Plastic Socket Weld Ends

[cadguy77]

Hi Guys,

I've created our HDPE catalogue from stratch but i'm having issue with the socket type endcodes avaiable.

I want my small bore socket type connections to use the PSF endcode but the elbows are drawn like butt weld fittings (see arrangement on right in attached pdf) and because of the socket engagement depth it draws the pipe overlapping the elbow.

Now using the SWF endcode (see arrangement on left in attached pdf) the elbows are drawn like socket end type with the enlarged socket entry section.

Is there anyway to get PSF fittings to draw like the SWF fittings?

Is there a .ebs or other file I need to make additions to?

[Zortar]

I am not familiiar with the PSF end code (I can't seem to find it in the Base or Plastic Modules in V8i). I am pretty sure you will have to edit the \modules\base\piping\draw\ends.ebs file for this (or the path to whatever module you are using). In that file there is a conditional statement that determines how your ends are drawn. You can make sure PSF is grouped with the SWF cases in the various functions therein. I think the most important ones are the at_drawEndM, at_drawEndR and at_drawEndB. The important thing is that the endSWF function ends up being the one to draw your end.

[andersun]

I'm working on this issue also. What I have determine is I need to create a special class of fitting for the electro fusion fittings.
the key to this is to change the insertion point to the base of the cup and not the default end of the cup. this will give you the ability to place a coupling onto a extend tangent elbow or a tee and have it display / measure the correct distance. I however have not gotten the time to get back into specgen and create the fitting. I didnt find another end connection that would give the insertion your asking for. the PSF comes the closest and is by default a plastic connection so other underlaying connection should not be a factor when tweaking it.

[cadguy77]

Very Strange this autoplant.

OK looked through the endcodes.ini, joints.ini, and ends.ebs. While within the endcode and joints there are several plastic female socket type connections available, not all have a routine in the ends.ebs.

Only PWF (plastic socket female end) has a routine within the ends.ebs. So while I could go through and add an end routine for all the available ends, I've decided to use PWF for my small bore HDPE.
I edited the ends.ebs under the section sub endPWF so the end cup draws larger than the od of the pipe:
(CADObj = at_CADCylinder_create(0.53 * pipe_OD, orig, newEnd,rim_flag).

After testing the iso I discovered the pcf.ini did not recognise the PWF endcode so had to add an entry for it in there (i've only added it to the base module, but can see no harm in adding it to the plastic module pcf.ini too). You'll also notice that there are not the full range of endcodes in the pcf.ini which I find really odd.

[MAP_ENDCOND4SKEY]
SCF = SC
SCM = SC
SWF = SW
SWM = SW
SOF = BW
BW = BW
BWT = BW
BV = BW
FL = FL
FLT = CL
FLF = FL
LUG = FL
WAF = FL
LAP = FL
TAP = PL
PL = PL
LGL = FL
WFL = FL
LPL = FL
FLL = FL
FW = BW
SDL = BW
WAL = FL
PWF = SW


Job done (i think :) )

[cadguy77]

A little help guys.

I've got problems when trying to connect from the branches of my tees using the PWF endcode. See pics:


1538 1539

I've tried adding PWF to the end_cond_3 within the catalogue but still causing the error.

I'm probably performing some school boy errors here but I can't figure out why the main side will connect but not the branch.

Ease my pain someone please.

[Zortar]

I noticed in my JOINTS.INI for Plastic Socket Welded that the ReqMatch (required match) was OD not ND so make sure the pipe OD's are input in the catalog correctly. Or you can change the ReqMatch to ND if that works.

[cadguy77]

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly Zortar.

I noticed that as well. I've just run a test changing the ReqMatch to ND with no success.

All my OD's and Main Sizes are in the catalogue, it baffles me because the main run connects no problem, it's just the branch that fails. And when placing the tee on an existing pipe I'm not given the option to toggle to the branch node either.

