Well I guess this is what I get for preaching - hope I've filled in some
of the holes.
PRH: That is my point - the highest level software has significantly changed the future of engineering/design. The new Intelligent P&ID software allows you to "draft" the P&ID's, but associated with each graphical element is 20-50 database attributes that can support the ongoing 3D design, maintenance and operations. The most efficient process with this software might mean that the process engineer now performs all the tasks and custom tailor's the data to his (or her) needs - the line, valve, and equipment lists are now reports from the P&ID database. A lot of the high end structural software has analysis capabilities built in (or easily linked in) - the quickest design cycle would have the engineer creating his own model, analyzing it, making changes and signing off on it.
PRH: Unless the new tools don't fit with the old methods - crazy thing is that changes in technology will make good methods obsolete sooner and sooner. The horsepower is there to perform on the fly stress analysis now, we just need someone to write the code and then provide training to take people to the next level. At one company the lead stress engineer had developed a series of pipe support details that could be customized fairly easily using a set of word perfect macros - it worked well for his group and had been used for years. We implemented a PDS add-on called pipe support modeler that allowed his designers to pick supports from a catalog for placement in 3D - the supports could now be automatically included on the piping iso's and stress runs - the software automatically produced a detail sheet for every support including materials, dimensions and views from the 3D model. The company was lucky to have someone like him who could see the advantage of knowing when it was time to make a change.
PRH: Most software you use today will often leave "Log Files" after certain tasks have been completed - if you plot in AutoCAD, a log file is generated on your system that will contain the details of the plot "JOB" - the printer, pen table, scale, ... and whether there were any problems printing. Most plant design software uses ISOGEN to produce the piping iso's - many people do nothing other than review the iso drawing file that is generated - to do the task right you should also review the iso "log file" - this file contains the warnings and error messages for the run - in most cases things are perfectly fine but if you don't check it how can you be sure.
PRH: It's one of those things where the more time you spend with it the better - I agree that it could be much better.
PRH: one model, one designer, no problem - they all work - try coordinating the data from 500 models created by 50 designers - that's what differentiates the men from the boys in the software world.
PRH: my point here is simply pick one that has a solid user base - as you have pointed out - you are often locked out of the game if you don't use the right tools - what I also like to tell management is pick a tool that will do the biggest job you anticipate in the next 5 years. By aiming high you may spend more but you may have time to gain experience with it before the big one comes along. If you aim too low, well you just might find that when the big job comes you now have to support 2 different design tools - the one you picked initially and the one you need now.
PRH: any one you choose to use - consider Caesar II an add-on if you can readily export design data to it - my point is to consider what other add-ons are out there when you look for a software solution.
PRH: Paul - are YOU really saying that email & the web are OVERRATED - that surprises me. Actually I agree with you and I disagree with you. For most people in the office life without email and the web would probably just cause a slight hiccup - for others it is a lifeline to very timely data and information. Going back to the smart P&ID's I talked about earlier - you can input the data with in the software or export it via EXCEL and edit it in a spread sheet format and then import it back into the software - very nice especially if you want to do efficient project wide changes. It's all about managing data and I find that these capabilities are necessities for me.
PRH: the automation I talk about is primarily the drafting tasks, producing ISO's, GA's, pipe support details and loop drawings can now be almost 100% automated (at the highest level with a lot of add-ons) - this gives the engineers and designers time to ensure that the they have a good design. At a minimum you should use a tool that automates your piping iso's. From time to time it is very sweet to be able to copy\mirror a unit and have to make only slight modifications.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Received on Thu Sep 08 14:18:00 2005
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