Tubing routing?

[borrisl]

I've been using SolidWorks for about a year. Self taught.

I'm trying to do some complicated exhaust tubing routing. I've been able to do some things by creating planes with degrees, offset...... But I have to make an entire plane for each direction change..... Is there an easier way? Am I doing it right?

[DareBee]

Easiest way is to use a 3D sketch and sweep your tubing along it.
I believe 1 of the 3d sketch tutorials was an oven grill (or something) this will show you the basics.
Yes using 2D for this type of thing will make you create a LOT of planes.

[chojin]

Stupid question.
Once you do a 3d of the tubing, how do you make it hollow and have the hollow follow the path of the 3d lines?

When I do it, it just follows one line and extends a hole through the end...

[scubanick]

shell

[DareBee]

You don't do a 3D of the tubing. The tutorial shows how to do this sweep.
- You draw a circle on a 2d plane
- Close sketch
- start 3d sketch
- sketch a 3D line with the start point merged to the center point of the 2D circle.
- 3D line should follow center path of where piping will go.
- Close 3D sketch.
- Go to sweep feature.
- 3D sketch is the path.
- 2D sketch is the geometry.
- pick extrude thin and input wall thickness of tubing.
- You could also draw 2 circles in the 2D sketch for inner and outer wall, but is not the way I do it.

[chojin]

Awsome, shell worked.
I just started to use Shell but it didnt even dawn on me to try that.
Thanks.

[borrisl]

Shell? Didn't think of that. I've been drawing a profile and then offseting it for the tubing thickness. Most of the time I just create weldment profiles. Makes it really easy.

[Burn0ut]

Is it possible to get the length of the path/3dsketch I am also making some complex exhaust and need to have the pipes the same length

[JerryFlyGuy]

You can, but it would be alot of work. You'd have to use the equation's function and find arc length via percentage of circles or radian's etc etc.. it would sure be an excercise in patience

Jerry

[keebler303]

It is super simple.

Tools
Measure

Then just select each segment of your 3d sketch and it will give you the total length.

Matt

[JerryFlyGuy]

Well shuck's I learned something new today . do you know of a simple way to control that w/ an o/a dim to relate it to other sketched length's? [ Ie if a person wanted each runner to be the same length.]

Jerry

[keebler303]

I don't think you could do an overall dimension because each bend, etc. needs to be in a certain place. I don't know how it would be smart enough to make your specified geometry work and still make them the same length. I think the easiest way would be a trial and error type thing. It would be pretty simple for an exhaust system. Just make one side and then put in a straight part that you can change on the other side so you can change it to match. For a header it would be a bit more work but you could get it done.

Matt