Best Plant 3d Reseller: Configuring Fixed Length Pipe for Socket Weld and Threaded Piping

Fixed length pipe is essential for creating an accurate Bill of Materials for your project. Typically, the pipe comes in 20’-0” lengths or sometimes 40’-0” length. So, to make it easier for the user, Plant 3D includes the option to have a weld (or fitting) placed every set amount of feet, however, it only uses buttwelds as standard connections. It is necessary for socketweld and threaded fittings to be used as well though. This is a quick guide to walk you through the step of enabling this setting.

The three basic steps in this process are:

• Creating new endtypes
• Creating simple & compound joints
• Create new fixed length pipe in pipe spec

Creating New End types

A new end type is needed to connect the fixed length pipe with socketweld couplings. By entering the command PLANTENDCODES in the command bar (Image 1) the Manage Endcodes menu is brought up (Image 2).

Next, a new Endcode is needed for the socketweld pipe. In the Endcode Name box, input ”FLS” and in the description box input “ Fixed Length Socketweld”.

Note: This step does not need to be repeated for threaded pipe.

Creating Simple Joint & Compound joint in Project Setup

A joint is needed for the new FLS endtype to connect with other parts in the spec.  To edit this within the Project Setup, start by right-clicking the Project Name in the Project Manager and selecting the Project setup, then select Piping Connection Settings under the Plant 3D DWG settings.

From here select add beside the Simple joints box and enter the joint name “Fixed Length SW Joint”, then add a Fixed length SW joint, with the End 1 being FLS, and End 2 being both FLS and SW, then under Required Matches select Nominal Diameter, then select add.

For the Compound joint, select add and enter the joint name “Auto SW Joint” then select End 1 and End 2 both as FLS. For the Connection Part select Coupling then select add. After completing these steps the Joint setup should look like the below image (Image 3). Select ok to save and close the Project Setup menu.

Create New Fixed Length Pipe.

Create New Fixed Length Pipe in pipe spec with FLS ends (Socketweld)

A new pipe is needed in the spec to allow the socketweld couplings to come in. In the image below (Image 4) the process is outlined as needed in the catalog editor tab.

1. Copy an ASME pipe from the ASME catalog then paste to your catalog.
2. In the Connection Port properties window, the End type is to be changed to FLS ( or the new end type previously created in Plant 3d)
3. Change the Long Description (family) to reflect the new end type.

After completing these steps make sure to save, then move back to the spec editor tab. From here we select the necessary sizes needed for the new part, then add them to the spec.

Note: Be sure to set the Part Use Priority according to the Spec.

Create New Fixed Length Pipe in pipe spec with THDM ends (Threaded Male)

In the same way the pipe spec for the FLS ends was edited, the same needs to be done with threaded piping.

After completing these steps make sure to save, then move back to the spec editor tab. From here select the necessary sizes needed for the new part, then add them to the spec.

Selecting Fixed Length Pipe option

After adding the pipe to the spec, double click the spec to open the Edit Parts menu. Scroll to the “Fixed Length” and “Use Fixed Length” columns.

In the “Fixed Length” column add the desired length, usually 20’-0” (240), then check the box in the “Use Fixed Length”. Click ok. This enables fixed-length piping in Plant 3D.

Adding/Updating Spec in Plant 3D

Adding Spec in Plant 3D

Open a drawing within the project. If the spec has not yet been added to the project then right click the Pipe Specs dropdown in the Project Manager and select “Copy Specs to Project”, navigate to the Spec and select it then select open.

Updating Spec in Plant 3D

If the spec has already been added then update the spec to reflect the changes made. Do this by right clicking the Pipe Specs drop down in the Project Manager and select “Check for Spec Updates” as shown in the image below. (Image 7)

Select “Update pipe spec”. (see Image 8)

Selecting Pipe from Spec Viewer

When selecting the pipe to run for Fixed Length piping with Socketweld fittings it is preferred to use the spec viewer to select the correct pipe.

After selecting the needed pipe size select insert in model and proceed with modeling. Below (Image 10) is a zoomed in section with socketweld couplings.