What does the PIPE-FLO SDK do?

Using the SDK, you can write a software application that can obtain information (either design data or calculated results) about the piping system model directly from the PIPE-FLO program. In addition, your application can send information to PIPE-FLO to modify the piping system model, and then return the calculated results to your application.

What programming languages does the SDK support?

Your application can be written in Visual Basic, Visual C++, or any development environment capable of communication with Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs). Your application communicates with the PIPE-FLO program via a communication module supplied with the PIPE-FLO SDK.

What is included in the PIPE-FLO SDK?

The PIPE-FLO SDK includes:

• A license to distribute the communication modules (included with the SDK) responsible for passing data between your custom application and PIPE-FLO.
• Technical Support for one year.
• The SDK documentation in electronic format.
• A variety of examples, including the source code for the TEST program (written in Visual Basic) demonstrating how to communicate with PIPE-FLO Professional.

What types of applications can be developed using the PIPE-FLO SDK?

With the PIPE-FLO SDK, your application can:

• Add functionally to the PIPE-FLO Professional program.
• Use design information and calculated results from the piping system model while running PIPE-FLO in the background.
• Seamlessly integrate PIPE-FLO with other mission critical applications such as maintenance management, or process monitoring software.

For applications dealing with fluid piping systems, you can save valuable time by taking advantage of the information in the PIPE-FLO piping system model using the PIPE-FLO SDK.

How could my application add functionally to PIPE-FLO Professional?

Using the PIPE-FLO SDK, your application can request design data or calculated results using PIPE-FLO Professional and the piping system model. The custom application can perform specialized calculations, print custom reports, or update the piping system model. You can complete the integration by adding your own menu items to PIPE-FLO's Tools menu.

Can my application just use PIPE-FLO Professional as a calculation engine?

Using the SDK, you can develop applications that just take advantage of PIPE-FLO's fast calculation engine, but does not show the user the PIPE-FLO interface.

For example, there is no Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) instrumentation, but if a pump's NPSH is not being met, the pump will fail quickly. You could develop an application that reads data from the plant's Distributive Control System (DCS). Using the system information, your application could set up the PIPE-FLO model to calculate the NPSH available and compare it to the NPSH required for the pump. The application could then connect back into the DCS system and notify the operators of problems with the pump.

How could I integrate PIPE-FLO with an existing application?

Let's say your plant has a maintenance management program that keeps a maintenance history of every item in the plant. Using the PIPE-FLO SDK and the SDK for your plant's maintenance management software, it would be possible to click on an object on the piping schematic and have a FLO-Link start up and display the maintenance history for the selected item. Using this approach PIPE-FLO provides an easy to use front-end to other mission critical applications.

How difficult is it to develop an application using the PIPE-FLO SDK?

The PIPE-FLO SDK is a tool for the experienced application programmer. Your application will need to communicate with PIPE-FLO by making calls to Dynamic Link Libraries supplied with the PIPE-FLO SDK, using the commands and syntax supplied in the SDK instructions.

If you have additional questions about the PIPE-FLO Software Development Kit, please feel free to contact Engineered Software.