Routing - Pipes and Tubes

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Routing - Pipes and Tubes

With SolidWorks Routing, you can create a special type of subassembly that builds a path of pipes, tubes,
or electrical cables between components. SolidWorks Routing is available with SolidWorks Office
Premium.
In the Pipe and Tube Routes lesson, you create the pipe and tube routes shown below. The lesson
includes:

Customizing a routing template

Adding parts to the Routing Library

Creating route paths by various automatic and manual methods

In the Route Drawings lesson, you create a drawing for the above assembly. The drawing includes:

A bill of materials

Pipe length information

Auto balloons

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Pipe and Tube Routes

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Pipe and Tube Routes

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Pipe and Tube Routes

With SolidWorks Routing, you can create a special type of subassembly that builds a path of pipes or
tubes between components.

A route subassembly is always a component of a top-level assembly. When you insert certain
components into an assembly, a route subassembly is created automatically.
You model the route by creating a 3D sketch of the centerline of the route path. The software generates
the pipe or tube along the centerline.

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Routing - Pipes and Tubes

Activating SolidWorks Routing

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Locating the Default Routing Template

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Locating the Default Routing Template

In this tutorial, you copy the default routing template and create a custom routing template. You must
make sure hidden files and folders are visible and locate the default template.
1. In Windows Explorer, click Tools > Folder Options.
2. On the View tab, under Advanced settings, make sure Show hidden files and folders is
selected.
3. Click OK.
4. From the Windows Start menu, click All Programs > SolidWorks version > SolidWorks Tools >
SolidWorks version Routing Library Manager

The Routing Library Manager appears.

5. Select the File Locations and Settings

tab.

The default template location is listed next to Routing Template.

6. Do not exit the Routing Library Manager.

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Activating SolidWorks Routing

Customizing the Routing Template

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Customizing the Routing Template

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Customizing the Routing Template

Now create a custom routing template and set its units to inches. If your company policy allows, you
could save the custom template in the default template location, but for this tutorial, you save it in a new
folder that you create.
1. In Windows Explorer, browse to your default template location.
The default routing template, routeAssembly.asmdot, appears in the folder.
What if the routing template does not appear in the folder?
2. In Windows Explorer, create a folder on your local drive called C:\MyRoutingTutorial.
3. In SolidWorks, click Open

4. In the Open dialog box:

a. For Look in, browse to your default template location.
b. In File of type, select Template (*.prtdot;*.asmdot;*.drwdot).
c. Select routeAssembly.asmdot.
d. Click Open.
5. Click File > Save As.
6. In the Save As dialog box:
a. For Save in, browse to C:\MyRoutingTutorial.
b. For File name, type MyRouteAssembly.
For Save as type, select Assembly Templates (*.asmdot).
c. Click Save.
7. Click Options

8. In the dialog box:

a. On the Document Properties tab, select Units.
b. Under Unit system, select IPS (inch, pound, second).
c. Click OK.
9. Click Save

(Standard toolbar).

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Locating the Default Routing Template

Specifying the Default Routing Template

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Specifying the Default Routing Template

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Specifying the Default Routing Template

Now specify that the template you created is the default template.

Switch to the Routing Library Manager application:

1. Click Routing File Locations and Settings
2. Click

next to Routing template.

3. Browse to C:\MyRoutingTutorial.
4. Click Open.
Click OK again and Exit in the Routing Library Manager.

MyRouteAssembly.asmdot is now the routing template. To revert to the default template click Load
Default in the Routing Library Manager.

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Customizing the Routing Template

Adding Parts to the Routing Library

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Adding Parts to the Routing Library

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Adding Parts to the Routing Library

Create a new folder in the Routing Library and add a rubber tubing part.
The Routing Library contains parts (such as flanges, fittings, and pipes) for you to use in routes you
create. By default, the Routing Library is located in a folder named routing in the Design Library. You
can add components to existing folders in the Routing Library, or create new folders.
You must have write access to your Design Library to create folders and add parts. If you do not
have write access, you can skip this page and use a default part already in the library.
1. Click here
to open tube - rubber.sldprt (or browse to
install_dir\samples\tutorial\routing-pipes\tube - rubber.sldprt).
2. In the Task Pane:
a. Click the Design Library

tab.

b. Browse to Design Library\routing\tubing.

