AVEVA™ E3D Design

Spooling and Checks

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Spooling and Checks

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Last UpdatedFeb 14, 2025
18 minute read

Pipe spool generation makes sure that all pipes spools include the necessary adjustments to be suitable for production in an automatic and configurable manner. The following must be considered:

Spooling must be part of design and pipe production.
The limit of pipe spool can be manually set.
Pipe production checks must be a one step application, available interactively via a window and also in bulk mode for any list of pipe spools built from an explorer level. For example, blocks and areas.
A spool can contain the following pipe components:
- Welded Flanges
- Lap joint flanges and stub ends
- Caps
- Bended pipes
- Stub in branches, for example OLET or SET-ON TEE
- Branch build via extrusion
- Welds
- Couplings
- Any other manually welded components.
The bending logic addresses the complete pipe bending process information in a comprehensive manner in order to make sure all design configurations can be effectively produced. Machine welding and extrusions are tested in the same way.
The following general errors can occur:
- Minimum distances for bending not met
- Collision with bottom, bending machine or other constraints defined by collision planes
- Height for extrusion machine does not allow extrusion
- Minimum distances between welds not fulfilled.
All errors display an error message. The error message must be meaningful and combined with visualisation. Guided changes are possible, for example, for additional excesses or switches to manual bends.
The dimensions and constraints of fabrication machines are stored in configuration tables in the Fabrication Machine World. The Fabrication Machine World can be attached on a branch, a pipe or for a complete zone. A link can be set from the piping specification to the Fabrication Machine World and is used during piping.
If flanges are welded before bending there is an impact on the bending process. The bending machine must have a clutch, which can grip a flanged end, this influences the maximum pipe length for bending.
During bending, welding and extrusion checks, a custom configurable optimization can be applied to minimize costs or waste of material. An individual order for the optimization can be assigned, this is then considered by the pipe fabrication check algorithm. In each case the algorithm checks both bending directions, if both are possible, the optimization criteria is used to decide the welding and bending process.
Override fabrication checks and optimization, for example, the user can manually define a clutch piece or an explicit feed length. When a manual override is entered, the bending check algorithm considers the override and only tests, for example, the predefined working direction.
The most cost effective way of fabrication, is mechanical fabrication in a workshop. For welding, bending and extruding, pipe production checks must be carried out to verify machine specific dimensions. If this is not possible, the pipe length is estimated and cut to an exact size at a later date.
For flanges at the end of a straight pipe, with an extrusion, the pipe is oversized to allow for extrusion and cut prior to flange welding.
Between two bends, a feed excess may be added to allow for grip length if the distance between the bends is too small. The excess is cut to an exact size at a later date. The resulting two pieces are welded together, leading to an additional weld.

Weld Handling

Use the Weld Handling window to create, modify, and delete welds in the currently selected spool. Also use the window, to view welds which could not be created.

Create Weld

Click CE to identify the currently selected element as the working element. Use the Create part of the Weld Handling window to create and define a weld.

	Spec.	Select Spec to create a weld from the current pipe spec. The weld thickness is pre-defined by the spec.
	Config.	Select Config to create a weld from a common weld spec. The weld thickness can be modified according to the design circumstance. Refer to Zero Gap for further information.
	Zero Gap	Select to define a weld thickness of 0.
	Fabrication Type	Select Manual, Machine, or Orbital, then Shop, Site or Field.
	Create Welds on CE	Creates a weld for the selected pipe with specific options for Fitting to Fitting Connection and Slip-On Flanges. Refer to Weld Gaps for further information.
	Create Welds by Picking	Creates a weld by picking the specific element in the 3D graphical view.
	Append Weld Number	Select the check box, the next available weld number is assigned to the current weld, by default. Leave the check box unchecked to assign the weld number manually. Note: The weld number is a unique value. Duplicate weld numbers are highlighted by application.

Modify and Delete Welds

Use the Modify part of the Weld Handling window to modify and delete the currently selected weld.

