Assuming you just mean a pipe that has two bends, one in a different plane to another...
I do pipes by:
1. use associative points and put in co-ordinates of the intersection points
2. join these points with lines
3. add arcs (tan-tan-radius)
4. use tube with curve rule "tangent curves" and follow fillet
You have 3 solutions :
1) Use 2D sketch tool and planes
2) 2D sketch tool with combined projection
3) Create the 3D that has the external profile edges equale the path...see attached image
Hi carlharr,
why use point and then line troght points ?
Use line.
Why don't use 2D sketch ? Or in this case an extrusione with blends ? All parametric.
I've used points for years for creating pipes, because:
1. I find them easy to adjust once in an assembly to move / change the pipe
2. they provide the intersection co-ordinates, which we input into a macro to generate the dbb,dob,pob manufacturing info
You are correct I could do it with just lines, but I kind of like having the individual intersections to move around as I tweak the design.
That said, I've never tried the solid body to create a path method that you're using, in a real world assembly.
So I just logged back in to save your picture, so I can have a try with it if you don't mind!
There's a slight problem with the solid body method.
When the sides are angled, the blend is trucated at an angle so it doesn't give a true radius along the path.
That's why it looks like there's several tan lines.
The difference is very small, and you can tidy up the appearance using "single segment".
But it might depend on what info is needed for the drawing, or a centreline to dimension true views on the bends?
I wouldnt bother with anything other than routing, particularly if your still in concept phase where its useful to be able to pull points and segments around and see the solid geometry dynamically update.
If you have to do it by points and curves then 'circular blend curve' is another option for creating corners at intersections.
Khimani Mohiki
Design Engineer - Aston Martin
NX8.5
