3D Pipe System Planning with Smap3D Piping

The second item of the plant design process chain is the 3D pipeline planning. With Smap3D Piping you automate this step and enhance your 3D-CAD system to an extremely efficient 3D plant design solution.

Basics of 3D pipe system construction

Smap3D Piping works as an 'Add-in' in the supported CAD systems. The programme automises the construction and alteration of 3D pipe systems in 3D assembly groups; a laborious task which an engineer or pipeline planner would otherwise have to carry out in separate stages.

The basis of this highly automised 3D pipeline construction is the use of pipe specifications. By pipe specs, we mean specification tables, in which the affiliation of components , (fittings, flanges etc) is determined by the unique company, department or project-specific pipe system characteristics. Further additional functions and settings control the behaviour of the software individually on its application - according to the pipe spec used.

For internal software plausibility checks, necessary parameters (e.g. maximum and minimum pipe lengths) can be defined. An existing pipe specification is individually filed in the system. This central definition:

Facilitates the maintenance and management of the pipe specs
Makes a high level of automisation possible and simple
Prevents individual errors on use of the application by the Engineer
Ensures a high degree of process security is achieved

As standard practice, Smap3D piping comprises all the necessary functions for construction, maintenance and management of the pipe spec definitions (Pipe spec editor). Pipe spec 'samples' are delivered with the software. These can be directly applied or copied and altered according to particular requirements.

Using Smap3D Piping

3D pipe system construction working method

A user draws and defines the required pipe system route as a programmed toolpath with 3D lines (basic functions in the CAD system). Smap3D piping analyses the earmarked line elements and composes the pipeline paths automatically from the logical criteria. A pipeline path describes the route of a 'continuous' pipe system from one connection to another, regardless of how many interjacent line elements the path is made up of. Further new pipeline paths begin at each branch. Pipeline paths are associative with the drawn 3D line elements of the CAD system. Pipeline paths form the basis for the generated 3D pipeline, made up of fittings and pipes.

In pipeline construction with pipe specs, Smap3D Piping automatically generates the complete pipe system according to the required pipe spec, its diameter, as well as other pipe system characteristics. In the process, the software adopts the automised placing of fittings necessary for the pipeline route for a multiplicity of standard situations (e.g. bends, tees, flanges, gasket) as well as the construction of all pipes between the placed fittings. This saves time and affords process security.

The insertion of additional components (e.g. fittings and instruments) in an existing pipe system is easily possible. Smap3D Piping draws from the utilized pipe spec definitions in the construction of the pipe system and permits only the installation of the appropriate specific components.

All symbols that have already been placed in the line progression are automatically turned when the flow direction is changed. Lines can be changed (elongated, shortened, shifted) with the use of “handles”.

Subsequent to their placing, Smap3D Piping recognizes the new situation and update the pipeline automatically. This method of operation achieves a high level of process security in 3D pipe system planning.

In alterations of the pipe system route (programmed toolpaths) the updating of the constructed pipeline (missing or superfluous fittings and pipes) is carried out fully automatically using the 'knowledge' of the utilised pipe specs.

In alterations to the composition of existing pipelines, for example, in changes to the pipe spec, the diameter, or another pipe spec feature, Smap3D Piping proceeds in the same way and uses the memorised definitions from the pipe specs.

For the generation of reduced or extended pipelines the user must determine only the required diameter and position of the reduced or extended components. The placement of the components as well as the complete modification of the changed pipeline parts to the new diameter are carried out by Smap3D Piping.

In all automatisms offered by Smap3D Piping, the user is still in the position to extend and edit a pipe system according to their individual requirements, with the use of different functions, e.g. 'Use undefined components', 'Place parts' etc.

Smap3D can be used with SolidWorks & SolidEdge

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Main functions of 3D pipe system construction

In pipe system construction with Smap3D Piping a large number of automatic placing routines (QuickPlace methods) for fittings in 3D pipelines are available.

The most important of these are the automatic placement of:

Bends (for all common angle values)
Tees normal and reduced (for all common angle values)
Collars/Weldolets instead of reduced tees (for all common angle values)
Flanges and gaskets
Generation of straight pipes between the fittings
Generation of bend pipes when no bend fittings are placed

Further intelligent automations and functions for pipeline planner´s assistance are:

Automatic creation of pipeline reductions or expansion
Automatic flow direction control
Splitting of pipes when maximum length is reached
Placement of connection components (e.g. Unions) when maximum length is reached
Creation of weld gaps
Placement of fitted bends for sloping pipelines
Creation of insulations
Quick and easy addition of new automations through QuickPlace methods

Reductions or extensions

Welding gaps

Insolation

Smap3D can be used with SolidWorks & SolidEdge

Get Free Live Demo

Functions for non-round pipes

When constructing pipelines with pipe specs, Smap3D Piping can also be used to create any non-round profils. Cable ducts, routes, air ventilation ducts etc, can be quickly and efficiently built in the 3D assembly. In the process, the software uses similar fully automatic placement routes, as with round profils.

The most important of these are the automatic placement of:

Shape bends with 45 and 90 degrees
Shape tees with 45 and 90 degrees with identical and reduced profils
Shape flanges and washers
Flanges and gaskets
Generation of form-pipes between the placed shape fittings
Placement of pipes with fixed lengths

As a special function extention, the alignment of the particular components (left/right, as well as up or down) is taken into account.

Automatic creation of pipeline reductions or expansion
Automatic flow direction control
Splitting of pipes when maximum length is reached
Placement of connection components (e.g. Unions) when maximum length is reached
Creation of weld gaps
Placement of fitted bends for sloping pipelines
Creation of insulations
Quick and easy addition of new automations through QuickPlace methods

Smap3D can be used with SolidWorks & SolidEdge

Get Free Live Demo

Your Advantages

Take over of all P&ID definitions when “work connected” with” Smap3D P&ID.

Comprehensive 3D-standard parts library available

Library easily extended with any components

Automatic generation of complete pipe systems

Flexible placement of additional components (interactive or controlled from Smap3D P&ID)

Automatic updating after alteration

Allowance for sloping gradients

All tools necessary for pipe spec creation and maintenance included

Simple usage and fast user-acceptance

One single tool to construct round and non-round pipelines

Collision detection via functions of the base CAD system

Automatic drafting via functions of the base CAD system

Automatic construction of bills of materials

Automatic construction of pipeline isometries with Smap3D Isometric

'Walk-through' animation via functions of the base CAD system

And much more…

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Smap3D can be used with SolidWorks & SolidEdge

Get Free Live Demo