Fabricators

automet® for Fabricators

Three core steps: Design Input, Field/Shop Survey, and Analysis. Follow this workflow in order to inspect, verify, and correct pipe spools during fabrication.

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1 · Design Input
Import or manually construct the baseline spool model (.DES).

2 · Survey Execution
Observe physical flanges, supports, and pipe ends against the design.

3 · Analysis & Report
Evaluate vector deviations, alignment touch points, and export reports.

Before starting the survey:

Power on the Total Station and establish a connection to your laptop via Bluetooth or Leica GEV267 serial cable.

Video guide: Getting Started & Hardware Setup

Step 1: Design Input

automet® FAB requires a baseline design file (`.DES`) to compare measured survey points against drawing specifications.

Method 1 · Import IDF or PCF File

The fastest method. Import an exported plant design file (IDF or PCF) directly into automet® FAB. The system automatically populates component specifications, flange ratings, and segment lengths into a `.DES` file.

Video guide: Import IDF/PCF Files into automet®

Method 2 · Manual Design Entry

Build or edit the model manually using the Design Input module. Mastering manual entry is essential for updating client isometric drawings, editing gasket allowances, and modifying component lengths in the field.

Video guide: Manual Design Entry Video Playlist

Off-grid mitres and deflections

When an off-grid spool contains a flange deflection, examine the isometric drawing notes for orientation statements (e.g., "ALL FLANGE DEFLECTIONS ARE SHOWN SQUARE TO THE GRID"). Follow the polar angle configuration shown in the video below.

Off-grid mitres and deflections

Video guide: Off-Grid Mitre Input Tutorial

Step 2: Survey Execution

Once a design model (`.DES`) is loaded, you are ready to execute the survey.

Starting a survey session

Select the Run Survey button on the main menu.

• 
  automet® main menu: Select Run Survey

Start New Survey

Select START NEW to generate a new survey file using the design name, automatically assigning the survey stage and revision number.

• 
  Start New survey setup dialog

Continue Existing Survey

Select CONTINUE EXISTING to reload previous observations. This function requires that neither the spool nor total station has moved, or that control points are available for resection.

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  Continue Existing survey dialog

Load design file and survey stage

1. Select the target design file using the file browser button (`...`). 2. Choose the appropriate survey stage:

1. • In-Situ: Field measurements on installed piping networks prior to replacement.
   • Tack Weld: Fabrication shop survey during pre-weld assembly.
   • Post Weld: Final quality verification following full weld completion.

• 
  Design file selection dialog
• 
  Selecting survey stage (Post Weld)

Pre-survey preparation checklist

Before selecting Start Capture:

1. Verify isometric geometry: Click the Isometric button to confirm the active model matches the physical spool. Flange numbers on the drawing must correspond directly to survey sequence order. 2. Physical flange marking: Mark corresponding flange numbers directly onto physical flanges using paint markers. 3. Targeting telescope start point: Aim the telescope at a accessible starting point on Flange 01. Hold the right mouse button to guide the motor laser. If target lock is lost, return the prism to the starting point to recover lock. 4. Plan measurement path: Select an initial diameter point and proceed sequentially around the flange face in one continuous direction.

• 
  Isometric spool review window

Moving survey start points

Video guide: Moving the Start Point During a Survey (0:55)

Summary: Useful technique when surveying large spools with restricted line-of-sight.

Orientation Point (OP) for straight spools

An Orientation Point (OP) establishes Top Dead Centre (TDC) for straight pipe spools lacking distinguishing geometric features.

1. Record a single point at the top center of Flange 01, positioned at Top Dead Centre between the upper bolt holes. 2. Proceed with the flange survey as normal. 3. Mark the physical OP location on the spool body to ensure correct site installation orientation.

Orientation Point workflow

Video guide: Orientation Point Procedure for Straight Spools (2:56)

Flange and support observations

Video guides:

• Spool Flange Survey Procedure (3:28)
• Surveying Structural Supports and Base Plates (2:23)

Step 3: Analysis and Deviation Verification

The analysis module compares captured survey coordinates against design geometry to calculate dimensional deviations.

Key Analytical Definitions

• Vector error: Coordinate distance (X, Y, Z) between measured work points and design centerlines.
• Alignment error (Touch Point): High-point location on a flange face that will make contact first with a mating flange. The displayed value represents the gap opening (in mm) on the opposite side of the face.
• Rotational error: Angular rotation error of bolt-hole patterns relative to design reference axes.

Interpreting deviation reports

Positional Vector Errors

Vector arrows indicate the magnitude and direction of displacement.

Example: A flange reading +1.4 mm Z, +0.6 mm Y (North), and +0.8 mm X (East) requires physical adjustment in the opposite direction (-1.4 mm Z, -0.6 mm South, -0.8 mm West) to achieve zero deviation.

Bolt-Hole Rotational Error

The blue curved arrow indicates rotational displacement (in mm or degrees) and direction of bolt-hole misalignment.

Flange Touch Point (High Point)

Indicates the exact point on the flange face that contacts the mating flange first. The correction value indicates the required pullback distance into the pipe run.

Open Pipe End Long Point

Identifies the long point location along un-flanged pipe ends (PE) to guide field bevel trimming.

Final report and analysis controls

Full 3D Graphical Analysis Report

Analysis controls and viewing options

Video guide: Analysis View Controls and Model Navigation[cite: 1]

Summary: Explains model rotation, vector arrow scaling, toggling point spheres, adjusting font sizes, setting vector tolerance thresholds, and launching PDF previews[cite: 1].

Analysis View Controls Interface

PDF Report Export Preview Window