Router Initialization
The AutoRouter can route pipelines after at least some of the conceptual plant model has been built with equipment, nozzles, pipeways, structures, pedestals and other obstacles defined as needed. Refer to The Process Model for an overview of the information required by the AutoRouter and how that information is interrelated.
Routing Fields and Planes
- s bounded on the bottom by grade (the Grade Elevation given in the Project Setup dialog),
- extends to the sides a default distance (four times the Routing Plane Offset given in the Project Setup dialog) beyond the farthest obstacles at the north, east, south, and west edges of the site, and
- extends vertically above the highest obstacle on the site by a default distance (this value, Levels Above Highest Obstacle, is set in the Project Setup dialog).
A routing field is decomposed into routing planes that are mostly spaced according to the default Routing Plane Offset. The use of routing fields is significant for the efficiency of routing, and they are used by the router to align the bottom edges of pipes approaching pipeways.
Routing levels are used to determine the routes of pipes approaching or leaving the pipeway. Pipeway pipes enter/leave the pipeway with the bottom of pipe (including insulation if necessary) on the routing plane.
Obstacle Spaces
Equipment, obstacles and structures form routing obstacles. In the AutoRouter, all routing obstacles are modeled with bounding boxes. The routing obstacle representation for a piece of equipment may consist of any number of boxes; however, to maximize routing speed, it is desirable to reduce the number of obstacle boxes in a model.
Structures present their own obstacle space in that the router takes floors into account. The router will not route a pipe through a structure floor without exception, except where you have defined a floor penetration. On the other hand, the only obstacles that a pedestal represent are the steel members that make up the pedestal.
Prior to routing, the AutoRouter initializes the obstacle space. This defines where pipes cannot route so that the router can optimize the available routing space.
What Pipes to Route
After initializing the obstacle space, the router determines what pipes to route. The router does this by filtering out pipes that are not possible to route – they do not have a valid origin and/or terminus – and then filtering out pipes that you selected not to route from the AutoRouter Control dialog.