Ruslan Log
Thu Dec 28, 2017
Updated File:Create-pipe.fcmacro, File:Create-elbow.fcmacro and File:Create-tee.fcmacro macros.
Tried to create 2D documentation pictures for fittings dimensions, but:
Problems
- I have problems with the cut-function in FreeCAD.
- I tried to create 2D drawing in FreeCAD, it is not easy. I started to use LibreCAD, maybe it is better for 2D than FreeCAD.
Sat Dec 23, 2017
Tried out FreeCAD library and Flamingo FreeCAD add on.
- FreeCAD library contains some pipe fitting objects but no macros. The FreeCAD library can be used as for ideas how to make FreeCAD or fittings.
- Flamingo is interesting, maybe I will contribute to it.
- I added a warning message with a suggestion for a solution to File:Create-pipe.fcmacro when no documents are selected.
Fri Dec 22, 2017
A github user luzpaz asked me on github if it OK to add my macros to [1] and also mentioned [2]. I am thinking about doing this.
Wed Dec 20, 2017
Fixed bugs in FreeCAD macros
Problems
- During the macro development, I used a FreeCAD command line for testing. The macro works, but it crashes next day or it crashes on a different machine.
- The reason for the crash are objects which I create with the command line. My macros can refer to them but during the next run these objects do not exist any more.
- Before I run a macro, I create a new document. My macro assumes that such a document exists. I know, why I need this document, but other users do not know this. The user runs my macro and is :(.
Solutions
- Test macros after FreeCAD restart.
- Testing by other users is important.
- On a failure, Let the macro show a hint to the user, what went wrong and what the user should do.
- Instructions are very important.
TODO
- (Video) instructions how to install macros and how to use it.
- Add instructions to the macros.
Sun Dec 17, 2017
Add new version of a pipe FreeCAD macro PVC Pipe and Fittings Library#Pipes. Better code and GUI. Add new version of a 90° elbow FreeCAD macro PVC Pipe and Fittings Library#Elbows. Better code and GUI. An angle between 0° and 180° is possible but I have GUI and parameters only for 90°.
TODO
- improve integration of various macros into FreeCAD
- separate data from the logic to prevent Licensing Problems. The Macros will be published under CC0 public domain.
Sat Dec 16, 2017
Created git hub repository [3] for the macros. Added a macro for tee-parts PVC_Pipe_and_Fittings_Library#Tees.
Fri Dec 15, 2017
Looked for literature about technical standard in a library. Some interesting German documents are:
- DIN EN ISO 1452-3 Kunststoff-Rohrleitungssysteme für die Wasserversorgung und für erdverlegte und nicht erdverlegte Entwässerungs- und Abwasserdruckleitungen - Weichmacherfreies Polyvinylchlorid (PVC-U) - Teil 3: Formstücke (ISO 1452-3:2009).
- DIN EN ISO 1877-3 Kunststoff-Rohrleitungssysteme für die Warm- und Kaltwasserinstallation - Chloriertes Polyvinylchlorid (PVC-C) - Teil 3: Formstücke (ISO 15877-3:2009 + AMD 1:2010); The same as DIN ISO 1452-3 but for PVC-C.
Some documents with possibly useful information:
- DIN EN ISO 3126 Kunststoff-Rohrleitungssysteme - Rohrleitungsteile aus Kunststoffen - Bestimmung der Maße (ISO 3126:2005); It describes how to measure pipes.
Book:
The standards contains too much information spread in many documents. They are also expensive to obtain. Maybe books are better.
- Piping databook, Nayyar, Mohinder L., McGraw-Hill 2002. It containments measurements for some pipes and fittings in one place. It is not clear, if this information is sufficient for CAD-files.
Problems
I tried to make a simple tee-fitting in FreeCAD. It is simple only theory -- the FreeCAD refuses to perform boolean operation on shapes for unknown reasons. I wasted a lot of time moving parts back and forth, until FreeCAD does what it suppose to do. I felt like a pigeon in the Skinner experiment. [4]
Sat Dec 10, 2017
Uploaded improved elbow FreeCAD marco File:Create-elbow.fcmacro with GUI. It can create some 40 Schedule 90°-elbows.
TODO
- Add more parts. Add progress information -- the macro needs some time to create an elbow, but the user does not have any feedback when clicks OK.
- All previous macros are experiments and not a finished work. Find out these Idea behind the macros is good enough. If it is, complete one macro.
- Maybe it is better to use a repository instead of loading each change to the Wiki?
- Find out what is Wrong with FreeCAD. Why cannot I do a cross section (easily)?)
Sun Dec 9, 2017
Improved version of elbow-macro.
Problems
I tried to create a cross section of the pipe elbow for documentation. For some reasons I cannot cat the elbow by a large box. With small box it works. Very annoying :(.
Thu Dec 7, 2017
Worked on new elbow macro. Now I used sweep for whole elbow. The work around from Dec 6 is no more necessary.
Tue Dec 5, 2017
PVC_Pipe_and_Fittings_Library: Improved FreeCAD marco File:Add-elbow.fcmacro. It creates now a single solid part.
Problems solved
The Problem union of parts from Sun. Dec 3., 2017, I solved by changing the outer radius of the bent part. See [5].
Sun Dec 3, 2017
PVC_Pipe_and_Fittings_Library: Created FreeCAD cad file for a PVC elbowFile:Pvc-elbow-test-60deg.fcstd. Created FreeCAD marco File:Add-elbow.fcmacro to add an elbow to the active document.
Problems
- I cannot make an union of three elbow parts.
Problems solved
- FreeCAD sweep-function cannot sweep a complex sketch -- for example with two circles. Spitting sketch into multiple sketches helped.
TODO
Add gui to the macro and find standard dimensions for the elbows.
Sat Dec 2, 2017
PVC_Pipe_and_Fittings_Library: Created FreeCAD file for a PVC pipe File:Pvc-pipe-nps-sch40-1d8.fcstd. Created FreeCAD Marco File:Pvc-pipe-nps.fcmacro to add 40 or 80 schedule PVC pipes. Useful links: OSE_Part_Library, PVC_Pipe.
Problems:
- I have no experience with FreeCAD macros and Python GUI-Library. The macro code is experimental. I do not know how to integrate my macro into FreeCAD .
Questions:
- There is a note in the wiki-editor "Please note that all contributions to Open Source Ecology are considered to be released under the CreativeCommons". But I would like to release some of my code under public domain license. Is it OK?
- Where I enter hours, which I spent for the project?
Fri Dec 1, 2017
I spent time looking for information about pipes. I tried to find answer to the questions:
- What are important standards?
- Is PVC really good material? Are there some environment friendlier alternatives?
- What are the appropriate technical terms in German? A verbatim translation PVC-Rohr seems not to a frequent term.
Sat Nov 25, 2017
I created the first working log entry.