Welding Procedure Software
Welding Procedure Software
(OP)
Does anyone here have any insight to the various weld procedure specification software packages available?
I'm not terribly impressed with ProWrite, never have been. I've heard good things about C-Spec, but the way it's formatted will make it difficult to transfer our existing WPS's over without using a ton of notes, or breaking them up into 2 to 3 individual procedures. I'm currently planning to propose we make the move to C-Spec anyways, I'm just wondering if I've overlooked some hidden gem, or any positive feedback.
I'm not terribly impressed with ProWrite, never have been. I've heard good things about C-Spec, but the way it's formatted will make it difficult to transfer our existing WPS's over without using a ton of notes, or breaking them up into 2 to 3 individual procedures. I'm currently planning to propose we make the move to C-Spec anyways, I'm just wondering if I've overlooked some hidden gem, or any positive feedback.





RE: Welding Procedure Software
RE: Welding Procedure Software
On the plus side, the management always tries to keep everything floating around in PDF format, including proprietary procedure information regarding both welding and PWHT. We can use the software to our advantage in keeping this information out of the hands of those who don't need to see it. We're so short-staffed in the field, that welding QC is a major concern, and the higher the access restrictions we have, the better. We want them to have to go through us to get the WPS info.
The other thing is long-term integration. I'm in Fossil Power. Our E&C group showed interest, and once the nuclear program is under way, they may very well want in on it as well. They've already been sniffing up our orbital welding program, hoping that we'll help them out. Our director would love it if our department didn't have to foot the cost of a corporate license by itself.
If the other groups showed interest, the search/filter functions the program has would also be a plus. We've already got several hundred WPS's just for the fossil side, and we only deal with P1-P8 materials mostly. The chemical guys have stuff out the wazoo, and to sort through those WPS's is nightmarish.
RE: Welding Procedure Software
http://www.cspec.com/
RE: Welding Procedure Software
Thanks for the reply. Are there any particular features of C-Spec you're not particularly happy with?
RE: Welding Procedure Software
http://www
RE: Welding Procedure Software
Thank you all for your responses.
RE: Welding Procedure Software
I have used my own software, CEI's in Demo mode, Arc Works, and Cspecs WeldOffice.
Cspecs WPS and PQR forms along with the WPQ forms contain all of the necessary "blanks" for ASME Sec IX and AWS D1.1 documents.
Importing from another program is difficult because many other programs may not use any code rules for certain fields etc.
One advantage of using a program such as weldoffice is the ability to rapidly create code compliant WPS's based upon single or multiple PQRS.
Cspecs software allows for 3 processes and upt to 5 filler metal sizes per process.
Documents can be created for multiple companies (useful if you are an NDE lab).
The licensing from time of purchase to activation is very quick compared to some other programs that require a hardware key .
If you would like some sample documents, let me know.
Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi
http://www.weldingdata.com
RE: Welding Procedure Software
Sorry for the late reply. I echo pipewelder 1999's post. One thing not mentioned is it had better look up tables than a couple we tried. The others we tried were like a form filling software. Also the better record keeping was plus. A far as I know the support is still good.
The standard form format is needed because some AIs don't like to look for certain information. I have never seen any rejected but have seen recommendations in reports that request the standard format the next time.
I personally think since you a just staring out Cpecs WeldOffice will cover all of your requirements.
RE: Welding Procedure Software
I ended up converting all procedures in their existing MS Word format to our new letterhead, and revising all of the general procedures and specifications to allow us to use one set for both union and non-union. I should know on monday if everything checks out legally. Converting 322 procedures over took me the better part of 8 hours, but if those had to be entered manually, it would have taken months.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
RE: Welding Procedure Software
If your WPS's stay static then a system would probably be of no value however again searching, indexing and reporting is somewhat limited in word.
With WeldOffice for instance, you could change the logo for every document in less than 2 minutes. All 322 of them.
I have attached two samples of the same WPS. 10 seconds or so to switch headers if company names change.
Gerald Austin
Iuka, Mississippi
http://www.weldingdata.com
RE: Welding Procedure Software
I don't forsee any problem with our numbering system when ASME reclassifies the P5B materials as P15's once that gets approved, but I'll keep my fingers crossed just in case.
RE: Welding Procedure Software
Have you checked the procedures against the current codes?
RE: Welding Procedure Software
What possible problem would you be referring to? Naturally, I'd like to have all angles covered on this one.
RE: Welding Procedure Software