Overview
This guide explains how to import piece marks into CV using Excel templates. Piece marks are used to identify and track individual concrete pieces throughout the production process.
Accessing the Import Screen
Navigate to the import screen through the main menu:
Path: Engineering > Piece Mark Import - Excel
Figure 1
Choosing the Right Template
Concrete Vision provides two Excel templates for importing piece marks. Choose the template that matches your measurement preference:
Template Options
| Template Type | Best For | Measurement Format | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decimal Import | Users who work with decimal measurements | Length, width, depth in decimal format (e.g., 10.5, 12.75) | Excel Template (Decimal) Download |
| Feet/Inches | Users who work with imperial measurements | Feet/Inches/8ths format (e.g., 10'-6-4/8") | Excel Template (Feet/Inches/8ths) Download |
Figure 2
How to Download Templates
- Click on the yellow highlighted download link for your preferred template (Figure 2)
- Save the Excel file to your computer
- Open the template and begin entering your piece mark data
Understanding Field Definitions
The Excel template contains two worksheets:
- Pieces - Where you enter your piece mark data
- Pieces Definition - Reference sheet explaining each field (Figure 3)
Required Fields (Must be completed)
| Field Name | Data Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOB_NUM | Text (10 chars) | Job identifier | "J-2023-045" |
| LOC_ID | Text (10 chars) | Plant location ID | "PLANT-A" |
| PHASE_NUM | Integer | Job phase number | 1, 2, 3 |
| CROSS_SECTION | Text (30 chars) | Cross section identifier | "12x24-BEAM" |
| PIECE_MARK | Text (10 chars) | Unique piece mark ID | "B1-A" |
| CNTRL_NUM | Text (10 chars) | Control numbers (see Section 5) | "100,101,102" |
| QTY | Integer | Total quantity needed | 10 |
| LENGTH | Float | Piece length (defaults to 0) | 120.5 or 10'-0-4/8" |
| WIDTH | Float | Piece width (defaults to 0) | 24.0 or 2'-0-0/8" |
| DEPTH | Float | Piece depth (defaults to 0) | 12.0 or 1'-0-0/8" |
Optional Fields (Enhance tracking but not required)
| Field Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DESIGN_MARK | Design reference mark |
| HANDLING_CODE | Special handling instructions |
| WT_LBS | Piece weight in pounds |
| STRUCT_CY / ARCH_CY | Cubic yard calculations |
| RELEASE / REL_28_DAY | Release strength requirements |
| AW_1 through AW_6 | Additional production work flags |
| NOTE | General notes about the piece |
Figure 3
Note: The "Default Value" column shows what value will be used if you leave a field blank.
Import Process
Step-by-Step Instructions
Download the appropriate template (Decimal or Feet/Inches)
Open the Excel file and navigate to the "Pieces" worksheet
Enter your piece mark data, starting at row 2:
- Each row represents one piece mark
- Fill in all required fields (marked "Yes" in the Pieces Definition tab)
- Leave optional fields blank if not needed
Save your completed Excel file
Return to Concrete Vision and access Engineering > Piece Mark Import - Excel
Browse to select your completed Excel file
Select the matching template type (Decimal or Feet/Inches)
Click the "Import" button
Review any import messages or errors
Control Numbers vs. Quantity
Understanding how to handle control numbers and quantities is crucial for successful imports.
The quantity (QTY) field is ignored if the job is setup to use control numbers (i.e. Control numbers are manually entered in the excel template), in which case, the quantity is determined by the number of control numbers entered. For example, if you have the following control numbers for piece mark “ABC”: 100,200,300 – the imported quantity for that piece mark will be 3 (i.e. 3 control numbers).
If the job is setup for automatically control number generation, the control numbers field can be left blank and the quantity needed (QTY), needs to be filled in.
Verification and Next Steps
After Successful Import
Once the import completes successfully, your pieces will appear in:
Engineering > Piece Marks Not Verified
This staging area allows you to:
- ✓ Review all imported piece marks
- ✓ Verify data accuracy
- ✓ Make any necessary corrections
- ✓ Approve & Move pieces to production
Note: Pieces must be verified before they can move into production.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article