Anyone using Pypeserver?

[dopefish]

Just did some demos with Pypeserver and was I pretty impressed with what I saw. I have been following them for a bit now and I am thinking about pulling the trigger. Anyone have any experience they care to share? From day to day use or customer service and shop feedback. Anything helps.

[Darren Young]

Sorry I didn't get to reply to your Email...completely got buried in a mass of other Emails.

Yes. We use PypeServer with our Watts (which isn't an option on newer Watts)

We have an Enterprise subscription which means we can access and program on a remote system that's not the Kiosk.

Not sure how you're programming your machine currently but ours came w/PypeServer so there's really not another option to program it without doing a conversion to Watt's new software (which I won't get into why we're not going down that road unless you want to know)

1) Perhaps less likely for the other machines they've recently added support for, but PypeServer was VERY helpful on how to use our machine. As they were prior exclusive to Watts, I suspect that's why they knew the machine so well. However,  because they've been around working with pipe profiles for so long, they do bring a lot of value in an unbiased way about the machines and their use in production. Watts can support the machine physically, but because a lot of production issues are "how do I get the machine to do X?" type questions that relate to programming, I feel PypeServer offers a lot of value due to their knowledge in this domain.

2) Enterprise functionality....we have the Enterprise subscription so we can program at a remote station instead of the shop floor.

3) Database system...I really like that everything is in the database. If we had multiple machines, we could run them all and they'd all be using the same software/database.  I've not done it yet but someday, this will allow me to tie in PowerBI or Tableau production reporting.

4) They've been very responsive on many fronts. On the support side, I can always get ahold of them (Ken) and have them remote in if needed. We had some unique fabrication we were looking at that wasn't well suited to our normal work or how the machine should work and a simple Email in the afternoon resulted in a call w/Kelly walking through challenges, options, etc. He even downloaded and looked at the STP files we needed to fab off of.  They're also been quick to add modules (G-Code and STP importers) for alternative data imports when we needed them at the last minute. And their developer (Mike) was very responsive over several months while I beta tested their Stratus integration. All told, my personal interactions with them have been exactly what I'd hoped and expected of any vendor.

5) Ancillary value....again, because of their long track record in the industry, I get a lot of other value from them that I'd not expect from most vendors...opinions on Label Printers and label types, how to integrate the system within our corporate IT network, etc.

Now, I hear from a lot of folks about a lot of software that "it's expensive" or "Cost too much". In general, these comments I find from folks who are use to buying "software tools". PypeServer is a System, not a tool IMO. Systems cost more as they provide more value.  Using their Stratus integration, I estimate it saves us over $30k in labor just not having to manually program the machine. More than offsets the cost of their system.  I don't know any other option that lets you send 6500ft of pipe all programmed and ready to go in about 5 minutes.

[steph_a5]

does anyone know if they work in the UK?

is it expensive?

thanks

[PipeFitter72]

We are using it. We like it for its Stratus integration so we can send from Straus to Pypeserver.

[PypeServerGuy]

It's been a while since Darren's last post in 2020 and a lot has happened at PypeServer in the meantime. Given the question above, I thought I'd provide an update as of August, 2025. If this is inappropriate for this forum, please let me know and I'll delete this post.

Regarding the Enterprise pipe cutting software, the annual license now includes all file importers (PCF, PCD, XML, CSV, STEP, etc.), all API integrations (Stratus, MSUITE, Trimble Connect2Fab, BuildCentrix, and others) label printing with a graphical WYSIWYG label designer (including separate templates for part labels, end labels, and drop labels), and three remote seats so multiple users can run it simultaneously from the VDC office or anywhere else on your corporate network. It also comes standard with every cut macro we offer as well as our O-let and pipe intersection processor that automatically generates the holes for O-lets and the holes & end cuts where pipes intersect if they aren't already modelled in CAD or BIM.

PypeServer also now offers Lyte software for straight cutting machines, linear positioners, and manual tools. This includes all varieties of TigerStop, RazorGage RGST and RG3, Scotchman, Kentucky Gauge, and other machines. Like Enterprise, Lyte includes a wide variety of file importers and all the same bi-directional API integrations with Stratus, MSUITE, and others.

Since 2020, PypeServer has also launched a library of Connect add-ins for CAD and BIM, including:
Revit
AutoCAD (Plant 3D, CADmep, Advance Steel, etc.)
Inventor Tube & Pipe
SDS2
Tekla

The Connect add-ins make it easy to select parts and spools for fabrication, map properties from the model to PypeServer's software, add bevels and root gaps, and send them and any associated sheets to PypeServer's Cloud system. The Connect library also includes a Windows application call the Cloudinator, that can send PCF, PDC, FIX, PCF, JPG, and PNG cut files and sheets from older software to the PypeServer Cloud.

PypeServer's Cloud system facilitates getting data to the machines and monitoring cut status in real time. If you use Enterprise and Lyte's end labels, you can also send weld data to Novarc and Rotoweld machines via the PypeServer Cloud to facilitate their operation.

Both Lyte and Enterprise include free access to our entire Connect library, including the Cloudinator, as well as the free tier of our Cloud.

Most recently, we've added a paid tier to our Cloud offerings called Cloud+. This includes the ability to design your own workflows via different statuses and rules, a mobile app for use by the shop and the field, and enhanced reporting. This is designed and priced for small and medium sized shops that don't need the complexity or expense of the existing workflow tools out there.

I hope this helps.