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AVEVA
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PURPOSE.
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use of this material.
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Copyright 1991 through 2005 AVEVA Solutions Limit Copyright 1991 through 2005 AVEVA Solutions Limiteded All
All rights rights reserved. reserved. No No part part of of this this document may document may be be reproduced, stored reproduced, stored in in a a retrievalretrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of AVEVA photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Ltd.
Solutions Ltd.
The software programs described in this document are confidential information and The software programs described in this document are confidential information and proprietary products of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its licensors.
proprietary products of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its licensors.
For details of AVEVA's worl
For details of AVEVA's worldwide sales and suppodwide sales and support offices, see our website atrt offices, see our website at http://www.aveva.com
AVEVA
AVEVA SOLUTIONS LTD SOLUTIONS LTD MAKES MAKES NO NO WARRANWARRANTY TY OF OF ANY ANY KIND KIND WITH WITH REGARDREGARD TO THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED TO THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
PURPOSE.
While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this document, AVEVA While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this document, AVEVA Solutions Ltd shall not be liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, Solutions Ltd shall not be liable for errors contained herein or direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance or incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance or use of this material.
use of this material.
This manual provides documentation relating to products to which you may not have This manual provides documentation relating to products to which you may not have access or which may not be licensed to you. For further information on which Products access or which may not be licensed to you. For further information on which Products are licensed to you please refer to your licence conditions.
are licensed to you please refer to your licence conditions.
Copyright 1991 through 2005 AVEVA Solutions Limit Copyright 1991 through 2005 AVEVA Solutions Limiteded All
All rights rights reserved. reserved. No No part part of of this this document may document may be be reproduced, stored reproduced, stored in in a a retrievalretrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of AVEVA photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of AVEVA Solutions Ltd.
Solutions Ltd.
The software programs described in this document are confidential information and The software programs described in this document are confidential information and proprietary products of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its licensors.
proprietary products of AVEVA Solutions Ltd or its licensors.
For details of AVEVA's worl
For details of AVEVA's worldwide sales and suppodwide sales and support offices, see our website atrt offices, see our website at http://www.aveva.com
1
1 IntroIntroductioduction n to to this this GuideGuide ...1-3...1-3
1.1
1.1 The The Scope Scope of of the the GuideGuide ... ... ... ....1-3....1-3 1.2
1.2 Learning to Use SPOOLER...1-3Learning to Use SPOOLER...1-3 1.3
1.3 Further Training in PDMS...1-4Further Training in PDMS...1-4 1.4
1.4 Some Some TerminologTerminologyy ... ... ... ... 1-41-4 1.5
1.5 How How the the Guide Guide is is OrganisedOrganised ... ... ... 1-51-5 1.6
1.6 Terms Terms and and ConventionsConventions ... ... ... ....1-6....1-6
1.6.1
1.6.1 Instruction Instruction TermsTerms ...1-6...1-6 1.6.2
1.6.2 ConventionsConventions ... 1-71-7
2
2 What PDMS What PDMS SPOOLSPOOLER ER OffeOffers rs YouYou ...2-1...2-1
2.1
2.1 Pipework Spooling...2-1Pipework Spooling...2-1 2.2
2.2 Database Usage...2-1Database Usage...2-1 2.3 2.3 3D 3D GraphicsGraphics ... ... ... ... 2-22-2 2.4 2.4 Numbering...2-2Numbering...2-2 2.5 2.5 NamingNaming... ... ... ... .2-2.2-2 2.6
2.6 Spooling Spooling Volume Volume CalculationCalculation ... ... ... 2-22-2 2.7
2.7 Drawing Drawing OutputOutput ... ... ... ... 2-32-3
3
3 Controlling SPOOLER...3-1Controlling SPOOLER...3-1
3.1
3.1 Starting a SPOOLER Session...3-1Starting a SPOOLER Session...3-1 3.2
3.2 Using Using the the MouseMouse ... ... ... ... 3-43-4 3.3
3.3 Using Using MenusMenus ... ... ... ... 3-43-4 3.4
3.4 Using the Tool Bar Icon Buttons...3-5Using the Tool Bar Icon Buttons...3-5
3.4.1
3.4.1 Tool Tool TipsTips ... 3-53-5
3.5
3.5 TheThe 3D View 3D View WindowWindow ... ... ... ... 3-53-5 3.6
3.6 The The Status Status BarBar ... ... ... ... 3-63-6 3.7
3.7 Using Forms and their Controls...3-6Using Forms and their Controls...3-6
3.7.1
3.7.1 Option Option ButtonsButtons ... 3-63-6 3.7.2
3.7.2 Check Check BoxesBoxes ... 3-73-7 3.7.3
3.7.3 Using Text Boxes...3-7Using Text Boxes...3-7 3.7.4
3.7.4 Drop-Down Drop-Down ListsLists ...3-8...3-8 3.7.5
3.7.5 Using Scrollable Lists...3-8Using Scrollable Lists...3-8 3.7.6
3.7.6 Control Control ButtonsButtons ...3-8...3-8
3.8
3.8 Alert Forms... Alert Forms... ... ... ... ... 3-93-9 3.9
4
4 SettiSetting ng Up Up the Database Hierarthe Database Hierarchychy ... 4-14-1
4.1
4.1 How How PDMS PDMS Stores Stores DataData ... ... ... ... 4-14-1 4.2
4.2 Creating Creating Some Some Administrative Administrative ElementsElements ... ... ... 4-34-3
5
5 ContrControlling olling the the 3D 3D View...View... 5-15-1
5.1
5.1 Setting Setting up up a a 3D 3D View View WindowWindow ... ... ... 5-25-2
5.1.1
5.1.1 View View ContentsContents ... 5-25-2 5.1.2
5.1.2 View View LimitsLimits ... 5-35-3 5.1.3
5.1.3 Type Type of of ViewView... 5-35-3
5.2
5.2 ManipulatinManipulating g the the Displayed Displayed View...View... ... ... 5-55-5 5.3
5.3 Saving Saving and and Restoring Restoring a a View...View... ... 5-75-7
6
6 PrepPreparing the aring the Site for Site for SpooSpoolingling ... 6-16-1
6.1
6.1 Checking Checking the the Design Design DataData ... ... ... 6-16-1 6.2
6.2 Inspecting Inspecting the the SiteSite ... ... ... ... 6-16-1 6.3
6.3 Measuring Measuring the the Pipe Pipe LengthsLengths ... ... ... 6-36-3 6.4
6.4 Inserting Inserting WeldsWelds ... ... ... ... 6-56-5
6.4.1
6.4.1 Inserting a Weld at Inserting a Weld at a Design a Design PointPoint ... 6-66-6 6.4.2
6.4.2 Separating Separating the Hethe Header ader PipePipe ... 6-66-6 6.4.3
6.4.3 Splitting a Tube with Splitting a Tube with a Weld...a Weld... 6-86-8
7
7 SpooSpooling ling the the PipinPiping g NetworNetworkk ... 7-17-1
7.1
7.1 Pipework Pipework SpoolingSpooling... ... ... ... 7-17-1 7.2
7.2 Spooling Spooling the the Piping Piping Network...Network... ... 7-27-2
7.2.1
7.2.1 Numbering Numbering the the Spool Spool DrawingDrawing ... 7-47-4 7.2.2
7.2.2 Navigating Navigating Between Between the the DatabasesDatabases ... 7-57-5 7.2.3
7.2.3 Selecting Selecting Adjacent Adjacent Field Field ComponentsComponents ... 7-57-5
8
8 Advanced Advanced Spooler Spooler Features...Features... 8-18-1
8.1
