Create Drawings Automatically With The Codeware Interface®

The Codeware Interface (CWI) saves designers time and reduces errors by quickly generating SOLIDWORKS® or Inventor®  pressure vessel solid models from COMPRESS and INSPECT designs.  It also includes Drafter 3D, a feature which generates pressure vessel drawings from CWI created solid models.  The CWI is available as an add-in for SOLIDWORKS or Inventor and is supplied at no extra cost to Codeware clients.  It manages the data associated with the imported design files through the use of iProperties (Inventor) or Custom Properties (SOLIDWORKS).  The CWI also supports the use of advanced solid modeling techniques such as Assembly Representations, Configurations, Features, Sketches, Sheet Metal, and Mates.

Included as a Standard Feature

The solid modeling and pressure vessel drawing functionality provided by the CWI is not available from any of our competitors.  It is included at no additional charge with each current COMPRESS or INSPECT license.

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COMPRESS comes with Drafter 3D for creating heat exchanger and pressure vessel drawings automatically
The Codeware Interface creates tubesheet bundle assembly drawings automatically

Detailed Pressure Vessel Drawings

Pressure Vessel in COMPRESSIsometric view of pressure vessel generated automatically by the Codeware Interface.

Automated Drawing from Exported COMPRESS Model

Detailed Heat Exchanger Drawings

Automated Drawing from Exported Heat Exchanger Model Designed in COMPRESS

Detailed Nozzle Drawings

The CWI provides options for setting up how nozzles are laid out.  Provided with the CWI is the functionality to automatically model detailed views for each nozzle to scale.  Or for simpler designs take advantage of the built-in Nozzle blocks available after installation.

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  • Detailed Nozzle View
  • Nozzle Blocks
  • The Codeware Interface, included with COMPRESS, generates detail drawings automatically

COMPRESS → Drawings

  • Tubesheet detail drawings are generated by the Codeware Interface
  • Pressure vessel solid models and drawings are automatically created by the Codeware Interface and Drafter 3D
  • Appendix 2 custom flange detail drawings are generated by the Codeware Interface
  • Saddle support detail drawings are generated by the Codeware Interface
  • General arrangement drawings are generated by the Codeware Interface

Time Saving Automatic Drawings

The CWI can automatically create to-scale pressure vessel drawings that include assemblies, bills of materials, nozzle details, cut lists and custom Appendix 2 flanges.  The heat exchanger drawings generated add details such as tube bundles, U-tube bend schedules, baffles, tie rods, spacer tubes and impingement rods.

Easy Drawing Customization

The CWI produces drawings that conform to your company’s drafting standards through the use of customizable tables, templates and functions.  Because assembly Representations and Configurations are used during model generation, it is easy to create and populate custom nozzle schedules, shell, flange and other tables.

AutoCAD® Support

COMPRESS 3D pressure vessel solid models can also be exported directly to AutoCAD using the STEP file format.  This option does not require SOLIDWORKS or Inventor.

Shopfloor® Integration

The CWI seamlessly integrates with Shopfloor, our welding management system.  When used with Shopfloor, CWI can automatically include Shopfloor welding information including weld maps and NDE inspection tables.

Codeware Interface Drawing Options

  • General Arrangement

Efficiently create and customize front, side and isometric views of your vessels.  The front and side views include attachment angle, ordinate, length along with height/width dimensions.

  • Heat Exchanger Drawings

Customizable heat exchanger drawings include bundle, channels and tubesheets.  Applicable height, width, thickness and tube layout dimensions are available for automatic application.

  • Custom Flanges (Appendix 2 Designs)

Custom flange detail drawings automatically include the component identifier and dimensions.

  • Nozzle Detail Drawings

Nozzle drawings automatically include details such as WPS notes, weld symbols and dimensions.

  • Drawing options include specifying the drawing order along with specifying component drawing marks for the General Arrangement Drawing.
  • General arrangement drawing layout and dimension options can be enabled/disabled through this dialog.
  • COMPRESS includes the Codeware Interface which automatically generates tube bundle and other detail drawings
  • The automated channels drawing has available dimensions that include Angle, Height/Width, Length and ordinate.
  • Dimensions related to the tube layout along with a Tubesheet Data Table can be enabled/disabled.
  • Automated Saddles drawing include a front, side, and web plate view can be placed with corresponding dimensions.
  • Information like the WPS note, weld symbols, and dimensions can be enabled/disabled.

COMPRESS + CWI = Detailed Solid Models

COMPRESS\CWI created solid models provide the details needed to produce accurate 3D renderings and fabrication drawings.  An example of this is a CWI generated heat exchanger drawing showing a stepped tubesheet:

UW13.2 Tubesheet using the Codeware Interface add-on
Stepped Tubesheet Detail Drawing Created by the CWI From a COMPRESS Heat Exchanger Design

Nameplates Created Automatically

Every pressure vessel needs a nameplate.  The CWI handles this detail by including a nameplate, as specified in COMPRESS,  in the generated solid model.  This feature also creates a matching nameplate bracket and shows the appropriate nameplate details on the drawing.  Automatic nameplate creation minimizes transcription errors and helps ensure that the nameplate is placed in a convenient location.

Nameplate Dialog in COMPRESS

COMPRESS Pressure Vessel Nameplate Dialog

(click image to enlarge)

Nameplate on COMPRESS Model

COMPRESS Pressure Vessel Nameplate Design

COMPRESS Model Exported to SOLIDWORKS

Pressure Vessel Nameplate exported from COMPRESS to SOLIDWORKS

Codeware Interface Recent Drawing Additions

  • Edge Prep for circ and long seam welds
  • Multi-sheet drawing templates
  • Performance improvement for Drafter3D
  • Detailed drawings for skirts and lugs
  • Pressure vessel weld maps
  • Piping models now show API 579 flaw locations

COMPRESS Pressure Vessel Design Highlights