According to the joints.ini, PWF should except PL (plain end) from the adjoining pipe as I'm seeing with the main run, but when it comes to the branch it fails

I've looked through the Class, Ports, speckey, methods *.ini's to name the main ones but can't seem to put my finger on the problem.

Is there anything else I could try...

[edit] This is happening throughout my small bore size range

[Zortar]

Just out of curiosity is this a general branch component? I found (and fixed) what I consider to be a bug in the \common\genbran.ebs file where it is reading the main size instead of the branch when trying to connect the branch (around line 321). It's a long shot but I thought I would ask.

[cadguy77]

Zortar,

I'm placing a straight tee not a general branch component. As a test I copied the tee within the catalogue and changed it's endcode to SWF, placed it in the model and the branch connects fine.

Just out of interest, can you copy/paste the line you fixed from your genbran.ebs? Thanks

[Zortar]

Ha! Sure CADGuy, here is the section of code that is modified in genbran.ebs file, subroutine branch_draw3D. I underlined the added code.

Sub branch_draw3D (compID As At_ComponentID, viewVec As At_Vector, portPos() As At_Point, drawMode As String)
Dim CADObj As Long '// Graphical CADObjects to be created
Dim cP As At_Point '// Center point location
Dim port1OD As Double '// Diameter of port1
Dim port3OD As Double '// Diameter of port3
Dim status As Integer '// Status code
Dim end1 As String '// End code for port1
Dim end2 As String '// End code for port2
Dim end3 As String '// End code for port3
Dim port1Dir As At_Vector '// Direction for port1
Dim port2Dir As At_Vector '// Direction for port2
Dim port3Dir As At_Vector '// Direction for port3
Dim cFlag As Integer '// Flag to draw a ceterline on hide
Dim style As Double
Dim boxBase As At_Point '// Base point if we draw a box
Dim boxTop As At_Point '// Top point if we draw a box
Dim boxWidth As Double '// Width of the box
Dim boxLength As Double '// Length of the box
Dim dummy As At_Vector
Dim rotation As Double
Dim endToEnd As Double
Dim ctrEndB As Double
Dim ctrEndR As Double
Dim diameter As Double
Dim insThick As Double '// Insulation thickness
Dim showInsVar As String '// Insulation preference variable
Dim layer As String
Dim BranchND As String '// Added by Zortar
Dim MainND As String '// Added by Zortar
status = at_Component_getPoint (cP, compID, "CP.Loc")
status = at_Component_getReal (port1OD, compID, "PIPE_OD_M")
status = at_Component_getReal (port3OD, compID, "PIPE_OD_B")
If((status <> AT_SUCCESS) Or (port3OD = 0.0)) Then
port3OD = port1OD
End If
'// Added by Zortar
status = at_Component_getString (BranchND, compID, "BRAN_SIZE")
status = at_Component_getString (MainND, compID, "MAIN_SIZE")
If((status <> AT_SUCCESS) Or (BranchND = "")) Then
BranchND = MainND
End If
status = at_Component_putString (BranchND, compID, "Port3.ND")
'// End section Added by Zortar
status = at_Component_getVector (port1Dir, compID, "Port1.dir")
status = at_Component_getVector (port2Dir, compID, "Port2.dir")
...etc

This doesn't explain the strange behavior with your plastic socket end types but I will be interested to find out what you come up with as a solution.

[andersun]

CADGuy,

the one image your tee appears to have a socket on the branch, that would be one issue with trying to connect a EF socketed elbow to the tee. I have checked using the catalog I sent, inserting a tee with PSF connection on the run and BW on the branch and a PSF elbow will connect but at the end of the branch. I do need to return to the EF fitting and create more of a socket weld appearance on those fitting so you can see the difference between BW and EF in that catalog. Next week Im sending this EF fitting problem back to Bentley for review and price on them creating the custom fittings. I will advise more later.

[cadguy77]

Andersun

Firstly thanks for sending me your catalogue, it's much appreciated.

Both the tee and the elbow are PWF ends, but i don't think the problem is a mis-match in endcodes as when I just try and connect pipe to the branch without connecting to anything it still won't work.