iTower Detailer

iTower Detailer

Features
Modules

iTower Detailer

Is a revolutionary product developed to automatically generate Assembly and Shop Floor drawings. Designed to crash the bottlenecks, iTOWERS Detailer effectively combines the functions of a designer and a draftsman into one. Utility companies can now aim at early implementation of projects, thereby cruising through engineering bottlenecks.

Equipped with powerful utilities, an easy to use interface and a common detailing database, iTOWERS Detailer provides for complete generation of tower assembly drawings in record time. Detailing of a 132kV tower can now be achieved within a few hours!

One of the key features of iTOWERS Detailer is the Tower Profiler, which offers various methods of inputting data to iTOWERS Detailer for the generation of Assembly Drawings. This data can be directly read through IMI’s tower design software iTOWERS Designer. However, iTOWERS provides interfaces that can read data from standard text formats or from third party tower designing software such as STAAD.

The Tower Modeler utilizes data from the Tower Profiler. This feature presents you with a 3-Dimensional Tower Model reflecting Back-marks, Butt and Lap Joints, actual Tower Member sizes.

2-D Assembly Drawings are genera ted for any surface selected by the user or even for the complete tower. These drawings are drawn with all computations calculated in 3D. Shop drawings for members and plates are generated by a single click of the mouse. An interactive Shop Drawings browser is provided by which the user can browse through all the shop drawings of the available members and plates.

The Bill of Materials, generated by iTOWERS Detailer, gives a complete list of all items, their weights along with section sizes. This data can then be exported to standard applications such as Microsoft® Excel®, Microsoft® Access® and so on.

iTOWERS Detailer comes packed with a material optimizer as well. The material optimizer gives a complete picture of the members used on the tower, their weight, prices and the percentage of material wastage. Using intuitive interfaces that have been provided, the user can effectively optimize the use of materials on the tower thus saving on costs.

iTOWERS Detailer provides a CNC link through special interfaces by which, the data from the generated assembly drawings can be fed to a CNC device.

Features

Surface View
Drawing Editor
Material Optimizer
Exporting Drawings

Surface View:

The Surface view gives a complete breakdown of the surfaces used in the tower. This includes a tree view presenting a hierarchical list of surfaces, a two-dimensional view of the actual surface and also a graphic portraying the exact location of the surface on the tower. The tower surfaces are grouped into separate headings(depending on the tower design) such as Elevation, Diaphragm, Hip, Compositions and soon, forming the complete tower.

Drawing Editor:

The Drawing Editor allows you to store and display several parts of the tower simultaneously for better viewing. Unlike viewing only individual faces of the tower on the main workspace, the drawing editor enables you to ‘paste’ drawings on to the workspace thus allowing you to simultaneously view different components of the tower. This includes surfaces, panels and individual nodes complete with dimensioning, from the original tower drawing. A Bill of Materials is automatically generated and displayed which corresponds to all the members of the tower placed in the Drawing Editor.

Material Optimizer:

The material optimizer gives a complete picture of the members used on the tower, their weight, prices and the percentage of material wastage. Using intuitive interfaces that have been provided, the user can effectively optimize the use of materials on the tower thus saving on costs. The screen shown above automatically lists out all the sections in the tower along with the amount of wastage for each section and also a summarized view which shows the total length and weight of the members including the amount of wastage. The Cutting plan presents a breakdown of the number of members belonging to a selected section and also the various lengths in which each piece member is being cut. The Material Order List is an automatically generated organized list containing the exact specifications for each section and the number of pieces that it contains.

Exporting Drawing :

With a single click of the mouse, the user can export the complete assembly drawing to popular drawing packages such as AutoCAD and MicroStation. The drawing can be exported in the widely used DXF format that can be used with a number of CAD software.

Modules

Tower Profiler
Tower Modeler
Assembly Drawings
Shop Drawings
Bill Materials

Tower profiler:

iTOWERS Detailer requires a minimal amount of input from the user for generation of assembly drawings and shop drawings. The Tower Profiler offers you a range of methods by which you can input data to iTOWERS Detailer iTOWERS Detailer accepts inputs from various such as the iTOWERS Designer Tower designing software, inputs through a text file or from third party applications such as STAAD.

Input from iTower Designer
Input from Textfiles
STAAD

Input from iTower Designer:

The following minimal input (through an intuitive GUI) is required, since the iTOWERS model is a single line 3D model.

Control point widths (CG-CG, Back-Back, Bolt-Bolt), at slope change points. These are typically specified at the Base, Hamper, Peak and Arm Ends. A combination of the control point widths can be used at any point of time resulting in automatic regeneration of the tower. This feature normally does not require any user input and is provided to offer increased flexibility to the user.