8.1 Checking Checking the the Spool Spool Size...Size... ... ... ... 8-18-1
8.1.1
8.1.1 Selecting the Numbering USelecting the Numbering Update Optiopdate Optionsns... 8-28-2
8.2
8.2 Changing Changing the the Shop/Field Shop/Field SettingSetting ... ... ... 8-48-4 8.3
8.3 Forcing Forcing a Spoa Spool Brol Break at eak at a Joia Joint...nt... ... ... 8-58-5 8.4
8.4 Forcing a Forcing a Spool Break Spool Break at a Specifieat a Specified Element Ld Element Level...evel... ... 8-68-6
9
9 OutpuOutputting tting Spool Spool Data...Data... 9-19-1
9.1
9.1 Plotting Plotting the the Spool Spool Drawings...Drawings... ... ... 9-19-1 9.2
9.2 Isometric Isometric Drawing Drawing Contents...Contents... ... ... 9-59-5
9.2.1
9.2.1 Drawing Drawing AnnotationsAnnotations ... 9-79-7
Index i Index i
1
Introduction to this Guide
1.1
The Scope of the Guide
This guide introduces PDMS SPOOLER, AVEVA Solutions Ltd’s pipework spooling module. The guide assumes that you are already familiar with either pipework design or piping fabrication practices, but does not assume any prior knowledge of computer-aided design systems. The guide explains the main concepts underlying SPOOLER and shows you how you can apply these to your own design projects, by getting you to carry out a tutorial exercise. This guide does not give step-by-step
instructions on how to carry out specific spooling functions, since you can access such information using the on-line help facilities incorporated into the program’s graphical user interface.
1.2
Learning to Use SPOOLER
The aim of this guide is to help you to learn to use SPOOLER as quickly as possible. Once you have grasped the basic principles, you will find that most operations quickly become intuitive.
The best way to learn is to experiment with the product for yourself. To facilitate this, the guide comprises two concurrent sequences of
information:
• Explanations of the concepts, given at the points at which each is
first encountered as the exercise progresses.
• A hands-on tutorial exercise, which gives a step-by-step practical
introduction to the ways in which you might use the application. The tutorial is based on the sample project supplied with PDMS.
Experienced PDMS users will find that the early chapters of this guide are
common with PDMS Design. As such you may wish to look quickly through these sections, just carrying out the tutorial steps in Chapters 3, 4 and 5. The main part of the spooling tutorial begins in Chapter 6.
The intention is that you should work progressively through this guide, pausing to learn about each new concept as it is introduced and carrying out the related steps in the tutorial, to reinforce the learning process. The steps which make up the exercise are numbered sequentially
through the guide. The start and end of each section of the exercise are marked by double lines across the page, to separate the tutorial from the general information sections, like this:
1.3
Further Training in PDMS
Although this guide will teach you to understand the key features of using SPOOLER, it cannot possibly show you all the facilities available, nor can it identify the best ways in which you might use the program to suit your own individual design practices.
To get the best out of PDMS and its supporting applications, it is important that you receive proper training in its use from a qualified instructor, who can answer your questions as they arise and give you advice on tailoring your techniques to best match your objectives. A wide range of training courses are provided by AVEVA Solutions Ltd, covering all levels of expertise and all design disciplines. To arrange attendance on such a course, contact your nearest AVEVA Solutions Ltd support office for further details (see the copyright page at the front of this guide for a link to our web site, which gives contact details).
1.4
Some Terminology
As you might imagine, a program with the wide-ranging power of PDMS is necessarily large and, if you had simultaneous access to all of its
features, could be rather daunting. To make the whole program easily controllable, it is subdivided into convenient functional parts. These are referred to throughout this guide by the following terms:
• Modules are subdivisions of PDMS which you use to carry out
specific types of operation. This guide is concerned with the
SPOOLER module, used to divide pipework networks into spools for fabrication.
• Applications provide interfaces to PDMS which are specific to
particular disciplines. For example, the Pipework Application is used in PDMS to design the piping networks.
You can switch between the different parts of the program, so that the distinctions between them become almost imperceptible, but you need to recognise which facilities are available in which applications.
1.5
How the Guide is Organised
This guide is divided into a number of chapters, presenting the
information in a logical flow. There are also some appendices presenting additional reference information. The contents of the chapters and
appendices are as follows:
• Chapter 1 - Introduction to this Guide (this chapter)
Summarises the scope of this guide.
• Chapter 2 - What PDMS SPOOLER Offers You
Gives a general overview of the pipework spooling application.
• Chapter 3 - Controlling SPOOLER
Gives you a general guide to using the SPOOLER graphical user interface (GUI), including an explanation of how to access detailed on-line help. If you are already familiar with similar forms and menus interfaces, you should be able to read through this chapter rapidly. Do not ignore it altogether, however, as it tells you how to start the SPOOLER module.
• Chapter 4 - Setting Up the Database Hierarchy
Explains how SPOOLER stores its data and how the two databases are linked.
• Chapter 5 - Controlling the 3D View
Describes how you can easily set-up and manipulate 3D Views.
• Chapter 6 - Beginning to Spool the Piping Network
Explains the key features of pipework spooling using the PDMS SPOOLER module and describes what actions to take before you begin the spooling and how to split a piping network into a number of spools, using the default shop flag settings.
• Chapter 7 - Advanced Spooler Features
Describes the advanced features which affect the Design model and database.
• Chapter 8 - Outputting Spool Data
Shows you how to generate isometric plots of the Spool Drawings, using the ISODRAFT module. .
• Appendix A - SPOOLER Menu Hierarchies
Shows the complete menu hierarchy for the SPOOLER and ISODRAFT modules.
•
• Appendix B - Appendix B - Reference Reference InformationInformation
Provides additional informat
Provides additional information on some aspects of ion on some aspects of the SPOOLERthe SPOOLER program and describes some special cases.
program and describes some special cases.
•
• IndexIndex
1.6
1.6
Terms
Terms and
and Conventions
Conventions
The following sections describe the terms and conventions used in this The following sections describe the terms and conventions used in this User Guide.
User Guide.
1.6.1
1.6.1 Instruction
Instruction Terms
Terms
The following terms are used throughout this guide, to
The following terms are used throughout this guide, to describe whatdescribe what action to carry out.
action to carry out.
