COMPASS TOOL FOR COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN OF BENDS OR CONNECTIONS OF PIPING OR CONDUIT

摘要

A compass tool for use with a digital modeling (e.g., a computer-aided design (CAD)) program to model and visualize rotation of a conduit bend or other connector. The compass tool generates a graphical representation of a compass or compass element. The compass element has a planar, circular-shaped body that is arranged orthogonal to the end of conduit to be sandwiched between the conduit end and the first end of the connector. The compass element's body is formed with one to four or more bands that are each defined by concentric rings having increasing diameters and centers coinciding with the center of the compass body. Compass measurement marks are provided with differing divisions in each band, e.g., 90 degree increments marked in the first (innermost band), 45 degree increments marked in the second band, 15 degree increments marked in the third band, and 5 degree increments marked in the fourth band.