CadToolChest FREE

for AutoCAD    

T%WELDED-FLANGE.LSP
Version: 2006-10-31
(repackaged to include LSP source - nothing changed - tested in AutoCAD 2011)
AutoCAD 2002 through 2011

Description


Welded-Flange is an AutoLisp program with a command named FLANGE, by CadToolChest FREE, which functions within AutoCAD 2002, and later (possibly earlier).  It constructs 2D or 3D Welded Pipe Flanges via dialog box selections.  The objects are constructed on the layers specified in the dialog box, using the current color and line type. 

Data for the dialog box is obtained from the file T%Welded-Flange-Data.lsp, which is an uncompiled AutoLisp file and can be edited as required to support other flange sizes or to change the dimensional data supplied by CadToolChest.  The data was obtained from Tube Turn catalog 311, Nov. 1972. 

2D objects are drawn parallel to the current xy plane with the first pick defining the placement.  3D flanges are aligned with the two picked 3D points.

Notes:

In the dialog box, click the Size, Rating, Facing and Flange Type as required.  The values in the Item Data column update as each radio button is pressed.  They are the dimensions that will be used to construct the flange, but each can be manually changed.  Clicking another radio button resets all manually entered values to the values in the data file.

As various controls are manipulated, other controls are updated according to the information in the data file and as otherwise applicable to that flange

To reduce the complexity and file size of the drawing, the flange bore can be omitted when it is unimportant to the model.  This is accomplished using the check box labeled "Bore".  When checked, the bore is constructed, otherwise it is not. 

If bolt holes are desired, click either the 1Holed or the 2Holed radio buttons, depending on the required hole alignment.  Otherwise, click No Holes.  2-Holed is currently not supported in the 2d-Side view.  As with the bore toggle, omitting bolt holes when not necessary will reduce the complexity and file size of the drawing.

The gasket thickness affects how far the flange is moved when the HG and G options are used (see prompt descriptions below).  It does not construct a gasket.  Currently there are 4 thicknesses, 1/8". 3/16", 1/4" and No Gasket.

Click one of the 4 "Views" radio buttons to specify which 2D view is to be constructed or if a 3dSolid object is to be constructed. 

The image tile updates, as the various buttons are clicked, to show what will be constructed.  Each flange Rating displays a different background color. 

The objects are placed on the layers specified in the three layer pop-down list boxes.  Currently, the "Center" layer is used only to place a small circle at the face of the flange (which makes it easier to select the face location later on raised or tapered faced flanges).

The Hole Diameter, Bolt Circle and Bolt Quantity values are used to construct the holes.  Manual changes made in these boxes are use in the flange construction, but are reset to the values in the data file each time the dialog opens.

Currently the bolt data are shown for information purposes only (bolts are not constructed.).

Normally, the "Where's OK" button will be dissbled.  However, if the program is unable to obtain the required values from the data file or if the button/size combination is not supported, the Where's OK button will be enabled and the OK button will become disabled until the data is manually provided or until the proper combination of selected buttons and size is achieved.  Clicking the Where's OK button will remind the user of this.



Command Prompts:

After clicking the OK button, the following prompts are issued, depending on which view was selected.


For 3D and 2D-Side:

Pick location of flange face/Orbit/Shade/HUb/-HG/HG/-G/G/<Quit>:
Pick in direction of hub/Repick-1st/Opp/<Quit>:


For 2D-Face and 2D-Hub:

Pick location of flange/<Quit>:



The QUIT option exits the program.  The ORBIT option runs the AutoCAD 3dOrbit command without exiting the command.  The SHADE option toggles between 2d Wireframe and Gouraud shading (yes, Gouraud still exists in r2007 (and later) via the AutoLisp command utility, although it may actually be "Shaded"). 

The -HG, HG, -G & G options allow shifting the previously constructed flange by either half the gasket thickness (HG) or the full gasket thickness (G).  When prefixed with a hyphen (for negative), the flange moves in the direction of the gasket.  Otherwise it moves in the direction of the hub (away from the gasket).  These options appear after the first flange is constructed and for each subsequent flange.  They allow inserting a flages at the gasket location and then shifting the flange to suit, or to use the face of the mating flange to construct the second flange in the pair and then shift it by the gasket thickness.

The HUB option allows picking the location of the flange hub instead of the flange face, which causes the prompt to change to:

Pick location of flange hub/Orbit/Shade/Face/-HG/HG/-G/G/<Quit>:

This prompt has a FACE option to change the pick point back to the flange face.  The second prompt remains the same as that pick always defines the direction from the fact to the hub.

The program loops and reissues the first prompt.  Either construct another flange, move the last flange, change the shading, change the view direction with 3dOrbit, or use the QUIT option to exit the program.

WELDED-FLANGE is distributed, by CadToolChest, as Freeware without guarantee or warranty of any type.  You may freely use, modify and/or distribute this program for personal or commercial use, but you may not sell or charge for it or any portion of it.  If bundled with a product that is sold, you must make this program available for free.  As customary, acknowledge the original author's contribution if you build upon or distribute this work.

The author of CadToolChest retains all copyrights other than described above.