Rapid Global upgraded decades-old gate valve drawings from legacy CAD software into parametric Creo 3D models and current 2D drawings, and brought the product documentation up to API 6A, in a 1,670-hour engineering programme for a US client.
At a glance
| Client | Gate valve manufacturer, USA |
| Starting point | 2D drawings in older CAD software, several decades old |
| Standard | API 6A |
| Effort | 1,670 engineering hours |
| Scope | Design review, 2D to 3D conversion, new 2D drawing sets, tolerance and forging optimisation, material masters, specification linking, documentation update |
The challenge
The client’s gate valve product line still ran on 2D drawings made several decades ago in older versions of CAD software. The designs were proven in service, but the documents behind them had not kept up.
- Hard to use. Files in outdated CAD formats were difficult to open, edit, reuse or check for fit against new designs.
- Out of step with current practice. Tolerances, material callouts and notes reflected the standards and shop practice of their time, not the current edition of API 6A.
- Disconnected from the company system. Drawings did not point to the client’s current specifications for material, coating and quality inspection.
- Cost locked in. Forging sizes and tolerances had never been revisited, so any excess machining stock or over-tight limits carried into every new order.
The client needed a single, current, controlled set of models and drawings it could manufacture, inspect and certify against.
Our approach
We treated the conversion as an engineering review, not a redraw. Every drawing was checked before anything was modelled.
- Review the legacy drawings. We read every drawing in the set, resolved unclear or missing dimensions, and flagged conflicts between drawings for the client to confirm.
- Build parametric 3D models. Each gate valve part and assembly was rebuilt in Creo as a feature-based 3D model, so later changes to a bore, a flange or a body size update the dependent features.
- Issue current 2D drawings. We produced new controlled drawing sets from the models in the latest drawing format, replacing the legacy CAD originals.
- Optimise tolerances. We reviewed the tolerances against how each feature functions and is made, opening up limits that were tighter than the design needs and keeping the ones that seal, align or carry load.
- Optimise forging sizes. We reviewed the forging envelopes against the finished parts and reduced oversized forgings, cutting raw material and machining stock.
- Create material masters and link specifications. We set up material masters and linked each part to the client’s current specifications for material, coating and quality inspection.
- Bring the documentation up to API 6A. We updated the gate valve documentation so it complies with the current edition of API 6A.
What we delivered
| Deliverable | What the client gets |
|---|---|
| Parametric 3D models | Editable parts and assemblies for every converted drawing |
| Current 2D drawing sets | Controlled drawings in the latest format, generated from the models |
| Optimised tolerances | Limits set by function and manufacturability |
| Optimised forging sizes | Smaller forging envelopes matched to the finished parts |
| Material masters | One master record per material, ready for the client’s system |
| Linked specifications | Each part tied to current material, coating and quality inspection specifications |
| API 6A documentation | Gate valve documentation updated to the current edition of API 6A |
Results
The client now has one current, controlled engineering record for its gate valves in Creo, in place of legacy CAD files.
- Ready to change. Parametric models let the client modify, re-rate or extend a design without redrafting from scratch.
- Lower part cost. Right-sized forgings and tolerances set by function reduce material, machining time and needless rejects on every order.
- Traceable quality. Material masters and linked specifications mean every part points to the right material, coating and inspection requirements.
- Standards compliant. Documentation aligned with the current edition of API 6A supports certification, audits and customer reviews.
Have legacy drawings of your own?
Rapid Global upgrades legacy 2D CAD drawings into parametric Creo 3D models and current drawing sets, and reviews the design as we go: tolerances, forgings, materials and compliance with API 6A. Talk to us.