Term Description
Term Description
Click
Click Place Place the the mouse mouse cursor cursor over over the the specifiedspecified point, then quickly press and release the point, then quickly press and release the designated mouse button.
designated mouse button.
If no button is specified always use the If no button is specified always use the left-hand mouse button.
hand mouse button. Double-click
Double-click Quickly Quickly click click the the left-hand left-hand mouse mouse buttonbutton two times over the designated object. two times over the designated object. Pick
Pick Click Click on on the the desired desired element element in in the the 3D3D View window, to select it.
View window, to select it. Drag
Drag Place Place the the mouse mouse cursor cursor over over the the specifiedspecified point on the screen; then press and
point on the screen; then press and hold thehold the designated mouse button move the mouse designated mouse button move the mouse cursor to the required point. When the cursor to the required point. When the mouse cursor is over the
mouse cursor is over the required point,required point, release the button.
release the button. Enter
Enter Type Type text text into into the the specified specified dialogue dialogue boxbox and the press the
1.6.2 Conventions
1.6.2 Conventions
The following conventions are used throughout this guide, to enable you The following conventions are used throughout this guide, to enable you to easily understand the instructions in
to easily understand the instructions in the tutorial.the tutorial.
Item Convention
Item Convention
Control
Control names names The nThe name for ame for any coany control ntrol you must you must select select isis shown in
shown in Narrow BoldNarrow Bold text; e.g. thetext; e.g. the ApplyApply button.
button. Menu
Menu options options Menus Menus selections selections are are shown shown inin Narrow BoldNarrow Bold text with the
text with the >> character used to separatecharacter used to separate the levels; e.g.
the levels; e.g. Display>DrawlistDisplay>Drawlist - means select- means select the
the DrawlistDrawlist option from theoption from the DisplayDisplay menu.menu. Form
Form names names The The name name of of any any form form is is shown shown ininItalic Italic text;text; e.g.
SPOOLER
SPOOLER is the pipework spooling module for AVEVA Solutions Ltd’sis the pipework spooling module for AVEVA Solutions Ltd’s Plant Design Management System (PDMS). It allows you to
Plant Design Management System (PDMS). It allows you to split thesplit the pipework design int
pipework design into logical sections (spooo logical sections (spools) ls) ready for fabricationready for fabrication. The. The spool data can then be output as
spool data can then be output as isometric drawings usingisometric drawings using ISODRAFTISODRAFT..
2.1
2.1
Pipework
Pipework Spooling
Spooling
SPOOLER works with Spool Drawings (SPLDRGs) ,
SPOOLER works with Spool Drawings (SPLDRGs) , which are created bywhich are created by selecting an interconnected network of piping components to
selecting an interconnected network of piping components to be added tobe added to the drawing. Once you have selected the elements, the
the drawing. Once you have selected the elements, the application checksapplication checks that your selections form a valid piping network.
that your selections form a valid piping network.
Spool Drawings contain a number of complete Spool and Field elements, Spool Drawings contain a number of complete Spool and Field elements, divided by Spool Breaks, where a
divided by Spool Breaks, where a SPOOLSPOOL is defined as a run of pipingis defined as a run of piping components and tube that will
components and tube that will be connected during fabrication and abe connected during fabrication and a FIELD
FIELD is an individual or group of is an individual or group of piping components that will bepiping components that will be
connected on-site during the erection phase. Spools cannot be split across connected on-site during the erection phase. Spools cannot be split across Spool Drawings.
Spool Drawings.
Spool Breaks are normally defined by the software, when the
Spool Breaks are normally defined by the software, when the applicationapplication detects a change in the status of
detects a change in the status of the Shop Flag (where the Shop Flagthe Shop Flag (where the Shop Flag indicates whether the component will be
indicates whether the component will be included in a fincluded in a fabricatedabricated
assembly (SHOP) or fitted during the erection phase (FIELD)). You can assembly (SHOP) or fitted during the erection phase (FIELD)). You can also force spool breaks manually, at joints
also force spool breaks manually, at joints where the Shop Flags are thewhere the Shop Flags are the same on all sides, and add Welds, to split pipes, in the design.
same on all sides, and add Welds, to split pipes, in the design.
By setting the SFLimit (Spool/Field Limit) attribute for a SPLDRG to By setting the SFLimit (Spool/Field Limit) attribute for a SPLDRG to either BRAN, PIPE, ZONE or SITE,
either BRAN, PIPE, ZONE or SITE, a spool break will be a spool break will be enforced at anyenforced at any change at the corresponding element level.
change at the corresponding element level.
2.2
2.2
Database
Database Usage
Usage
Spooler uses two databases: Spooler uses two databases:
Fabrication database
Fabrication database - This contains all your - This contains all your spooling data.spooling data. Design database
Spooler has full read/write access to the Fabrication database but has only limited access to the Design database, only being allowed to change attributes relevant to the fabrication of the pipework (e.g. specifying Field Welds).
2.3
3D Graphics
The pipework design or spooling models can be viewed at any angle or scale, including standard orthogonal and isometric views, in the 3D View windows. The windows can be set to navigation only mode, allowing you to move around the displayed model and select elements, or Design
mode, to carry out actions on the model. Design mode makes use of the Event Driven Graphics (EDG) mode, which allows cursor picks to be used interactively as part of an operation, rather than just for navigation and element selection.
2.4
Numbering
Once you have defined the contents of your drawings, you can
automatically number: parts, welds, spools, fields, bends and non-welded joints. The numbering always starts from one of the end spools; the start
point can be changed using the Reorder facility.
Part numbers can be created either across a complete spool drawing or to individual spools.
2.5
Naming
Database elements can be given unique names using the Autonaming facility. This recognises sets of rules which can be set up by a system administrator, from the Main Menu options. You can use this facility to both name new elements, as you create them, and to name existing elements, retrospectively.
2.6
Spooling Volume Calculation
Spooler can calculate the shipping volume of a spool for you, enabling you to easily check its size. This could be used to check that a spool is not going to be too large for the fabrication plant or transportation.
2.7
Drawing Output
Once you have defined your spool drawings, you can produce them as isometric plots, using ISODRAFT.
This chapter introduces the techniques for controlling SPOOLER using the Graphical User Interface (GUI), which you see on your screen when SPOOLER is started. To do this, we will begin the tutorial exercise by starting PDMS and entering the SPOOLER module.
It is assumed that you are already logged in to your workstation and that you know enough about its operating system to enable you to use the mouse as well as opening and manipulating windows on your computer. If not, you need to read the manuals supplied with your computer system or seek advice from your computer systems department.
In order for you to follow the tutorial exercise, SPOOLER and the sample PDMS project supplied must have been correctly installed and you must have read/write access to the project databases. This procedure, which should have been carried out by your PDMS administrator as part of the product installation sequence, is beyond the scope of this guide.
