Automated Fire Piping Tagging and Resizing in CAD
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design and implementation of fire protection systems for commercial buildings using existing CAD software are time-consuming and prone to human error, particularly in material listing and tagging processes, which are manual and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that integrates with AUTOCAD MEP software, utilizing a process algorithm, traversing algorithm, and tagging algorithm to automate data validation, error checking, and fabrication list generation, enabling efficient design, fabrication, and installation of piping systems by breaking down main pipes, resizing branch pipes, and dynamically tagging components for accurate identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual drafting and material listing methods are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and loss of time is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical drafting processes with computer-based automated algorithms. The system uses algorithms to automatically traverse piping systems, extract material information, generate fabrication lists, and tag components, eliminating the need for manual counting and listing operations while significantly improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the computer to automatically perform material listing and tagging operations without human intervention. The algorithms independently traverse the piping system data structures, extract required information, and generate fabrication lists, making the system self-sufficient for these repetitive tasks
2Reliability
If manual tagging processes are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability is low due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual tagging operations with automated computer-based algorithms that systematically traverse piping system data structures and assign tags based on predefined rules and standards, eliminating human error and significantly improving tagging accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where algorithms continuously verify tagging operations against the piping system data structures and fabrication requirements, ensuring accuracy and allowing for correction of any errors before final output generation
3Reliability
If comprehensive error checking is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary error checking by validating piping system data structures and design parameters before fabrication list generation. The algorithms perform preliminary traversals to identify and correct errors early in the design process, preventing propagation of errors to subsequent fabrication and installation stages
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented system for designing a fire protection and/or piping system comprising a personal computer for loading programs into dynamic memory and storing data on a static memory device, means for providing user input, and program files comprising a process algorithm, traversing algorithm, and tagging algorithm. The process algorithm performs data validation, error checking and error resolution, saves data to a start point inserted by a user, pulls layer details into programming variables, applies processing logic to the system, and comprises a main pipes algorithm and a branch resizing algorithm. The traversing algorithm travels the system and presents objects to the process, main pipes and branch resizing algorithms in a logical order. The tagging algorithm attaches to each pipe in the system a tag with property set data pulled into and displayed in the tag. A method of using the foregoing system to design a fire protection and/or piping system.