Data read from the database also comprises of 3D geometry (coordinates and connectivity) Section sizes and properties. The data also includes Member Sizes, Bolt Diameters and the type of material used.

Body and Leg Extensions: iTOWERS Detailer automatically lists out the body and leg extensions of the tower that was modeled using iTOWERS . The user has to select a combination of these with the basic tower body.

Input from Textfiles:

Through interfaces that iTOWERS Detailer provides, inputs for generation of assembly drawings can be read from a standard text file.

STAAD:

The data from towers designed using third party applications such as STAAD is fully compatible with iTOWERS Detailer to generate assembly drawings.

Tower Modeler:

The Tower Modeler generates a true 3D model based on the data from the Tower Profiler. This feature suitably models the tower to reflect back-marks, butt and lap joints, actual member and joint sizes, and implement any changes in an interactive mode.

Minimal Input
Project Configuration Data (Default)
Data Generated by System
Interactive Facilities
Straightening Members Horizontally/Vertically

Minimal Input:

Input data is read directly from the Tower Profiler. This results in a significant reduction in time for modeling the tower. Data read from the database comprises of:

• 3D geometry (coordinates and connectivity)
• Section sizes and properties

The following minimal input (through an intuitive GUI) is required, since the data in the Tower Profiler corresponds to a single line 3D model.

Control point widths: (CG-CG, Back-Back, Bolt-Bolt), at slope change points. These are typically specified at the Base, Hamper, Peak and Arm Ends. The flexibility of iTOWERS Detailer comes into the picture when using a combination of the above control widths. This results in automatic regeneration of the tower to suit the desired dimensions. This feature normally does not require any user input and is provided to offer increased flexibility to the user.
Body and Leg Extensions: iTOWERS Detailer automatically lists out the body and leg extensions of the tower that was modeled using iTOWERS. The user has to select a combination of these with the basic tower body.

Project Configuration Data (Default) :

• Standard piece lengths
• Standard Butt joint gaps
• Standard shift values, to be applied at dense joints
• Bolt position preferences

Users may specify with reference to connections, the preferred bolt locations such as:
Redundant on second back mark, main diagonals on first back mark etc., through a table. A default table is already available, which can be edited by the user, through a GUI.

• Joint preferences
• Standard, Minimum and back-mark values for angle sections.
• Standard bolt pitch, clearances.
• Standard bolt lengths and grip lengths.

Data Generated System:

Due to the intelligence built into iTOWERS Detailer, based on standard detailing practices, a large amount of data, which usually needs to be input, is generated by iTOWERS Detailer

• Piece length calculations:
  iTOWERS data is in a form suitable for analysis, with nodes and member information. iTOWERS Detailer unifies these into appropriate physical members.
  
  
• Location of butt and lap joints.
• Based on standard piece length, and change in section.
  
• Member support information:
  Based on the physical support requirements, iTOWERS Detailer determines supported member information. Thus at any joint, iTOWERS Detailer already knows which member is supported on which member, and need not be input.
  
  
• Assignment of member levels:
  On a given surface,iTOWERS Detailer determines the relative levels of each member, relative to the main legs, and assigns a relative level offset.
  
  
• Member orientation and heel position:
  These are determined, by iTOWERS Detailer automatically.
  
  
• Connection data, such as bolt numbers, diameter.
• Item numbering based on class, length, and connection details

Interactive Facilities:

The true tower 3D model generated, is generally acceptable for the majority of towers. However, a number of interactive facilities are provide to edit the model. The changes are carried out automatically on the other faces, based on a symmetry toggle by the user.

Undo and Redo
Joint Modification
Panel Modification
Member Details
Other Facilities

Undo and Redo:

Undo and Redo: Multiple levels of ‘Undo’
All or any changes done in a particular setting can be completely undone, by a single undo command.

'Redo' Facility

Any action that is undone can be redone.

Joint Modification:

Panel Modification:

• Panel Subdivision:
  Any selected panel can be subdivided into equal parts. This is in addition to the divisions already done by the system based on iTOWERS.
• Panel Width Change:
  Any panel width can be changed if it is at a control location such as base, hamper, at any stage. The widths of all points in between are suitably readjusted.

Member Details:

Any member can be modified for the following through a dialog box, just by changing the default entries.

• Member orientation and heel position, termination at each end
• Section size
• Backmark location from the heel, can be changed by just specifying a
           new value
• Number of bolts, diameter of bolts at each end
• Bolt shear edge, pitch at each end.
  

