ROHR2

Program System for Static and Dynamic Analysis of Complex Piping

and Skeletal Structures

SINETZ /SINETZfluid
Steady State Calculation of Flow Distribution, Pressure Drop and Heat
Loss in Branched and Intermeshed Piping Networks

Interface 02.01
PCF - ROHR2 31.2a
PCF SINETZ 3.7

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

Contents of this document are subject to change without notice. The manual is protected by copyright.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, for any purpose, without permission.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
All of the mentioned products and brand names are trademarks or indexed trademarks of the respective
manufacturers.

Software-Support, German
Software-Support, English

++49 (0) 2303 332 33 33

++49 (0) 2303 332 33 44

[email protected]
[email protected]

Published by
SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH
Bertha-von-Suttner-Allee 19
D-59423 Unna
Germany
Telephone +49 (0)2303 332 33-0
Telefax +49 (0)2303 332 33-50
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.rohr2.de www.rohr2.com

www.rohr2.com

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Page i

Content

Content
1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 1

Tasks ............................................................................................................................................................ 1

Data format .................................................................................................................................................. 2

PCF Import - Scope of data conversion ................................................................................................... 2

4.1

Available types of data .................................................................................................................................. 2

4.2

Search sequence for component data........................................................................................................... 3

4.3

General Settings (Basic Header) ................................................................................................................... 3

4.4

General Pipe Details (Pipeline Header)......................................................................................................... 3

4.5

Components .................................................................................................................................................. 4

4.6

Additional instructions ................................................................................................................................... 6

Export of data in PCF format (ROHR2) ...................................................................................................... 6

Configuration file pcf.env ........................................................................................................................... 7

6.1

File format of pcf.env ..................................................................................................................................... 7

6.2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
6.2.4
6.2.5
6.2.6

Defined sections ............................................................................................................................................ 7

Common - general settings ........................................................................................................................... 7
Materials - conversion table for material names ............................................................................................ 8
Attributes - Assignment of attributes to data types ........................................................................................ 8
Supports - Assignment of Support Types ...................................................................................................... 9
NominalSizes_MM - Assigning nominal width to outer diameter, unit mm .................................................. 10
NominalSizes_INCH - Assigning nominal width to outer diameter, unit inch ............................................... 10

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

www.rohr2.com

Page ii

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Contents

www.rohr2.com

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Page 1

Introduction
Available types of data

Interface 02.01

Interface PCF - ROHR2/SINETZ

1 Introduction
The PCF interface is used to convert data from PCF format into ROHR2 and to export ROHR2 system
data in *.pcf format (Pipe Component File)
The PCF format is used by several CAD-systems to create isometrics like AUTODESK Autocad Plant3D ;
Intergraph SMARTPLANT, Pro/ENGINEER.
This interface is used to convert data from several CAD systems into ROHR2.
A configuration file is used to adapt the interface to the data generated by the CAD-system.
The interface PCF- ROHR2 is an optional available program module to be integrated into
ROHR2/SINETZ. The parameter description (manual) is part of the interface software.

2 Tasks
PCF data import
This interface is used to convert data from several CAD systems into ROHR2 and SINETZ.
A configuration file is used to adapt the interface to the data generated by the CAD-system.
Requirements of the data transfer
a current program license of ROHR2/SINETZ
the Interface PCF- ROHR2/ SINETZ
the Neutral interface
The conversion is carried out by two steps:
To read PCF files use the command File| Open. Selected file type must be PCF (*.pcf).
In this process the pcf-files are translated into the format of the neutral interface (see Neutral interface data import, 3.2.4). The scope of conversion depends on the parameters delivered by Alias PCF.

In the dialog window File |Open several files can be selected.

The data of all files is taken over into the calculation system.
ROHR2 PCF data export
The export of data in PCF format (*.pcf) is done in ROHR2 by the function File| Export| PCF.
The PCF Export is part of the PCF Interface (PCF Import interface.
Requirements of the data transfer
a current program license of ROHR2
the Interface PCF- ROHR2

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

www.rohr2.com

Page 2

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Data format
Available types of data

3 Data format
The data is written in PCF format in accordance with ALIAS PCF Format Guide and PCF Component
Reference Guide, Revision 2, rev. 2002. Required file extension is *.pcf.

