PDMS (Plant
Design Management System) is 3D Design software package developed by AVEVA Group Plc (UK based Information Technology Company). PDMS provides various
functions which are useful for Engineering, Design and Construction of Chemical
Process Plants (both offshore and onshore Projects).
PDMS is Multi-User, Multi-Discipline 3D design tool
which can be customized with PML (Programmable Macro Language) and C# to suit
company or Project Requirements. PDMS Global allows big and complex projects to
be divided over geographical regions/offices on which users can work
concurrently from their respective locations depending upon scope of work
agreed.
PDMS enables you to design 3D interactive computer
model of Chemical Process Plant with full colour shaded representation. PDMS
User selects and positions components from available catalogues. 3D Model becomes source of engineering data for all
sections and disciplines involved in design project.
PDMS clash checking facility ensures clash free
model to be generated to eliminate scope of error that could arise on site
while construction. Reports can be generated from PDMS to perform quality check
in design so unwanted errors could be avoided. 2D engineering drawings which
are produced using PDMS, forms sharing links to transfer information from Design
office to Construction site.
PDMS stores all kind of data in respective Database
depending upon type of data to be stored. Databases are created by
Administrator as per project requirements along with Users who will work on
those databases with required access rights.
PDMS is split into a number of Modules which are
used at different stages in Plant Design Process.
Availability of PDMS Modules differ depending upon
type of license agreement.
In following section, we will discuss about PDMS
Modules and their role/ Functionality in Plant Design Process.
1.
Design Modules
I. DESIGN
Design
is Main constructor Module in which Complete Chemical Process Plant is 3D
modelled. User selects required components from available specifications and
catalogues and positions them as per engineering design. 3D model data is
stored in Design database for individual site created. Design Module provides
facility to check elements for Clashes, Reporting to produce various design
documents for quality checks, Material Takeoff and Preview of Piping
Isometrics.
Design
Module has Applications which provides suitable functions to work on particular
discipline. E.g. Equipment, Piping, Cabling, etc.
II.
SPOOLER
Spooler
is used for pipework spooling. In this Module, Pipework design can be split
into logical sections (i.e. Spools) which are ready fabrication. Spool data created in Spooler module can be
output as Isometric Drawing using ISODRAFT Module.
2. Drafting Modules
I.
DRAFT
In
this Module, Fully dimensioned and annotated 2D drawings of 3D Model are
created. Data required for creation of drawings is accessed through Design
Database while rest of data is stored in Draft database. Like Conventional Engineering
Drawings, User creates views to show particular area of 3D model in required
direction. Dimensions and Labels are attached to design elements which are
stored under respective view.
II.
DIAGRAMS
This
Module is used for creation of P&ID, HVAC and Cabling Diagrams. This
Application uses AVEVA Design Platform GUI and Diagram Layouts are created
using an Embedded Microsoft Office Visio drawing control. Data entered into this application is stored
in Schematic Database.
This
Module uses Diagram, Stencil and Template Path to create Diagram File. User need
to select mode to work to create either P&ID/HVAC/Cabling Diagrams. Diagram
files created in this module can be saved in binary format or XML format.
III.
Schematic Model Manager
Schematic
Model Manager is used to Import P&ID data from XML file into Schematic
Database which can be viewed and Modified if required in later stage of
Project.
3. ISODRAFT
ISODRAFT
is used to produce automatically annotated and dimensioned piping Isometric
drawings along with Material list for that pipe. User need to select from
Option file available for project working on, Option file can be customized to
suit company or project requirements by administrator. ISODRAFT provides option
to take MTO which can be saved to Text file for each Pipe, which can be later used
to generate Bulk MTO for Plant.
4. Catalogues and Specification Management Modules
I. PARAGON
This Module Used for Creation and
Modification of Catalogues which are referenced by Specification reference
of Component. Administrator is directly responsible for
Catalogue Creation, Modification.
Component Catalogue normally
holds information about connection, Physical Shape, Obstruction and Bolting
requirements.
Paragon also stores specification
to be used for project, connection Compatibility information of
Components, Material and Detailed description of components.
Catalogues must be setup properly
in order to avoid any errors in 3D modelling.
II.
SPECON
SPECON
is Specification Constructor Module, which allows administrator to create or
modify specification to suit Project requirement.
III.
PROPCON
PROPCON
is property Constructor Module, administrator create or modify properties
database. Properties database hold information about properties of Component
and materials which may be used for stress analysis, calculation of weights,
Centre of gravity for components.
5. Project Administration Modules
I.
ADMIN
ADMIN
is main administrative module which plays important role in setting up Project,
database creation, User Creation and access rights for Users. Depending Upon
size and complexity of Plant, Plant is divided into individual areas (either on
basis of Physical area or Design Area). It allows administrator to setup fonts, Module
definitions for Project.
ADMIN
module provides important features which are useful for Project Maintenance
such as compacting Database to reduce database size by removing unwanted data, Upgrading PDMS Projects when database
structure changes.
II.
LEXICON
LEXICON
is used to create User defined attributes. Every element in PDMS has set of
attributes which can be set or read. Sometimes default attributes provided by
AVEVA may not sufficient; in that case we may define our own attributes which
can satisfy requirement which are called as User Defined Attributes. UDAs
created in LEXICON are held in Dictionary database. Administrator can choose
type of attribute, scope of attribute (e.g. Pipe, Equipment, etc.) and maximum
value for UDA.
UDAs
are prefixed with Colon (:) and treated in same way as that of default
attributes when extracted to drawings or reports.
III.
MONITOR
MONITOR
module serving as Entry point to PDMS whenever User starts PDMS. This module is
commonly used to query system status, Users, MDB, Databases, Teams, and Modules. Batch
Processing and messaging can be done in MONITOR module.
MONITOR
module can be used to change Project Password. Also, User and MDB can be changed.
If
there is problem in Project which prohibits another PDMS module to load,
Monitor module will be opened automatically.
