ToolHuts

Practical tools for measured work

Eccentric & Concentric Reducer Layout Developer

Develop the flat-pattern template for a pipe reducer, concentric or eccentric, including the fully flush case.

Calculate the layout, check the diagram, then print the result for the shop or jobsite.

mm
mm
mm
mm

0 = concentric reducer. Set to (bottom radius − top radius) for a fully flush eccentric reducer with one straight vertical side.

Points from the near seam to the far seam. 5-8 is typical.

Near seam (join here)Half AHalf B (mirror image)
Near (short) side length200.0mm
Far (long) side length223.6mm
Bottom circumference785.4mm
Top circumference471.2mm
Fully flush (one vertical side)Yes
ConcentricNo

Cut two mirror-image halves (Half A and Half B) and join them at both seams - the near seam shown is exact by construction; true up the far seam to fit, as with any triangulated development.

How it works

How to use it: enter the larger (bottom) and smaller (top) diameters, the vertical height between them, and the offset between their centers. Leave offset at 0 for a concentric reducer (both centers aligned), or set it up to bottom radius − top radius for a fully eccentric reducer with one perfectly straight, vertical side - the most common eccentric reducer style, used wherever one edge needs to stay flush (level floors, level pipe inverts).

Method: triangulation, split at the offset axis. Both circles are divided into equal angular steps from the near seam (nearest the offset direction) to the far seam (180° around), and the two open arcs are triangulated with the same minimum-diagonal method used for the square-to-round developer, then unrolled using true 3D edge lengths. Because the shape is symmetric about the offset axis, the second half is an exact mirror of the first - only one half needs to be computed.

Worked check. With the defaults (250 mm bottom, 150 mm top, 200 mm height): bottom radius 125 mm − top radius 75 mm = 50 mm, which is exactly the entered offset - so this is a fully flush reducer, and the near side comes out to exactly the height, 200 mm (the shortest a straight side can be between the two planes). The far side is longer, at 223.6 mm. Lower the offset toward 0 and both sides converge to the concentric value, 206.2 mm, matching the cone flat pattern tool for the same non-offset dimensions.

Current-input example

The result above uses these exact values. This snapshot is included when the page is printed so the output can be checked against the original measurements.

Larger (bottom) diameter
250 mm
Smaller (top) diameter
150 mm
Vertical height
200 mm
Offset
50 mm
Development lines per half
6

Primary result: Near (short) side length: 200.0 mm.

Before using the result

  • Measure from the datum or reference edge described by this tool, and do not mix inside, outside and centerline dimensions.
  • Keep inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final cutting or purchasing tolerance requires.
  • When the result is close to a limit, verify it with a test piece, field measurement, manufacturer drawing or qualified project professional.

Limitations

This is a triangulated approximation, standard for eccentric reducer layout. The near seam (where both halves share the same seed edge) is exact; a very small gap or overlap can accumulate by the far seam for a strongly eccentric, low-line-count pattern - increase development lines to tighten it, and true up the seam by eye when fitting.

The pattern is the bare developed geometry only - add seam allowance, hem or lap separately, on the outside of the printed outline, before cutting.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'fully flush' mean?

When the offset equals the bottom radius minus the top radius, the near-side generatrix becomes exactly vertical - the classic eccentric reducer shape used when one side of a pipe or duct run must stay level or flush while the diameter steps down.

How is this different from the cone flat pattern tool?

The cone tool solves a concentric frustum analytically (a closed-form formula). A concentric reducer is the same shape, but the moment the top and bottom centers are offset it's no longer a simple cone, so this tool uses triangulation instead - the same method extends cleanly to any offset, including fully flush.