PCF Import
This function allows importing piping models via PCF file from 3D CAD systems.
PCF (Piping Component File) is a standard piping file format that is output as an intermediate file by isometric drawing utilities. Because these utilities are used and supplied with 3D CAD systems, the PCF has become an unofficial industry standard.
There are several ways to import a PCF file:
You need to choose «PCF-file» from the list and specify the path to the file
You need to specify the path to PCF file with the button «Browse», and then click «Import»
You need to drag your PCF file into the PASS/START-PROF window.
After selecting the PCF file, the user will be prompted to choose a standard that sets the mapping between the nominal and outer diameters of pipes:
PCF components are converted to PASS/START-PROF elements according to the table:
PCF Component |
PASS/START-PROF Element |
Block in «importPCF.json» file |
|
PASS/START-PROF Type Number |
Description |
||
ELBOLET |
Node |
- |
- |
FLANGE-REDUCING-ECCENTRIC |
|||
FLANGE-REDUCING-CONCENTRIC |
|||
INSTRUMENT-BALLOON |
|||
INSTRUMENT-DIAL |
|||
INSTRUMENT-EXTERNAL |
|||
LAPJOINT-RING |
|||
LAPJOINT-STUBEND |
|||
MISC-COMPONENT |
|||
MISC-HYGIENIC |
|||
MULTI-PORT-COMPONENT |
|||
SAFETY-DISC |
|||
TRAP |
|||
UNION |
|||
Y-PIECE-FABRICATED |
|||
Y-PIECE-FITTING |
|||
COUPLING |
|||
PIPE-BLOCK-FIXED |
Pipe |
2 |
Pipe |
PIPE-BLOCK-VARIABLE |
|||
PIPE-FIXED |
|||
PIPE |
|||
PIPE-BLOCK-FIXED |
|||
PIPE-BLOCK-VARIABLE |
|||
INSTRUMENT-3WAY |
Rigid element *3 |
- |
- |
INSTRUMENT-4WAY |
Rigid element *4 |
||
VALVE-3WAY |
Rigid element *3 |
||
VALVE-4WAY |
Rigid element *4 |
||
VALVE-MULTIWAY |
Rigid element *6 |
||
INSTRUMENT-3WAY |
Rigid element *3 |
||
INSTRUMENT-4WAY |
Rigid element *4 |
||
ELBOW-TEED |
Fabricated tee |
13 |
Fabricated tee |
REDUCER-CONCENTRIC-TEED |
|||
REDUCER-ECCENTRIC-TEED |
|||
BEND-TEED |
Welding tee |
14 |
Welding tee |
INSTRUMENT-TEE |
|||
TEE |
|||
OLET |
Stub-in |
19 |
Stub-in |
CROSS |
Stub-in *2 |
||
CROSS-SET-ON |
Stub-in *2 |
||
CROSS-STUB |
Stub-in *2 |
||
TEE-SET-ON |
Stub-in |
||
TEE-STUB |
Stub-in |
||
ELBOW |
Forged elbow |
46 |
Forged elbow |
REDUCER-ECC |
Concentric reducer |
63 |
Reducer con |
REDUCER-CON |
Eccentric reducer |
64 |
Reducer ecc |
VALVE |
Valve |
15 |
Valve |
FILTER |
|||
INSTRUMENT |
|||
TRAP-OFFSET |
|||
FILTER-OFFSET |
|||
INSTRUMENT-OFFSET |
|||
MISC-COMPONENT-OFFSET |
|||
VALVE-ANGLE |
|||
MISC-COMPONENT-ANGLE |
|||
TRAP-ANGLE |
|||
FILTER-ANGLE |
|||
INSTRUMENT-ANGLE |
|||
REINFORCEMENT-PAD |
Resting support |
21 |
Resting support |
SUPPORT1 |
Fixed Anchor |
20 |
Fixed Anchor |
Moment-free Anchor |
26 |
Moment-free Anchor |
|
Resting Support |
21 |
Resting Support |
|
Variable Spring Support |
25 |
Variable Spring Support |
|
Variable Spring Hanger |
24 |
Variable Spring Hanger |
|
Guid Support Single-Directional |
22 |
Guid Support Single-Directional |
|
Guid Support Double-Acting |
29 |
Guid Support Double-Acting |
|
Rigid Hanger |
23 |
Rigid Hanger |
|
Constant Spring Support |
27 |
Constant Spring Support |
|
Constant Spring Hanger |
66 |
Constant Spring Hanger |
|
CAP |
Cap |
47 |
Cap |
BEND |
Bend |
10 |
Bend |
ELBOW-REDUCER |
Bend |
||
RETURN-BEND |
Bend *2 |
||
1 If the PCF export settings from your 3D CAD system allow it, you can specify the type of restraint in the PCF file by utilizing the TAG attribute of the SUPPORT component. The TAG attribute must contain the type of this restraint (see the column "PASS/START-PROF Type Number"). If the TAG attribute is missing, then all supports are imported as "Fixed anchor" by default.
