Welding Procedure Software

[Mr168]

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.

 

[weldtek]

I echo your sentiments on Pro-Write. If you don't need to rely on a program to verify your input for code compliance, why not generate your own forms?

 

[Mr168]

Unfortunately, upper level management feels the need for everything to be electronic. I love the way our union side WPS's are formatted, and I be thrilled if we could adopt that as the standard.

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.

 

[unclesyd]

It sounds like you are going to need something that covers the whole nine yards. We use the software from CSPEC to cover all welding on and off site.

http://www.cspec.com/

 

[Mr168]

unclesyd:

Thanks for the reply. Are there any particular features of C-Spec you're not particularly happy with?

 

[bruv]

Try this link, posted in a previous thread some time ago. All documents are available in Word or pdf.

http://www.authorizedinspector.com/Section_IX/Section_IX.htm

 

[Mr168]

Well, I was able to convince my boss and the director to let us adopt the format from the union side. Not only will it be light years faster as I can get everything in electronic format straight from them already, but it will also be MUCH easier to maintain. I'll only be in the office another 6-12 months before I'm given field duty, so maintenance will become someone else's responsibility. Since I'm the only welding tech in the office, finding someone else to keep a current software-based database would be nightmarish, especially with all of the upcoming ASME code changes.

Thank you all for your responses.

 

[pipewelder1999]

The Cspec software works very well for creating, documenting, and retrieving welding related documents. If you like, I would be glad to go over some of the details and features of the 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

 

[unclesyd]

Mr168,
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.

 

[Mr168]

I agree with both of you. If we were just starting out, we would undoubtedly be going with C-Spec. Unfortunately, there were just too many formatting issues when trying to retrofit all of our existing procedures.

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.

 

[pipewelder1999]

Entering 322 WPS's would be an event. Of course searching, indexing, retrieving and revising those in the future would be much easier in some type of database system.

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

 

[Mr168]

True. Fortunately for me, we already have existing indexes for our WPS's broken down by specification: B31.1, B31.3, Section I, D1.1, etc etc. I kept the same numbering system when transitioning formats.

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.

 

[unclesyd]

I can see a possible problem in the way you are transferring legacy procedures in this way.

Have you checked the procedures against the current codes?

 

[Mr168]

Unclesyd: All procedures are up to date and are actively maintained by a member of the ASME code committee, along with the associated PQR's.

What possible problem would you be referring to? Naturally, I'd like to have all angles covered on this one.

 

[unclesyd]

One part that I was talking about was the format/layout that is use to record the procedures. As I stated in the previous post it was mentioned in the inspection report that we should use the standard format for our records.