Model Validation
Pre-checks can be run before breaking down a plant room design into spools for manufacturing to ensure that a valid model is processed. These checks can include:
► identifying basic issues like broken connections
► finding invalid configurations of components
► ensuring best practice has been followed
Large models can be thoroughly checked in seconds, preventing data issues from impacting further downstream and expensive re-work.
Identifying and Creating Spool Assemblies
The second stage of automation is to separate the job into spools for manufacture. This comprises of:
► logically identify spool assemblies
► building each spool into a Revit assembly
► naming assemblies following a convention
This a very time consuming manual process, but using automation a whole job can be spooled in a few minutes.
If subsequent design changes are made, the spooling process can be re-run.
Spool Detailing
A typical job may have hundreds of spools, each requiring many drawing elements to be created. This can be automated with rules including:
► selection of paper size and drawing scale
► use and completion of title blocks
► creation of spool specific views and sections
► application of a drawing numbering scheme
► adding appropriate dimensions, notes and other annotations
This would be several days of work if done manually, but automation can process a whole job in a few minutes.
It also means that if subsequent design changes are made, the process can be re-run.
Control and Flexibility
Design rules usually evolve as new validations are added, new types of component are used, and new best practices are identified. Automation has to be easily maintainable to keep up with these changes. This is handled in two ways:
► rules are captured in a concise readible language
► data that drives the rules are stored in simple configuration files
In this way, many changes, such as the addition of a new type of component, can be handled by simply editing a data file.
