SOLIDWORKS Routing 101: Pipe Design (2024)

In this blog, we will explore the basics ofSOLIDWORKS Routing for Pipe Design. In this tutorial, we will cover the following topics:

• How to turn on the SOLIDWORKSRoutingadd-in
• How to access theRouting Library
• How to start aPipe Routeusing Flanges
• Overview ofRouting PropertyManager
• How to create aSOLIDWORKS Drawingof thePipe Route.
• How to edit theRouteand manipulate3D Sketches
• How to addFlanges, Straight T, and Valvesto complete the design
• Separate the design for shipping by placingFlangeswhere spools will be taken apart, and use theSpool Featureto group the components accordingly.

To learn the basics of Pipe Routes in SOLIDWORKS and for an overview of routing and pipe design check out the article SOLIDWORKS Pipe Route Overview.

How To Turn On The SOLIDWORKS Routing Add-in

Go toTools > Add-ins, check the box forSOLIDWORKSRoutingon theActiveside. Checking the box on Start Up side will cause theRoutingadd-in to load whenSOLIDWORKSis launched.

How To Access Routing Design Library

TheSOLIDWORKS Design Libraryis located in theSOLIDWORKS Task Pane.Expand theDesign Libraryfolder to see theRoutingsubfolder. Located below theRoutingfolder, thePipingfolder includes all components needed to create thePiping Route.

Note:If you do not see theDesign Library, go toTools > Options > System Options > File locations > Routing, and click theAddbutton. The default folder for theDesign LibraryisC\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 20XX\Design Library.

Starting A Piping Route

1. For this tutorial, we will begin by opening a new assembly in SOLIDWORKS
2. Next, browse to theFlangesfolder underthe Pipingfolder in theDesign Library
3. Drag theslip on weld flangefrom theDesign Libraryto theOriginof theassembly
4. Select the configurationSlip On Flange 150-NPS6and clickOK
5. After clickingOK,theRoute Property Manageris displayed in theDesign Manager Feature Tree.

   

Route PropertyManager Overview

1. File Names >Routing Subassemblyshows the nomenclature for the Routing Subassembly that will be created.
2. Under thePipeCategory, you can selectUseWeld Gapsif you would like to add a gap between components.
3. TheUse Standard Lengthoption will divide the pipe into standard purchased lengths. So, if you buy pipe in 20ft lengths it will divide the pipe into 20ft sections.
4. UnderBends – Elbows, set the option toAlways use elbows.For this tutorial, we are using a 90deg short radius elbow. You can click the browse button to find the component. ClickOKin the RoutePropertyManager.

   

Creating The Pipe Route

Once you clickOKin thePiping PropertyManager, you will see a newRouting Subassemblyin yourFeature Tree.You will also notice that a3D Sketchhas been placed at the origin of the flange. The 3D Sketchis the path the pipe will be swept along.

1. On thePiping ToolbarorSketch Toolbarchoose theLine Tool. Start the next line at the endpoint of the 3D sketch. Drag the Line upwards and click the second point.

• If the lineis not going in the right direction, you can toggle the direction by hitting theTabkey. This changes the orientation of the sketch fromYZ, toZX, toXY.

  

Delete the sketch line coming from the elbow, then drag the line endpoint (coming from the tee), to the endpoint of the line where we deleted the radius. Then close the sketch in the Confirmation Corner.

Note:Section view shows how components are created when the Pipe Route is finished.

How To Edit the Route

1. To edit the route, right-click on theRouting Subassemblyand chooseEdit Route, or chooseEdit Routeon thePiping Toolbar.

   

Edit Pipe Route and Adding Valves

1. Drag a gate valve from thePiping, Valvesfolder and drop it on a sketch line. Again, theTab keycontrols the orientation of the valve.

   

2. ClickNoto shorten the length of the pipe between the Pipe Nipple and fitting.

   

3. Drag over two more gate valves. ClickNoto shorten the length for each.

   

4. Right-click on a gate valve face and chooseMove Fitting with Triad.

   

5. We can rotate the valve at any desired angle using theTriad Wheels.

   

6. Drag over two more straight tees from thePiping, Tees folder.

   

7. Add a line in the ZX direction (Tab key for orientation) to both tee sketches.

   

8. We can add aConstruction Linebetween the two endpoints, then apply anAlong Zrelationship to line them up. Finish adding dimensions to the sketches as desired.

   

9. To finish up the design, drag over two slip on weld flanges to the ends of each sketch. ChooseOkto the default configuration.

