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P&ID software upgrades 2-D drawings, streamlines workflow
- By Eric Lundin
- September 30, 2014
- Article
- Shop Management
Situation
Cougar Fuel Systems, Houston, found itself in a difficult position. It was using 2-D software for piping and instrumentation design (P & ID) in an increasingly 3-D world. Its existing software package was adequate for the job, but the latest software was much more capable and offered many more features, such as workflow management, in addition to 3-D renderings. The company, a manufacturer of mission-critical fuel systems typically used for emergency generators, needed to upgrade its software to grow, but it was too busy with its current business to deal with an interruption, and it certainly wouldn’t have time to convert all of its existing 2-D drawings to 3-D format.
The full scope of the company’s needs presented complex challenges. Company management was interested in optimizing workflows in such a way that various and demanding design processes could be integrated and coordinated, thereby shortening the overall production time while still improving the quality.
The basic requirement was the connection to the existing CAD system, SolidWorks®, but this was just a start. Daniel Leos, Cougar Fuel Systems’ product development and marketing manager, said the company was looking for software that would allow them to do more in less time—software that would reduce the drawing and design phase drastically, provide accurate drawings to enable a streamlined manufacturing process, and provide more detailed documentation. In addition, the company needed software that could be operated by less experienced staff.
Specifically, the components and pipes constructed in 2-D software would have to be reused without effort and intermediate steps in a 3-D system. In other words, the software would have to convert 2-D models to 3-D without a system change. Changing the system, a process called uncoupling, can introduce errors. Another requirement involved a filter function with which the suppliers and parts lists can be processed to assess the parts earlier in the design process than with the existing software.
Resolution
The company chose Smap3D P & ID and Smap3D Piping in combination with SolidWorks for the drafting and construction of pipelines. The new software, developed by CAD Partner Products Inc., provides an integrated design process from a 2-D drawing to a 3-D flow diagram based on central pipe class definitions. The system doesn’t rely on importing or exporting, but provides automatic connection and enables information sharing.
“In the few weeks in which I have been using Smap3D Piping, I have noticed a significant time savings in drawing the racks that we produce,” Leos said. “The pipe classes and PartFinder modules from Smap3D allow me to easily add the correct pipes and supply parts to my database to obtain a complete and thorough 3-D production drawing.”
Leos noticed other benefits such as improved communication with customers, suppliers, service providers, and Cougar colleagues through P & ID PDF and the use of lists and reports for early orders and changes. In particular, he noted that the to-do list supports structured work and helps users to construct 3-D models quickly and accurately with the information from the 2-D P&ID. Both match, so there is no confusion about which of the two is more recent.
Leos also said that automatically generating pipelines and using a common database both play a major role in saving time. Standard and supplier parts from equipment and piping structures are recorded via a database and pipe classes in the 3-D CAD environment.
Furthermore, Leos noted that support from the CAD Partner team eased the implementation process. After the initial training, additional online meetings helped his staff master the new system. The ability to share the screen with the coach and handle problems visually was a big help in training Cougar’s employees.
“The close cooperation with the CAD Partner technical support team allowed me to put this software into operation quickly and efficiently. The technical support was always easy to reach, either by phone, e-mail, or online meetings, when we had technical questions or needed advice,” Leos said.
CAD Partner Products Inc., 1153 Lincoln Ave., Suite D, San Jose, CA 95125, 408-600-0536, info@smap3d.com, www.smap3d.com
Cougar Fuel Systems, 14824 Tomball Parkway, Suite 150, Houston, TX 77086, 832-912-7500, info@cougarfuelsystems, www.cougarfuelsystems.com
About the Author
Eric Lundin
2135 Point Blvd
Elgin, IL 60123
815-227-8262
Eric Lundin worked on The Tube & Pipe Journal from 2000 to 2022.
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