3.1
Starting a SPOOLER Session
You can go directly to SPOOLER when you first start PDMS or you can switch to it from another PDMS module. The method used to start PDMS depends on your operating system.
We will now start PDMS and enter the SPOOLER module.
Exercise Begins:
1. Start PDMS, by selecting PDMS from the Start menu, Programs
Figure 3-1 The PDMS Login Form
Clicking on the down arrows beside the Project, Username and MDB fields displays a form listing the available options. Click on the required option on these forms to select it.
Clicking on the down arrows beside the Module and Load from drop down list boxes displays a list of the available options. Click on the required option to select it.
To enter the password, click in the Password text box, type your password and press Enter.
• For the tutorial project (SAM) you need to set the fields up as
shown in Figure 3-1 and enter the Password ‘PIPE’.
• Click OK to start SPOOLER.
The initial display uses two main windows, :
• Application Window - This window is divided into a number of sections:
• Menu bar
This bar is located directly under the title bar and displays the names of the menus available in that module.
• Tool bars
The tool bars are located under the menu bar and display a number of icon buttons and standard list boxes, enabling you to easily and quickly carry out commonly used tasks. The top bar is the general PDMS tool bar, this enables you to carry out a number of standard PDMS tasks. The second row is the
module tool bar, the controls here enable you to carry out tasks specific to the SPOOLER module.
• Document display area
This area of the window contains any 3D graphical view windows.
• Status bar
This bar, across the bottom of the window, displays status information about any action that is being carried out at that moment or the current element.
• Spooler Members List - This list allows you to navigate around the databases and select the current element.
Figure 3-2 Application Screen
You can reposition or minimise these windows at any time by using the standard window management facilities provided by your workstation (but do not close them in this way).
3.2
Using the Mouse
You use the mouse to steer the graphics cursor around the screen and to select or ‘pick’ items by using the mouse buttons. The buttons perform different tasks depending on the type of window, and the position within the window, where the cursor is positioned. The appearance of the cursor will change according to the type of display item that is underneath it. The functions of each of the buttons are introduced below.
Left-Hand Button:
The left-hand button is used for controlling the software and interacting with a 3D design model.
• In a 3D View, the left-hand button can be used to select an element,
making it the current element (CE) or as part of a procedure.
• You can control the software by selecting menus options; activating
tool bar buttons and interacting with the controls (gadgets) on forms.
Right-Hand Button:
The right-hand mouse button is used to display the pop-up menu in a 3D View, known as the 3D View menu.
Middle Button:
The middle mouse button is used to manipulate a graphical view. The manipulation mode (zoom, pan or rotate) must first be selected from the right-hand button pop-up menu or by clicking the appropriate button at the left-hand side of the 3D View.
3.3
Using Menus
There can be three types of option in a pull-down or pop-up menu:
CECE Options shown as plain text: selecting one
of these immediately performs that action.
Clashes... Options followed by three dots: selecting one of these displays a form, on which to select options, enter data, etc.
Reports Options followed by a triangular pointer: display a sub-menu, when they are
highlighted, allowing you to select one of the options.
Throughout this guide, related selections from menus are shown in an abbreviated form using the ‘>‘ symbol as a separator. Thus, the sequence Utilities>Reports>Create means ‘select Utilities from the menu bar, then select Reports from the resulting menu, then select Create from the resulting sub-menu'.
3.4
Using the Tool Bar Icon Buttons
The tool bars are displayed underneath the menu bar in the Application Window. They contain a number of icon buttons and other controls to enable you to easily carry out common tasks, without searching for the options in the menus.
The roles of the icon buttons are explained in the on-line help. Tool Tips pop-ups are also used to display the name of the button.
Note: The PDMS tool bar can be switched off, or displayed with
large icons, by selecting the relevant options from the System Settingsform. This is displayed by selecting Settings>System from the main menu bar. The changes come into force the next time the module is started.
3.4.1 Tool Tips
The tool tips give a brief description of the role of a tool bar button, for example:
Figure 3-3 Example of Tool Tips Prompt
Pausing the mouse over the tool button will display the tool tip pop-up.
3.5
The 3D View Window
3D View windows may be used to display any part of the current project, from a single element to the complete design. More than one 3D View window may be open at any one time, where each window contains a single view of the design; for example, you may wish to display a plan view and an isometric view of the model.
Each view can be set-up to show either an orthogonal (from almost any direction) or isometric view of the design. It can also be manipulated (by: zooming, panning, rotating, etc.) to show any part of the design in more detail.
You can control how the model is shown by using the options on the Right Mouse Button Menu, referred to as the ‘3D View menu’. When you have more than one view displayed, you can control any combination of them from a single form. To do so, select Display>View Control from the main menu bar to see a 3D View Control form.
3.6
The Status Bar
The Status bar displays the name of the current element or messages informing you of actions that the software is carrying out.
You should look at the status bar frequently, especially if the system appears to be waiting for you to do something, since it will always
prompt you for any input or action which is required to carry out the next step of your current activity.
Note: Prompts for EDG actions are shown at the top of the 3D View
window.
3.7
Using Forms and their Controls
Forms are used both to display information and to let you select options and enter data. Forms typically comprise an arrangement of: buttons, of various types, text boxes, and scrollable lists. Input to a form is
usually via a combination of mouse and keyboard input; the mouse is used to select appropriate controls and the keyboard to enter data.
While you have access to a form, you may change a setting, return to the initial values, accept and act on the current data, or cancel the form
without applying any changes, according to the nature of the form.
This section describes how to use the principal types of controls (gadgets) that you will see on the various forms.
3.7.1 Option Buttons
Option buttons are used to select one from a group of options. The
selection is mutually exclusive, so that selecting one option automatically deselects the others in that group.
Option Button ON Option Button OFF
To change the selected option button, click on the required button.
3.7.2 Check Boxes
Check boxes are used to switch an option between two states, typically On and Off. Unlike option buttons they do not interact; so that if you have several check boxes you can select any combination that you require and they do not effect each other.
The check boxes are shown as follows: Check box ON
Check box OFF
To change the setting of a check box to its opposite state (i.e. switch it Off if it is On, or On if it is Off ), position the cursor over the box and click the left-hand mouse button.
3.7.3 Using Text Boxes
Text boxes are areas where you type in alphanumeric data such as
names or dimensions. A text box will usually have a label to tell you what to enter.
To enter data into a text-box:
• Click in the box to insert the cursor.
• Using the keyboard, type in the required data, editing any existing
entry as necessary. (You may need to delete the existing entry first.)
• When you have finished, confirm the entry by pressing the Enter (or
Return) key. Any text-box with an unconfirmed setting is highlighted by a yellow background.
When you first open a form which contains text-boxes, the first text-box on the form will be current and a text pointer (a vertical bar) will be
displayed in the box. A text-box often contain a default entry (e.g. Unset) when first displayed. Some text-boxes will accept only text or only
3.7.4 Drop-Down Lists
Drop-down lists let you choose one option from a multiple selection. A list box usually has the currently selected option displayed, with a down arrow to the right side.
