Comprehensive Software for Process-Oriented Production
Shorter production time and lower costs = Increased Productivity
The Watts/Mueller software solutions for machines and processes make the production workflow for their customers more efficient. The Watts/Mueller thermal cutting machines make 3D contours part of an integrated process chain rather than an isolated element.
With the 3D-Profile Plus software (3DPP) CAM modules, we link our machines to both upstream and downstream workflows, significantly reducing production time, material costs and errors.
The 3DPP software and Watts/Mueller machine based Corobs® software are the basis for the Watts Classic, Watts Blended, and all Watts-Mueller Heavy Duty, MO Compact, MO Classic and MO Heavy-Duty machine series.
3DPP is a comprehensive CAD/CAM system for:
- Modeling cutting geometries
- Nesting numerous parts to be cut on a single pipe
- Assigning cutting functions to one or several machines
(while taking into account their respective capacity)
- Keeping track of current working process stages at the machine(s) AND
- Calculating and recording cutting times and costs
3DPP also provides extensive reporting functions for calculation or documentation purposes. Furthermore,
3DPP provides comprehensive reporting for downstream costing and documentation purposes. This robust software system can be fully integrated into any company workflow as an autonomous software system for the modeling of pipes or by importing drawings from a multitude of CAD software systems.
3DPP offers rich data in SQL views that can be pulled into Excel and other tools for reporting, and into ERP systems or other databases. 3DPP is typically run at both the machine and in an office(s). In offices: a CAD designer and/or detailers can import jobs, design parts, and plan work. At the machine, operators can input nested parts on pipes and other cut jobs.
3DPP modeling module
The 3DPP modeling module permits independent production of pipe cutting contours represented in 3D with dimension contours. To begin, a cutting contour such as a saddle cut is selected. Then, only a few parameters need to be entered into a pre-set mask to allow the cutting contour to develop automatically. Repetitive contours can simply be duplicated.
3DPP CAD import module
3DPP can import parts and complete design spools of most well-known software CAD systems such as Acorn, AutoDesk, Aveva, BoCAD, COMPRESS, Intergraph, Pro CAD, Pro Engineer, Ship Constructor, Solid Works or Tekla Structures and many others. Custom importers for special CAD systems can be developed in cooperation with customers.
3DPP nesting module
Once all the parts have either been modeled or alternatively imported, with a single command 3DPP automatically nests the parts on a pipe. This algorithm for such optimal nesting can save up to 10% in material cost. The pipe segments to be cut are then shown in 3D on the monitor.
During the cutting process, both the machine operator and those using 3DPP in offices can remotely see the machines' cutting progress. 3DPP also integrates software that can automatically print unique labels for each part and report back to the resident/ERP database for a complete workflow process.
3DPP and SQL databases
3DPP runs on top of SQL databases. These databases expose a rich set of data views for use in ERP, process management, inventory control, and custom reporting. Our customers often integrate 3DPP data with their ERP system, and also with Microsoft Excel to create custom live reports for job costing, scheduling and tracking, inventory control, and post-job analyses.
Corobs® machine based programming for the Watts Classic, Watts Blended, Watts Heavy Duty, MO Compact, MO Classic and MO Heavy-Duty machine series Watts Mueller CNC Machine Series
In addition to 3DPP, the machine computer also uses our Corobs® software. Through selection of a wide range of cutting macros, this allows quick preparation at the workstation of the various cuts which are then directly performed on the pipe.
Further, Corobs® offers various options with regard to cutting parameters and other sequential parameters with a view to optimizing the individual steps in each case and also depending on the properties and quality of the pipe. These functions are also provided by Corobs® when 3DPP is being used since the two software systems are interconnected and adapted to each other.