AutoPLANT Equipment FAQ

Index:

1. How can I copy AutoPLANT Equipment from an existing model to the current model?
2. How do I delete a single equipment component such as a nozzle from an equipment group?
3. How do I use User Defined Equipment?
4. How do I change the Equipment vessel limits for components such as Horizontal Vessels?
5. What is the purpose of the Consistency Checker in Equipment?

Question 1: How can I copy equipment from an existing model to my current model?

Answer: Listed below are the steps needed to copy an existing model to the current model:

1. Type XREF within the current AutoPLANT Equipment drawing. Attach the existing drawing.
2. Type XREF at the command line to bind (Insert Type) the XREF drawing.
3. Explode the bound XREF drawing.
4. Select the Equipment> Database Tools > Repair Database pulldown. This will add the inserted equipment into the current model and database.

Question 2: How do I delete a single equipment component such as a nozzle from an equipment group?

Answer: Follow these steps to delete a single equipment component are listed below:

1. Start AutoPLANT Equipment.
2. Select the following pulldown to delete components from an equipment group: Equipment > Equipment Tools > Delete Component.
3. Select the component to delete. The component will be deleted from the Equipment component.

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Question 3: How do I use User Defined Equipment?

Answer: Follow the steps outlined below to use User Defined Equipment:

1. Start AutoPLANT Equipment.
2. Use the AutoCAD CYLINDER command to draw a vertical cylinder. Enter the desired dimensions when placing the AutoCAD cylinder.
3. Select the "Equipment > Equipment > User Defined" pulldown.
4. When the User Defined Equipment dialog appears, select the Select Entities button.
5. Pick the previously drawn AutoCAD cylinder.
6. When the User Defined Equipment dialog appears, enter the desired Tag and Description information.
7. Select the <<Pick button next to the Location Point field.
8. Select a point on the cylinder that defines the Location Point. Select the center of the bottom circle on the cylinder.
9. Select the <<Pick button next to the Direction Point field.
10. Select a point on the cylinder that defines the Direction Point. Select the center of the top circle on the cylinder.
11. Select the <<Pick button next to the Orientation Point field.
12. Select a point on the cylinder that defines the Orientation Point. Select any quadrant of the top circle on the cylinder.
13. Select the <<Pick button next to the Length field. Select the center of the top circle on the cylinder.
14. Select the <<Pick button next to the Radius field. Select any quadrant of the bottom circle on the cylinder.
15. Select OK on the User Defined Equipment dialog.
16. Use Edit Component to modify the User Defined Equipment.

Question 4: How do I change the Equipment vessel limits for components such as Horizontal Vessels?

Answer: To change the Equipment vessel limits on components, follow the steps below:

1. Close AutoPLANT Equipment.
2. Open the following file using Notepad.exe: ..\Rebis\Config\Imperial\Equip\LIMITS.INI.

   Note: Each Standard and Custom configuration contains a LIMITS.INI file. Modify the LIMITS.INI file within the configuration being used.

3. Search for the following section:

   [VESHORPLN]
   parmA = 0.0, 1000.0
   EQP_DIA = 0.0, 1000.0
   parmC = 0.0, 1000.0
   parmD = 0.0, 1000.0
   parmS = 0.0, 1000.0
   parmE = 0.0, 1000.0
   parmF = 0.0, 1000.0
   Insul_Thk = 0.0, 1000.0

4. Change the above values to the desired values. For example, to change the length limit, set the parmA line to equal 0.0, 2000.0.

   [VESHORPLN]
   parmA = 0.0, 2000.0
   EQP_DIA = 0.0, 2000.0
   parmC = 0.0, 2000.0
   parmD = 0.0, 2000.0
   parmS = 0.0, 2000.0
   parmE = 0.0, 2000.0
   parmF = 0.0, 2000.0
   Insul_Thk = 0.0, 2000.0

   This will allow the Horizontal Vessel to be placed at values up to 2000 inches.

5. Restart AutoPLANT Equipment.

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Question 5: What is the purpose of the Consistency Checker?

Answer: The Equipment > Equipment Tools > Consistency Checker command looks for inconsistencies between the external database and the graphics in the drawing.

When executed, this command checks for components with duplicate/missing tag names, no master group, missing database records, and unattached group IDs. It also checks for associative type components that are not connected to a parent component. It will help identify, locate, and fix components with these problems.

This command is available from both the Equipment menu and the AutoCAD command line. It is invoked automatically every time an existing Equipment drawing is opened in AutoCAD, provided the Equipment application is loaded. The Consistency Checker will iterate through all components in a drawing, looking for errors mentioned above, then build a list of defective components. All components in this list will be placed on a layer named EQUIPMENT_ORPHAN. When consistency check is performed again after fixing the errors, the components will be returned to their original layers.