Clicking on the down arrow displays the list of options from which you can select the required option.
3.7.5 Using Scrollable Lists
A scrollable list is displayed as a vertical list of options within the form, with vertical and horizontal scroll bars along its sides. To select an option from a scrollable list, click on the line you want. The selected line will be highlighted.
Some scrollable lists allow you to make only a single selection, so that selecting any option deselects all others automatically. Other lists allow you to make multiple selections, with all selected options highlighted simultaneously. To deselect a highlighted option in a multiple-choice list, click on it again (repeated clicks toggle a selection On and Off).
3.7.6 Control Buttons
Most forms include at least one control button which is used either to enter the command option represented by the current form setting; cancel any changes you have made to the form or to close the form. The form control buttons are described in the following table.
Control Button
Description
OK Enters the current form settings as commandinputs and closes the form.
Apply Enters the current form settings as commandinputs.
Cancel Cancels any changes made to the form’s settingsand closes the form.
Reset Cancels any changes made to the form’s settings.
Some forms contain more specific control buttons; e.g. the Add and Remove buttons on the Drawlist form.
3.8
Alert Forms
Alert forms are used to display information such as error messages and requests for confirmation of changes. You should respond by carrying out the task prompted for or by clicking on the control buttons on the form (usually an OK or Cancel button).
3.9
Accessing On-line Help
The Main Bar Menu ends with the Help option. Where available, on-line help gives detailed instructions on the use of the forms and menus via which you control the module.
The Help menu gives you the following options:
• Help>on Context
This gives you help on any window currently visible in the display. When you select this option, the cursor changes to a question mark (?). Move the question mark into the window on which you want help and click the left-hand mouse button.
• Help>Contents
This displays the Help window so that you can find the required topic from the hierarchical contents list.
• Help>Index
This displays the Help window so that you can find all topics relevant to a selected keyword.
• Help>About
This displays information about the current operating system on your computer and about the versions of PDMS and its applications to which you have access.
Pressing the F1 key at any time will display the help topic for the
currently active window (equivalent to Help on Context for the current window).
You are recommended to make full use of the on-line help facilities
whenever you want clarification of any operations during the later steps of the exercise.
Before we start to create any spool data, it is important that you know how such data is stored and accessed in the PDMS databases, so that you will understand the terminology which you will encounter in the tutorial. Spooler uses two databases:
• Fabrication database, which stores all the spooling data
• Design database, which holds all the design data for the project.
Spooler has full access to the Fabrication database allowing you to s et-up the hierarchy and add or delete elements at will. Whereas, Spooler has only limited access to the Design database, to make changes that are relevant to the fabrication of the piping.
4.1
How PDMS Stores Data
The PDMS databases have a hierarchic or ‘tree’ structure (analogous to a filing room containing a number of cabinets, each of which contains
several drawers, each of which contains a number of folders, each of which contains a set of individual data files).
The Fabrication database structure descends from the World level
(usually represented by the symbolic name /*). The administrative levels below this (and their PDMS abbreviations) are Department (ISODEP) and Registry (ISOREG).
The database level below Registry (and its PDMS abbreviation) is the Spool Drawing (SPLDRG). This is the main operational unit of the database. Each Spool Drawing can represent a continuous network of piping components and tube within the overall piping design The Spools and Fields that make up the Spool Drawing are held directly below it in the database hierarchy.
The PDMS Design database also descends from the World level, below which are the administrative sub-levels Site and Zone.
The names used to identify database levels below Zone depend on the specific engineering discipline for which the data is used. In the case of piping design data, which we require, the lower administrative levels (and their PDMS abbreviations) are Pipe (PIPE) and Branch (BRAN). Each Pipe can represent any portion of the overall piping network, but is
usually used to group items with a common specification. Each Branch within a Pipe represents a single sequence of piping components running between two points known as the Branch Head and the Branch Tail. The data which defines the physical design of the individual piping components is held below Branch level.
Together, these hierarchic levels give the following overall format:
Design Database Isodraft Database
WORLD (/*)
SITE
ZONE
PIPE
BRANCH
Design data defining individual piping components
DEPARTMENT (ISODEP)
REGISTRY (ISOREG)
SPOOL DRAWING (SPLDRG)
Spool data defining individual spools and fields
WORLD (/*)
Figure 4-1 Database Hierarchies
All data is represented in the database thus:
• Each identifiable item of data is known as a PDMS element.
• Each element has a number of associated pieces of information
which, together, completely define its properties. These are known as its attributes.
Every element is identified within the database structure by an
automatically-allocated reference number and, optionally, by a user-specified name.
Additional items of information about an element which could be stored as attribute settings include:
• Its type
• Its physical dimensions and technical specifications • Its physical location and orientation in the design model
Some attribute settings must be defined by you when you create a new element, others will be defined automatically by PDMS.
The vertical link between two elements on adjacent levels of the database hierarchy is defined as an owner-member relationship. The element on the upper level is the owner of those elements directly linked below it. The lower level elements are members of their owning element. Each element can have many members, but it can have only one owner.
When you are modifying a database (for example, when you are creating new spools or changing the settings of their attributes), you can consider yourself to be positioned at a specific point within the hierarchy. The element at this location is called the current element (often
abbreviated to CE).
You can navigate from any element to any other, thereby changing the current element, by following the owner-member links up and down the hierarchy.
In many cases, commands which you give for modifying the attributes of an element will assume that the changes are to be applied to the current element unless you specify otherwise, so you must understand this
concept and always be aware of your current position in the database hierarchy. The Spooler Members List (see Section 3.1) will always show you this information.
4.2
Creating Some Administrative Elements
We will now create some administrative elements at the top of the Fabrication database hierarchy, as explained in the preceding section.
Exercise continues:
2. Select Department from the drop-down list on the left of the
SPOOLER tool bar and click the Create button . A Createform is displayed, allowing you to name the database element.
Note: This function can also be carried out by selecting Create>Department from the main menu bar.
3. On the Create form:
• Click in the Name text box to select it and press the Backspace
key to delete the “Unset” text, (the background colour changes).
Note how the system automatically adds a ‘ /’ prefix to the front of the name to conform to PDMS naming conventions.
• Click OK to create the element.
Note that the new element appears in the Members list as the current element.
4. We will now create two Registries, under Spooler_Site, by selecting Registry from the drop-down list and clicking on the Create button. Name this registry ‘Condensate_Pumps’ on the Create form.
5. Create another Registry and name it ‘Condenser_Network’.
Navigate back to Spooler_Site, by clicking on it in the Members list, which should now look like this:
Figure 4-2 Database Hierarchy
Note: If you cannot see the complete names you can increase the
size of the members list using the Control>Resize option from the Spooler Members form menu bar.
In the next chapter we look at setting up and manipulating the model in the 3D View window.
