Insert conduit parts and fittings into a tube and pipe assembly

To branch off multiple routes, replace existing fittings, connect to another component, individual fitting or adjacent fittings, or meet the appropriate design needs, place a fitting from either the Content Center using AutoDrop or your active project work space. Use appropriate commands as needed to reposition the fitting that is placed onto the route.

You can also place conduit parts or fittings anywhere in the background of the graphics window of a tube and pipe assembly without any associations. At a later time, use Connect Fittings to connect independent conduit parts and fittings to other components and fittings.

If you are placing a library fitting or conduit part from the Content Center, Autodesk Inventor provides a series of commands, such as Search, Filter, Favorites, and History to quickly locate the tube and pipe library parts.

Tip: Before placing a fitting from the Content Center using AutoDrop, check the Model browser to see whether there is already an occurrence in the tube and pipe assembly. If it is used in any populated or unpopulated pipe routes, you can quickly select the fitting from the Model browser or the graphics window and then insert duplicate occurrences using the Place Fitting command. You cannot select conduit parts for insertion using this method.

Place a conduit part from Content Center

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the conduit part.
  2. On the ribbon, click Tube and Pipe tab Component panel Place from Content Center .
  3. In the Place from Content Center dialog box, navigate to the conduit part family under Tube & PipeFittings category and double-click the part family.
  4. In the part family dialog box, find the conduit part with the needed ND (nominal diameter), SN (schedule number), and PL (tube, pipe or hose length).
    Note: If the default PL is not what you need, you can manually specify the needed PL for the conduit part.
  5. Determine whether to place the conduit part as a custom part or a standard part.
  6. Review other parameters of the selected library part on the Table View and Family Info tabs.
  7. To complete selecting the part, click OK.
  8. Optionally, if the selected conduit part is instanced from the Content Center for the first time, the Save As dialog box is displayed. Do the following:
    1. Specify the file name, file type, file location, and file translator option. Use the defaults if you are not sure.
    2. Click Save to dismiss the Save As dialog box.

    The Place Component command is automatically activated. The conduit part preview appears attached to the mouse.

  9. Click anywhere in the background of the graphics window to place the conduit part.
  10. Optionally, click again to place multiple occurrences.
  11. Right-click in the graphics window and select Done.

    After the conduit part is placed, you can connect it to other components using the Connect Fittings command at a later time.

Locate a fitting from Content Center

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the fitting.
  2. On the ribbon, click Tube and Pipe tab Component panel Place from Content Center .
  3. In the Place from Content Center dialog box, navigate to the fitting part family and double-click the part family.

    The Part Family dialog box is displayed.

  4. Select the needed fitting parameters, typically ND (Nominal Diameter).
  5. Determine whether to place the fitting as a custom part or a standard part.
  6. Review other parameters of the selected library part on the Table View and Family Info tabs.
  7. To complete selecting the part, click OK.

Show Me how to insert a fitting on to a route from the Content Center

Locate a fitting from the active project work space

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the fitting.
  2. On the ribbon, click Pipe Run tab Route panel Place Fitting .
  3. In the Place Fitting dialog box, navigate to and select the fitting from the active project work space. Note that the Place Fitting command can only apply to fittings.

    The fitting preview appears attached to the mouse.

Tip: For consumed fittings in a tube and pipe run assembly, click to highlight the fitting in the Model browser or the graphics window, and then use Place Fitting to place more occurrences quickly. Using the Model browser, you can insert any compatible fitting from another pipe run into the target pipe run. Using the graphics window, you can only select fittings within the target pipe run.

Split a route segment

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the fitting.
  2. Locate a conduit part or fitting from your project workspace or Content Center.

    The fitting preview appears attached to the mouse.

  3. Move the fitting over the route segment, click to drop the fitting at the needed position.

    The fitting splits the route segment in halves. The 3D Orthogonal Route tool is displayed.

