Here is a quick video tutorial on creating a Pipe Spool using our 2D/3D Piping module. Mech-Q is easy to use pipe fabrication software tool designed to help you get your drawings done with little effort.
What is a Pipe Spool used for?
A pipe spool is a prefabricated piping section used in pipe fabrication. It is typically assembled off-site and then transported to the construction site for installation. A pipe spool consists of interconnecting pipes, fittings, and valves that are typically pre-welded and pre-tested before delivery.
Pipe spools are designed based on the Bill of Materials (BOM). The BOM includes a detailed list of all the necessary materials, components, and specifications required for the fabrication process.
Mech-Q Piping allows even a novice CAD user to input such a piping assembly as the 2D/3D fittings are created automatically. The video above describes how to create a 3D Piping Spoil in 4 easy to follow steps.
How to input a Piping Spool Drawing
We recommend using direct distance input in 3D to create a single line pipe route to start. There are a couple of simple steps that need to be followed.
Specify the starting point of the line by clicking anywhere in the drawing area (model space). Then enable Ortho mode by pressing the F8 key on your keyboard. With Ortho mode active, you can only draw lines along the X, Y or Z axis.
Move your cursor in the desired direction and specify the length and direction of the line. Repeat to create additional lines in your 3D sketch, always using the Ortho mode to maintain straight lines.
This direct distance input method allows you get a quick sketch of your piping spool drawing so that we can snap over this when adding our reducers, flanges, and other pipe fittings.
How to insert 3D pipe and fittings into our Pipe Spool
We’ll use Mech-Q to input tees at the intersecting pipe, as well as reducers and flanges, through its dialog interface.
Mech-Q has 3 different input modes, single line, double line, and 3D. Each of them use the same pipe dialog and settings. The only difference in our piping spool drawing input is that we are working in an isometric view.
Mech-Q enables us to specify the size and location of the reducers and flanges. This also includes selecting the fitting type and material of our components. The dialog interface simplifies the input process as we build our 3D model and draw our piping isometric.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize the 3D dimensioning tool within Mech-Q to accurately annotate and measure your 3D models. This tool not only enhances the visual representation of your designs but also facilitates better communication and understanding among team members or
With certain fittings Mech-Q will ask us the up-flow direction of the pipe. It may also ask us to rotate fittings about our insert point.
Just as we did in our initial piping sketch, as we inset the various fittings we are ensuring that we rotate them in with our Ortho mode active.
How to dimensioning the 3D drawing
Once our pipe spool drawing is complete, we can use the 3D dimensioning tool within Mech-Q. The dimension tool allows for simple 2 point selection, making it easy to place dimensions on any 3D object. It does not require any UCS manipulation, this is all handled transparently by the routine.
To use the 3D dimensioning tool, simply place the two points of the dimension line and confirm whether the axis is the same as the 2 points entered (co linear), or you can redefine the axis if need be if the points entered are offset.
If you’re not satisfied with where the dimension references to, simply type the letter “R” and choose the desired angle. If the dimension line appears mirrored or upside down, the letters “M” and “F” can be used to mirror or flip the dimension text orientation on-the-fly.
How to create a BOM (Bill of Materials)
Lastly, we will bubble our pipe spool using Mech-Q BOM and insert a schedule. To do so, we activate the Mech-Q BOM tool within the Piping dialog. Note that this tool is specifically designed for the piping.
To add bubbles, Mech-Q will prompt use for the leader locations for the straight pipe and fittings. If you want Skip bubbling a fitting you can do so at the command line.
Once all the bubbling is complete, it’s time to generate the BOM schedule. Simply place the schedule in the desired location within our piping spool drawing.
As you make changes to your drawing, you can easily update the BOM and schedule with Mech-Q BOM. Just rerun the BOM and erase the schedule when prompted and choose whether to keep the bubbles or re-label them.
