Evolution in design-from mock-up to three-dimensional model

The advancement in methods used for designing complex manufacturing equipment in the oil refining and petrochemical industry is discussed. In 1970s-80s, the leading institutes used the mock-up method for designing complex manufacturing equipment, consisting of developing working documentation for the object parallel to a detailed mock-up on a scale of 1:25 and servicing platform in detail. Use of the mock-up method in Ukreneftekhimproekt Institute raised the quality of the design and reduced the construction times for the unique process units. The computer technology was introduced in designing newly constructed and revamped objects, consisting of creating a virtual three-dimensional model of the designed object using computer technology and special software, at the Institute. Institute specialist and the developers of the software package are developing methods for modular operation over the separate sections of the model to eliminate the drawbacks of the methods.