PIPEFAB: Efficient Production Management for the Pipeshop

Designed as client-server-system, our PIPEFAB software pack is a comprehensive business solution for planning and organising efficient production processes and work-flow for the piping industry. PIPEFAB - the scalable solution Because most companies do not require the whole scope of features the PIPEFAB software is scalable and composed of singular modules. In this way the software pack is able to specifically meet any individual demands - from small manufacturing companies or engineering offices up to the global players in the shipbuilding or plant engineering industry. Complete Solution for Pipe Production At large PIPEFAB is able to support and to manage the entire lifecycle of pipes and pipe systems, starting from engi- neering and design over procurement, production and assembly up to implementation, operation and maintenance of the pipes. Thus all singular links of the "digital chain of piping" are systematically integrated. Already existing 3rd party software solutions can be smoothly embedded via customer-specific interfaces in general.

PIPEFAB combines the generation of isometric drawings, work preparation and production control for pipe preproduction. It organizes the material and time management and supplies all the required production dossiers for the pipe workshop. PIPEFAB evaluates isometric drawings originating from different input channels. The data are made available by direct input into the software module IsoInput, by transfer from the 3D CAD systems or by measurement using different measuring arms. The software performs the complete calculation of the piping geometry and supplies the data required for the pipe production in the form of lists and files. In combination with ERP/MRP systems, PDM systems and especially standard accountancy systems, all data and isometries necessary for carrying out the project and its control are produced, working packs are created, production times and costs are determined, additional material is calculated and work schedules are set up. All results for project and data management, quality control and NC machine triggering are available as automated, in other words, machine-readable files. All the features and modules of the PIPEFAB product family are interoperable to each other and make up the base for a totally integrated system solution, whose efficiency is improved even by use of global crosslinking of the business partners via Internet (e-Production). A remarkable reduction of work and time expenditure results from the flexible use of the easy-to-handle, practice-oriented application solutions in pipe production. This results in considerable cost savings and thus to an improvement of the competitive position.

Summary of functions  Benefits • Input of isometric drawings or data transfer from various 3D CAD systems or measuring systems • Warehouse management for pipes with overview functions for materials requírement planning • Generation and administration of production lots • Generation and administration of work plans and job routings • Status inquiries and completion reports for isometric drawings and production lots • Output of lists and various calculations, e.g. bending collision detection • Administration of pipe classes and spools • Maintenance program for pipe catalogues and working times • Project administration • System administration • Symbol editor • Data processing starts early in the working process and integrates all working steps of pipe production • Time saving when drawing up isometrics whether you enter values directly or take over CAD data • Automatic calculation / generation of all engineering data, lists, work plans, ... • Minimisation of the material requirements due to optimised pipe cutting and sawing • Minimisation of processing times in the pipeshop, including status checks • Calculation of processing times and costs as well as machine utilization, including ERP/MRP integration • Visual bending simulation with automatic collision checking • Quality management support and improvement of the documentation

PIPEFAB can be installed either as client-server solution or as single working place with full PIPEFAB functionality. PIPEFAB Server ... consists of the PIPEFAB database and one client license (first working place). PIPEFAB Client ... extends the PIPEFAB server by one further working place. PIPEFAB Personal ... is a single working place with full PIPEFAB functionality and data compatibility (stand-alone application). System requirements