4 PCF Import - Scope of data conversion

Generally the PCF format is divided into the record sets:
- General settings (basic header)
- General pipe details (pipeline header)
- Pipe components
- Additional component information (materials, item data)

4.1 Available types of data

Normally the following types of data can be converted from a PCF file. The pcf standard attribute is
mentioned, if the type of data normally is supposed to be assigned. Additional assignments can be made
by means of the configuration file pcf.env (see chapter 4.).
Data type
Material
Wall thickness 1 - 4
Insulation thickness
Operation temperature
Operation pressure
Design temperature
Design pressure
Medium density
Coordinates

Description
Material of the component
Wall thickness at connection 1 - 4
Insulation thickness of the component
Operation temperature of the component
Operation pressure of the component
Design temperature of the component
Design pressure of the component
Density of medium
Coordinates of end nodes, branching
nodes or tangential intersection points or
coordinates of supports, heads,

Nominal width

Nominal width at end node or branching

node. By an assignment table in the
configuration file (pcf.env) the referring
outer diameter is determined by means of
the nominal width.

Weight
Nozzle name

Dead weight of component

Name of nozzle

Name

Name of the component

Type of Support

Support type. By default the parameters

of SKEY support types are taken for
ROHR2 in the configuration file (pcf.env)

www.rohr2.com

PCF standard attribute

PIPELINE-TEMP

END-POINT
BRANCH1-POINT
BRANCH2-POINT
CENTRE-POINT
CO-ORDS
END-POINT
BRANCH1-POINT
BRANCH2-POINT

WEIGHT
CONNECTIONREFERENCE
TAG
NAME
SKEY

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Page 3

PCF Import - Scope of data conversion

Search sequence for component data

4.2 Search sequence for component data

The parameters, required by the ROHR2 Neutral interface are taken from the attributes of the referring
pipe (Pipeline Header), from the components themselves and their additional information (Item Data). The
search sequence is:
1. Component attribute
2. Additional information attributes
3. Referring pipe attributes

4.3 General Settings (Basic Header)

Types of general settings to be converted:
- diameter unit (attribute UNITS-BORE),
- coordinates (attribute UNITS-CO-ORDS)
- weights (attribute UNITS-WEIGHT).
These data sets are used to generate the conversion rates for the units, expected by the ROHR2 neutral
interface. Additional data units are defined in the configuration file (pcf.env)

4.4 General Pipe Details (Pipeline Header)

Normally these attributes are taken:
Attribute in PCF
PIPELINE REFERENCE
PIPELINE-TEMP

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

Meaning in NTR
Line name
Line operation temperature

www.rohr2.com

Page 4

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

PCF Import - Scope of data conversion

Components

4.5 Components
The following components are translated into the ROHR2 Neutral file format:
PCF component
BEND
ELBOW
BEND-TEED
ELBOW-TEED

Description
bend

ROHR2 model
bend

Bend with branch

ELBOW-REDUCING

Bend with reducer

CAP
CLAMP
CONNECTOR
CROSS,
CROSS-SET-ON
CROSS-STUB
ELBOLET

End caps all types

Pipe clamp
Connector
All fitting types

Bend, for the branch a pipe

segment is created and
connected to the end node of the
bend
Bend with constant diameter.
Reducer is not considered
Bottom/head
Single mass
Pipe segment
Pipe segments

FILTER
FILTER-ANGLE
FILTER-OFFSET
FILTER-RETURN
MISC-COMPONENT
MISC-COMPONENT-ANGLE
MISC-COMPONENT-OFFSET
MISC-COMPONENT-RETURN
MISC-HYGIENIC
TRAP
TRAP-ANGLE
TRAP-OFFSET
TRAP-RETURN
FLANGE
FLANGE-BLIND
INSTRUMENT
INSTRUMENT-OFFSET
INSTRUMENT-RETURN
VALVE
INSTRUMENT-3WAY
INSTRUMENT-TEE
VALVE-3WAY
INSTRUMENT-4WAY
VALVE-4WAY
INSTRUMENT-ANGLE
VALVE-ANGLE

www.rohr2.com

Contoured branch
connector
Filter, other components

Pipe segment

Flange
Blind flange
Instrument

Flange
Blind flange
Instrument

instrument 3-way,
instrument with branch

3-way valve

instrument 4-way,

4-way valve

Instrument angle

angle valve

Rigid element, analog to

instrument

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Page 5

PCF Import - Scope of data conversion

Components

PCF component
NOZZLE
OLET

Description
nozzle
Weldolet

PIPE
PIPE-BLOCK-FIXED
PIPE-BLOCK-VARIABLE
PIPE-FIXED
REDUCER-CONCENTRIC
REDUCER-ECCENTRIC
SUPPORT
TEE
TEE-SET-ON
TEE-STUB
Y-PIECE-FABRICATED
Y-PIECE-FITTING

