Dear members,
This post briefly discusses the items and the attached PDF provides better substantiation. In this post there are some questions (Q, italics) and maybe there are engineers or solution authors who have an answer.
I looked at posts on this forum about catalogs in 2022 and 2023 and there is little written about the ASME catalogs which are in the Autodesk app store. How are catalogs in general handled? In post 'Catalogs and specs – Best pratices 2018' they tolk about 'creating a new catalog from scratch'.
I also talked about catalogs in general in my previous post 'P3D Manual Compilation' from October 2022. When using existing (free) catalogs you also have a lot of rework. In all cases you should be able to consult the ASME & MSS standards, what to do with metrification and having knowledge of piping.
In the ASME & MSS there are many standards that have recorded piping components and describe the scope and properties. In the piping 'community' (suppliers, engineers, constructors, etc.) we must speak the same language, the ASME and MSS standards are a good starting point for this.
To write this 'review' based on; P3D-2017 software, ASME, MSS, ASTM standards and piping experience, I hope to gain more insight into the quality. The catalog is the only source where information is entered, more than that will not come out, it cannot become a collection box, it must be clean and clear.
1 - U.S. Customary of S.I. system?
For making calculations and in science, the metric (SI) system is used in the U.S.A. well entered. I am from Holland and educated in the metric system and was curious why the U.S.A. sticks to the US Customary system and still has to find its way in piping.
Q1, How do experienced piping engineers and newly graduated starters view the metric SI system?
2 – Autodesk app store
In April 2024, three free ASME apps were available in the app store, 2019, 2020 and 2023. There is also no app available about ASME and MSS valves.
Q2, Does the newer P3D software versions come with an up to date ASME pipes, fittings and valves catalog?
3 – Non ASME items in ASME app.
The ASME catalog should also include the MSS standards. It is not wise to include the AS and ASME BPE standards. The app store also contains AS and JIS apps (free).
Q3, Why are these apps (AS & JIS) not used?
4 – Added values of apps.
The free apps can serve as the basis for your own catalog. The ASME standards are clear with the use of names and units. By giving the same name or expression to a component you can make better comparisons to make.
Q4, Do you create your own ASME catalog using the Autodesk apps or do you create a catalog from scratch?
5 – Denomination.
The use of different units (inch & mm) in the component description is not recommended by the ASME standards.
Q5, How do USA piping engineers and cad users view the unit mm in the catalogs and pipe specs and what do you prefer?
6 – Use of materials.
It is not wise to place a material code in the Long Description, that is what the Material Code column is for. When using a different material it is easier to adjust.
Q6, Is it useful to mention the material specification in the Long Description?
7 – Building pipe specs.
Making a pipe spec, the Short Description and the Design Standard are easy selection conditions.
Q7, What is the difference between design standard and compatible standard and how to apply them?
Thank you
