Integrated Piping

Integrated Piping

Bridging the Gap between Engineering and Fabrication

In a 3R pipe-shop the machines and transport systems are fully integrated, meaning that there is an exchange of signals between the machines, the conveyors and the software. A large amount of data and parameters can be recorded, and the machine status and fabrication status of each spool can be monitored from a central location, bringing production significantly closer to Industry 4.0 standards.
Central Database

Connectivity

In our automated pipe-shops every machine and workstation is connected to a central database that stores all fabrication data. This database makes it possible to transmit data from engineering to the shop floor.

Furthermore the various stations and machines are able to communicate with each other, so for instance the band saw can request a new pipe from the dispenser after completing a cutting job.

Pipe Processing Real-Time Monitoring

Real-Time Data

All stations and the automated transport system inside the pipe-shop are equipped with sensors, providing real-time monitoring capabilities.

General feedback from the machines includes processing start and finish times, or machine utilization, while advanced sensor data lets you record auto-welding metrics. Data is also collected for important KPIs, e.g. DIA inch per station, and transmitted to the central database.

Pipe-Spool Workshop Control Software

Production Control

Using sensor data and other data gathered at each station, the entire fabrication process can be monitored and controlled using a model of the actual pipe-shop.

The software determines the ideal route for each pipe, and the ideal fabrication order of all pipes. Each pipe’s location inside the shop can be tracked in real-time, as each pipe is marked with a unique ID that makes it identifiable at every station.

Smart Pipe Spool Fabrication

Software integration is a key factor in our pipe-shops, as it facilitates a high degree of automation and control of the entire fabrication process, from managing the warehouse inventory to keeping track of the installation status.

The central database, where all fabrication data is stored, is accessible from inside the pipe-shop, as well as the engineering and management offices. It is used to transmit CNC data to the machines and to receive status updates from them concerning their current processing jobs.

Pipes and fittings are marked with ID numbers, barcodes or QR codes, so they can be identified at every position inside the shop. Not only does this enable machines to retrieve CNC parameters from the database and workers at fit-up and welding stations to quickly access spool details, it also allows the transport system to automatically move pipes to the next processing station, saving valuable time.

As a high and consistent quality is essential, our software collects all relevant data such as time and duration of processing, welding metrics, fitter and welder IDs, and more. In addition to being able to monitor the fabrication process as it is happening, you can also trace back each part and welding seam of every spool that is fabricated in your pipe-shop.

Pipe-Spool Engineering and Fabrication

Smart Pipe Spool Fabrication

Software integration is a key factor in our pipe-shops, as it facilitates a high degree of automation and control of the entire fabrication process, from managing the warehouse inventory to keeping track of the installation status.

The central database, where all fabrication data is stored, is accessible from inside the pipe-shop, as well as the engineering and management offices. It is used to transmit CNC data to the machines and to receive status updates from them concerning their current processing jobs.

Pipes and fittings are marked with ID numbers, barcodes or QR codes, so they can be identified at every position inside the shop. Not only does this enable machines to retrieve CNC parameters from the database and workers at fit-up and welding stations to quickly access spool details, it also allows the transport system to automatically move pipes to the next processing station, saving valuable time.

As a high and consistent quality is essential, our software collects all relevant data such as time and duration of processing, welding metrics, fitter and welder IDs, and more. In addition to being able to monitor the fabrication process as it is happening, you can also trace back each part and welding seam of every spool that is fabricated in your pipe-shop.

Pipe Welding Monitoring

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Find out more about the specifics of our pipe-shops here.

Find out more about our software framework here.