The tubing folder contains several sub-folders, such as flanges, tees, and tubes.
3. At the top of the Task Pane, click Create New Folder

4. Type tutorial for the folder name and press Enter.

5. At the top of the Task Pane, click Add to Library

6. In the PropertyManager:
a. For Items to Add, select tube - rubber at the top of the flyout FeatureManager design tree.
b. Under Save To, make sure the tutorial folder is selected under Design Library folder.
c. Click

The part is added to the Routing Library, and is available for selection when you create a route.
7. Close the part.

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Specifying the Default Routing Template

Opening the Model to Start a Route

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Opening the Model to Start a Route

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Opening the Model to Start a Route

Add some pipe and tube routes to an assembly.
1. In SolidWorks, click Options

2. On the System Options tab, select Assemblies, clear Save new components to external files
and click OK.
3. Click here
to open Piping-Tubing.sldasm (or browse to
install_dir\sample\tutorial\routing-pipes\Piping-Tubing.sldasm).
4. Save the assembly as MySkid.sldasm (in the same folder as Piping-Tubing.sldasm).
The assembly already contains a filter, a regulator, and three flanges that need to be connected by
pipe or tube routes.

If shadows are on, turn them off by clicking Shadows In Shaded Mode
toolbar).

(View

Now determine your default template location.

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Adding Parts to the Routing Library

Starting the Route

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Starting the Route

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Starting the Route

Start the first route by dragging a flange into the assembly.
You can use tools on the View toolbar to zoom, rotate, and pan the model view to facilitate
working with the model.
1. Click Start by Drag/Drop

(Piping toolbar).

The Design Library opens to the piping section of the Routing Library.
2. In the lower panel, double-click the flanges folder.
3. Drag slip on weld flange.sldprt from the library to the flange face on the regulator.
4. Drop the flange when it snaps into place.

5. In the dialog box:

a. Select List all configurations and select Slip On Flange 150-NPS4.
b. Click OK.

The Route Properties PropertyManager appears.

In the Route Properties PropertyManager, you specify the properties of the route you are
about to create. Some of the items you can specify include:

Which pipe or tube parts to use

Whether to use elbows or bends

For this tutorial, use the default settings.

6. Click

The following happens:

A 3D sketch opens in a new route subassembly.

The new route subassembly is created in the FeatureManager design tree as [Pipe_1-MySkid] .
If you have cleared the Routing option, Save route assembly externally, the new
subassembly is saved as a virtual component. To view Routing options, click Options
and select Routing.

A stub of pipe appears, extending from the flange you just placed.
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Opening the Model to Start a Route

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Creating the Route Segments

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Starting the Route

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Opening the Model to Start a Route

Creating the Route Segments

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Creating the Route Segments

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Creating the Route Segments

Start creating the segments of the route.
1. Drag the endpoint of the stub to increase the pipe length as shown. You do not need to be exact.

Now add the horizontal flange to the route, so you can connect the pipe to it.
2. Zoom to the horizontal flange.
3. On the View menu, make sure Routing Points is selected and Hide All Types is cleared.
4. Move the pointer over the connection point (CPoint1) in the center of the flange.
The pointer changes to

and the connection point is highlighted.

5. Right-click CPoint1 and select Add to Route.

A stub of pipe extends from the flange.

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Starting the Route

Connecting two Route Segments

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Connecting two Route Segments

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Connecting two Route Segments

Add a line to connect the two pipe segments.
1. Click Line

(Sketch toolbar).

2. Sketch a line between the endpoints of the stub and the longer pipe segment.
A new segment of pipe is added. Elbows are automatically added.

3. In the Line Properties PropertyManager, under Add Relations, click AlongZ

The line aligns along the Z axis. The lengths of the other pipes adjust.

4. Click

in the Confirmation Corner to exit the sketch.

A component is created for the pipe segments.

If you have cleared the Routing option, Save route parts externally, the new component
is saved as a virtual component. To view Routing options, click Options
toolbar) and select Routing.