By default, the module converts assemblies from PCF components to PASS/START-PROF elements:
Assemblies |
PASS/START-PROF Element1 |
FLANGE |
Single flange |
FLANGE + GASKET |
|
FLANGE + GASKET + FLANGE |
Flange Pair |
FLANGE + GASKET + MISC-COMPONENT + GASKET + FLANGE |
|
FLANGE + GASKET + VALVE + GASKET + FLANGE |
Valve |
FLANGE + GASKET + INSTRUMENT + GASKET + FLANGE |
|
FLANGE + GASKET + MISC-COMPONENT + GASKET + VALVE + GASKET + FLANGE |
|
FLANGE + GASKET + VALVE+ GASKET + MISC-COMPONENT + GASKET + FLANGE |
|
FLANGE + GASKET + MISC-COMPONENT + GASKET + INSTRUMENT + GASKET + FLANGE |
|
FLANGE + GASKET + INSTRUMENT+ GASKET + MISC-COMPONENT + GASKET + FLANGE |
1 The parameters of the PASS/START-PROF element are determined by considering all the components within the assembly. This includes calculating the total length and total weight of the assembly.
Import of additional data into PASS/START-PROF is carried out in accordance with the settings made in the "importPCF.json" file. The path to "importPCF.json" file is specified in the general PASS/START-PROF settings (by default C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\STARTPR\Settings converters\PCFtoSTART).
Section “elements” (parameters of the piping system elements):
a. PASS/START-PROF Type number.
b. PASS/START-PROF Element.
c. Key of PASS/START-PROF element parameter.
d. Attribute name of PCF component.
e. Unit conversion coefficient:
The values of the element parameters must be transferred in internal PASS/START-PROF units (the units of are specified in the tables with the START-PROF element parameters, column "Units").
By default, for all parameters in the "importPCF.json" file, the coefficients is set to "1", i.e. it is assumed that the attribute values of the PCF components are already in PASS/START-PROF internal units. If the attributes values are in other units of measurement, then you should set the coefficient, when multiplied by which the value will be converted to the internal START-PROF units. The coefficient is adjusted individually for each parameter (and only for numerical parameters).
