CAD Hanger Generation for Multi-Pipe Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CAD software, such as AUTODESK REVIT, struggles with automatic placement of hangers for pipe elements, as they are typically associated with a single element rather than multiple, making it difficult to align and space hangers correctly, especially when pipe elements move or branch in different directions.
Innovation Solution
A plugin for CAD applications that uses an API to automatically place hangers on runs of pipe elements, considering geometric rules for parallelism, elevation, and spacing, allowing for multiple pipe elements to be associated with a single hanger, and adjusting bearer width and elevation based on pipe span.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hanger is associated with a single pipe element in existing CAD software, then the software structure is simple, but it becomes difficult to align and space hangers correctly when multiple pipe elements need to share a hanger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pipe element associations into a single hanger object. Instead of creating separate hanger instances for each pipe element, the system allows one hanger to be associated with multiple pipe elements simultaneously, enabling shared support structures while maintaining software structure simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger object is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple pipe elements. The data structure and user interface are modified to allow a single hanger instance to function as support for multiple pipe elements, providing versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Productivity
If hangers are placed manually in CAD software, then placement precision can be controlled, but the process is painstaking and not practical for large numbers of hangers
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation where the software automatically calculates and positions hangers based on pipe element geometry and spacing requirements. The automated placement engine performs calculations for optimal hanger locations, spacing, and alignment without requiring manual intervention for each hanger, thereby maintaining precision while dramatically improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of placing hangers is replaced with an automated computational system. The software uses algorithms to automatically determine hanger positions, spacing, and associations with pipe elements, substituting manual operations with automated computational processes that maintain accuracy while improving efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pipe elements are moved in the CAD model, then design flexibility is improved, but hangers do not move with the pipe elements requiring manual repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that automatically detect when pipe elements are moved and trigger corresponding hanger repositioning. The software continuously monitors pipe element positions and automatically updates hanger locations to maintain proper alignment and spacing, eliminating the need for manual repositioning and preserving design flexibility without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The relationship between hangers and pipe elements is made dynamic rather than static. When pipe elements are moved, the system automatically updates hanger positions in real-time to maintain proper associations and spacing. This dynamic behavior allows design flexibility while automatically maintaining hanger alignment without requiring manual intervention.
4Extent of automation
If existing CAD software is used for hanger placement, then software availability is ensured, but automatic hanger generation for runs of hangers based on sets of pipe elements is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plugin as an intermediary layer between the existing CAD software and the automatic hanger generation functionality. The plugin acts as a mediator that adds automated hanger generation capabilities to the existing software without fundamentally altering its core structure, thereby increasing automation extent while managing complexity through a modular add-on approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are provided for automated configuration of hanger placement within a model layout in a computer-aided design (CAD) application. The technologies rely, in some embodiments, on an initial selection of pipe elements and a traversal direction. Candidate positions for placement of hangers are then generated. At each candidate position, a set of pipes essentially parallel to one another can be identified. When the set of pipes includes two or more pipes, the candidate position is deemed to be satisfactory and placement of a hanger at the candidate position can be configured. The configuration includes configuration of a size of a hanger bearer relative to the pipe elements present in such a set. The configuration also includes configuration of an elevation of the hanger. A termination rule can be utilized to terminate the generation of candidate positions and associated configuration of hanger placement.