The weld list displays weld information for the welds that can be modified.

Name	Name of the weld.
Weld Type	Displays the weld type.
Fab. Type	Displays the weld fabrication type.
Spool Limit	Displays the weld spool limit status.
Number	Displays the weld number.
	Modify the properties of the Weld set in the 3D graphical view (Shop, Type).
	Refreshes the weld list.
	Deletes all welds in the weld list, a window displays asking you to confirm the deletion. By default the Include Spool Limits check box is selected, allowing you to Include Spool Limits within the deletion. Note: If the weld list only contains Spool Limit Welds and the delete button is pressed, the toggle is automatically set to true.
	Deletes all welds in the weld list, a window displays asking you to confirm the deletion. By default the Include Spool Limits check box is selected, allowing you to Include Spool Limits within the deletion. Note: If the weld list only contains Spool Limit Welds and the delete button is pressed, the toggle is automatically set to true.
Export Weld List	Exports the weld list in an excel format to another location.
Zoom when selected	Select the check box to zoom to the weld information for the selected weld in the 3D graphical view.
Highlight Elements	Select the check box to highlight the selected weld in the 3D graphical view.
Mark Weld Info.	Select the check box to display the weld information for the selected weld in the 3D graphical view.

Error tab

When welds cannot be created between components, the name and description of the error populates the Error tab of the Weld Handling window.

Modify Spool

Use the Modify Spool window to define pipe end & feed excess, loose components, spool limits, machine insertion direction and create multiple spools.

User End & Feed Excess

Use the User End & Feed Excess part of the Modify Spool window to display and modify the end and feed excess values.

End Excess - adds a surplus to the end of pipe pieces during production.

Feed Excess - adds a surplus during the feeding of the pipe piece through the bending machine during production.

Show User End Excesses	Displays or hides the end excess values in the 3D graphical view.
Set User End Excess	View or modify the end excess by picking a tube element on the 3D graphical view.
Show User Feed Excess	Displays or hides the feed excess values in the 3D graphical view.
Set User Feed Excess	View or modify the feed excess by picking a tube element on the 3D graphical view.

Components Attributes

Use the Component Attributes part of the Modify Spool window to display and modify the component attributes.

Show Loose Component

Displays or hides the loose component value in the 3D graphical view

Modify Component Attributes

Click to display the Component Attributes window. Refer to Modify Component Attributes for further information.

Modify Component Attributes

Use the Component Attributes window to define the attributes for piping components.

	Displays the attribute settings for the previous piping component.
	Displays the attribute settings for the next piping component.
Loose Component	Select the check box to specify the piping component as a Loose Component.
Apply Default Loose Excess (200.00mm)	The check box becomes active when the user selects the Loose Component check box, the Offline Component check box must be left unchecked and the component must be positioned at the end of a spool. Select the check box to define a Default Loose Excess of 200mm for the piping component.
Offline Component	Select the check box to specify the piping component as an Offline Component.
Shop Fabrication Material	Select the check box to specify the piping component as a Shop Fabrication Material component.

Spool Limits

Use the Spool Limits part of the Modify Spool window to display and modify the spool limits. A spool limit can be added or deleted. The spool limit is created with a field WELD component.

Show Spool Limits	Displays the spool limits (welds) for the currently selected pipe on the 3D graphical view.
Hide Spool Limits	Hides the spool limits (welds) for the currently selected pipe on the 3D graphical view.
Add/Remove Spool Limit - No Welds/Welds	Create a spool limit for a component using a cursor pick on the 3D graphical view. Pick first component or <ESC> to finish : on the 3D graphical view Possible spool limit positions are displayed as a square without fill, existing spool limits are displayed as a filled square.
	Pick a second component adjacent to the first component. The second component is used to decide the exact position for a new spool limit. A Confirm window displays asking OK to add?, click Yes to add a new spool limit.
	If the Add/Remove Spool Limits - No Welds is selected the weld is not displayed on the 3D graphical view.