3D View windows, see Figure 5-1, can be used to display all or part of the design model. These windows are contained within the application
window, in a similar way to documents in a word processing program. The view windows allow you to select an element by simply clicking on it, which navigates to it in the database making it the current element (CE), or use the cursor picks as part of an Event Driven Graphics (EDG)
routine.
More than one 3D View window can be displayed at any time, allowing you to have different views of the model. The views can be controlled individually using the menu and button options on the forms or more than one view can be changed simultaneously from the View Control form.
The 3D View windows have a:
• Prompt Bar , across the top of the viewing area, which is used to
display instructions on carrying out the EDG tasks (e.g. Click on the element to add ...).
• View Control Buttons down the left-hand side, which can be used to: set
the view limits to the CE; change the middle mouse manipulation mode for the view and save and restore a view of the model. The buttons are shown in the on-line help.
• Information bar below the viewing window, which shows the current
view direction and settings of that window, for example:
w45n35d Parallel Model Zoom
indicates that: the view direction is set to half way between west and north and is looking down at an angle of 35° (corresponding to
ISO2); the design is being shown as a Parallel view (rather than in Perspective): the view is set to rotate about the Model, rather than the view point (‘Eye’) and the middle mouse button mode is set to Zoom.
5.1
Setting up a 3D View Window
When you first start SPOOLER or when you create a new 3D View , the display window is empty. You must set it up to show the elements and view you wish to see. This involves setting up 3 functions of the view:
View Function Menu Option
View contents Drawlist
View limits Limits
Type of view Look or Iso
The following sections describe how to set up these functions.
5.1.1 View Contents
The elements that are displayed in a 3D View window must first be added to the Drawlist. This can be done as follows:
• Select Display>Drawlist from the main menu bar, to display the Drawlist
form and then add the required elements.
• Select the required element in the Members list and add them to the
• Select the required element in the Members list and then click the
Add CE button on the PDMS tool bar.
Note: Only one Drawlist can be defined, for all 3D View windows. The elements are normally added to the Drawlist and displayed in the colour defined by the ‘Autocolour’ rules. These can be set up by your
system administrator. Alternatively, you can add elements using specific colours. This can be done by either clicking the Colour button on the
Drawlist form or by selecting Drawlist>Add CE with colour . This displays a standard colour selection form allowing you to select the required colour. Additionally, you can apply a transparency factor to elements you are
adding from the Drawlist form. This allows you to make buildings and other structures semi-transparent, so that you can see items inside or behind them. This can be done by selecting the required degree of transparency from the drop-down list beside the Colour button on the
Drawlist form.
5.1.2 View Limits
How much of the Drawlist contents are actually shown in that window can be controlled by setting the view limits. This can be set from the Limits options on the 3D View menu. You can select anything from a single element up to the complete Drawlist or explicitly define a 3D box, by entering the co-ordinates of two opposite corners. Alternatively the limits
can be set to the current element by clicking on the ‘CE Limits’ button on the left of the 3D View window.
5.1.3 Type of View
The type of view for that window, orthogonal or isometric, can selected from the Look or ISO options on the 3D View menu. These allow you to select from a wide range of orthogonal and isometric views or define a particular view.
We will now set-up a view of the complete design model.
Exercise continues:
6. As the Fabrication database is empty at this time we need to switch to the Design database to add elements to the Drawlist.
• Select Control>Switch>Design from the menu bar at the top of the
Spooler Members window.
This switches you to the World (/*) level in the Design DB.
• Select ‘SPOOLER-SITE’ in the Members list, by clicking on it.
A list of all its member ZONES is displayed.
• Click on the Limits CE button on the left of the view
window, to set the view limits to enclose the complete site. 7. We will now add the base of the site to the Drawlist and display it.
• Before we display anything in the 3D View window we will
maximise it within the application window, by clicking on the Control menu button (AVEVA Solutions Ltd logo) at the top left of the viewing window and selecting Maximise.
• Click on ‘SPOOLER-CIVIL’ to make it the CE and then select
Drawlist>Add CE, from the Spooler Members form menu bar.
The base appears in the view window in the default colour and orthogonal view.
• Select ISO>Two from the 3D View menu to set the required viewing direction.
8. Now add the structures to the Drawlist using a different colour, to help differentiate between the types of element, and set a degree of transparency so that you can see other elements under and behind the structures.
• Navigate to the ‘SPOOLER-STRUC’ zone, by clicking on
SPOOLER-SITE and then on SPOOLER-STRUC, making it the CE.
• Select Display>Drawlist from the main menu bar, to display the
Drawlist form.
• Click on the Colour button to display a colour selection form and
select a suitable colour (e.g. Dark Grey; top row, fourth from right) by clicking on it and then clicking Dismiss.
Note: By default, SPOOLER uses Cyan and Green to represent
Spools and fields, respectively. So these colours should be avoided when adding elements.
• Set the transparency level by clicking on the drop-down list
beside the Colour button and selecting 50%.
• Click the Add CE button, to add the structures to the display
with the selected settings.
9. You can now add the equipment (SPOOLER-EQUIP) and pipes (SPOOLER-PIPES) to the display in different colours, using the Drawlist>Add CE with colour option, from the Drawlist menu bar. The complete site is now displayed in isometric view. The 3D View should now look something like Figure 5-2, which has the main equipment annotated. Surface Condensor Heat Exchanger Surge Tank Condensate Pumps Centre Line Mounted Pumps
Figure 5-2 Isometric View of SPOOLER Sample Project
5.2
Manipulating the Displayed View
When a 3D View has been set-up it can be easily manipulated, using the mouse (either by itself or in combination with the function keys), to show exactly the view you require at any time. This includes tools for: zooming, panning and rotating the model.
The condensate pumps piping network is located at the left side of the model, as you now see it. We are going to manipulate the view so that this network fills the window, giving us a much better view of it.
Exercise continues:
10. Zoom in so the model fills the display window, as follows:
• Select zoom mode by: clicking the Zoom button , on the left
side of the viewing window, or pressing F2 or selecting View Control>Zoom from the 3D View menu. Note the text in the
information bar, at the bottom of the window, changes to show that you are now in zoom mode (instead of ‘Rotate’).
• Hold down the middle mouse button and move the cursor up
the view window. The display zooms in about its centre point. Moving the cursor downwards zooms out.
11. To centre the outlet network in the view
• Select pan mode by: clicking the Pan button , on the left
side of the viewing window, or pressing F3 or selecting View Control>Pan, from the 3D View menu. Use the middle mouse button to move the model so that the piping network is centred.
An alternative (and quicker) method of centring a particular point in the view is to click the middle mouse button on that point. This automatically centres that point in the view.
• Re-select zoom and increase the magnification of the piping
network.
12. To rotate the model, to show it from a better angle:
• Select rotate mode by clicking the Rotate button or pressing
F5 or selecting View Control>Rotate from the 3D View menu) and use the middle mouse button to rotate the view.
