AUTOMATIC PIPING MATERIAL TAKE OFFS

In the present articles we analyse the possibility to carry out the piping material take offs in an automatic way considering that the new releases of computer programs become more and more reliable.

In the early stage through a P&ID 2D we are able to sort and extract all the piping components except pipes and elbows.

A report from P&ID 2D (line number, size, line class, insulation, from-to) is the input for an Autorouting program to develop automatically the piping layout of the plant. The output of this 3D Model is the list of the two components still missing: pipes and elbows. The Model generated by the Autorouting program can be displayed and modified to re-route particular circuits (i.e. in consideration of the line temperature) or shift items. The link with P&ID 2D permits the migration of equipment and line data.

The advantages of Autorouting programmes are in terms of time saving, you can concentrate your efforts only modifying those circuits considered critics (looking at process conditions, cost of materials or availability) or not functional.

During the detail design we can compare the first bill of material with the output of the 3D model.