Pipework Spool

Piping

Spooling : Pipework Spool

The SPOOL module works with spooling networks, which are created by selecting pipework elements to be added to a spool drawing (SPLDRG). The selected elements must form an interconnected piping network but are not limited to a single branch or pipe in the design model.

Spooling networks consist of interconnected spools and fields. Where a SPOOL is defined as a run of piping components and tube that is connected during fabrication and a FIELD is an individual or group of piping components that are connected during the erection phase.

Spools and fields are defined by picking an element in the 3D View window. If the element has been defined as a fabrication element (For example, the SHOP Flag is true) it generates a SPOOL. Whereas, if the selected element has been defined as being fitted on site (For example, the SHOP Flag is false) it generates a FIELD.

When an element is picked, the software searches all connected piping components and tube and then adds all adjacent components that have the same SHOP Flag status to that spool or field. The ends of the spools, called SPOOL BREAKS, occur when the SHOP Flag status changes.

SPOOL BREAKS can be forced by defining Field Welds or Joints at the required point in the SPOOL. Field welds can be used to split a piping section at a particular component or at some defined point along a length of tube. The forced spool break is used to create a break at joint that does not have a field element in it (for example: a flanged joint with no gasket).

By setting the SFLimit (Spool/Field Limit) attribute for a SPLDRG to either BRAN, PIPE, ZONE or SITE (the default is WORLD), a spool break is enforced at any change at the corresponding element level.

SPOOLING NETWORKS can be defined by picking each SPOOL and FIELD in sequence, to add to the SPOOL DRAWING or by picking two ends of a continuous piping network. SPOOL checks that it is an interconnected network before it adds all the spools and fields to the SPOOL DRAWING.

Create Spool Break

A Spool Break is the change over point between SHOP and FIELD components. It occurs at the junction of two piping components (or implied TUBE) that fulfils one of the following cases:

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The Shop Flag status of the two components is different. For example, True-to-False or False-to-True. The Shop Flag status of elements in the DESIGN database can be changed in SPOOL use the Modify Shop/Field functionality, to Modify > MTO Status for further information.

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If a component is the end of the piping network (for example, connected to an EQUIpment item) it is automatically the end of the Spool/Field and the Spool Drawing.

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BOTH piping components have their spool break attributes set to true (CSFBREAK for a piping component and TSFBREAK for the leave tube).

To create a spool break, select Create > Spool Break from the main menu bar. Select the first element to add to the spool break, then select another.

Spool Toolbar

The Spool toolbar gives quick access to all the tasks associated with the creation and modification of Piping Spools. Depending on the selections made from the Spool toolbar, further windows are presented prompting for user input and options and allowing for the workflow to continue.

The toolbar for the Spool module displays by default, in the main menu bar once the module has been entered.


Update Current Spool Drawing	Updates the numbering on the current spool drawing.
Modify Current Spool Drawing	Modifies the current spool drawing.
Name of Active Spool Drawing	Displays the name of the current spool drawing.
Navigate Pick Mode	Pick elements in the 3D graphical view.
Add to Spool Drawing Pick Mode	Select anywhere on the pipework, the spool is added the spool drawing and a FIELD is automatically created for the gasket.
Remove to Spool Drawing Pick Mode	Select anywhere on the pipework, the spool is removed from the spool drawing and a FIELD is automatically created for the gasket.
Include Field Connections	Spooler automatically adds any adjacent field elements, such as the gasket on the end of the pipe.

Create Spool Drawings

Before selecting pipework elements to be added to a spool drawing (SPLDRG). The spool drawing hierarchy must be created in the Fabrication database. Refer to Database Structure and DRAW User Guide for further information on the hierarchy.

The selection becomes the Current Element (CE) in the Fabrication Explorer and displays as the active Spool Drawing in the text box on the SPOOL toolbar.

Select Adjacent Field Components

Gaskets on the ends of pipes (for example, between a flange and the nozzle of an equipment) cannot be picked in the 3D graphical view and therefore cannot be manually added to a Spool Drawing. To overcome this problem, adjacent field components can be automatically included, as separate FIELDs, when a spool is added to a Spool Drawing. Use Include Field Components from the SPOOL menu bar.

Add Pipework Elements to a Spool Drawing

Use Add to Spool Drawing from the SPOOL menu bar, to add pipework elements to a spool.

After selection the pipework element is added to the spool drawing and the Fabrication hierarchy as a SPOOL element.

Number the Spool Drawing

The numbering of spool drawings is normally used to provide full accountability and repeat ability through design changes. The parts numbers can be automatically applied to complete Spool Drawings, the default setting, or the parts can be numbered for each spool individually.

Use the Numbering Settings window, to define what elements of the spools are to be numbered.

All of the principle data for numbering settings are available from the Numbering Settings window.

Select what data has a number setting, click to check the appropriate check boxes, from the Include part of the Number Settings window. After the selection has been made, the user can define the Default spool prefix.

Select how the numbering is applied, from the part numbering drop-down list, the user can choose to apply the numbering per SPLDRG or per SPOOL.

The display numbers in the Model Explorer are for indication purposes only. They only match the real spool numbers when the Spool Drawing is first numbered. When the numbering is updated after something has been changed (for example, inserted a field weld to split a spool) the members list numbers get out of synchronisation with the real numbers. The way the spools are numbered, once updating is applied can be changed by selecting from the three options in the Update Choice Handling part of the Numbering Settings window:

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Use first available data - The first spool in which the data has changed is automatically picked up the first available number. When there are no more existing numbers new data is generated for any remaining spools.

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Always generate new data - Existing numbers are ignored and new data is generated for all affected spools.

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Manual data selection - Use the Select Data for Spool Element window, to select an existing number to use for the modified spool or whether to generate new data.

The Select Data for Spool Elements window is populated with the Spool numbers and available attribute data.


Use selected data	Use the existing number settings
Generate new data	Use new number settings

Update/Number Spool Drawing

Use the Update/Number Spool Drawing window to carry out a check of the Spool Drawing numbering, this takes a few seconds and then displays the Update/Number Spool Drawing window, with the results of the check populated in the Status part of the Update/Number Spool Drawing window.

Check Numbering

Once any changes have been made, it is best practice to check the spool drawing before producing an isometric. Use the Check Spool Drawing window to automatically check the spool drawing, once complete all of the results displayed in the Check Spool Drawing window.

Spool Shipping Volume

While it may be logical to have a long pipe as one spool, if that pipe is too large to be transported the spool may need to be split. Use the Spool Shipping Volume window to check the size of a spool.

The Spool Shipping Volume window is populated with the name of the Spool and its Shipping Volume.

Renumber Spool Drawing

Use the Renumber Spool Drawing window to renumber the spools in the spool drawing.