Manufacturing Process of a 90-Degree Elbow Fitting Family in Revit

Revit Fitting Family: 90-Degree Elbow Production Process

1. Select a Family Template and Set Parameters

Start by opening the software and clicking on New Family. Choose the Metric Conventional Model template to create a new family. Next, click on Family Category and Parameters, select Pipe Fittings as the family category, and set the part type to Bend in the family parameter list. You can adjust other parameters as needed based on your project requirements.

2. Create the Main Model of the Elbow

Draw horizontal and vertical reference planes as shown below. Use the Align Dimension tool under the Annotation tab to measure distances to the default reference plane. Add instance parameter labels named Center to Endpoint Distance and Center Radius.

Go to the Create tab and select the Model Line tool. Using the Center Endpoint Arc command, draw a quarter circle centered at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical reference planes. Add an angle label to this arc by clicking on the model line and converting the temporary dimension into a permanent one. Assign the radius label as Center Radius. Then select the model line, and in the instance properties bar, enable Center Marker Visible. Align and lock this center marker to the intersection point of the reference planes.

Next, use the Layout tool under the Create tab, select the model line as the layout path, and click Finish. In the 3D view, edit the circular profile and add instance parameter labels such as Outer Radius of Pipeline. Mark the circular radius value and finalize by clicking Finish.

3. Import Lookup Table Data and Link Model Parameters

Open the Family Types dialog and add a new text parameter named Lookup Table. Then, under the same dialog, click the Manage button below Lookup Table to import the lookup table file located at: C:ProgramDataAutodeskRVT 2015Lookup TablesPipeElbow - Generic (example). Copy and paste the table document name into the Lookup Table parameter value.

Based on the imported lookup table, add instance parameters in the family types dialog: Pipe Outer Diameter, Nominal Diameter, and Center to Endpoint. Create formulas to associate these parameters:

• Outer Radius of Pipeline = Pipe Outer Diameter / 2
• Pipe Outer Diameter = size_lookup(lookup table, "FOD", Nominal Diameter)
• Nominal Diameter + 10.4 mm
• Center to Endpoint = size_lookup(lookup table, "CtE", 1.02 * Nominal Diameter - 1.5 mm, Nominal Diameter)

4. Validate and Finalize the Model

If the nominal diameter exceeds the center radius, the model will not generate correctly. To address this, use the following formula for the center radius:

Center Radius = if(Center to Endpoint / tan(Angle / 2) > Pipe Outer Radius + 3.2 mm, Center to Endpoint / tan(Angle / 2), Pipe Outer Radius + 3.2 mm)

Also, ensure that the distance from the center to the endpoint equals the center radius, and that the horizontal distance between the model and center reference adjusts dynamically. Correct the Center to Endpoint Distance with this formula:

Center to Endpoint Distance = if(Center to Endpoint > (Pipe Outer Radius + 3.2 mm) * tan(Angle / 2), Center to Endpoint, (Pipe Outer Radius + 3.2 mm) * tan(Angle / 2))

This completes the basic creation of the elbow model.

5. Add Connectors and Import into Project

Under the Create tab, click on Pipe Connectors to add connectors to each end of the elbow. Link the connector diameter properties to the nominal diameter parameter. The 2D representation details are not covered here.

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