• Play with the Zoom, Pan and Rotate controls until you are
satisfied with the view.
13. At this point it is not possible to see the complete piping network clearly, because the pipe rack is in the way. To remove the pipe rack from the view:
• Navigate to SPOOLER-STRUC in the Design DB and select
Drawlist>Remove CE from the Members list menu bar. The 3D View should now look something like Figure 5-3.
5-6 Pipework Spooling Using VANTAGE PDMS
Version 11.6SP1
www.cadfamily.com EMail:[email protected]
Heat Exchanger Condensate Pumps Condensate Pumps Outlet Pipes Outlet Pipes Header Heat Exchanger Outlet Pipe Condensate Pumps Inlet Pipe
Figure 5-3 Condensate Pumps Piping Network
5.3
Saving and Restoring a View
PDMS allows you to save up to four views of the model, which can then be restored by simply clicking on the appropriate view control button to the left of the display.
We will now save two views of the model and then restore the view to its current setting.
Exercise continues:
14. To save the current 3D view as View 1:
• Right click on the Restore view 1 button to the left of the
display.
• Move the mouse over the Save 1 pop-up, so that it is highlighted
and then release the mouse button.
The current view is now saved as View 1.
15. We will now change the view so that we can see the Condensate pumps piping network from the other direction. This makes it easier to see the inlet to the pumps and the outlet from the heat
• Select Iso>Four from the 3D View menu. This shows the model
from the opposite direction to Iso 2.
• Manipulate the view so that you can clearly see the required
parts of the piping network. The view should now look something like Figure 5-4.
Heat Exchanger Outlet Pipe
Condensate Pumps Inlet Pipe
Figure 5-4: Iso 4 View
• Save this view of the model as View 2.
16. Restore the view to the previously saved settings by clicking (with the left mouse button) on the Restore view 1 button.
In the next chapter we will prepare the condensate pumps piping network for spooling.
Before you begin spooling a site you should always check that the design data in the design model is consistent. It is also worth making any
changes to the design model (e.g. inserting shop or field welds) that will obviously be needed, to save work later.
6.1
Checking the Design Data
The consistency of the data should have been checked before the model was sent for spooling. But, you can also check it in SPOOLER.
Exercise continues:
17. To check the data:
• Navigate to the SPOOLER-PIPES zone in the Design
database.
• Select Utilities>Data Consistency, from the main menu bar. This
displays the Data Consistency Check form.
• Select Zone from the Check: scrollable list box and click Apply.
The main window will show the progress of the check, including any errors or warnings.
SPOOLER will not run properly if there are errors in the consistency check. Warnings will not affect the operation of SPOOLER.
6.2
Inspecting the Site
If you spool the site and then make changes to the model (e.g. inserting field welds) you then have to update the numbering, some of which may then not be in order. So, it makes sense to try and make any changes to the model before spooling it, thus reducing the work involved.
The easiest way of doing this is to do a visual check of the site looking for any possible problems (e.g. very long pipes or complex networks) and for any parts you know will be wanted separately, for test purposes. You can
then insert any required welds and spool breaks before spooling the network.
As the spools are completely assembled before they are shipped to the erection site, they must be small enough to be transported. The
maximum acceptable size for this exercise is 12 x 2.5 x 2.5 metres. The length of the supplied pipe is 6 metres, so any lengths greater than this in one spool will have to be joined with a Shop weld.
We will now do a check of the condensate pumps piping network and insert any welds that are obviously necessary.
Exercise continues:
18. To carry out a visual check of the site:
• Restore the view so that you can see the complete site, from
the ISO 2 direction.
Outlet Pipes Header
Long Pipe Heat Exchanger
Outlet Pipe
Figure 6-1 Visual Check of Spooling Site
A quick visual inspection of the network, see Figure 6-1, shows that:
• The heat exchanger outlet pipe (Pipe 2007) appears to be to
larger than our maximum shipping size.
• Also, the length of the bottom section of the heat exchanger
outlet pipe appears to be too long to be constructed from a single length of pipe (6 metres).
Note: The measurements of these pipes can be checked using the Measure facility, Section 6.3.
• We also know that the high pressure Outlet Pipes Header, see
Figure 5-3, will require testing as a separate unit before any other pipes are added to it.
6.3
Measuring the Pipe Lengths
The visual check of the condensate pumps piping network showed the probability that the heat exchanger outlet pipe (Pipe 2007) was:
• Too large to be shipped as a single spool.
• The bottom length of pipe between elbows 3 & 4 was too long to be
created from a single length of tube.
To check these assumptions and work out where to insert welds we need to measure the pipe.
Exercise continues:
19. Restore saved view 2, so that you have a clear view of the heat exchanger outlet pipe.
20. Click the Measure button , to activate the measure facility. This displays the Measureand Positioning Control form and an EDG prompt is displayed instructing you to pick the start point for the measurement.
We will start by checking the length of the bottom length of pipe.
• Manipulate the view so that the lower pipe is clearly visible. • Set the Type field, in the Positioning Control form, to Ppoint and the Option field to Snap. The cursor changes to a small square.
• Pick point P1 of Elbow 4, see Figure 6-2.
A message showing the selected start point is displayed in the 3D View and the EDG prompt changes, instructing you to pick the end
Figure 6-2: Picking the Start Measurement Point
• Pick P2 of Elbow 3. The software calculates the distance and
displays it in the 3D View and in the Measureform.
This shows the length of the tube to be 7415.9 mm. Confirming that it is too long to be fabricated from a single length of tube. 21. To measure the complete outlet pipe (Pipe 2007):
• Zoom out so that you can see the whole of the pipe.
• Using the same settings as for the previous measurement, pick
point P2 of Elbow 1.
• Change the Type setting in the Positioning Control form to Graphics, allowing you to select any graphical element The cursor in the 3D View changes to a standard arrow.
• Pick the very end of the outlet pipe, as shown in Figure 6-3.
The distance between the two points is shown in the view and on the Measure form, along with the lengths in the X, Y and Z directions.
Figure 6-3: Selecting the End of the Outlet Pipe
22. Comparing the two measurements we made shows that splitting the bottom tube, at the end nearest the heat exchanger, will divide the pipe into two manageable spools.
6.4
Inserting Welds
SPOOLER allows you to insert Shop and Field welds to split up the
piping network. Field welds can be used to cut a pipe into shorter lengths or break up a network where there are no convenient joints, these welds will be made at the erection site. Shop welds can be used to separate parts or assemblies that need to be fabricated and tested before being attached to other parts of the spool. Welds can be inserted to break a piping network at a p-point of a particular component or at some defined point along a length of a pipe.
6.4.1 Inserting a Weld at a Design Point
Where possible, welds should be inserted at a p-point (Design Point) of a welded component, because the component is attached to the pipe by a weld anyway, so it is not creating any extra work just moving the
location for the work from the Fabrication Shop to the Erection Site.