  4. Optionally, to change the fitting orientation, drag the rotation arrow of the 3D Orthogonal Route tool. To rotate to a precise orientation, pause the cursor over the rotation arrow, right-click and select Enter Angle.
    Tip: If the 3D Orthogonal Route tool is not active, right-click the fitting and select Edit Fitting Orientation.
  5. Optionally, use the 3D Orthogonal Route tool displayed to edit the orientation.
  6. Optionally, to place multiple occurrences, right-click and select Continue. Repeat Step 3 through Step 5.
  7. Right-click in the graphics window and select Done.

Connect to another component

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the fitting.
  2. Locate a conduit part or fitting from your project work space or Content Center.

    The fitting preview appears attached to the mouse.

  3. Right-click and select Connect Fitting.

    A red vector indicates the direction of fitting connection.

  4. Ensure Connect fitting is selected.
  5. Optionally, to change the connection point on the fitting, do either of the following:
    • Right-click and select Next Connection.
    • Press the spacebar.
    • Right-click and select Select Orientation. Use the Select Other command to navigate to the connection point and click the green area to set the selection.
    Tip: Fitting orientation can also be changed after placement, by pressing the space bar or using the Select Orientation command on the context menu. If you use Select Orientation, ensure that the 3D Orthogonal Route tool is active.
  6. Move the fitting adjacent to the component to connect, click to drop the fitting when the 2 connection points are coincident.
  7. Optionally, use the 3D Orthogonal Route tool displayed to edit the orientation.
    Tip: If the 3D Orthogonal Route tool is not active, right-click the fitting and select Edit Fitting Orientation.
  8. Optionally, to place multiple occurrences, right-click and select Continue. Repeat Step 4 through Step 6.
  9. Right-click in the graphics window and select Done.

Connect between adjacent fittings

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the fitting.
  2. Locate a fitting that contains at least 2 collinear connections from your project work space or Content Center.

    The fitting preview appears attached to the mouse.

  3. Right-click and select Connect Fitting.

    A red vector indicates the direction of fitting connection.

  4. Optionally, to change the connection point on the fitting, do either of the following:
    • Right-click and select Next Connection.
    • Press the spacebar.
    • Right-click and select Select Orientation. Use the Select Other command to navigate to the connection point and click the green area to set the selection.
    Tip: Fitting orientation can also be changed after placement, by pressing the spacebar or using the Select Orientation command on the context menu. If you use Select Orientation, ensure that the 3D Orthogonal Route tool is active.
  5. Click Insert fitting .
  6. Move the fitting adjacent to the fittings to connect, click to drop the fitting when the two connection points are coincident.
  7. Optionally, use the 3D Orthogonal Route tool displayed to edit the orientation. You can also select multiple fittings and then edit the orientation for the group.
    Tip: If the 3D Orthogonal Route tool is not active, right-click the fitting and select Edit Fitting Orientation.
  8. Optionally, to place multiple occurrences, right-click and select Continue. Repeat Step 4 through Step 6.
  9. Right-click in the graphics window and select Done.

Replace an existing fitting

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the fitting.
  2. Locate a conduit part or fitting from your project workspace or Content Center.

    The fitting preview appears attached to the mouse.

  3. Move the fitting over the fitting to replace, click to drop the fitting when the two fittings are coincident.
  4. Optionally, to change the connection point on the fitting, press the spacebar. This is typically done for replacing the free end fitting,
  5. Optionally, use the 3D Orthogonal Route tool displayed to edit the orientation.
  6. Optionally, to place multiple occurrences, right-click and select Continue. Repeat Step 3 through Step 5.
  7. Right-click in the graphics window and select Done.
Tip: If the new fitting is from the Content Center, typically right-click the original fitting and use Replace from Content Center to accomplish the replacement.

Insert a conduit part or fitting without any associations

  1. Activate the pipe run to receive the fitting.
  2. Locate a conduit part or fitting from your project workspace or Content Center.

    The library part preview appears attached to the mouse.

  3. Click anywhere in the background of the graphics window.
  4. Optionally, click again to place multiple occurrences.
  5. Right-click in the graphics window and select Done.
Parent topic: Insert conduit parts and fittings into a tube and pipe assembly