ASPO Officially Released: Bridging Plant Design and Construction with Integrated Data

Incorporating beta feedback with expanded features.

Data integration from design to construction reduces piping support fabrication drawing man-hours by up to 83%*

*Based on internal testing

August 25, 2026

ASPO, a new add-in series designed to streamline workflows from plant design to construction, is now officially available.

The ASPO series consists of ASPO Support Fab, a tool for automated generation of piping support fabrication drawings, and ASPO Spool Manager (patent pending), a tool that supports spool drawing generation.

A beta version (Rev. 0A) has been available to a limited number of trial users since the end of April 2026. Based on feedback from early users, the official release includes expanded features, improved functionality, and enhanced stability.

By connecting design data with downstream fabrication and construction workflows, ASPO aims to reduce manual work and help establish a Single Source of Truth (SSOT) across plant projects.

Key Improvements from the Beta Version

ASPO Support Fab

• Added steel supports, expanding the range of supported support types
• Rack steelwork can now be included in drawings
• Improved support grouping functionality
• Dimension output now supported for AutoCAD Plant 3D standard supports as well

ASPO Spool Manager

• Improved weld marker visualization
• Error check results can now be exported to file
• Enhanced overall stability
• Weld information output to Autodesk Forma now supported

Eliminating the "Data Disconnect" Between Design and Construction

In plant construction, digitalization has progressed significantly through the detailed design phase, including the generation of isometric drawings. However, during subsequent construction preparation, a significant amount of manual data entry into general-purpose CAD systems and Excel may still be required.

This can result in information being managed separately across different processes, creating a disconnect between design and construction.

ASPO is designed to address this gap by enabling data generated during plant design to be connected with downstream fabrication and construction workflows.

ASPO supports data integration within the Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D environment, helping teams maintain consistent information from 3D design through fabrication and construction.

The "ASPO" Series

*Use of this product requires an Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D environment.

 1. ASPO Support Fab

Automated Piping Support Fabrication Drawing Generation

Automatically generates fabrication drawings from model data in Autodesk AutoCAD Plant 3D.

• Man-hour Reduction:
  Drawing work that previously required approximately 30 minutes per sheet can be reduced to approximately 5 minutes (approximately 83% reduction*). *Based on internal testing.
• Cost Benefits:
  Estimated cost savings of approximately ¥1.25 million for small- to mid-sized projects involving approximately 1,000 drawings*. *Based on internal testing.
• Consistent Quality:
  Contributes to the reduction of human error and minimizes rework by synchronizing with the model during design changes.

▼Demo Video: ASPO Support Fab Feature Overview
https://lp.aspo-generator.com/en/support-fab.html#demo

 2. ASPO Spool Manager

Spool Drawing Generation Support / Patent Pending

Supports semi-automatic spool splitting based on predefined rules and manual editing, enabling smooth integration from 3D models to spool drawing generation.

• Splitting Proposals:
  Semi-automates spool splitting based on predefined rules.
• Auto-numbering and Auto-linking:
  Automatically assigns spool numbers and weld numbers. Shop (factory fabrication) / Field (on-site construction) allocation is also automated, and when assignments are changed, related numbers are automatically updated.
• Visualization and Consistency Checks:
  Visualizes weld locations with weld markers, and helps reduce omissions and errors associated with manual work through automatic entry of weld marks, BOMs, and data consistency checks.
• Data Integration to the Field:
  Shop/Field classification, spool numbers, and weld numbers set in ASPO can be directly linked to Autodesk Forma Build. Weld progress tracking (not started / completed / inspection passed, etc.), which was previously managed primarily in general-purpose CAD or Excel, can now be managed alongside the 3D model.

▼Demo Video: ASPO Spool Manager Feature Overview
https://lp.aspo-generator.com/en/spool-manager.html#demo

Feedback from Beta Users

IHI Plant Services Corporation, Engineering Center, Piping & Structure Design Department

　ASPO Support Fab

"With ASPO Support Fab, we confirmed the potential for streamlining design operations by enabling rapid creation of support drawings from Plant 3D models, compared to conventional methods using orthographic views.

We look forward to future enhancements that will enable drawing generation to include not only piping support components such as shoes, clamps, and U-bolts, but also secondary members and the columns, beams, and foundations that support them."

　ASPO Spool Manager

"After trialing the beta version of ASPO Spool Manager, we confirmed that the automatic SHOP/FIELD classification assignment and visual display functions can streamline the verification of weld locations and weld classifications.

This is expected to reduce workload in spool planning and construction review.

Additionally, we found that the automatic numbering of spool and weld numbers, combined with excellent operational responsiveness, enables efficient processing of large volumes of data while also providing the flexibility for designers to make modifications easily — a capability well suited to practical use.

We look forward to future enhancements, including integration with related component information and data integration with Autodesk Forma."

Product Lineup and Pricing

*Prices shown are per license, excluding tax.

• ASPO Support Fab
  

  Monthly: $200/ Annual:$1,600
  *A free version with limited features is also available.
  Contact: https://lp.aspo-generator.com/en/support-fab.html

• ASPO Spool Manager
  

  Monthly: $1,600/ Annual:$12,000
  Contact: https://lp.aspo-generator.com/en/spool-manager.html

• ASPO Product Site
  

  https://lp.aspo-generator.com/en/

About Arent

With the mission of "Democratizing Tacit Knowledge," Arent drives DX in the construction and plant industries. The company operates on two pillars: a "DX Business" that works alongside client companies to solve challenges, and a "Product Business" that develops proprietary SaaS solutions. Through the provision of products such as the "LightningBIM" series of plug-ins for intuitive BIM interaction with Revit, and "PlantStream," an AI-powered 3D CAD system for automated plant piping design co-developed with Chiyoda Corporation, as well as group expansion through M&A, Arent solves structural challenges in the construction and plant industries through technology.

More information: https://global.arent.co.jp/

About PlantStream

PlantStream is an AI-powered 3D CAD jointly developed by Arent Inc. and Chiyoda Corporation.

The platform automates plant layout, piping routing, and other engineering workflows, enabling engineering teams to reduce design effort while improving quality. PlantStream also generates Material Take-Off (MTO) and work-volume data from the early stages of engineering and exports models to major 3D CAD platforms for detailed design.

PlantStream is used by engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors, engineering companies, licensors, and plant owners worldwide. It supports feasibility studies (FS), Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), improved engineering productivity, and more efficient project delivery.

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