| Applies To | |
| Product(s): | AutoPIPE |
| Version(s): | ALL; |
| Area: | Import |
| Date Logged & Current Version |
Sept. 2018 11.04.00.10 |
Problem:
The following is found in the MSG log file:
*** ERROR: INVALID DIAMETER GIVEN. PIPE IGNORED
Why, and how to avoid?
Solution:
one can choose to make edits in the:
a. original file and then re-export an new PCF file.
b. PCF translated NTL file used when opening in AutoPIPE
c. Actual PCF created file
Note: both NTL and PCF file can be opened with any text editor (i.e. Notepad++, UltraEdit, MS Word, etc..)
From reading the complete error message:
*** LAST NODE PROCESSED: 36
PIPE PIPE4 0.000SSTD 0.000
*** ERROR: INVALID DIAMETER GIVEN. PIPE IGNORED.
AutoPIPE needs to have a value for pipe dia. >0.000.
Working With NTL file:
Open NTL file in any text editor, search for the indicated node point (ex. 36), should find following:
RUN 36 0.000 0.246 0.000
RVER 1.7
PIPE PIPE4 0.000SSTD 0.000
*A106-A
* 0.000 0.000 0.000
Increase pipe size>0.000, can always change final pipe size inside of AutoPIPE, set default pipe size to 2.000 as shown below:
RUN 36 0.000 0.246 0.000
RVER 1.7
PIPE PIPE4 2.000SSTD 0.000
*A106-A
* 0.000 0.000 0.000
Save model file and try to open with AutoPIPE.
Working with the PCF file
Open NTL file in any text editor, search for the following text string: "end-point*0.0000". This will return a list of line number where ever 0.0000 occurs. The most important being lines where the last number is set to 0.000
Example:
Note, the last number is the pipe OD. This number cannot be 0.000
Avoidance: Open PCF file, search for lines that end in 0.000, update these values as needed, save file, and process new file using the PCF translator.
Scenario #1:
After importing a particular PCF file, the following appears:
Recommend to address the first error before being concerned about other Errors. Subsequent errors may fix themselves after an initial error is fixed.
Step 1: Open and Review the imported NTL file that the PCF translator created.
Step 2: The last node processed was 143, find item 143 in the NTL file
Step 3: Using AutoPIPE help, reference Batch NTL commands cards to understand what is being imported, and possible mistakes in the information.
Step 4: One can easily see that the segment starts with a Pipe Run from 141 - 142, next is 143, which is defined as a Valve with pipe size = 0.00. This is a problem. Obviously component 143 needs to be addressed. Find component 143 in the PCF file.
Step 5: Where is the component located?
From import report x = -3.874, y = 1.549, z = -6.854 units = feet
(reference the top of the NTL file to find import units used, Default units for English is Feet).
Step 6: What units are the coordinates in the PCF file? (hint review the top lines of the imported PCF file)
Step 7: Convert coordinates from NTL file to PCF values.
Step 8: Find the component in the PCF file.
In this example file 2 components share these coordinates:
Step 9: Review the component information and determine what problems exist in the PCF file or the PCF translator's PCFIN.MAP file
Step 10: Review PCF file components:
-
-
-
- a. Instrument at line 1166 is configured correctly
- b. Line 1225 is missing a pipe size at the end of the line.
- c. Lines 1225 and Line 1226 have the exact same coordinates
- d. Instrument on 1219 should have 2 end points similar to the Instrument on line 1166, instead there is a Center-Point and End-Point
-
-
Step 11: Identify possible solutions: (one or more of the following will fix this scenario)
-
-
-
- Ignore all Instrument components by modifying the PCFIn.MAP file, removing all mapping for instruments.
- Fix the Instrument on line 1299 with proper data required.
- Delete the instrument on Line 1219, and update other connected component coordinates as needed to maintain component connections.
- Open the original application that generated the PCF file and fix the model such that a valid PCF file is generated and reimported into AutoPIPE.
-
-