

There’s also a consideration for hidden costs such as downtime, or the consequential costs of incorrect use and workarounds that become commonplace when a hodgepodge of systems and workflows are used.
#Norry cad software#
The true cost of investment in new software and technology can seem to be prohibitive, and it’s easy to think that to fully reap the benefits, you must start from scratch and spend huge sums on equipment, software and training. More efficient planning alone justifies the investment as well as the Element Control to massively reduce errors in the production process. – We were supported throughout by StruSoft, who developed the Tekla Base Tools API specifically to support our current design processes and integrate IMPACT with our in house systems. McCann faced with the implementation was that processes had to be modified to suit the new software and also the software had to be modified to suit some of the process. There isn’t a “one size fits all” solution.īecause of this, precast business systems and processes have tended to evolve with small incremental improvements over time.Īs the first stage, and with the rise of CAD and 3D modelling systems, it makes sense for precast businesses to address their design processes first. What’s more, no two precast businesses are the same. Wrapped up in the three pillars of precast are a myriad of systems, processes and workflows. With a lack of industry BIM standards, there is no blueprint to follow. Without parallel development of production, project and logistics workflows, the benefits of the new data-rich 3D models cannot be fully realised. Therefore, speed of reaction, communication, collaboration, control over logistics, the flow of information and integration between them are paramount. These three disciplines: design, production and projects, are key to the success of your precast project. The demands on design, production and project management resources and workflows are considerable. This places huge time pressures on precast businesses to prepare 3D conceptual designs, calculate accurate costs and delivery schedules. Structural precast is a complex and multi-skilled business, not least because it’s a bespoke product competing against traditional on-site methods of construction. Have just successfully completed their first successful BIM level 2 project, integrating IMPACT with their existing design software and in-house systems.īy exporting their Tekla 3D model data into IMPACT’s open database, it’s possible to use this data to drive production planning and project management – and it’s this exact solution that helped FP McCann to successfully deliver bespoke precast units for the new logistics hub in Daventry. One of StruSoft’s customers in the UK, FP McCann. What if you could do away with spreadsheets, reduce time trying to find information and reduce errors from manually moving from one system to another? What if you could connect all Stakeholders to the same data set to improve the communication and collaboration on projects with real-time relevancy? Advancements with mobile and Cloud computing mean that you are now able to access project data from anywhere. It may also mean that you’re not best placed to take advantage of what some in the precast industry have termed “Offsite’s Second Coming”.Īn integrated system would allow you to streamline all production and project processes into one controlled BIM dataset. If you’re not fully integrating all parts of the process, then the answer must be no. But are you able to make the most of your resources (software, personnel, time and plant) without combining production planning project management and the associated data into one system? Precast firms are working in a controlled factory environment, which is ideal for the principles of design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA).ĭesign is a key part of the process, of course.

– Precast is perfectly placed to exploit BIM, says Matthew Butcher, at British Precast. With the rise of digitisation advancements in Building Information Modelling (BIM), many consulting engineers and precast businesses are moving from 2D to 3D design of precast concrete elements.