   

10. Notice the two folders in theFeature Tree. TheComponentsfolder contains all the flanges, valves, tees, etc. TheRoute Partsfolder contains all piping components.

    

Using The Spool Feature to Separate Design

After the Pipe Route is complete, we can use the Spool Feature to separate the design into smaller, shippable spools.

For this exercise, we will split the design up into three smaller segments. First, we need to drag over some slip on flanges where we want to break up the design.

1. Drag over another slip on flange and line it up with the previous flange. Watch for theCursor Feedbackthat indicates the flanges will be connected, then release the mouse button.

   

2. Add flanges in the same manner to two other locations on the spool.

   

3. We can right-click on one of the pipes between the valve and the segment and chooseRemove Pipe.

   

4. The pipe is removed and the flanges move next to the valve. Do this for the other pipe between the flange and valve as well.

   

5. Before we define the segments with theSpool Feature, we can set up the naming convention for the spools. Go toTools > Options > System Options > Routing > Spool name format.

   

6. To define the spool segments, right-click on theRouting Subassembly, and chooseDefine Spools.

   

7. In theSpools PropertyManager,you can change the name of theSpooland define a color. Click thePush Pinto keep the dialog up after clickingOK.
8. ForSpool Segments, click one of the line segments at the beginning of the route. In theSpool Componentssection, it will add the components for the segment.
9. ClickOK.

   

10. Change the color and name of the second Spool. ForSpool Segments,we have chosen all sketch lines in this segment, because of the junction where the pipe splits at the tee.

    

11. Change the color and name of the third Spool. Select all the line segments highlighted in magenta below, then clickOKand unpin thePropertyManager.

    

12. Each Spool is located in a folder under theRouting Subassembly. If you need to edit a segment, right-click on the folder and chooseEdit Spool.

    

Creating A Spool Drawing

We can use thePipe Drawingcommand to quickly create a drawing with multiple sheets, drawing views, BOM’s, and balloons.

1. In the main assembly, preselect theRouting Subassembly,and choosePipe Drawingfrom thePiping Toolbar.

   

2. In theSPOOL Drawing PropertyManager, select the three spools underSpool Selection.
3. Choose aDrawing template, Sheet format, andPiping BOM template.
4. SelectInclude auto balloons.
5. ChooseView on separate sheet. This will place each spool on a separate sheet.
6. You can choose toShow route sketchor unselect to hide the sketches.
7. ClickOK.

   

8. A drawing is generated with a sheet for each spool, along with balloons and BOM’s.

   

Cleaning Up the Drawing

For the remainder of this tutorial, we will look at a couple of tools to quickly clean up this drawing.

1. On theAnnotations Toolbar, chooseMagnetic Line. Drag the Magnetic Line through a set of balloons. The balloons snap to the line. The Magnetic Line can be dragged around and the balloons will stay attached to the line.

   

2. On theAnnotations Toolbar, chooseCenterline.Click on each pipe to addCenterlines.

   

3. Let's add a sheet to show a view of the whole spool assembly. ClickAdd Sheetbutton next toSheet3.

   

4. On theTask Pane, click the ViewPalette tab. Use the pulldown arrow to choose the top-level assembly, or click the browse button and browse to assembly. Drag over aTrimetric view. Adjust drawing view scale as necessary.

   

5. RenameSheet4toSheet00and drag the sheet tab to a position beforeSheet1.

   

6. Define the Spool Segments. From theAnnotations Toolbar, select theBallooncommand.
7. UnderSettings, chooseInspectionfor theBorder style, set to5 Characters, and underBalloon text,chooseSpool reference.
8. Click the edge of a pipe in a spool segment to place the balloon. The balloon shows the spool name.

   

9. Let's create a newStylefor this balloon so we can use it again. Highlight the balloon. In theBalloon PropertyManager, underStyle, clickAdd or update a style.
10. Give theStylea name and clickOK.

    

11. We can use the new style to create additional balloons with spool names. Click theBallooncommand, and underStyle,use the drop-down to choose theStylewe added.
12. Place the additional balloons by selecting a pipe edge in each renaming spool segment. Balloons are added in the same style with each spool reference.

    

13. Finally, let's rename each sheet to match the spool name. Right-click on a sheet in theDrawing PropertyManagerand clickProperties. UnderName,type in the name of the spool segment and clickApply Changes. Repeat for remaining sheets.

    

Want to become an expert?

Take the official SOLIDWORKS Routing: Piping and Tubing training course from GoEngineer.

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