What kind of work does J.W. McClenahan do?

J.W. McClenahan is an intentional early adopter of new technologies with the goal of integrating new materials and techniques into our projects more quickly than our competitors. In turn, we inform our partners about the latest and greatest plumbing and piping solutions to not only influence, but elevate our entire profession.

What’s your typical workflow like and what software tools do you use, from design through production? 

We begin in Revit using Trimble SysQue to produce LOD 400 models at the design stage, ensuring accuracy from the start. Spools are generated in SysQue and published to Trimble Connect to support our paperless workflow. We also create direct links to PypeServer from Trimble Connect and manage all design and construction documents in ProjectSight.

What made you consider PypeServer in the first place?

We needed a customizable solution for exporting and tracking material for our cutting machines. Reducing scrap and optimizing nesting were key priorities.

How has your workflow changed with PypeServer?

PypeServer has streamlined our pipe-cutting process and standardized our setup across the team. It’s also allowed us to create novel fabrication systems. For example, we had a job site 150 miles from the shop and needed to come up with a way to fabricate efficiently.

Our VDC team set up an on-site fabrication yard to support this project, hiring Local 246 members to build the plumbing systems right in their home jurisdiction. We used two Conex boxes, one setup with a chop saw situated between infeed and outfeed tables that we built, plus a row of bins for the cut parts. Adjacent to the saw was a tablet running PypeServer Lyte and a label printer. With PypeServer Lyte and a mobile hotspot network connection, we were able to linear nest and label pipe directly in the field.

The second Conex was used to fully prefab spools and bundle them for installation, all while staying completely paperless. Every phase, from layout to install, was done using tablets in the field. No prints, no binders, no wasted steps.