Pipe
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
225 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
4 |
Outer Diameter |
m |
By default it's selected according to the standard for mapping between outer and nominal diameters 1 |
9 |
Wall Thickness |
m |
|
13 |
Mill Tolerance |
m |
|
14 |
Corrosion Allowance |
m |
|
7 |
Material |
|
By default imported from the MATERIAL attribute of the PCF component1 |
37 |
Manufacturing technology |
|
0 – electric-welded, 1 – seamless, 2 – non ferrous metal |
27 |
Pressure |
tf/m2 |
|
30 |
Temperature |
С |
|
29 |
Test Pressure |
tf/m2 |
|
161 |
Auto Calc. Weight |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
34 |
Pipe Weight |
tf/m |
By default imported from the WEIGHT attribute of the PCF component1 |
35 |
Insulation Weight |
tf/m |
|
36 |
Fluid Weight |
tf/m |
|
263 |
Fluid Desity |
tf/m3 |
|
38 |
Weld Quality Factor For Tension |
|
|
39 |
Weld Quality Factor For Bending |
||
| 958 | Auto Weight Insulatuion | 0 – false, 1 – true | |
| 959 | Insulation Thickness | m | |
| 960 | Insulation Density | tf/m3 | |
| 961 | Cladding Thickness | m | |
| 962 | Cladding Density | tf/m3 | |
| 963 | Lining Thickness | m | |
| 964 | Lining Density | tf/m3 |
Forged elbow
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
7 |
Material |
|
By default imported from the MATERIAL attribute of the PCF component1 |
37 |
Manufacturing Technology |
|
0 – electric-welded, 1 – seamless, 2 – non ferrous metal |
161 |
Auto Calc. Weight |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
34 |
Weight |
tf |
By default imported from the WEIGHT attribute of the PCF component1 |
70 |
Radius3 |
m |
|
9 |
Wall Thickness |
m |
|
13 |
Mill Tolerance |
m |
|
216 |
Mill Tolerance extrados |
m |
|
217 |
Mill Tolerance intrados |
m |
|
14 |
Corrosion Allowance |
m |
|
71 |
Ovality Factor |
|
|
Induction Bend
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
7 |
Material |
|
By default imported from the MATERIAL attribute of the PCF component1 |
37 |
Manufacturing Technology |
|
0 – electric-welded, 1 – seamless, 2 – non ferrous metal |
161 |
Auto Calc. Weight |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
34 |
Weight |
tf |
By default imported from the WEIGHT attribute of the PCF component1 |
70 |
Radius3 |
m |
|
9 |
Wall Thickness |
m |
|
13 |
Mill Tolerance |
m |
|
216 |
Mill Tolerance extrados |
m |
|
217 |
Mill Tolerance intrados |
m |
|
14 |
Corrosion Allowance |
m |
|
71 |
Ovality Factor |
|
|
Welding Tee
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
7 |
Material |
|
By default imported from the MATERIAL attribute of the PCF component1 |
37 |
Manufacturing Technology |
|
0 – electric-welded, 1 – seamless, 2 – non ferrous metal |
161 |
Auto Calc. Weight |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
34 |
Weight |
tf |
By default imported from the WEIGHT attribute of the PCF component1 |
9 |
Wall Thickness (Header) |
m |
|
13 |
Mill Tolerance (Header) |
m |
|
14 |
Corrosion Allowance |
m |
|
24 |
Crotch Height |
m |
|
17 |
Outer Diameter (Crocth) |
m |
|
25 |
Wall Thickness (Crotch) |
m |
|
26 |
Mill Tolerance (Crotch) |
m |
|
174 |
Crotch External Radius |
m |
|
Fabricated Tee
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
7 |
Material |
|
By default imported from the MATERIAL attribute of the PCF component1 |
37 |
Manufacturing Technology |
|
0 – electric-welded, 1 – seamless, 2 – non ferrous metal |
161 |
Auto Calc. Weight |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
34 |
Weight |
tf |
By default imported from the WEIGHT attribute of the PCF component1 |
9 |
Wall Thickness (Header) |
m |
|
13 |
Mill Tolerance (Header) |
m |
|
14 |
Corrosion Allowance |
m |
|
18 |
Wall Thickness (Branch) |
m |
|
20 |
Mill Tolerance (Branch) |
m |
|
21 |
Branch Height |
m |
|
22 |
Pad Thickness |
m |
|
23 |
Pad Width |
m |
|
Concentric/Eccentric Reducer
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
7 |
Material |
|
By default imported from the MATERIAL attribute of the PCF component1 |
37 |
Manufacturing Technology |
|
0 – electric-welded, 1 – seamless, 2 – non ferrous metal |
161 |
Auto Calc. Weight |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
34 |
Weight |
tf |
By default imported from the WEIGHT attribute of the PCF component1 |
9 |
Thickness in area of Dmax |
m |
|
239 |
Thickness in area of Dmin |
m |
|
13 |
Mill Tolerance in area of Dmax |
m |
|
434 |
Mill Tolerance in area of Dmin |
m |
|
14 |
Corrosion Allowance |
m |
|
Stub-in
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
