Better Understanding of Automation in Fabrication

• Task Automation: Subcontractors automate fabrication support tasks by streamlining drawing production, documentation, and bill of materials preparation. They use in-house tool palettes, address interoperability issues between software packages, and make decisions about using off-the-shelf products or developing software in-house. These efforts are embedded within model-based workflows that go beyond 3D coordination and shop drawing creation.
• Drawing and Documentation Typologies: All respondents consistently use various drawing types—such as shop drawings, fabrication drawings, spool sheets, material lists, and as-built drawings. While shop and as-built drawings are typically required contractually, others are used internally to support fabrication and field installation.

Industry Implications

Companies across the MEP industry operate at different levels of automation, with electrical firms on the lower end. Higher level of automation is achieved through automating repetitive tasks, configuring interoperability, and model-based workflows. This spectrum of automation level might influence Task-Role-Responsibility mapping and time allocation, thus resulting in variability in the MEP industry.

Practical Recommendations

Multiple opportunities exist to improve VDC performance in the MEP industry through technology and process upgrades. Companies are using customized off-the-shelf/in-house tools, and model-based workflows to enhance information detail, reduce redundancy, and integrate systems—an attempt toward holistic improvement supported by clear Task-Role-Responsibility mapping.