To Author Tube and Pipe Parts

2019.2

Use the Tube & Pipe Authoring command to author an iPart or a normal part for publishing to the Content Center Library. In the Tube & Pipe Authoring dialog box, authoring parameters can vary from different part types.

Typically connection points and axes can be derived from geometry on the part being authored. In addition, you can prepare work points and work axes before authoring so they are available to define the connection points and axes.

Note: If you are authoring a branch fitting, you must first create the work point for mating point, work axis for pipe axis, and cut profile for mating pipe.

Author tube and pipe iParts

1. Open a custom tube and pipe iPart in Autodesk Inventor.
2. On the ribbon, click Manage tab Author panel Tube and Pipe .

   In the Tube & Pipe Authoring dialog box, red numbers indicate that the connection criteria have not been satisfied. Make sure all required attributes are set for each connection.

3. Select the part category in the Type list:
   • To author a standard, two-connection conduit part , select Tube, Pipe, or Hose.
   • To author a standard fitting, select any of the available fitting types.
   • To author a branch fitting, select Branches or a subtype.
   • If the iPart does not fit into any available fitting types, select Other.
   Tip: If you are authoring a cap, elbow, tee, or cross, click the appropriate connection image.
4. Optionally, if you do not use the default number of connections, set a new value in the Connections list.
5. Click a connection number.
6. Specify the end treatment for the connection.
7. Select a parameter and map it to the related column name in the iPart table. You must map all required parameters in the list.
   Note: The Pipe Length parameter is only required on the first connection. You only define all other table mapping once unless connections differ in size.
8. Define the connection information where appropriate:
   • Click Connection Point, and then select a circular edge or existing work point to set the point at which the part connects with existing geometry. For gasket parts and butt weld components, select a point on the connection face.
   • Click Connection Axis, and then select a circular edge or existing work axis to set the direction in which to connect the part being authored.
   • Specify the gender for the connection as Female, Male, or Neutral. For example, gaskets typically have a flanged end treatment, which is a neutral gender.
   • Click Flip Direction to reverse the axis direction, if needed. The axis should point to the outside of the part.
   • If you are authoring a branch fitting, for the second connection point, you need to specify the mating point and pipe axis rather than the normal connection point and connection axis.
     Note: Mating point and pipe axis cannot be derived from geometry on the branch fitting being authored. You must first create a work point and a work axis accordingly.
9. Define the minimum and maximum engagement. If the flanged end treatment is selected for gasket connections, the engagement values are 0.
10. If you are authoring a branch fitting, for the second connection point, you need to specify the cut information on the mating pipe. To remove the section, click the profile while pressing Ctrl.
    Note: Cut profile cannot be derived from geometry on the branch fitting being authored. You must first create a profile, using the Project Geometry for instance.
11. Optionally, if you are authoring a fitting iPart, specify the appropriate ISOGEN type, Skey, ITEM-Code, and description to use for ISOGEN .pcf files.
12. When you complete all required parameters for each connection number, click OK to save the authored iPart.
13. When authoring is successful, click OK.

    You can publish the authored iPart to an appropriate subcategory and family in the default root category of the Content Center at a later time.

Author normal Tube & Pipe parts

Normal parts can only be authored and published as fittings so you cannot select Tube, Pipe, or Hose in the Type list.

1. Open a normal tube and pipe part in Autodesk Inventor.
2. On the ribbon, click Manage tab Author panel Tube and Pipe .

   In the Tube & Pipe Authoring dialog box, red numbers indicate that the connection criteria have not been satisfied. Make sure all required attributes are set for each connection.

3. Select the part category in the Type list:
   • To author a standard fitting, select any of the available fitting types.
   • To author a branch fitting, select Branches or a subtype.
   • If the part does not fit into any available fitting types, select Other.
   Tip: If you are authoring a cap, elbow, tee, or cross, click the appropriate connection image.
4. Optionally, if you do not use the default number of connections, set a new value in the Connections list.
5. Click Connection Number.
6. Specify the end treatment used in the component part.
7. Specify the nominal size.
8. Define the connection information where appropriate:
   • Click Connection Point, and then select a circular edge or existing work point to set the point at which the part connects with existing geometry.
   • Click Connection Axis, and then select a circular edge or existing work axis to set the direction in which to connect the part being authored.
   • Specify the gender for the connection as Female, Male, or Neutral. For example, gaskets are typically a flanged end treatment which is neutral in gender.
   • Click Flip Direction to reverse the axis direction, if needed. The axis should point to the outside of the part.
   • If you are authoring a branch fitting, for the second connection point, you need to specify the mating point and pipe axis rather than the normal connection point and connection axis.
     Note: Mating point and pipe axis cannot be derived from geometry on the branch fitting being authored. You must first create a work point and a work axis accordingly.
9. Define the minimum and maximum engagement. If the flanged end treatment is selected for gasket connections, the engagement values are 0.
10. If you are authoring a branch fitting, for the last connection number, you need to specify the cut information on the mating pipe. To remove the section, click the profile while pressing Ctrl.
    Note: Cut profile cannot be derived from geometry on the branch fitting being authored. You must first create a profile, using the Project Geometry for instance.
11. Optionally, specify the appropriate ISOGEN type, Skey, ITEM-CODE, and Description to use for ISOGEN .pcf files.
12. When you complete all required parameters for each connection number, click OK to save the authored part.
13. When authoring is successful, click OK.

    You can publish the authored iPart to an appropriate subcategory and family in the default root category of the Content Center at a later time.