Add/Remove Spool Limit - No Welds/Welds	Remove a spool limit for a component using a cursor pick on the 3D graphical view. Pick first component or <ESC> to finish : on the 3D graphical view

	Pick a second component, a Confirm window is displayed asking OK to remove, click Yes to remove the spool limit.

	If the spool limit location on the currently selected pipe already has a spool limit created without a field WELD component and Add/Remove Spool Limit - Welds is selected, the following Confirm window is displayed:

	Click Yes to replace the spool limit - without a weld component with a weld.

Machine Insertion Direction

Use the Set Machine Insertion Direction part of the Modify Spool window to define the bending direction for the spool.

Arrive	Select the radio button and specify the Arrive to define the spool arrive end as the machine insertion direction.
Leave	Select the radio button and specify the Leave to define the spool leave end as the machine insertion direction.
Auto	By default, the bending direction is assigned after the bending check algorithm has checked and optimized both directions.

Multiple Spools

Use the Create Multiple Spool part of the Modify Spool window to define a Spool Drawing (SPLDRG) element.

The Fabrication Explorer is automatically displayed, SPLDRG elements can be viewed in the Fabrication Explorer.

Use the Modify Spool window to create a multiple spool.

	Creates the currently selected Department (ISODEP), Registry (ISOREG) or Spool Drawing (SPLDRG) element.
Department	Select from the drop-down list to create a Department element. Enter a Department Name in the field to the right of the drop-down list, the element displays in the Fabrication Explorer.
Registry	Select from the drop-down list to create a Registry element. Enter a Registry Name in the field to the right of the drop-down list, the element displays in the Fabrication Explorer.
Spool Drawing	Select from the drop-down list to create a Spool Drawing element. Enter a Spool Drawing Name in the field to the right of the drop-down list, the element displays in the Fabrication Explorer.
	Adds a spool to a spool drawing by picking the spool on the 3D graphical view.
	Removes a spool from a spool drawing by picking the spool on the 3D graphical view.
	Include field components into the Spool drawing.
Update Part Number	Creates Fabrication or Installation Isometrics.
Search Within	Search within the pipe, branch, zone, site or world.

Use the bottom part of the Modify Spool window to define the links with Fabrication Checks and Weld Handling. Functionality is also available to clear all Aid Texts on the 3D graphical view.

Fabrication Checks	Click to display the Fabrication Check window. Refer to Fabrication Check for further information
Weld Handling	Click to display the Weld Handling window. Refer to Weld Handling for further information
Clear All	Removes all Aid Texts on the 3D graphical view.

Add Spool Attributes

Use the Spool Attributes window to modify the spool name and other attributes. Functionality is also available to add a new attribute column to the list of available columns.

CE	Identifies the currently selected element as the working element. The list of spool attributes is populated with all spools under the current element.
Export	Exports the spool data to an excel file.
Highlight when selected	Select the check box to highlight the selected spool in the 3D graphical view.

Add new columns using the ppGetColumnsForSpool.pmlfnc file, located in the pmlfnc folder. The following example describes how to add a new attribute column, called Paint, to the list of spool attributes.

Open the ppGetColumnsForSpool.pmlfnc file, the highlighted text in the example below displays the text required to be added to the file.

!columns[1] = The attribute name of the spool
!columns[2] = The column title for the attribute in the list of spool attributes.
!columns[3] = Possible value list or function name which has a value list.

If there is no value list, input an empty string (‘’).

Reload the Spool Attributes window to the application using the Command Window, enter pml reload form !!pfSpoolAttributes.

Add new drop-down value list using the ppGetColumnsForSpool.pmlfnc file, located in the pmlfnc folder. The following example describes how to add a value list to the Paint attribute column.

Open the ppGetColumnsForSpool.pmlfnc file, the text in the example below displays the text required to be added to the file.