6.4.1.1 Design Points
In order that a component can be manipulated and linked to adjacent piping components, all principal points needed to define its the position, orientation and connectivity are identified by uniquely numbered tags. These tags, which have both position and direction are called p-points (or Design Points).
Each p-point is identified by a number of the format P0, P1, P2, etc. Where, P0 always represents the component’s origin.
The principal inlet and outlet points for the flow direction through the component are identified as p-arrive and p-leave, respectively. In normal pipe routing mode (‘forwards’ mode) P1 is the same as p-arrive and P2 is the same as p-leave.
For example a TEE component might be represented in the PDMS
catalogue, as shown in Figure 6-4. P3 in this case defines the orientation of the side arm.
P1 P2
P3 P0
Figure 6-4 TEE Component P-Points (Design Points)
6.4.2 Separating the Header Pipe
We will now insert welds to separate the outlet pipes header from the outlet pipes of the condensate pumps.
Exercise continues:
23. The header pipe (part of Pipe 2006/B1 & B2) consists of 3 TEE
components with two end CAPs. The header, together with its outlet pipe, will be tested in the fabrication shop before shipping. It will then be connected to its inlet pipes from the condensate pumps at the erection site. Therefore we need to insert Field welds between the inlet pipes and the header.
To insert a Field weld between the header and one of its inlet pipes:
• Zoom in so that the header pipe fills most of the viewing
window, see Figure 6-5.
• Select Create>Weld, from the main menu bar. This displays the
Create Weld form.
• Select Field from the Type down and check that the At
drop-down is set to Design Point (p-point). Then click Apply.
The 3D View switches to the create weld mode and displays the EDG instruction - ‘Pick a Design Point for WELD’. The mouse cursor changes to a small square with a point in the middle.
• Position the mouse cursor over one of the inlet TEE
components (TEE 1 of 2006/B1 or TEE 1 of 2006/B2) then press and hold the left mouse button.
The outline of the component is highlighted and the p-points are shown as dots, see Figure 6-5.
• Move the cursor over a p-point. When you are exactly on top of
it, a highlighted message is appended to the instruction at the top of the window telling you the name of the Design Point you are over.
• Move the cursor over design point P3, see Figure 6-5, and
release the button. The CHOOSE form is displayed allowing you to select the type of weld you wish to insert.
Figure 6-5: Positioning a Field Weld on P3 of 2006/B2
• Select a suitable type of weld and click OK.
The weld is created at P3 and the 3D View window returns to navigation mode.
Note: The Create Weld form remains displayed allowing you to easily create further welds.
24. Now insert a Field weld on the P3 of the other inlet TEE.
6.4.3 Splitting a Tube with a Weld
If a pipe is too long to be fabricated from a single length of pipe, one or more Shop welds are normally defined in its length to show the
fabricators where to join the lengths. Also, if a pipe has to pass through an opening at the erection site it may need to be split with a weld.
The bottom tube of the heat exchanger output pipe (leave tube of ELBO 3) is longer than a standard length of pipe (6 metres) and the complete outlet pipe is too large for a single spool. Splitting the bottom tube, at the end nearest the heat exchanger, with a field weld will divide the pipe into two manageable spools, that can then be joined at the erection site.
Exercise continues:
25. To split the heat exchanger outlet pipe (Pipe 2007):
• Select Field and In-tube on the Create Weld form. This activates the Position in Tube frame, allowing you to set the position in the tube you want to insert the weld.
• Select Behind Item in the drop-down list and enter the value
6000 into the distance text box and then click Apply.
The 3D View switches to EDG mode and prompts you to pick the tube in which to insert the weld.
• Pick anywhere on that length of tube. You are then prompted
to pick the element from which to measure the distance.
• Pick Elbow 3 in Pipe 2007. This inserts the weld 6000
millimetres back from the elbow.
In this chapter we look at the principles of using Spooler and split the pipes up the Condensate Pumps piping network into Spool Drawings, using the default Shop Flag settings.
7.1
Pipework Spooling
SPOOLER works with spooling networks, which are created by selecting pipework elements to be added to a spool drawing (SPLDRG) . The
selected elements must form an interconnected piping network but are not limited to a single branch or pipe in the design model.
Spooling networks consist of interconnected spools and fields. Where a SPOOL is defined as a run of piping components and tube that will be connected during fabrication and a FIELD is an individual or group of piping components that will be connected during the erection phase. Spools and fields are defined by picking an element in the 3D View
window. If the element has been defined as a fabrication element (i.e. the SHOP flag is true) it generates a SPOOL. Whereas, if the selected
element has been defined as being fitted on site (i.e. the SHOP flag is false) it generates a FIELD.
When an element is picked, the software searches all connected piping components and tube and then adds all adjacent components that have the same SHOP flag status to that spool or field. The ends of the spools, called SPOOL BREAKS, occur when the SHOP flag status changes. You can also force SPOOL BREAKS by defining Field Welds or Joints at
the required point in the SPOOL. Field welds can be used to split a
piping section at a particular component or at some defined point along a length of tube. The forced spool break is used to create a break at joint that does not have a field element in it (for example: a flanged joint with no gasket).
By setting the SFLimit (Spool/Field Limit) attribute for a SPLDRG to either BRAN, PIPE, ZONE or SITE (the default is WORLD), a spool break will be enforced at any change at the corresponding element level. SPOOLING NETWORKS can be defined by picking each SPOOL and FIELD in sequence, to add to the SPOOL DRAWING or by picking two
interconnected network before it adds all the spools and fields to the SPOOL DRAWING.
7.2
Spooling the Piping Network
We will now create some spool drawings and spool the pipes between the condensate pumps and the heat exchanger (Pipes 2004, 2005 and 2006), into one of them.
Exercise continues:
26. Go to the Fabrication database, by selecting Control>Switch>Fabrication from the Spooler Members form menu bar and navigate to the
‘Condensate_Pumps’ registry.
Now create three Spool Drawings, as follows:
• Select Create>Spool Drawing from the main menu bar (or select
Spool Drawing from the drop-down list and click the Create button) and name the Spool Drawing ‘Inlet_Pipe’.
This becomes the Current Element (CE) in the Members list and is displayed as the active spool drawing in the text box on the SPOOLER tool bar.
• Now create two more Spool Drawings, named ‘Outlet_Network’
and ‘Heat_Exch_Outlet’.
27. We will now start to spool the piping network between the Condensate pumps and the Heat Exchanger:
• Navigate to the ‘Outlet_Network’ Spool Drawing, making this
the CE.
• Zoom in on the condensate pumps outlet network, as shown in
Figure 7-1.
• Click on the Add to Spool Drawing button in the SPOOLER
tool bar.
Note how the mode of the 3D View window changes, as indicated by the text in the prompt bar, see Figure 7-1.
The next element you pick in the 3D View will be added to the spool drawing.
• Pick one of the flanges between the valve and the condensate
pump, as shown in Figure 7-1. The flange and its leave tube change to the default spool colour and are added to the
