Software Solutions
Fabrication for AutoCAD MEP

Designed specifically for mechanical and plumbing professionals who want to work with real manufacturer content from start to finish, Fabrication for MEP offers state-of-the-art tools and true manufacturer content right inside AutoCAD MEP.  There are many benefits to the EastCoast MEP solution, most notably seamless project coordination, increased productivity, and fabrication accuracy.

For any professional familiar with AutoCAD, Fabrication for AutoCAD MEP is easy to use and learn because it is integrated into every function, feature and capability of this industry-leading CAD program. For out-of the-box drawing, the EastCoast drawing template is provided, which includes property set definitions for pipe, ducts, and fittings, labels and tags, Paper space and Model space setups, and popular preset pipe and duct routing preferences.

The powerful functionality provided by Fabrication for AutoCAD MEP can be described in three sub-systems: Part Manager, Spool Manager and Pickoff Manager.

Part Manager, the user interface to EastCoast manufacturing content, allows easy access, organization, and management of all the parts, fittings and shop defaults being used for each specific project or sub-system.

Use Part Manager to easily build catalogs of fittings.

This manufacturer-specific content is stored on a platform independent SQL server database, ensuring that everyone can use the most current set of parts and equipment. The system supports the use of specifications, allowances, custom fittings, and other shop standards as defined in the organization, with easy filtering to view and use only the specific part catalogs needed for a particular project. EastCoast CAD/CAM works with manufacturers to ensure that the parts content includes the newest equipment and fittings available from industry manufacturing product lines.

As you build and edit a system, the details of these real manufacture parts are selectable from within the AutoCAD MEP dialogs, property palettes and grips editing commands, giving you the ability to draw with true duct and pipe systems that follow industry standards.

Create pipe runs using real manufacture parts.

Predefined preferences ensure fast and accurate fitting selection and placement. Additional features include scheduling and inventory control reports (within the drawing or export to spreadsheet), custom attributes entry that is fully visible in catalogs and schedules, and login security to manage user access to the database.

Spool Manager creates accurate AutoCAD MEP pipe and duct spool drawings that are used in the pre-fabrication process. It is fully customizable to a customer’s shop standards, with comprehensive reporting and scheduling capabilities that can include data for labor estimating systems. In support of multi-discipline pre-fabrication, customers can create spools with both mechanical and HVAC content. Future releases will include support for electrical content as well. 

The isometric view of a duct spool drawing shows design layout, numbering and schedule information.

Additional features include spool revision tracking, easy part number updating when changing the view of a spool, and support for the Trimble Total station to download to their handheld devices.

Pickoff Manager facilitates taking AutoCAD MEP drawings to fabrication with industry standard CNC cutting machines. After drawing with manufacturer standards and defaults in Fabrication for AutoCAD MEP, Pickoff Manager generates the pickoff for use by EastCoast’s CAM cutting software, DuctMaker, where the final preparation and delivery to a customer’s choice of cutting tables and machines occurs. Newly added support includes pickoffs for the Quickpen Vulcan CAM system.

There are two additional components that are needed for EastCoast’s Design to Fabrication solution:

• AutoCAD MEP 2010. Fabrication for AutoCAD MEP leverages the power of AutoCAD MEP 2010, which can be purchased directly from EastCoast CAD/CAM, an EastCoast Authorized Reseller, or any Autodesk Authorized Reseller.
• Microsoft SQL Server. This free, industry-standard database provides the storage for EastCoast manufacturer-specific content.