Reload the Spool Attributes window to the application using the Command Window, enter pml reload form !!pfSpoolAttributes.

Alternatively, add a new drop-down value list using the ppGetColumnsForSpool.pmlfnc and pfGetValueListForSpool.pmlfnc files.

Open the ppGetColumnsForSpool.pmlfnc file, the highlighted text in the example below displays the text required to be added to the file.

Open the pfGetValueListForSpool.pmlfnc file, the highlighted text in the example below displays the text required to be added to the file.

Fabrication Check

Use the Fabrication Check window to check pipe models for production readiness. Make sure a SITE or ZONE element is selected as the CE in the design hierarchy.

Add CE

Identifies the currently selected element as the working element. The list of available pipes is populated with all pipes under the current element.

Validate

Validates the current selection for production readiness. After validation, all errors and production information displays in the Check Results and the Details tabs.

After validation, the pipe status is set to ready for production if there are no errors.

Release

Sets the pipe status to ready for production, regardless of outstanding production errors.

Zoom when selected	Select the check box to display the currently selected element in the 3D graphical view.
Modify Spool	Click to display the Modify Spool window. Refer to Modify Spool for further information.
Weld Handling	Click to display the Weld Handling window. Refer to Weld Handling for further information.
Select Default Fabrication Machines	Click to display the Default Fabrication Machines part Fabrication Check window. Refer to Default Fabrication Machines for further information.

Use the pipe status part of the fabrication check window to view the list of pipes contained within the currently selected site or zone element together with the fabrication status and if the pipe has passed the consistency check.

Right-click on the Pipe part of the Fabrication Check window to display a pop-up menu of available options associated with the selection.

Validate Pipes	Runs the fabrication checks against the currently selected pipes and displays the result. Spools and pieces are generated after validation if there are no outstanding errors.
Validate Pipes With	Use the Select Fabrication Machines window to view the default bending machines available for selection.
Set to Manually Bent	All pipe pieces containing bends in the selected pipe are set to manually bent.
Set to Minimum Feed Excess	Add the default surplus during the feeding of the pipe-piece through the bending machine, when in production.
Select Default Fabrication Machines	Selects the default fabrication machines to be used instead of the fabrication machines specified by BendMacReference in fabrication checks. Refer to Default Fabrication Machines for further information.
Release	Generates spool and piece elements for the currently selected pipes, the status is set to Ready for fabrication regardless of outstanding warnings.
Delete Spool Information	Deletes fabrication information for all pipe spools and pipe pieces in the currently selected pipes.
Add CE	Adds all pipes under the CE element to the pipe list.
Remove Selected	Removes the currently selected pipes from the pipe list.
Remove All	Removes all pipes from the pipe list.
Select All	Selects all pipes in the list of available pipes.
Unselect All	Deselects all pipes in the list of available pipes.
Add to 3D View	Adds the selected pipes to the 3D graphical view.
Remove from 3D View	Removes the selected pipes from the 3D graphical view.
Optimization Priorities	Displays the Optimization Priorities window, use it to order the optimization priorities for the fabrication check. The modified priorities are temporary and is invalid after closing the Fabrication Check window. The functionality of the Optimization Priorities window is explained as part of the process for defining Optimization Criteria for Bending and Welding. Refer to Optimization Criteria for Bending and Welding for further information.
Zoom To	Displays the currently selected pipes in the 3D graphical view.
Navigate To	Navigates to the selected pipe in the Design Explorer.

Use the Spool part of the Fabrication Check window, to view the list of pipe spools contained within the CE, together with the fabrication status and spool type.

Right-click on the Spool part of the Fabrication Check window to display a pop-up menu of available options associated with the selection.

