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FastSHAPES Pipe Branch development program for metal

FastSHAPES Modules

Pipe Branch Development Program

FastSHAPES® is the generic name for a suite of Plate & Sheet development software programs specifically designed for heavy fabrication where the main jointing technology is welding.

The PBRANCH software module is for the development of pipe branches in sheet and plate and provides for flat cutting patterns or wrap-around templets for branch, main and compensating plate elements of a pipe branch in which the main is penetrated for process applications. The branch may be set-in or set-on relative to the main penetration.

The wrap-around templet options permit specification of a thick external coating over which the templet would be wrapped, the templet containing data pertaining to the cutting paths required after removal of the coating. That is, the templet data is taken for the underlying pipe material and transferred to the outside of the coating. Templets are provided on an outside-up basis for plotting via FastCAM or any suitable CAD/CAM software, or for the NC cutting or manual lofting of sheet metal or other materials which may be used as a templet. Templet material is assumed to be of negligible thickness.

The flat cutting patterns are provided on the usual inside-up basis. Provision exists for the addition of green to the longitudinal seam edges to facilitate rolling. There is no provision for end green, however, the branch pattern by default is cut rectangularly around the marked profile. The profiled edge may be cut by ticking the check box. The penetrations in main and compensating plate are also marked only by default, and may be cut by ticking the appropriate check box.

downarrowTYPICAL APPLICATIONS
Petrochemical & similar Industries - pipework branches
Pressure Vessel manufacture - shell and nozzles
Structural joints ( e.g. oil rig jacket)

downarrowTECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Uses radial line method.
Develops patterns for both branch and main.
Covers both `set-in' and `set-on' branches
Provides for eccentric branch connections
Considers pipe wall thicknesses
Considers butt (groove) & combination butt/fillet welds.
Provides for presence of external coatings on pipes.

downarrowDATA REQUIREMENTS
bullet pointMain OD and thickness
bullet pointBranch OD and thickness
bullet pointLateral Offset (eccentricity) - optional
bullet pointWeld preparation depths
bullet pointMain length and intersection point offset
bullet pointBranch length and intersection point offset
bullet pointExternal coating thickness - optional

downarrowOUTPUT
bullet pointWrap-around Templets
Cutting Patterns in any of the following forms ...
bullet pointFastCAM file
bullet pointDXF (2D) file
bullet pointCoordinate Table
bullet point3D Weld Prep Details

Calculated weld length for cost estimating is also given.

downarrowPROGRAM REFERENCE
M3FS6 : PBRANCH

downarrowOTHER REFERENCES
M3FS15 : CBRANCH ( Conical branch structures development)



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Pipe Branch

Set in or Set on