone know of a way to restrict or limit the length of a peice of pipe. I want to create a situation where my designers can only draw pipe a max of 6 meters in length (standard )

[awerning]

Add the following code:

If length1 > 6000 Then
msgbox("Pipe is restricted to 6 Meters Max")
length1 = 6000
End If

to the "at_Component_definePortsForInlineNoCenter" sub right below these two lines:

status = at_Component_getReal (length1, compID, length1Var)
status = at_Component_getReal (offset, compID, offsetVar)

in the "ports.ebs" file.

I would suggest adding the modification on the project level (unless you want it to affect all projects, in which case the best place would be in a custom root).

[shaneo]

would it also be posible to have a different length restriction depending on main size? (eg 6000 for <50mm and 12000 for >50mm)

[Aplant Monkey]

Thanks Aaron that works awesome, exactly what I am after.




Add the following code:

If length1 > 6000 Then
msgbox("Pipe is restricted to 6 Meters Max")
length1 = 6000
End If

to the "at_Component_definePortsForInlineNoCenter" sub right below these two lines:

status = at_Component_getReal (length1, compID, length1Var)
status = at_Component_getReal (offset, compID, offsetVar)

in the "ports.ebs" file.

I would suggest adding the modification on the project level (unless you want it to affect all projects, in which case the best place would be in a custom root).

[Aplant Monkey]

BUMP.... Trying to get this going again here and for whatever reason I can't make it work this time. I am trying to make this project specific so I am putting the adjusted ports.ebs file in the following location

N:\xxxxx\AUTOPLANT_PROJECTS\PROJ-ROOT\PROJECT-NAME\Config\modules\base\piping\Util

Does this look right? the base location is :

C:\Program Files\Bentley\Plant 2004\modules\Base\piping\util

[Aplant Monkey]

don't worry about it.... my bad. I put the code in the wrong section so of course it would not work. duh !!

[Aplant Monkey]

Ok now I need some help from one of you .ebs gurus. I have sorted out the max pipe length and where to put everything. but now here is the real world problem. When deisgners are placing pipe it is quite normal around here to place elbows or fittings first then run the autopipe feature. if nothing else the designer will use the connect feature rather than clicking on every fitting. What happens now with this ebs in place is that the restriction of 6m pipe works and graphically it only shows a 6m piece of pipe...... BUT it does the connection to the fitting that was beyond the 6m and puts a weld on it. obviously this functionality is not good.

If you want to test what I mean simply input the proper lines where indicated in the earlier post then place an elbow in space. do another elbow relative to it 7000mm away. then try to connect the two objects. you will get the warning that the max pipe length is 6m, but it will still connect.

Another side note to this thread is I want to be able to turn off the AutoPlant Joint Selection window that pops up and asks if you want a Fusion Weld or a Butt Weld. I ALWAYS only want a Butt weld so does anyone know how to disable this and have it default to butt welds.

Long post... sorry, thanks for taking the time to read and help if you can

[andersun]

I had went into one project and in the pipe section of the catalog I set the max pipe length in this case to 20'. I could then connect fitting to fitting and get 20' sections and a smal bit if under 20'. two small problems users need to watch and ensure that the small spool that might be placed does not violate the clients min. spool size. you might be able to also set the min spool length to address this. the second issue is unless you wish to make this gobal youy will need to create a new catalog for the pipe for that project and spool lengths.

I have not found the workaround for the fusion weld either.

[WiZardOz]

To get rid of the ButtWeld / FusionWeld selection , in JOINTS.INI (on the project in \Config\modules\ ) there is the following section

[Fusion Weld]
End1 = FW; PL; IRW; SE
End2 = FW; PL; IRW; SE
ReqMatch = ND
Fasteners = AT_FUSIONWELD
Description = Fusion-Welded Joint
Tolerance_Variable = MAX_WELDSLOPE_TOL

If you remove the PL endcondition from End1 and End2 , problem solved

[Aplant Monkey]

great. thanks guys I will try both suggestions.

[AplantAdmin]

too bad they didn't pre program it like they did will cable tray for fixed length.

[Aplant Monkey]

ok ... so here it is. Wizard I owe you a beer. your removal of the PL in the Joints.ini worked great.

As for the Max_length this is not working for me. I have tried setting it to 12000 (metric mm) and I can still draw pipe longer than that. i have tried setting it to 12 meters and still the same. I then thought since it was a Bentley product lets think backwards... I went with imperial in my metric spec and went with 40'. still doesn't work

What am I missing here?

[Aplant Monkey]

still looking at this. Have a new theory. if anyone is familiar with RAceways they will know what I mean.

In Raceways there is the option for Variable length and fixed lengths. Since Raceways are essentially just square pipe I will explore this option. if anyone can shed some light as to why I can't seem to use the MAX_LENGTH field in the spec to control this please let me know. I have added the column to the catalogue to make sure, but I don't think that it matters

[andersun]

I reviewed my records and what posted earlier was what I did.

restricting the max length of pipe in autoplant.


Add the following code:

If length1 > 6000 Then
msgbox("Pipe is restricted to 6 Meters Max")
length1 = 6000
End If

to the "at_Component_definePortsForInlineNoCenter" sub right below these two lines:

status = at_Component_getReal (length1, compID, length1Var)
status = at_Component_getReal (offset, compID, offsetVar)

in the "ports.ebs" file.

I would suggest adding the modification on the project level (unless you want it to affect all projects, in which case the best place would be in a custom root).

I found this on this site a search should find it again and explain it clearly as I might have omitted bits when I saved it down for reference.

[Aplant Monkey]

thanks Andersun. I have already tried this as explained in an earlier post. It does work BUT, if you draw two elbows lets say 20 meters apart and then try to "CONNECT" them you will see the problem. the pipe graphics will be restricted to the 6 or 12m length restriction however the pipe will still be connected with a weld to the elbows, but it will leave a gap between the end of the pipe and the elbow. Obvioulsy this poses a significant problem.

I would like to pursue the option of following the idea that Pipe can be treated the same as Raceway with Fixed length options or Variable length options.

[mikej]

have you tried using the Fixed length pipe class - AT_PIPE_FIXED, and specifying your fixed length in the COMP_LEN field in your spec/catalog ?

Though not sure that will help your Autopipe situation.