Other Facilities:

• Member end Shift
  The ends of any member can be shifted along its supporting member, by any required distance. Thus, after viewing the assembly drawing, the user may shift a member end, to avoid any cuts.
• Shifting of SOP
  The SOP of a member can be changed to any Standard Back Mark of Supporting member

Straightening Members Horizontally/Vertically

Any redundant member can be made horizontal (on the tower face) or vertical (on the arm face)

• Joint Shifting:
  A group of members at a joint can all be shifted, by using the joint shift facility.
• Member Addition and Deletion:
  Members those, which are not required in analysis stage and required only in detailing purposes can be added or deleted from any part of the tower.

Creation of Local Back Marks:

Local back marks in addition to the standard back marks of Connecting and Supporting members can be specified by the user iTOWERS Detailer however checks for the safety of the local back marks specified by the user.

Assembly Drawings

2D Assembly drawings are generated, for any surface selected by the user. Each component is drawn with all computations done in 3D. The drawings are ready for plotting, normally requiring no editing at all.
The drawings are regenerated in each run based on the Real Time Modeler, but retaining any changes made by the user.

Automatic Generation
Dimensioning
Member Text Display
Colors and Layers
Member Information
Bolt Editor
Gusset Editor
Member Editor

Automatic Generation:

2D assembly drawings for all members on a selected surface are automatically generated. The surface name is the same as used in iTOWERS Designer. (Screen shot)

• The drawings are generated in 1:1 scale, with hidden lines, cuts and
           bolt-holes at their true position.
• Member end connection details are automatically generated, including cuts,
           notches, for both flanges.
• 3D interference is checked for each member end and for all bolts.
• Gusset plates are generated and shaped by iTOWERS Detailer, including stitch bolts.
• Special connections such as Hamper Gusset, Arm top to main legs,
           Hip bracing are accurately developed by iTOWERS Detailer.
• Shop drawings generation is simply done by clicking on the member / plate
           or can be done for the complete tower.

Dimensioning :

• Panel to Panel on the main leg on the surface.
• Bolt to Bolt on the main legs.
• Vertical dimensioning, including face values and altitudes.
• Options for rounding off dimensions.
• Automatic corrections for round off errors, in dimension text.
  

Member Text Display:

• Member item number, section size, length
• Bolt to bolt dimensions, either as dimensions OR as text
• Back mark dimensions
  

Colors and Layers:

All colors and layers are user customizable, from a default specification in the configuration file, and can be changed simply by changing the parameters.

Member Information:

Any member can be selected, and a GUI shows all the important parameters for the member, including surface name, number of bolts, item and iTOWERS member number, orientation and connection type.

Bolt Editor:

Bolts can be added/ deleted/ position changed the user, with this facility, and the database is automatically updated, along with suitable checks. Thus if an additional bolt is added, a gusset plate is generated if required for the connection.

Gusset Editor:

The gusset plates can be edited, if the user does not find the gusset shape suitable. The gusset shapes are generated by a custom algorithm based on standard detailing practice, and normally do not need editing.

Member Editor:

Any member may be edited, in terms of additional cuts, and notches.

Shop Drawings:

iTOWERS Detailer allows the user to generate Shop Drawings for componenets such as Tower members, gusset plates or even the complete Tower with a simple click. The data is generated in a compact format, which allows for quick and easy generation of the drawings in AutoCAD / CNC formats.

These drawings are generated from the iTOWERS Detailer database, which ensures high accuracy, eliminating the need for manual inspection. The shop componenet drawing is scaled to fit an A4 sheet, with not to scale dimensions. Dimensions are displayed in both continuous and running format, which are in separated layers.

Complete detail information such as cut length, hole coordinates, item number and quantity are displayed to form a complete fabrication drawing. A provision to pin point the location of the shop drawing on the tower is also provided

Bill of Materials:

With a single click of the mouse, the user can gain access to a complete list of components that form the tower. The Bill of Materials feature provides users the option to separately view the bill of materials that relate to a specific part of the tower. In addition, you can analyze the list by applying filters that lets you view a material-wise bill of materials.

For example, by applying a “Gussets” filter the Bill of Material shows a comprehensive list that pertains to only the Gusset Plates present in the tower. This feature also allows you to view the bill of materials in terms of the type of steel being used.

You can also display a list that can be a combination of Members with Material and Section sizes.

The Bill of Materials module of iTOWERS Detailer saves you a lot of time and effort by providing a quick and an easy way to control and analyze the resources that go into the construction of a tower.