1.

0 Introduction

Parametric design can be describe as a process based on algorithmic thinking which enables
the expression of parameters and rules that in conjunction define, encode and clarify the
relationship between design intent and design response.
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1.1 3D Model

The first 3D model (Long Radius Elbow) is created in part design window of the CATIA
software on three different planes. First a circle is created on xy plane (Top view plane) and
extruded by the flange thickness 7/16 in.

Then one plane is created parallel to the xy plane with a distance of 5 inches which is the
offset distance and another plane created on the zx plane also 5 inches. Both planes are
shown adjacent to each other below:

Figure 1 shows the two other planes created

On the yz plane. Another circle is created and etruded with the same thickness of 7/16 inches.
Afterwards, two circles are created , one which is the inner diameter of the fittings and the other the
out diameter of the pipe fittings with the distance between the two diameters the thickness of the
pipe which is 5/16 inches.

Figure 2 shows the extrusion of the flanges and the diameters

Two circles are then created on the xy plane which represents the inner diameter and outer
diameter of the pipe from the the two flange ends, with the the inner diameter 1 inch and the outer
1. 313 inches.
Next, to create the curvature shape of the pipe, a line is created from the xy axis of the adjacent
extruded circular shape and coincidence with the upper xy plane and another line created
coincidence with the zx plane offset to the zx plane origin by 5 inches which is obvious because its
coincidence to the readily created zx plane above.

Conner command is then used to connect the two lines to created the angular shape of the pipe
with the equal radius of the distance between the planes which is 5 inches. These are shown below;
Figure 3 Shows the line and curve created between the planes

Finally the Rib function is used to create the pipe geometrical shape b clicking on the circle created
as the profile and the curve.
Figure 4 Shows the Rib definition window

Afterward, the 3D model is created and saved.

Figure 5 The 3D model

1.2 Formula and constraints

Creating formulas and constraints is a process which is advantageous when it comes to random
selection of geometry in design, it reduces the time period of redesigning the same components
with similar geometry. For this model, formulas are created in other to be able to created the same
similar shape of flanged pipe with different geometry. For this objective, the following where
targeted;

 Norminal pipe size = Inside diameter of pipe

 Center to face length
 The diameter of flange
 Flange thickness
 And the thickness of the pipe

The following formulas are created;

Figure 6 The created formulars

1. The first formula assigned the radius of the curve from the two flange ends which is the
actual curve of the pipe as equal to the first offset parallel to the xy plane.
2. The second formula assigned offset 1 equals offset 2, i.e. The distance between the origin xy
plane and the adjacent 5 inches distance newly created xy plane and newly created zx plane
which is also 5 inches distance from the origin are equal.
3. Formula 3 assigned the two flange diameters are equal
4. The inside diameters of fittings are equal
5. The flange thickness are assigned equal
The assigned terms are the RHS of each equations will represent the LHS values during calculations
which are performed internally by CATIA itself.

Figure 7 Shows the rename parameters

After this is done a table is then created by clicking on the design table command and the wanted
parameters are assigned to be present in the excel sheet where the geometries can be controlled.
Figure 8 The design table window
Figure 9 The desing table and the rename parameters

1.3 Catalogue
The wanted to be edited paramters are selected and a new geometric talble is created in excel
where other geometric properties of the pipe can be entered and afterwards assigned for
computation. Below shows the first geometries which was created initially and the new geometries
input which are to be assigned to created a new dimensioned 90 degrees elbow long radius pipe.

Figure 10 The first and Later dimensions to be created in CATIA

The excel sheet is then closed and the CATIA compatible mode of the geometries are created which
can then be assigned to the model in CATIA.
Figure 11 Shows the design table properties in CATIA

The following are the models after each geometries or dimensions are applied respectively in
isometric views.

Figure 12 Geometry 1
Figure 13 Geometry 2

Figure 14 Geometry 3
2.1 Modelling (45 Degrees lateral)

The modelling design steps are shown below:

1. A circle is sketched on XY plane and given the dimension as shown below.

Figure 15 shows the skeched circle

2. An offset is created on the XY plane in 7.5 inches from the origin. The plane dimension and
coordinate is shown in green colour.

Figure 16 shows the offset in green colour

 3. The two circles sketched were then extruded as shown below;

Figure 17 shows the extrusion

4. Two circles were then created on the first first extruded circlular shape which is the outer
diameter of the fitting and the inner fitting diameter of the pipe itself. This is shown below:

Figure 18 shows the out circle and the inner circle of the fittings with their diameters

5. A line is then sketched on the YZ plane which will serve as the curve which the circles will
stand as the profile to create a rib function in other to get the pipe fitting shape. The line is
shown below :
Figure 19 shows the line

To make it a parametric design, the line where constrained at the top, to the upper plane in such a
way that a change in the distance or geometry of the plane will change the dimension or the length
of the pipe at the area. The coincidence command is used to perform this.

6. Next , a point is sketched which will represent the length of E which is the “short center to
face true Y and lateral. The distance is shown in green line below.
Figure 20shows the point created

7. A plane is then created normal to the point created on plane 2 above. This is shown below:

Figure 21 The plane normal to angle created

This is created 45 degrees from the normal axis and it is also constrained to the top plane 1 so that
when the plane changes in length this section of the pipe also changes.

8. Two circles are then created to design the branching section of the pipe. This is shown
below.

Figure 22 shows the sketch

This circle is also constrained to the point in the origin so that is the geometry changes, the circle
also will change. And after this, a line is created alon the plane with its root point connected
(constrained) to the origin and its tip point connected to plane 1. This is done so that when the
length of plane 1 changes the length of the line also changes. This is shown below:
Figure 23 Shows the line created and its angle

9. The rib command is then used to extrude this line and the circle created and after this
another circle of the same flange dimension is created and extruded to form the absolute
shape. The same dimension of the inner radius (Inner diameter of fittings) is then created to
cut extrude the channels. This 3D model is shown below:

Figure 24 The 3D model

2.2 Formulas and constrains

The formula and constrains are done similar to the first task but since the design is different the idea
of constraining and assigning formulas for the purpose of recreation is a bit different. For this task
steps of writing up the formulas won’t be explained since it is the same methodology like that of the
first task but the formulas and renamed parameters are shown below:
Figure 25 shows the rename parameters and formulas

Figure 26 shows the relations (formulas)

2.3 Catalogue

Figure 27 shows the design table

Figure 28 CATALOGUES (On excel sheet)

The following are the changes in shape based on the assigned geometry from the first to the third
shown below in isometric views.

Figure 29 Geometry 1

Figure 30 Geometry 2
Figure 31 Geometry 3

3.0 Conclusion

Parametric design enables designer to make a design which can be alter in the future by just
changing the geometries to redesign the shape of the model and there by changing the uses or the
capacity of the model which is a function of its geometrical properties.