(Standard

5. In the FeatureManager design tree, expand [Pipe_1-MySkid].

6. Expand Route Parts

The three pipe components are configurations of the component [4inSchedule40-Pipe_1-MySkid]

that was created when you exited the sketch. The length of each pipe segment is listed.
7. Expand Components

The other components of the route subassembly (the flange and two elbows) are Routing Library
parts.
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Creating the Route Segments

Adding a Tee Fitting

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Connecting two Route Segments

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Creating the Route Segments

Adding a Tee Fitting

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Adding a Tee Fitting

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Adding a Tee Fitting

To add a tee fitting to the route, first you need to add a point where you want to place the fitting.
1. Click Edit Route

(Piping toolbar).

The 3D route sketch opens.

2. Click Split Entities

(Sketch toolbar).

3. Click the centerline of the pipe approximately where shown to add a split point.
4. Press Esc to turn off the Split Entities tool.

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Connecting two Route Segments

Completing the Tee Fitting

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Completing the Tee Fitting

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Completing the Tee Fitting

Now drag a tee fitting to the split point.
1. In the Design Library, click the tees folder in the upper panel to display its contents in the lower
panel.
2. Drag (but do not drop) reducing outlet tee inch from the Design Library to the split point.
3. Press Tab to rotate the tee fitting.
4. Drop the fitting when it is oriented as shown.

5. In the dialog box, select RTee Inch4x4x1.5Sch40 and click OK.

6. A tee fitting is added to the route, and a stub of pipe extends from the open port.

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Adding a Tee Fitting

Adding a Flange

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Adding a Flange

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Adding a Flange
Now route the pipe from the tee fitting to the upper flange. First you need to add the flange to the route.
1. Zoom to the upper flange.

2. Move the pointer over the connection point (CPoint1) in the center of the flange.
The pointer changes to

and the connection point is highlighted.

3. Right-click CPoint1 and select Add to Route.

A stub of pipe extends from the flange.

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Completing the Tee Fitting

Creating an Orthogonal Route

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Creating an Orthogonal Route

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Creating an Orthogonal Route

Now use Auto Route to automatically create an orthogonal route from the tee fitting to the flange.
1. Click Auto Route

(Routing Tools toolbar).

2. Select the endpoints of the two stubs (one at the tee fitting, the other at the flange).
The points are listed under Current Selection in the PropertyManager. Because this is a rigid pipe
route, Orthogonal route is automatically selected under Auto Route. An orthogonal route
between the two points appears in the graphics area.
3. In the PropertyManager, under Auto Route, for Alternate paths, click the up and down arrows until
the path appears as shown.

4. Click

5. Click

in the Confirmation Corner to exit the sketch.

In the FeatureManager design tree, the new tee and elbows appear in Components
pipe parts appear in Route Parts
.

and new

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Adding a Flange

Adding a Ball Valve Assembly

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Adding a Ball Valve Assembly

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Adding a Ball Valve Assembly

Now add a ball valve assembly to the route. First, you need to create another split point.
1. Click Edit Route

(Piping toolbar).

The 3D route sketch opens.

2. Click Split Entities

(Sketch toolbar).

3. Click the centerline of the pipe approximately where shown to add a split point.

4. Press Esc to turn off the Split Entities tool.

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Creating an Orthogonal Route

Completing the Ball Valve Assembly

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Completing the Ball Valve Assembly

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Completing the Ball Valve Assembly

1. Click here
to open ball valve with flanges.sldasm (or click Open
and browse to
install_dir\samples\tutorial\routing-pipes\ball valve with flanges.sldasm).
2. Click Window > ile Vertically.
3. Select ball valve with flanges at the top of the FeatureManager design tree, and drag (but do not
drop) the assembly to the split point in the route assembly.
4. Press Tab to rotate the ball valve assembly.
5. Drop the assembly when it is oriented as shown.

6. Close the ball valve assembly.

If a message appears asking if you want to save the document you are closing, click Yes.
7. Maximize the route assembly window.

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Adding a Ball Valve Assembly

Manually Sketching a Route

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Manually Sketching a Route

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Manually Sketching a Route

Now create a route from the lower flange to the pipe that runs between the ball valve assembly and the
tee fitting.
1. Zoom to the lower flange.

2. Move the pointer over the connection point (CPoint1) in the center of the flange.
3. Right-click CPoint1 and select Add to Route.
4. Click Line

(Sketch toolbar) and sketch lines approximately as shown.

Sketch the straight lines only - the sketch fillets are added automatically.

