Training Path Module 5

Self-Guided Learning Path: automet® FAB

Module 5: Analysis  ·  Interpreting survey results, visual reports, least-squares fit optimization, manual transforms, and report generation.

Estimated Time: 30 minutes

1. Getting Started

2. Design Input

3. Survey Setup

4. Execution

5. Analysis

Overview

Selecting Visual Report from the main application menu following a survey compares captured field observations against design specifications (`.DES`).

The visual analysis suite enables surveyors to rotate and translate models, include or exclude specific flanges from least-squares fit calculations, zero individual tie-ins, adjust fit weighting preferences, and isolate gross fabrication errors.

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  Graphical visual analysis display comparing survey to design

File Dependencies and Opening Surveys

Analyzing survey data requires two corresponding files:

• Survey File (`.SUR`): Contains observed field coordinate data.
• Design File (`.DES`): Contains baseline CAD model geometry.

To analyze a previously completed survey, select Open for Analysis adjacent to **Survey File:** on the main interface—the corresponding design file loads automatically. If a survey was just completed, click Visual Report directly.

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  Main menu analysis launch controls

Visual Report Controls

Navigation and Interface Controls

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  Main visual report button layout

Isometric View Controls

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  Reset camera view (North to top-left)
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  Toggle back vectors on/off
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  Toggle observed points spheres on/off
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  Toggle model full shrink
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  Toggle model full size
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  Toggle free rotate vs. turntable mode

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  Expanded viewer controls and display scaling sliders

Iso view navigation controls

Video guide: Controls for Iso View in Analysis (2:41)

Summary: Demonstrates camera rotation, wheel zoom, mouse pan, camera resets, showing observed point spheres, scaling vector arrows, and adjusting model shrink parameters.

Quick View & Orientation Buttons

• North Arrow: Resets camera orientation so North points top-left.
• B Button: Toggles display of back vectors on/off.
• P Button: Toggles observed data point spheres on/off.
• Shrink Buttons: Toggle full model shrink or restore to full size.
• Free Rotate: Switch between free-orbit rotation and turntable mode.

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  North view reset
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  Toggle back vectors
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  Toggle point spheres
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  Full shrink
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  Full size
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  Turntable / Free rotate

Viewer Controls & Scaling Sliders

• Vector Scaling: Adjust size and arrowhead dimensions for vector arrows.
• Font & Label Scaling: Customize text dimensions across the model.
• Point & Opacity Controls: Adjust sphere sizes, leader lengths, and transparency.

• 
  Expanded viewer controls and display scaling sliders

Iso view navigation controls

Video guide: Controls for Iso View in Analysis (2:41)

Summary: Demonstrates camera rotation, wheel zoom, mouse pan, camera resets, showing observed point spheres, scaling vector arrows, and adjusting model shrink parameters.

North View Reset

• Resets camera orientation so North points to the top-left.

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  North view reset

Back Vectors (B Button)

• Toggles display of back vector error arrows on and off.

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  Toggle back vectors

Point Spheres (P Button)

• Toggles observed survey data point spheres on and off.

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  Toggle point spheres

Full Shrink

• Fully shrinks component lengths to highlight flange orientations.

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  Full shrink view

Full Size

• Restores pipe spool model to full proportional length.

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  Full size view

Rotation Mode

• Switches between free 3D orbit rotation and turntable mode.

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  Free rotate / turntable

Expanded Display & Scaling Controls

• Sliders: Adjust font dimensions, shrink ratios, vector arrow scaling, arrowhead sizes, opacity, and positional tolerance thresholds.

• 
  Expanded viewer controls and display scaling sliders

Iso view navigation controls

Video guide: Controls for Iso View in Analysis (2:41)

Summary: Demonstrates camera rotation, wheel zoom, mouse pan, camera resets, showing observed point spheres, scaling vector arrows, and adjusting model shrink parameters.

Manual Transforms and Model Adjustments

Isometric View Controls

Reset Camera View

Sets the image's North (+Y) to the top left corner.

Toggle Back Vectors

Displays the flange's weld face vector errors.

Toggle Point Spheres

Shows the surveyed location of the prism ball.

Toggle Model Full Shrink

Toggle full shrink and return to full size.

Toggle Model Full Size

Toggle full shrink and return to full size.

Rotation Mode

Toggle between 'Turntable' and 'Free' rotation.

Expanded Viewer Controls and Display Scaling Sliders

Open Tie-In Surveys

When analyzing open tie-in site surveys, enable the **Open Tie-In** function to prevent coordinate fit distortions.

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  Open tie-in analysis control panel

Report Generation

automet® FAB generates three specialized documentation reports following analysis setup:

Visual Error Report
3D graphical view displaying vector arrows, rotational offsets, and face touch-point gap dimensions.

Text Report
Tabular coordinate listing showing actual vs. design coordinates, D-point locations, and alignment angles.

QA Integrity Report
Quality audit verifying face planarity, PCD errors, device types, and multi-setup instrument move precision.

Visual Error Graphical Report

All displayed values represent deviations from design; a perfectly manufactured spool yields all zero values.

Full 3D Graphical Visual Error Report

Vector Errors (Black Arrows)

Indicate displacement magnitude and direction (+1.4 mm Z, +0.6 mm Y North, +0.8 mm X East). Correct by adjusting physical flange in the opposite direction (-1.4 mm Z, -0.6 mm South, -0.8 mm West).

Bolt-Hole Rotation (Blue Curved Arrow)

Shows rotational error magnitude (in mm) and direction.

Touch Point (Gold Value)

Identifies the raised-face high point contacting the mating flange first. The value represents the gap opening on the opposite side.

Open Pipe End Long Point

Identifies the longest point on un-flanged pipe ends to guide field bevel grinding.

Text Report

Contains tabular alignment, orientation, and global coordinate comparisons essential for field site surveys.

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  Text report coordinate summary page

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  Flange specification and gasket summary
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  Calculated work point centerlines
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  Plane point coordinate locations
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  Individual observed point coordinates
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  Flange midpoint coordinate summary

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  D-point location reference states

QA Integrity Report

Validates observation quality, face flatness (plane error), target seating (Max OD error), and instrument setup resection accuracy across multiple station moves.

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  QA integrity report page 1
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  QA integrity report page 2 (support plates and instrument moves)

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  Plane error warning (face planarity > 2 mm)
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  Max OD circle error (unseated target device)
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  Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) error diagram
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  PCD deviation readout
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  Max bolt-hole pitch error diagram
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  Max pitch angle deviation readout

Live QA Report During Capture

QA integrity reports can also be reviewed live during survey capture via the **Objects Tab**, allowing operators to identify and re-shoot flawed points before disturbing total station setups.

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  Live capture QA report view 1
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  Live capture QA report view 2

PDF Export Preview

To generate customer-facing PDF documentation, align the 3D model on screen to present all relevant callouts clearly, then click **PDF Preview**.

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  PDF export preview window

Training Path Completion & Next Steps

Congratulations on completing the **automet® FAB Self-Guided Learning Path**.

To continue expanding your technical expertise, explore the following specialized workflows:

• Automet® FAB - Site Survey – Detailed field site survey procedures.
• Automet® FAB - Control Capture Methods – Advanced resection networks and control station management.
• Pressure Vessels – Modelling and surveying pressure vessel nozzles and shell alignments.

For technical assistance or training inquiries, contact MLTech support at **info@mltech.co.uk**.