P&IDs, 3D Pipework and Piping Isometrics in One Integrated System

Modern pipework design systems provide advanced P&ID and 3D pipework layout tools. Piping isometric drawings are also generated completely automatically from the 3D pipework layout.

The design of process plant and pipework requires the creation of P&IDs, the design of process equipment and pipe systems, and the production of the associated piping isometric drawings.

Many manual steps when designing pipework

Process plant design begins with the creation of a schematic piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) to define the overall process. This is followed by the creation of a pipework layout that shows the position of the process equipment and the interconnected pipework, steelwork and other necessary components. Lastly, piping isometric drawings are generated for the pipework. These drawings detail each pipe spool ready for manufacture and assembly.

When the above tasks are undertaken using traditional drafting methods, or even with specialised, but separate, unintegrated software packages, this results in poor re-use of information between the design stages. This leads to the duplication of design data input at each stage, and therefore many opportunities for human error to creep in. This in turn leads to lengthy design times, poor overall design quality and inevitably, downstream construction problems and delays.

For example, with many P&ID drafting packages the resulting P&IDs often contain simple graphics with little or no detailed information about the actual components to be used. Even when intelligent P&IDs can be produced, the lack of integration between the packages means that much of the design data has to be input again during the pipework layout stage, and there is no way to check the consistency of the design data from P&ID to pipework layout. Furthermore, where piping isometrics are manually produced using a separate package, this again requires further duplication of data and gives scope for problems to arise.

Invest or be overtaken

Many companies are reluctant to switch to a modern system because this means replacing something that is perceived to already be working well enough. There is a saying: “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”, but we all know what that means: no improvements, constant design speed, and technological stagnation. And what happens if you move at constant speed while everyone else becomes faster? That’s right! You are overtaken, fall behind, and wonder about the decline in orders.

That’s why you should use modern pipework design software

The latest pipework design systems provide new functionality that completely automates design tasks that were previously manually performed. They also offer pre-defined part catalogues and specialised layout tools that speed up the design process. And the best thing about today’s leading systems, such as M4 PLANT, is that they are highly affordable.

Using existing design data

A further advantage of the latest pipework design systems is the re-use of existing design data. These systems typically offer extensive interfaces to all common 2D, 3D and Office formats. This allows you to import your existing design data, and also that of your customers and suppliers, to save time and ensure accuracy. In addition, 3D models of process equipment or even entire building can often be created from existing 2D drawings.

Fully integrated and automated

M4 PLANT provides an integrated suite of intelligent software that enables design information to flow from the P&ID to 3D pipework layout and onto the production of piping isometric drawings. This avoids the duplication of data input, thus eliminating opportunities for human error and speeding up the overall design process.

M4 PLANT also offers comprehensive standards-based symbol libraries and parametric part catalogues, which further greatly speed the design process. This is complemented by M4 PLANT’s auto-routing capability that enables designers to quickly explore and finalise pipework routes.

M4 PLANT’s integrated piping isometric system automatically generates piping isometric drawings directly from the 3D pipework layout at the push of a button. This can save weeks of time on a large project, and ensures high quality manufacturing documentation compared with manual drafting methods.

M4 PLANT is a modern, affordable, integrated software solution for process plant design.

Modernise your pipework design now

The use of a modern pipework design system such as M4 PLANT offers huge potential for savings. Design work can be performed faster and more effectively than before, and expensive tasks, such as the manual drafting of piping isometrics, are completely eliminated. Thanks to M4 PLANT’s interference and consistency checking systems, design errors can be easily detected and resolved, thereby avoiding costly on-site construction issues and project delays. It soon becomes clear that M4 PLANT will pay for itself after just a few projects, enabling even the most investment-cautious companies to get into the fast lane.