What is pipe prefabrication?
Pipe prefabrication is manufacturing pieces of pipelines in a factory instead at the construction site. This enables utilization of better tools and working conditions. This results in higher productivity and better quality. It also reduces the lead time at the construction site.
Pipe prefabricates are usually unique. This makes utilization of traditional manufacturing execution systems not feasible. PipeCloud has solved this challenge by extracting from the isometric drawing the structure and needed work phases for each spool. Below picture shows an example of spool structure extracted automatically from an isometric PCF-file. The PCF-file is a typical export file format from most of the common 3D piping design CAD-systems.
By dividing the pipe fabrication work phases into independent sub-processes workshop can utilize serial production methods in 1- size series production.
These work phases can be divided into component phases and Spool/fitting phases. Component phases are related to the components of the spool and fitting phases are dealing with the entire spool.
Each of the independent work phases require different kind of information, which PipeCloud has extracted from the isometric drawings and engineering data.
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Bending
Bending a pipe saves significant fitting and welding work. Each bend usually saves 2 weld seams.
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Cutting
Cutting is usually the first work phase needed in pipe prefabrication. PipeCloud creates the work order automatically to the selected spools that require cutting.
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Fitting
Fitting phase is where the different components are attached together. This is the first production phase where object of the work is the entire spool instead of individual components.
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Plasma cutting
Plasma cutting is usually needed for beveling the pipe ends for welding needs and for cutting the branch holes.
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Welding
PipeCloud offers a multitude of tools for quality assurance. With PipeCloud you can create a separate inspection work order, use the user customizable meta fields at welding work order to record welder performed quality checks.