Pipe segment

ROHR2 model
Anchor point
Branch with weldolet, component
name is TEW/TAW at the node
Pipe segment

reducer
concentric/eccentric
support
tee
Welded nozzle

reducer
Support of the mentioned type
tee (fitting)
Pipe segment

Y-(Form)-fitting

Pipe segment

These components are replaced by extending the connecting component, because they are not important
for the ROHR2 model:
PCF component
GASKET
LAPJOINT-STUBEND
LAPJOINT-RING
UNION
WELD
SAFETY-DISC

Description
gasket
connector

Welding seam
Safety disc

Normally for all components these attributes are interpreted:

Attribute in PCF
END-POINT
BRANCH1-POINT
BRANCH2-POINT
CENTRE-POINT
CO-ORDS
SKEY
WEIGHT
ITEM-CODE
CONNECTION-REFERENCE
TAG
NAME

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

Meaning in NTR
Coordinates and nominal width of the component end node
Coordinates and nominal width of the component branch end
node
Coordinates of the center or tangential intersection point of a
component
Component coordinates
Shape Key, additional component type information
weight
Input of the Item code with additional component details
Nozzle name at component NOZZLE
Component name

www.rohr2.com

Page 6

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Export of data in PCF format (ROHR2)

Additional instructions

4.6 Additional instructions

Additionally the following attributes are considered:
Attribut in PCF
END-CONNECTIONPIPELINE

Description
Connection to another
pipe

ROHR2 model
All components in front of this attribute get
the line name defined by ENDCONNECTION-PIPELINE

5 Export of data in PCF format (ROHR2)

The ROHR2 model can be exported in PCF format. The data format corresponds to the description in
chapter 3.
In addition to the standard attributes the following data records are added for the export by attributes:
Type of data
Outer diameter
Wall thickness
Insultion thickness
Material
Design temperature
Design pressure

Attribute
R2_OUTER_DIAM
R2_WALL_THK
R2_INS_THK
R2_MAT
R2_DESIGN_TEMP
R2_DESIGN_PRESS

The names of the attributes can be adapted by means of the configuration file pcf.env (see chapter 5.2.3).

www.rohr2.com

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Page 7

Configuration file pcf.env

File format of pcf.env

6 Configuration file pcf.env

The configuration of the PCF file conversion is done by means of the file pcf.env.
It is searched for the file pcf.env in the project directory at first, after that in the ROHR2\R2WIN directory.

6.1 File format of pcf.env

The file is subdivided by sections. A section starts with the section name in brackets, e.g. [Supports]. The
name needs to be placed in the first column.
Each Section may include any number of parameter definitions, following the section name.
Input of the parameters like:
name => value
If the parameter or value includes empty space characters, it needs to be surrounded by turned commas,
WX=0, WY=0. The parameter name needs to be placed in the first column.
Comments are introduced by C in the first column.

6.2 Defined sections

These sections are defined:

6.2.1

Common - general settings

Here the common data for PCF conversion are defined.

Definition of the coordinate system:
Conversion of the PCF- file direction details (EastWest, NorthSouth, Elevation) into the coordinate system
directions (X, Y, Z).
Parameter
CS_EW
CS_NS
CS_EL

Meaning
Coordinate axis of East-West direction (X, Y, or Z)
Coordinate axis of North-South direction (X, Y, or Z)
Coordinate axis of vertical /elevation direction (X, Y, or Z)

Additional input for units in PCF file

In addition to the units in the Basic Header of the PCF file here the units of additional data like pressure,
temperature, etc are defined.
Parameter
UNIT_T

