Consistency checking verifies the suitability of the work that a designer has performed in creating the pipe sketch. The software verifies whether the composition of a sketch and the underlying data model satisfy rules that are defined in the associated specification. As part of each integrity check, the software displays all the inconsistencies, descriptions of specific problems, and possible resolutions in the Errors window. Using this information, you can decide the best method to resolve an inconsistency.
Part of validating the pipeline also includes comparing the pipeline model against what is currently defined in the active specification.
Keeping pipeline components up-to-date
You can synchronize the pipeline model with changes that you make in the material database. For example, when you modify the material description of a pipe or change the dimension of a component in the active specification, the pipeline model can be updated automatically to reflect those changes. The File > Synchronise Specification Command compares pipeline model objects against what is currently defined in the active specification and looks for discrepancies between the material descriptions, dimensional data, and attribute data, excluding the material SKEY or item code.
After evaluating the pipeline, the software then displays a list of those pipeline components whose dimensions or material attributes do not match what is defined in the active specification. A component with material properties that have changed can be updated without any issues. However, a component with dimensions that have changed can be updated only if the neighboring pipe can accommodate the new dimensions. In situations where the dimensional changes cannot be accommodated, such as when the neighboring pipe is too small, the component is considered out-of-spec and is made generic during the synchronization process.
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The software does not check for changes to the material SKEY or the item code.
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You can synchronize a single piping file or multiple piping files in batch mode.
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See the Material Editor Help for information about using Material Editor defining your reference data.
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See Define generic component properties for information about generic component properties.
Check minimum pipe lengths
The Tools > Check Minimum Tube Lengths Command verifies all pipe lengths in the pipeline against the minimum length defined in the specification to which the active project is attached. In the example below, the current pipe specification is highlighted in the Pipeline Explorer.
Check Minimum Tube Lengths does not modify any lengths. As the software performs the check, each problem pipe is highlighted using the error color. A list of all the errors that the software finds displays in the Errors window.
Check component end connections
The Tools > Check Component End Connections Command checks adjacent components to determine whether they are compatible. The software bases this check on the end preparations of the components involved and a connectivity table that is defined in the specification to which the active project is attached. The example below shows a section of the End Connection reference table:
Check network integrity
The Tools > Check Network Integrity Command highlights parts of the pipeline that cannot be exported to a PCF, and consequently, cannot be processed by Isogen. While network integrity can fail for many reasons, the basic checks that the software performs to determine network integrity are summarized below:
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Verify that all the dimensions defined.
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Verify that there are coordinates for all points.
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Verify that all the components are connected to the network (systems) or to the pipeline (non-systems).
Check Network Integrity also examines pipe supports and performs the following checks:
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Verify that the pipe support is on the centerline of the pipe.
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Verify that the support is in proper range of the parent pipe.
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Verify that the order of the pipe supports is the same in the 2D and 3D views. For this check, the software, moving from pipe start to pipe end, calculates the 2D distance and 3D distance for each support and verifies that the list of supports is in the same order. If the software detects an inconsistency with the order, you are prompted to allow the software to automatically correct the order of the supports so that the 2D view matches the 3D view.
In this check, the software assumes that the 3D order is correct.
Check consistency
The Tools > Consistency Check Command verifies that all end connection information items are placed at the correct position on the pipeline. If the software determines that an end connection is placed incorrectly, you are prompted to determine whether the end connection should be moved or not.
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The software does not attempt to resolve any of the conflicts that it detects. You must take appropriate corrective action by reviewing the errors and examining the pipe sketch.
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You can perform each integrity check as a separate process, or you can perform the checks collectively. See Perform design checks automatically.
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By default, the Errors window displays at the bottom of the Detail window.
Synchronise Specification Dialog
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