22 |
Pad Thickness |
m |
|
23 |
Pad Width |
m |
|
38 |
Weld Quality Factor |
|
|
Valve
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
34 |
Weight |
tf |
By default imported from the WEIGHT attribute of the PCF component1 |
Fixed Anchor
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
264 |
Check Allowable Loads |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
265 |
Load Along Local Axes |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
266 |
FX |
t |
|
267 |
FY |
t |
|
268 |
FZ |
t |
|
269 |
MX |
tf*m |
|
270 |
MY |
tf*m |
|
271 |
MZ |
tf*m |
|
Moment-free Anchor
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
264 |
Check Allowable Loads |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
265 |
Load Along Local Axes |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
266 |
FX |
|
|
267 |
FY |
|
|
268 |
FZ |
|
|
Resting Support
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
72 |
Friction Factor |
|
|
264 |
Check Allowable Loads |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
265 |
Load Along Local Axes |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
266 |
FX |
t |
|
267 |
FY |
t |
|
268 |
FZ |
t |
|
Variable Spring Support
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
146 |
Number of Supports |
|
|
147 |
Load Range |
% |
|
73 |
Allowable Load Safety Factor |
|
|
148 |
Restraint Operation Load |
t |
|
74 |
Flexibility |
m/t |
|
149 |
Test State |
|
0 – locked, 1 – unlocked |
72 |
Friction Factor |
|
|
Variable Spring Hanger
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
146 |
Number of Rods |
|
|
147 |
Load Range |
% |
|
73 |
Allowable Load Safety Factor |
|
|
148 |
Hanger Operation Load |
t |
|
74 |
Flexibility |
m/t |
|
149 |
Test State |
|
0 – locked, 1 – unlocked |
144 |
Rod Length |
m |
|
Guide Support Single-Directional
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
72 |
Friction Factor |
|
|
304 |
Use Gaps |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
287 |
Lateral Gaps |
m |
|
264 |
Check Allowable Loads |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
265 |
Load Along Local Axes |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
266 |
FX |
t |
|
267 |
FY |
t |
|
268 |
FZ |
t |
|
Guide Support Double-Acting
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
72 |
Friction Factor |
|
|
304 |
Use Gaps |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
287 |
Lateral Gaps |
m |
|
288 |
Gap Upwards |
m |
|
264 |
Check Allowable Loads |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
265 |
Load Along Local Axes |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
266 |
FX |
t |
|
267 |
FY |
t |
|
268 |
FZ |
t |
|
Rigid Hanger
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
144 |
Rod Length |
m |
|
264 |
Check Allowable Loads |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
265 |
Load Along Local Axes |
|
0 – false, 1 – true |
266 |
FX |
t |
|
267 |
FY |
t |
|
268 |
FZ |
t |
|
Constant Spring Support
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
146 |
Number of Supports |
|
|
156 |
Force Along Z Axis |
t |
|
72 |
Friction Factor |
|
|
149 |
Test State |
|
0 – locked, 1 – unlocked |
Constant Spring Hanger
Key |
PASS/START-PROF Element parameters |
Units |
Notes |
449 |
Name |
|
By default imported from the NAME attribute of the PCF component1 |
146 |
Number of Rods |
|
|
156 |
Force Along Z Axis |
t |
|
144 |
Rod Length |
m |
|
149 |
Test State |
|
0 – locked, 1 – unlocked |
1 The values of these parameters can be imported from other attributes of the PCF component, but you must first configure the mapping in the "importPCF.json" file.
2 If mapping for this attribute is not configured in the "importPCF.json" file, then the default value will be set: for the group of stress analysis codes according to GOST - "1D", according to ASME - "Long", according to EN - "2D".
3 If mapping for this attribute is not configured in the "importPCF.json" file, then the value will be imported from the BEND-RADIUS attribute of the PCF component. If there is no BEND-RADIUS attribute, then the default value will be set: for the group of stress analysis codes according to GOST - "1D", according to ASME - "Long", according to EN - "2D".
Section «materials» (mapping between material names in PCF and PASS/START-PROF):
a. Material name in PCF.
b. Material name in PASS/START-PROF.
This function allows export from PASS/START-PROF model to PCF file.
Menu «Export» -> «To PCF (.pcf)»:
You need to specify the path to PCF file with the «Browse» button, and then click «ОК».