Validate Spools	Runs the fabrication checks against the currently selected spools.
Validate Spools With	Use the Select Fabrication Machines window to view the default fabrication machines available for selection.
Set to Minimum Feed Excess	Add the default surplus during the feeding of the pipe-piece through the bending machine, when in production.
Set to Manually Bent	All pipe pieces containing bends in the selected pipe spool are set to manually bent.
Select Default Fabrication Machines	Selects the default fabrication machines to be used instead of the fabrication machines specified by BendMacReference in fabrication checks. Refer to Default Fabrication Machines for further information.
Release	Generates spool and piece elements for the currently selected spools, sets the status to Ready for fabrication regardless of outstanding warnings.
Delete Spool Information	Deletes fabrication information for all pipe spools and pipe pieces in the currently selected spools.
Modify Name	Use the Rename Element window to rename individual spools.
Rename Spools	Renames the currently selected spools by using auto-naming rules. If auto-naming is turned off, the menu is disabled.
Rename All Spools	Renames all spools in the spool list by using auto-naming rules. If auto-naming is turned off, the menu is disabled.
Change Spool Type	Sets the spool type of selected pipe spool, SHOP, FITT or SITE.
Zoom To	Displays the currently selected pipe spool in the 3D graphical view.
Navigate To	Navigates to the selected pipe spool in the Design Explorer.
Highlight	Highlights the last selected pipe spool in the 3D graphical view.

Use the Piece No. part of the Fabrication Check window to view the list of pipe pieces contained within the CE, together with the fabrication status.

Right-click on the Piece No. part of the Fabrication Check window to display a pop-up menu of available options associated with the selection.

Validate Pipe Pieces	Runs the fabrication checks against the currently selected pipe pieces.
Validate Pipe Pieces With	Use the Select Fabrication Machines window to view a list of available fabrication machines for selection.
Set to Manually Bent	The selected pipe piece is set to manually bent.
Set to Minimum Feed Excess	Add the default surplus during the feeding of the pipe-piece through the bending machine, when in production.
Select Default Fabrication Machines	Selects the default fabrication machines to be used instead of the fabrication machines specified by BendMacReference in fabrication checks. Refer to Default Fabrication Machines for further information.
Delete Piece Information	Deletes fabrication information for the currently selected pipe pieces.
Zoom To	Displays the currently selected pipe piece in the 3D graphical view.
Navigate To	Navigates to the selected pipe piece in the Design Explorer.
Highlight	Highlights the last selected pipe piece in the 3D graphical view.

The Check Results tab displays a description of the Fabrication Check errors, the check results display are classified as:

Amber = warning
Red = failed.
i = information.

The Details tab displays all values from the fabrication check, the values are stored in PPIECE elements.

Default Fabrication Machines

When the default fabrication machines are selected, the fabrication checks only use these default fabrication machines, instead of using the BendMacReference attribute of the zone, pipe and branch.

Galvanization Tank Check

Use the Galvanization Tank Check window to check the validity of a galvanization tank against a pipe spool.

The list of available spools displays the currently selected pipe spools.

CE	Identifies the currently selected element as the working element.
Select Galvanization Tank	Select a galvanization tank from the drop-down list to validate against the currently selected pipe spool.
Tank Dimensions (W x H x D)	Displays the galvanization tank’s dimensions in the W x H x D format.
Zoom when Selected	Zooms to the currently selected spool in the 3D view.
Show Spool Volume	Displays the spool volume in the 3D view.
Check	Checks the validity of the galvanization tank against the currently selected pipe spool.
Stop	Cancels the current check.

Automatic Flange Alignment

For pipe-pieces and pipe spools that have been set up to be machine welded, that system make sure it correctly orientates the piping model so flange-holes and spools align when assembled.

The system checks flange-alignment as part of the pipe-checking and Datacon functionality.

Fabrication Machine

The system can check pipe pieces for production readiness against bending machines, welding machines, extrusion machines and the defined stock length of tubing.

Fabrication checks requests are made to a fabrication machine manager controlling the fabrication machines. Information about the welding/bending machine operation and their corresponding activity tables can be obtained from the Manager.

AVEVA™ E3D Design

Spooling and Checks

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Spooling and Checks

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