UNIT_P

UNIT_RHO

Meaning
Temperature unit in PCF file, possible inputs are:
F (= Fahrenheit)
C ( = Celsius)
K ( = Kelvin)
Pressure unit in PCF file, possible inputs are:
BAR
PSI
Density unit in PCF file, possible inputs are:
KGM3 (= kg/m)
LBFT3 (= lb/ft)
LBIN3 ( = lb/in)

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

www.rohr2.com

Page 8

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Configuration file pcf.env

Defined sections

6.2.2

Materials - conversion table for material names

The material names in the pcf file are converted into material names from the ROHR2 material file format:
[Material_PCF] => [Material_ROHR2]
The input of any number of material assignments is allowed.
Example:
[Materials]
A 106 B => SA106B

6.2.3

Attributes - Assignment of attributes to data types

Input of a table of a table for the assignment of record types and attributes in the PCF file. This is used to
define assignments beyond the standard configuration and to transmit additional data to ROHR2. E.g.,
information from additional component attributes can be used (attribute names COMPONENTATTRIBUTE1 - COMPONENT-ATTRIBUTE9).
The standard assignments can be overwritten by this assignment table.
Data types are assigned by parameter names to an attribute in the pcf-file. The attribute can be used in
piping general information (Pipeline Header), at pipe components or at the components additional
information (Materials, Item Data), see also chapter 3.2, Search Sequence).
Assignments can be defined for these data types:
Data type
Material
Wall thickness 1 - 41 4

Insulation thickness
Operation temperature
Operation pressure
Design temperature
Design pressure
Medium density
weight
Type of Support

Parameter name in pcf.env

Att_Mat
Att_WallThk1,
Att_WallThk2
Att_WallThk3
Att_WallThk4
Att_IsThk
Att_TempOper
Att_PressOper
Att_TempDesign
Att_PressDesign
Att_RhoMed
Att_Weight
Att_SupType

Standard Attribute in PCF

PIPELINE-TEMP

WEIGHT
SKEY

Example:
[Attributes]
Att_Mat => Component-Attribute3

www.rohr2.com

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Page 9

Configuration file pcf.env

Defined sections

6.2.4

Supports - Assignment of Support Types

Input of an assignment table containing the support names of the PCF-file and the support types of the
ROHR2 neutral interface (see neutral interface manual).
The name of the support in the PCF file here is the sequence of characters of the attribute, assigned to
the type of support (default: attribute SKEY).
By the parameter DefaultSupportType additionally a standard type of support can be defined. This
type of support is used in ROHR2 for all supports which are not mentioned in the assignment table.
The assignment table is pre-defined as following:
Name of the support in the
PCF file
01HG
ANCH
SKID
DUCK
SPRG
HANG
GUID

ROHR2 support
type
FL
FP
GL
GL
FH
SH
FL

Description
Slide bearing, guided
Anchor point
Slide bearing
Slide bearing
Spring hanger
Rigid Hanger
Slide bearing, guided

Example:
[Supports]
DefaultSupportType => GL
01HG => FL
ANCH => FP

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH

www.rohr2.com

Page 10

ROHR2 / SINETZ PCF Interface

Configuration file pcf.env

Defined sections

6.2.5

NominalSizes_MM - Assigning nominal width to outer diameter, unit mm

For the components only a nominal width must be entered at the end nodes. The outer diameter in [mm],
referring to the nominal width here is determined by the assignment table.
This table is used, if the diameter unit (attribute UNITS-BORE in the basic header) is = MM.
For other settings the table NominalSizes_INCH (chapter 4.2.6) is used.
The table pre-settings are standard nominal widths and outer diameters in [mm].
Example:
[NominalSizes_MM]
10
=> 17.2
15
=> 21.3
20
=> 26.9

6.2.6

NominalSizes_INCH - Assigning nominal width to outer diameter, unit

inch

For the components only a nominal width must be entered at the end nodes. The outer diameter in [inch],
referring to the nominal width here is determined by the assignment table.
This table is used, if the diameter unit (attribute UNITS-BORE in the basic header) is = INCH or INCHSIXTEENTHS.
For other settings the table NominalSizes_MM (chapter 4.2.5) is used.
The table pre-settings are standard nominal widths and outer diameters in [inch].
Example:
[NominalSizes_INCH]
0.125 => 0.405
0.25 => 0.540
0.375 => 0.675

www.rohr2.com

SIGMA Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH