Category: News

CAD design and spool drawings in pipework

Posted on by Anabel

An important element to fabricating any material, particularly in the construction industry, is the design of the components. Before the component is made, it needs to be designed to fit the particular specification. The same goes for pipework. Before pipework is fabricated, it requires specified CAD design and spool drawings before being manufactured for several key reasons including the accuracy and precision, coordination and planning, and quality assurance.

CAD design for pipework 

Computer-aided design (CAD) is used to create 2D and 3D digital drawings of material products before they are manufactured. It has revolutionised the way engineering and construction projects are planned, designed, and executed.

In the pipework fabrication industry, CAD design plays an important role in creating detailed and accurate spool drawings. 

Spool drawings for pipework

Spool drawings are essential documents that show the layout, dimensions, and specifications of individual material components. They enable the precise fabrication and installation of pipework, including the exact configuration and arrangement of pipes, as well as the connection points and orientations of fittings and valves.

CAD design software allows engineers and designers to create spool drawings with unparalleled precision and efficiency. By leveraging advanced modelling tools and libraries of piping components, CAD enables the creation of 3D models that accurately represent the intended piping system. These models can then be translated into 2D drawings that provide detailed views, dimensions, and annotations necessary for fabrication.

Abbey Pipework’s in-house CAD design and spool drawing facility

Investing in the latest CAD design software is an important factor when it comes to creating pipework spool drawings.

Although we do not get involved in the initial design process here at Abbey Pipework Fabricators, we use the latest technology to ensure our customers get the most accurate results based on the designs they send over to be worked up into spool drawings. This is completed in-house, which allows for quick turn-around times for customers.

The first step for creating spool drawings is to ensure the customer provides us with the relevant information specific to their project. This usually includes the correct and most up to date design drawings in either dwg or Revit format, to the correct valve and plant detail to ensure their design is correct to the products being installed on site.

See CAD drawing examples below.

Once this information is received it allows us to prepare their itemised General Arrangement drawings (the design plan and sectional views) by inputting the spool numbers and dimensions for ease of call off and installation on site.

Once the itemised general arrangement drawings have been prepared we are then able to create our spool drawings. A copy of these spool drawings are made available to our clients to check and authorise prior to manufacture, and will enable any last minute changes to be made if necessary prior to fabrication commencing.

We use AutoCad 2024 and Revit 2024 software to produce this.

About AutoCAD

With a great reputation across various industries, AutoCAD is a versatile program that caters to both 2D and 3D drafting and design needs. It allows users to create a wide range of outputs including designs, equipment layouts, section planes, and model documentation. 

Mastering the use of this software really is the key to unlocking their full potential. Luckily for us, our experienced team knows the ins and outs of AutoCAD to make it work for our customers.

While AutoCAD is designed to meet the demands of experts with backgrounds in algorithmic model programming, its user-friendly interface and extensive features make it accessible to a range of professionals seeking precise and efficient design solutions.

About Revit

Revit is another excellent program with a great reputation. It allows architects, engineers, and construction professionals to model shapes and structures in 3D with precision and ease.

Its useful features allow teams to be more efficient, collaborative, and impactful.

How do we draw the spool drawings?

To draw the spool drawings quickly and digitally, we use a software called Intergraph Smartplant Isometric. This program ultimately means we can ensure the accuracy of our spool drawings. 

Watch this short YouTube Tutorial for more information.

See some examples of our finished spool drawings below.

By investing in the latest technology, Abbey Pipework can assure customers that their designs will be produced with the highest accuracy. 

Not all pipework fabricators offer these facilities in-house. So, we’re pleased to make things easier for our customers. With our services being all in one place, it reduces the length of project timelines and ultimately enables us to complete the project more quickly and efficiently.

Not to mention, as well as CAD drawings, we’re also able to fabricate pipework based on simple hand sketches in a number of formats.

Differences of Mild Steel and Stainless Steel Pipework

Posted on by Anabel
Pipework fabrication is a critical component of various industries, and selecting the right material is paramount to the success and longevity of any project. Two of the most popular choices, each with its unique set of properties, are mild steel and stainless steel. In the pipework industry, steel is an excellent choice of material. It’s strong, reliable and cost-effective, making it the perfect fit for pipework projects. But what exactly are the differences between mild and stainless steel? Let’s take a look at the differences of mild steel and stainless steel in pipework fabrication and which is best. What is Mild Steel? Mild steel pipework is used in a wide range of industries and applications due to its advantageous properties. Also known as ‘low carbon steel’, mild steel has a low percentage of carbon. This makes it an excellent choice of material for welders as it’s more malleable (compared to high carbon steel). What is Stainless Steel? Stainless steel is also used for various applications in a wide range of industries, including pipework. It is an alloy of iron, containing at least 10.5% chromium and a maximum of 1.2% carbon, making it a highly durable and heavy material. Stainless steel is often used in industries like construction, food and catering, and automotive. Differences between Mild and Stainless Steel Costs Mild Steel: Known for its affordability, mild steel is a cost-effective choice for projects where budget constraints are a primary consideration. Many project managers looking for pipework fabricators find mild steel a useful choice as it doesn’t compromise on the quality and performance of pipework. This gives space in their budget for other costly aspects of a project. Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is generally more expensive than mild steel. This is due to it containing more chromium and other alloying elements, which add to the cost of production. The cost to produce stainless steel also depends on the grade and surface finishes of the steel made to suit the environment it will be used in. The price difference becomes far more substantial when a larger amount of stainless steel is required for a project. In the pipework industry, there is usually large volumes of pipework required. Therefore, it can be considerably more expensive compared to mild steel. Strength and Quality Mild Steel: Mild steel is renowned for its strength and durability, making it suitable for various industrial applications. Mild steel pipework also holds excellent resistance to external forces, making it a reliable choice for withstanding physical impacts and potential damage. Read more about the benefits of mild steel. Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is also a very strong material with excellent durability, due to the higher level of chromium. Stainless steel can withstand high temperature and extreme environments. For example, stainless steel pipework is great for the oil and gas industry. This is because these pipes must be corrosion resistant and high pressure resistant in extreme environments. Therefore, stainless steel pipes play an important role in oil and gas extraction, transportation and storage due to their corrosion resistance and high strength. Weldability Mild Steel: An excellent advantage of mild steel is that it’s very easily weldable. Therefore, allowing for easy fabrication and on-site modifications. When it comes to fabricating pipework, mild steel is a great choice of material for those looking for high-quality, reliable pipework, yet with quicker turn-arounds. Stainless Steel: When it comes to welding stainless steel, it requires more time than welding mild steel. This is due to its higher thermal conductivity compared to other metals, therefore requiring more heat to weld correctly. This makes it more difficult to control the welding process and can cause distortion and warping of the material. Ductility Mild Steel: In terms of ductility, mild steel is far easier to twist and stretch compared to stainless steel. This means mild steel can be changed into different shapes without breaking, which is advantageous in pipework fabrication. This allows for quicker project completion times, which is always a bonus. Stainless Steel: Stainless steel, on the other hand, tends to be less ductile due to its composition. This means it is hard to twist or flex once designed into a particular shape. Therefore, pipework fabrication projects using stainless steel may take longer to complete. The choice between mild steel and stainless steel in pipework fabrication ultimately depends on the specific requirements of your project. If cost-effectiveness, quicker completion times, and strength are paramount, mild steel may be the ideal choice for you. It’s always a good idea to speak to the experts about which pipework materials are best. If you’re looking for pipework fabrication for your next project, get in touch with us for more information.