A Closer Look at 3D Sketches

5. Press Esc to turn off the Line tool.

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Completing the Ball Valve Assembly

Completing the Manual Route

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Completing the Manual Route

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Completing the Manual Route

Now make the endpoint of the new route coincident with the centerline of the larger pipe and align the
pipe with the weldment section in the bottom frame of the main assembly.
1. Select the end point of the newest route.
2. Hold down Ctrl and select the centerline of the larger pipe.
3. In the PropertyManager, under Add Relations, select Coincident

The last route segment and all the segments in the same plane move to a plane coincident with the
centerline of the larger pipe.

4. Click

5. Click Top

(Standard Views toolbar).

6. Drag the route so that the pipe is over the weldment section as shown.

7. Click Isometric

(Standard Views toolbar).

8. Close the sketch.

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Manually Sketching a Route

Creating A Flexible Tube Route

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Completing the Manual Route

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Manually Sketching a Route

Creating A Flexible Tube Route

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Creating A Flexible Tube Route

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Creating A Flexible Tube Route

All the route segments you have created so far are part of the same route subassembly. Now create a
new route subassembly containing a flexible tube route between the tube fittings on the tops of the
regulator and filter. First you need to change the editing focus from the route subassembly back to the
top-level assembly.

1. Click Edit Component

(Assembly toolbar).

The editing focus changes back to the top-level assembly.

2. Save the assembly.
3. Click View Routing Points

(View toolbar).

4. Right-click CPoint2 on the fitting on top of the regulator and select Start Route.
5. In the PropertyManager, under Tube:
a. Click
and browse to \routing\tubing\tutorial\tube - rubber.sldprt (the part you
added to the Design Library earlier in this tutorial), and click Open.
If you were unable to add the rubber tubing part earlier, click Cancel and use the
default stainless steel part tube-ss.sldprt.
b. Select Use flexible hoses.
6. Click

A stub of tubing extends from the fitting.

7. Drag the endpoint of the stub to make the stub longer.

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Completing the Manual Route

Completing the Flexible Tube Route

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Creating A Flexible Tube Route

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Completing the Manual Route

Completing the Flexible Tube Route

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Completing the Flexible Tube Route

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Completing the Flexible Tube Route

Now add the other fitting to the route and create the route.
1. Right-click CPoint2 on the other fitting (on top of the filter) and select Add to Route.
2. Drag the endpoint of the stub to make the stub longer.

3. Click Auto Route

(Routing Tools toolbar).

4. For Current Selection in the PropertyManager, select the endpoints of the two stubs.
A spline is added to complete the route between the two points.

5. Click

6. Close the sketch.

The new route subassembly appears in the FeatureManager design tree as [Tube_2-MySkid].

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Creating A Flexible Tube Route

Finishing the Routes

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Finishing the Routes

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Finishing the Routes

1. Click Isometric

(Standard Views toolbar).

2. Click Edit Component

(Assembly toolbar).

3. Click View Routing Points

(View toolbar) to turn off display of routing points.

4. Save the assembly.

Congratulations! You have completed this lesson.

Return to the tutorials overview page.

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Completing the Flexible Tube Route

Route Drawings

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Completing the BOM

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Completing the BOM

Change the DESCRIPTION column to display information about pipe lengths.
1. Move the pointer over the column header for the DESCRIPTION column.
The pointer changes to .
2. Click to select the column.
The column pop-up toolbar appears.
3. Click Column Property

(column pop-up toolbar).

4. In the dialog box:

a. For Column type, select ROUTE PROPERTY.
b. For Property name, select SWPipeLength.
The column heading changes to SWPipeLength, and lengths appear for all the pipe and tube parts.
5. Double-click the column heading and change it to Pipe Length.
To change the units of measure for Pipe Length, click Options
. Then on the
Document Properties tab, select Units, and select the units of measure you want to use.

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Adding a BOM

Changing the View

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Adding Balloons

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Adding Balloons
Now add balloons.
1. Select the drawing view.
2. Click Auto Balloon

(Annotation toolbar).

3. In the PropertyManager, under Balloon Layout, select Square

and Balloon Edges .
4. Click

, Ignore multiple instances ,

5. Save the drawing.

Congratulations! You have completed this tutorial.

Return to the tutorials overview page.

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Changing the View

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