March 2021
w-IMS FCM provides overall integrity status for Flange connections: by managing critical Flanges during assembly and disassembly; by identifying when and what to inspect on Flange connections; and by following the recommended practices in AMS RP 4-07.
Version 3.13C brings a new FCM Workpack export, the ability to search for the Flange properties in Protocols, a new lookup table for the TPI, and a Spec import.
FCM Workpack export
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Get your data ready to go do the work! FCM Workpack is an export option on Jobs and Protocols, which provides all the necessary data for work in the field, or for contractors. It includes information such as Flange name, Flange location, strategy, Flange size and rating, Gasket type and material, Job description, etc.
The FCM Workpack export is available in the Flange Scope section on the Job details page, in the Job main grid, and in the Protocol main grid. From the main grids, Workpacks can be generated in bulk for multiple Jobs at once.
Figure 1: The FCM Workpack export for a single Job. Gasket type and Gasket material in the Job scope
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To help with activity planning, the Flange Scope section, on the Job details screen, now shows additional Flange information: Gasket type and Gasket material. This information is also included in the export.
Figure 2: The Gasket type and Gasket material on the Job details screen. Flange design properties on Protocol main screen
The improved Protocol main screen makes it possible to take better control of a Job’s scheduled Flanges (and their properties). Flange design information has been added to the screen. The Flanges can be filtered based on these columns (properties). The columns can also be rearranged to ensure the desired layout for an export.
The available columns (and filter properties) are:
- Flange size
- Flange type
- Class rating
- Gasket type
- Gasket material
- Stud grade
- Insulation
- Heat Trace
- Heat Trace LOTO
- Nut material
- Tension
- Torque
- Lubricant
- Stud size
- Target bolt stress
- Operating temperature
- Stud coating
- Flange material
- Washers
Figure 3: The newly added Flange properties as columns and filters on Protocol screen. TPI determined based on the Stud Size
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IMS FCM now uses the ASME B1.1 lookup tables to determining the “Threads per inch” (TPI) from the “Stud Size”. For better accuracy, the TPI lookup is based on a Thread series option, which can either be “Coarse” or “Fine”. Depending on the selection, FCM will use the corresponding table to look up the TPI value based on the Stud Size. By default, FCM uses the Coarse-Thread table (Table 6).
Figure 4: ASME B1.1 Table 6 (Coarse-Thread Series). 
Figure 5: ASME B1.1 Table 7 (Fine-Thread Series). Pipe Specification available on Flange design
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To help capture the Pipe Specification value for a Flange, the “Pipe Specification” field has been added to the Flange design section on the Equipment screen. The value is also available in the import sheet for bulk uploads.
Figure 6: “Pipe Specification” in the Flange design section of the Equipment screen.Material lookup improvements
FCM can help you to determine the:
- Allowable Stress at Amb Temp,
- Allowable Stress at Oper Temp,
- Yield Stress at Amb Temp and
- Yield Stress at Oper Temp.
However, when such information is not available, FCM is showing a warning saying that there is no lookup information available.
In addition, FCM now takes in consideration the size for determining the lookup values. The values can be checked in the settings under the “Material lookup” settings. Maintenance à FCM Specific Dana à Material lookups
Figure 7: Warning when there is no lookup values available for selected materialHierarchy Spec import
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Like the existing “Equipment Spec” import, a “Hierarchy Spec” import is now also available in FCM. This import can be used to upload any Spec to a Flange or a Clamp in FCM.
In the template, just define the equipment, the Spec name, and the corresponding value. If the Spec is a single-value, the importer will just update the existing Spec.
Figure 8: The Hierarchy Spec import and template. Notes for Specifications
Specifications now support notes! This feature is available on the IMS level and is thus also available in FCM. You can now add as many notes and attachments to a Specs as needed.
Notes can be added for every Spec with a value. As soon as a value has been added for the Spec, a notes button will appear. Then, when one or more notes have been added, the notes button will become blue and indicate the number of notes. In addition, a smaller number will indicate the number of attachments.
The notes can also be imported with the Hierarchy Spec import (see Section 6). Attachments that are added to the Spec notes will also be visible in the general attachment section of the equipment.
Figure 9: Notes on Specifications. In development: connectivity to Smart Torque wrenches
As part of the FCM roadmap, currently in the development is the ability to capture the exact applied torque on each bolt of a flange. Also, by using information about number of holes on a flange, FCM can render an image and determines the sequence of torquing.
1.1 Smart Torque Wrenches Roadmap
The Table lists the IMS approved tools. IMS can support more, so please feel free to share the devices and brands which you are using via Feedback or email.