Splitting Pipes with a Plane

When you choose Split Pipe on a Plane, the Split Pipe window is displayed with the relevant options displayed:

Plane definition

Use the Plane definition part of the Spilt Pipe window to define, position and create the cutting plane.

Input the required Plane size in the Plane Size field, you can then position the plane explicitly:

Click to display the Offset By fields which allows you to enter offset values for the plane.

Click again to return to the explicit position text fields.

To create and modify the plane, select Define Plane, you are prompted to select an design element in the 3D graphical view.

Plane in tube definition

The selection of a position within a section of tube results in a plane parallel to the tube at the picked position.

Plane on a ppoint definition

When you select a ppoint on any design element in the 3D graphical view the plane is positioned at the ppoint with its z direction in line with the ppoint.

Plane on a surface definition

The selection of a surface in the 3D graphical view results in a plane perpendicular to the picked surface position.

By default the Pipework application displays the plane as a filled representation centered around the defined plane origin. The on/off checkbox shows or hides the plane, however the on/off checkbox is automatically selected when the plane is modified.

You can change how the plane is displayed, from the Plane definition part of the Split Pipe window. In the Plane Size field, increase the size of the plane and click to clear the Fill checkbox. The plane is now displayed increased in size and as a wire line representation.

Note:
In some instances, it may be necessary to identify ppoints on equipment in the wireline view.

Positioning the Plane

The plane can be positioned explicitly: from the Plane definition part of the Split Pipe window, enter the coordinates in the position fields, if required nudge the plane along with the left and right arrows. The nudge distance is controlled by the nudge increment which is set to 100mm by default. The plane direction can be changed by entering a valid direction in the Plane Direction field.

Component Creation Options

When splitting a pipe, you must define where the components located down stream of the split and inserted assembly are moved to from the Moving down-stream components to part of the Spilt Pipe window.

Pipe Assemblies

Pipe Assemblies are used as an aid in the pipe splitting process, all of the tasks that a user would carry out that are associated with the use of assemblies as a splitting aid is initiated from a central Split Pipe window with the Assembly tab selected which acts as a task hub.

You can choose from a list of available assemblies in the Filter Assemblies By part of the Spilt Pipe window. The assemblies available for selection are those already created in the database, if you require an assembly which is not included, refer to Pipe Assemblies or your system administrator.

Assembly Build Origin

The final option available for plane splitting is the assembly build point; you must determine whether to build to the primary or secondary origin of the assembly. You must choose from the Assembly build origin drop-down list.

The primary and secondary origin points allows you some control over where the assembly is positioned relative to the splitting point.

One of the most common types of assembly used in pipe splitting are a set of break flanges where the relevant points for positioning the assembly are on either flange face. In this case the primary origin point would be defined as the leave point (upstream flange face) and the secondary origin would be defined as being the arrive point (downstream flange face). A representation of the splitting procedure is as shown:

for further information on Assembly creation and usage, refer to Pipe Assemblies.