Piping autorouter 3

[Tunalover]

Folks-
Is there a program out there somewhere that will help optimize piping network (e.g. chemical plant) layout design? Something that would place things within a specified volume while minimizing pipe runs and avoiding interferences? Just wondering...I'm a mechanical design engineer who needs to do complex layouts of RF components that are connected with semi-rigid coaxial cables and it seems that a piping layout program might be helpful. TIA for your help!


Tunalover

 

[StressGuy]

Actually, the program you speak of would be a piping designer with many years of experience. Of all the problems that research into AI can be made to solve, I expect piping design is probably pretty low on the list.

Not that I haven't heard project engineers/managers ask why we can't just have the computers route all the pipe instead of having to employ all these designers to do the job.

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.

 

[DSB123]

StressGuy,
Totally agree with your response. Problem is many PE/PM's are "failed" discipline engineers/designers so that's why they keep coming up with "silly" ideas.

 

[aketpiper]

Hi,
I have worked with 3D plant design and piping for the last twenty years or so and have used Intergraph and PDMS. Both systems have modules for automatic pipe routing but in my branch (offshore) they are seldom used although often talked about.
Offshore layouts are too complex and tailor made. Automatic pipe routing would seem to work best on land based plants where the pipe rack corridors and rules for for getting from A to B without going via a rack can be more simply defined before you start the router.
PDMS has a module for cable routing but I have no experience with that. Take a look at

http://www.aveva.com

or

http://www.cadcentre.co.uk

but beware - its not cheap!
SM

 

[DaffyDuck]

Worked on PDMS for 10 years now, never seen the auto router in operation. I believe it takes a long time to set up all the corridors etc for the program to run, you then have to sort it out afterwards. I think it basically routes pipe racks. In my opinion, if you have a good, fast, experienced designer, he can quickly route pipes in PDMS on racks just as well, but like I say, never seen it, so maybe my views are wrong....

 

[4Pipes]

Totally agree with all the replies. However, remember autorouters, outsourcing overseas and other such hobby horses are all some PE/PMs good idea that has been promised as the holy grail at higher level before it reaches you. Careers are riding on them. If you criticise you will be labelled a self interested luddite. From bitter experience you must go along with the idea but make sure you control where the blame lies when it turns belly up. Look on the bright side - these good ideas often take longer so just keeping filling in the times sheets.
I all for new ideas. I just want to see the benefit.