Abstract: A duct section can be assembled from duct pieces without lifting or turning the duct pieces during assembly. For example, a duct assembler is provided to hold the duct pieces at an ergonomic working height. The duct assembler includes a frame, a mast, a carriage, and tines protruding horizontally from the carriage. The mast is vertically extensible to raise and lower the tines, so as to select a working height. Moreover, the mast can be vertically extensible to raise an assembled duct section into position for installation. A non-contact positioning system and an integrated computer may be provided to aid a worker in preparing and positioning the duct section.

Abstract: System and methods are described for assisting a contractor in managing information associated with a construction project. The amount of information relating to labor, materials, scheduling and billing and the number of individuals accessing the information can be overwhelmingly large for even a simple construction project. As such, the system and methods described are particularly useful for gathering, maintaining and disseminating the voluminous amount of information associated with a construction project. In one method, a drawing from a construction project is provided that has one or more intelligent objects. Information is then gathered relating to labor, materials and schedules for the project. The information is associated with the respective intelligent object and visually represented on the drawing. The drawing is displayed and certain aspects associated with the intelligent objects can be quickly identified.

Abstract: System and methods are described for assisting a contractor in managing information associated with a construction project. The amount of information relating to labor, materials, scheduling and billing and the number of individuals accessing the information can be overwhelmingly large for even a simple construction project. As such, the system and methods described are particularly useful for gathering, maintaining and disseminating the voluminous amount of information associated with a construction project. In one method, a drawing from a construction project is provided that has one or more intelligent objects. Information is then gathered relating to labor, materials and schedules for the project. The information is associated with the respective intelligent object and visually represented on the drawing. The drawing is displayed and certain aspects associated with the intelligent objects can be quickly identified.

Abstract: System and methods are described for assisting a contractor in managing information associated with a construction project. The amount of information relating to labor, materials, scheduling and billing and the number of individuals accessing the information can be overwhelmingly large for even a simple construction project. As such, the system and methods described are particularly useful for gathering, maintaining and disseminating the voluminous amount of information associated with a construction project. In one method, a drawing from a construction project is provided that has one or more intelligent objects. Information is then gathered relating to labor, materials and schedules for the project. The information is associated with the respective intelligent object and visually represented on the drawing. The drawing is displayed and certain aspects associated with the intelligent objects can be quickly identified.

Abstract: A system including a method for designing and fabricating piping and structural components for a piping network. A CAD (computer assisted design) system is initially employed to generate one or more pipe drawings and associated data for the piping network after which the information is stored in a memory of the CAD system. Thereafter, the pipe drawings and associated data information is automatically retrieved by a second computer for a fabrication unit. Based on the pipe drawings and associated data, the fabrication unit selects one or more pieces of piping and other raw materials needed for the fabrication; and thereafter fabricates from the raw materials, the piping and structural components for the piping network.

Abstract: A system including a method for designing and fabricating piping and structural components for a piping network. A CAD (computer assisted design) system is initially employed to generate one or more pipe drawings and associated data for the piping network after which the information is stored in a memory of CAD system. Thereafter, the pipe drawings and associated data information is automatically retrieved by a second computer for a fabrication unit. Based on the pipe drawings and associated data, the fabrication unit selects one or more pieces of piping and other raw materials needed for the fabrication; and thereafter fabricates from the raw materials, the piping and structural components for the piping network.

Abstract: System and methods are described for assisting a contractor in managing information associated with a construction project. The amount of information relating to labor, materials, scheduling and billing and the number of individuals accessing the information can be overwhelmingly large for even a simple construction project. As such, the system and methods described are particularly useful for gathering, maintaining and disseminating the voluminous amount of information associated with a construction project. In one method, a drawing from a construction project is provided that has one or more intelligent objects. Information is then gathered relating to labor, materials and schedules for the project. The information is associated with the respective intelligent object and visually represented on the drawing. The drawing is displayed and certain aspects associated with the intelligent objects can be quickly identified.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods which assist a contractor in producing a competitive bid proposal. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for producing a bid from at least one drawing including various items to be included in the bid. To produce the bid, the method relies upon a computer having a display screen, an entry device and a processor coupled to the display screen and the entry device. According to the method, at least one characteristic of a first and a second item on the drawing are entered into the processor. The processor then selects a fitting which connects the first and the second items based on the entered characteristics. A bid amount is then produced based at least in part on the cost of the first item, the second item and the fitting.