Trimble understands how concrete customers work and is constantly developing its Tekla software to help. Ismail Makda, Business Development Manager explains
Recently, Trimble added a new Formwork Placing Tool for Tekla Structures, which, with the enhanced visualisation, coordination and communication of the constructible formwork model, will allow concrete contractors to prepare the pour of concrete on site with minimal mistakes and reduced risks. The new tool handles pours and allows effective management of all pour-related information including formwork placement – and thanks to the advanced technology, model-based formwork planning, quantification and coordination is now faster, easier and more flexible than ever.
Tool creates efficiency
The new tool is not based on a particular formwork system; instead, ready-made system formwork components are available, which can be matched to, and used with any formwork inventory.
The combination of the new tool, along with the pour and concrete geometry within Tekla models, allows placing various system elements such as wall panels, formwork corners, ties, clamps and fillers easier and faster. The new dynamic preview also means that you will see exactly what you are getting when planning placements for different components. It is also simple to modify the plan and make the inevitable changes.
What’s more, customers can customise the rules for automated placement and material quantification, which will improve efficiency further.
The new Formwork Placing Tool is now available to download in Tekla Warehouse, alongside PERI’s 3D components of two of its most popular formwork systems, and DOKA’s 3D components for its wall and floor systems.
Benefits
Although Tekla Structures offers many benefits for those working with cast-in-place (CIP) concrete, it can also help precast manufacturers and contractors too.
In fact, one of Ireland’s leading precast concrete manufacturer’s, O’Reilly Concrete, incorporated Tekla software within its business over ten years ago and has been saving an impressive amount of time and money since.
Richard Kowalski, Technical Director at O’Reilly Concrete, said: “Prior to incorporating Tekla software within the business, we employed traditional 2D design methods; these were slow and time-consuming. We used 2D CAD software for fabrication drawings, which meant that there was no link between GA drawings and individual cast unit drawings. Any alterations made in the general design had to be changed manually on the production drawings – and any late changes made to a design from the architects or engineers resulted in mistakes and time delays.
“After a lot of market research, we made the decision to implement Tekla Structures as our main design package. Tekla Structures is a very clever piece of software, as you can view the future development in a 3D model and identify and correct all design clashes. It also finds potential sections where the design could be improved, which is not possible in 2D, as well as helping to split a building into precast elements, create accurate drawings and help you to manage transport, the erection of the building and all of the design processes.
“At O’Reilly Concrete, we don’t only just use Tekla Structures and Tekla BIMSight; we also use Tekla Structural Designer and Tekla Tedds and our future plan is to integrate Tekla software more into our production planning and management process. We are currently researching a suitable ERP package to create a robust, bi-directional link between Tekla software and the ERP software to be able to transfer data directly from model into production.
“If you have already invested in a package like Tekla Structures, it would be a waste of potential and a waste of investment not to use it to its full extent. From my point of view, the only way is to keep driving forward; always be ahead of the game regarding solutions efficiency and technology. The technology has not been designed to replace people; it has been designed to make companies work quicker and importantly, more efficiently.”
With Tekla software, it is possible to make sure that everything fits before it is built – providing accurate, consistent and always up-to-date constructible building information, which will reduce time and money spent on a project.
For more information please visit www.tekla.com/uk/solutions
Ismail Makda
Business Development Manager
Trimble Solutions (UK) Ltd
tekla.sales.uk@trimble.com
