05. PXF Importing Duct work AutoPlant components crashes AutoPIPE, why?


Applies To
Product(s):AutoPIPE,
Version(s):2004, XM, & V8i
Environment: N/A
Area: Import
Subarea:
Original Author:Bentley Technical Support Group

Dec 2014, AutoPIPE V8i 09.06.01.10

Problem:

Importing Duct work AutoPlant components crashes AutoPIPE, why?

Answer:

From the online help:  

AutoPIPE recognizes the following components:

PIPE

pipe component

VALV

valve

FLAN

flange

ELBO

elbow

REDU

reducer

RIGD

rigid pipe with specified diameter

DEL

ignore nodes associated with this component

AutoPLANT has more component names in the connectivity file than those listed above, so it becomes important to map any item type used in PXF file into one of the above listed components.

In addition, PXF Item Type Numbers:

AutoPLANT PXF file has currently 20 different item types. The item type number is given under the field 2000 / 2100 in the PXF file. These types are listed below:

0     PIPE COMPONENT 
1     ELBOW  
2     180 DEGREE BEND  
3     TEE , Y or Y STRAINER 
4     CROSS  
5     CONCENTRIC REDUCER 
6     ECCENTRIC REDUCER 
7     IN-LINE FITTING: COUPLING, UNION, ETC.  
8     END OF LINE FITTINGS: CAPS, PLUGS, ETC.  
9     OLET, STUB IN 
10   SINGLE VALVE 
11   ANGLE VALVE 
12   3WAY VALVE 
13   4WAY VALVE 
14   FLANGE  
15   GASKET 
16   BOLT  
17   TRUNNION, BASE ELL/LINE SUPPORT, SPRING, HANGER 
18   SHOE, GUIDE 
19   WELD GAP 
51   EXPANSION JOINT 
99   END CONNECTION TYPE
 

Therefore if your exported PXF file does not contain component item numbers supported by AutoPIPE, the component can not be imported. Thus, crashing the program.

Fix: Confirm exported components from AutoPLANT are converted to AutoPIPE components that can be imported into the program. 

Note: According to the CADAP.MAP file, all AT_HVAC_xxxxxx components are mapped to (16)  BOLT, which are ignored (i.e. not mapped to an actual AutoPIPE component like Pipe, Elbow, etc..).

As already known, ducts are used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to deliver and remove air. The mapping in CADAP.map of all HVAC -> BOLT is done intentionally to skip any HVAC components during PXF import. AutoPIPE does not have square pipe data in it's libraries. There is one enhancement that has not been added to the program related to this issue (CAE-CR-3338). Only workaround is to import HVAC into AutoPIPE and map it to circular pipe run and other components. This can be done by removing the mapping of HVAC_ components from the CADAP.map file (delete all occurrence of "AT_DUCT_xxxx" from the CLASS MAPPING TABLE). By doing so the application will display prompts for the user to map components to existing supported components during import.

See Also

Bentley AutoPIPE

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

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