Compare Panels

Suppose a situation where a big panel (for example, a complete deck) has been generated in the early design phase. Further suppose that this big panel has been broken down into panels of production (for example, block) size. In the detail design stage details are added and changes are made (for example, of dimensions and qualities), also in parts that have been derived form the original big panel. To make certain that these changes do not jeopardize the strength calculations made during the basic design stage, a function has been developed to assist the designer in comparing the original big panel with the derived panels of production size.

This function compares a number of component types (plates, stiffeners, welded flanges, pillars and brackets) regarding dimensions and quality. Found differences will be displayed both graphically and in a list. To identify a difference AVEVA Marine must be able to find a component in the big panel in the same location as a component of the same type in the part panel. Additional requirements for stiffeners are that they have to be on the same side of the panel and have the same inclination.

In the view of the part panel the following colors are used to indicate differences/no differences compared to the big panel:

• The dimensions are smaller or the quality differs: Red

• The dimensions are bigger and the quality is the same: Blue

• The dimensions and quality are the same: Green

• No corresponding component found on the big panel: White

For the big panel:

• No corresponding component found on the part panel: White

The identity of the component will also be displayed to make it easier to find the corresponding row in the list of differences that is also displayed. This difference list contains the component identity, the dimensions and quality of matching components of both the part panel and big panel. An example is shown below.

Difference List:

Here the stiffener S2 is smaller on the part panel than on the big panel, while the web of S5 is thicker on the part panel. The flange F1 on the part panel is not corresponded by any flange on the big panel.

If a drawing is active containing both panels to be compared, they may be picked interactively. This is also a condition for having a graphical indication of found differences. Optionally the names may be keyed-in. In any case a difference list outputs on the screen.

This list may optionally be output as a CSV file.