Piping Software that will improve my productivity. 1

[IAAWVU05]

I am currently looking for software to consider in my future projects. I currently use AutoCAD 2002. I would like to have the following features for the lowest price possible.

1. Parametric piping
2. Smart P&ID
3. Automatic Isometric Drawing
4. Bill of Materials Calculator
5. Parts Library
6. Auto CAD add-on (preferably)

I have done a few projects now, and for each one, I have to draw the parts from ASME B 16.5, Draw the P&ID, and Count My Components and add them up for a total BoM. Not to mention if I mess up dimensions, I have to slice or add or even start over again. It's a big waste of company time and money, and it's killing me.

I was wondering if such a software existed, and if it was available inexpensively (like under $5K), or should I spend the time to write a LISP file (probably taking a few months)

Thanks

IAA
WVU '05

 

[StressGuy]

I couldn't tell you about pricing (though I doubt you're going to get everything you are looking for in any package for < $5K)

This is what my current company uses for plant design. It operates on top of AutoCAD

http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Products/Bentley+DigitalPlant+Solutions/

Edward L. Klein
Pipe Stress Engineer
Houston, Texas

"All the world is a Spring"

All opinions expressed here are my own and not my company's.

 

[IAAWVU05]

How much do those packages typically cost? If I don't have to do a piping job for a while, I don't think that my boss will justify it.

 

[thalon]

CADWorx by Coade is another option. They have several pagkages, and their 3d piping can export to Caesar (also by Coade) for stress analysis. The basic piping package (add-on for autocad) is $4500 USD
you can get more info on it at

http://www.codecad.com/CADWorx.htm

I'm in the process of evaluating this software for my company, and i like it.

 

[zuccus]

In my opinion, Cadworx is the best software out there that sits on top of AutoCAD.

Easy to use straight out of the box
It does everything but the smart P&ID part. It has been a while since I used it, so it might do that now to.

Zuccus

 

[bosse1950]

I have experience in the Bentley Software - It is a definite advantage in relation to a design tool, but don't forget that on top of program costs there is training, + set up to your company standards (because this is a "spec driven program all piping specs must be "loaded" onto your system prior to useage, also isometric drawing formats / titleblocks / etc. must be loaded. I would suggest that you do a work load forcast, in $ to establish a measuring point for investment with any program. And start with the program long before you need it - to allow for the "learning curve"

 

[Stelliot]

How about the Orcina packages at

http://www.orchina.com

OrchaFlex, OrchaPipe and OrchaBend?

 

[11echo]

You know I hate to say it, but if you don't have a good handle on dealing with piping components just drafting, I don't suspect using a fancy 3D package is going to help much! ...No matter what the computer program salesman tells you! ...My option!

 

[IAAWVU05]

I don't think that my drafting skills are in question. . I have spent a considerable amount of time drawing up different parts, and though I haven't gotten around to having drawn everything in ASME B 16.5, it sure feels like it . It's just a pain to go through the same drawing counting up the number and size of reducers, tees, flanges, supports, and all the other stuff that comes with designing process piping. I could do it the way I've been doing (autoCAD for drafting, excel for book keeping), I may get better and faster over time, but it would be nice to be more productive now. If anyone knows a better book keeping and iso drawing system, please share.

 

[thalon]

If it's block your inserting into you drawing for components, and you know there in there only once for any given part, you could use autocad's "bcount" command to count the number of time a block appears.

 

[IAAWVU05]

thalon,

What version are you using? I'm in 2002, and "bcount" is not recognized.

 

[thalon]

do you have the express tools? are you using LT?

 

[thalon]

further. I did a quick search on google for "autocad block count" and came across this web site

http://www.jefferypsanders.com/autolisp_blocks.html

I have not used this LISP, and do not know if it will do exactly what you want, but it sound close to what the "bcount" express tool does.

 

[IAAWVU05]

I believe I am using the full blown version of 2002. I do not have express tools.

 

[thalon]

Did the suggestion of the LISP help?

 

[IAAWVU05]

It did very much. Now I can account for everything in my piping. The website that you gave was very good for me. I am currently reading over the site's LISP tutorials right now. Thanks, thalon.

 

[thalon]

Glad it helped. So do you do your piping model in 3D with your own blocks? or are you drawing it in 2D or isometric 3D or 2D?

 

[IAAWVU05]

My Piping is in 3D with my own blocks that I have created using ASME B 16.5. Thanks to mechanical desktop and the wblock command, I have shelled out all of the slip on class 150 flanges, and a few elbows, tees, and crosses as needed. I am still having difficulties with the eccentric reducer though, but I haven't needed that yet...