Walter Wettstein AG Kältetechnik was able to successfully implement digital end-to-end processes from design to fabrication with Smap3D Plant Design. The integrated overall solution for pipeline design and fabrication in conjunction with the CAD and PDM system from SOLIDWORKS makes it possible to pass design data from process engineering to 3D piping to pipe fabrication, and thus to increase the level of automation and process reliability.
Walter Wettstein AG (WWAG) from Switzerland designs, builds and maintains industrial refrigeration plants and heat pumps for customers in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, in the process technology as well as for sports facilities. The Swiss company focuses on resource conservation and maximum economic efficiency in the design of its plants. Increasing requirements in plant and pipeline design as well as the desire for digitization were the reason to look around for new software. The choice fell on Smap3D Plant Design from the German software manufacturer of the same name, who has many years of experience in pipeline planning and fabrication in mechanical and plant engineering.
Consistency through integrated software solutions
"During the consultation it became clear that the integration of product data into the CAD process was particularly important to the customer," reports Tim Frie, Sales Director Europe at Smap3D Plant Design. The combined Smap3D Plant Design solution, consisting of process engineering (P&ID), 3D piping and Isometrics, was able to implement this through its direct integration with SOLIDWORKS CAD and PDM, thus ensuring a continuous overall process in pipeline design. In addition, thanks to the numerous automation functions and the individually predefined pipe specs, the refrigeration technology expert saves an enormous amount of time and increases both the degree of automation and process reliability. For example, predefined modules (subdrawings) – for example consisting of containers, pumps and piping systems – can be stored in a catalog in P&ID and used again and again. "With our P&ID subdrawings and the numerous automation functions in Smap3D P&ID, large schematics can be created quickly. As a result, we can automatically generate the much-needed lists, such as electrical lists, early in the project phase. No comparison to the previous manual method - that was extremely time-consuming and error-prone," says Dominic Schnyder, Head of Design at Walter Wettstein.
Project support leaves no wishes unfulfilled
From the first discussions to the successful use of the integrated software, the Swiss cooling technology company could always rely on a strong partner with its project support. Smap3D Plant Design's competent consultants and trainers stand out due to their many years of expertise in plant engineering and pass on their in-depth knowledge to the customer. In addition to the introduction and implementation of the solution, Smap3D Plant Design conducted training courses and workshops to familiarize the designers with the functions of the software and to demonstrate how to use it optimally in everyday work.
