Enormous time saving with complex facade details - BIM with ATHENA 3D
The creation of complex facade details takes a lot of time. After consultation with users of the ATHENA software from CAD-PLAN, it turned out that a lot of time can be saved with the 3D module. Because the “articles” are already prepared, an average time gain of 30 to 50 percent is achieved. The facade builders De Groot & Visser from Gorinchem (Netherlands) and Facédo from Arnhem (Netherlands) have used the new 3D module for two special projects and report on their experiences.
“400 Beethovenstraat”, Amsterdam
As a pilot project for the use of ATHENA, De Groot & Visser chose the CAD software for modeling and detailing the “400 Beethovenstraat” project in Amsterdam. This involved approx. 8,500 m² of façade from the AOF 5.0 system with around 500 element façades, including segmented and sloping elements and combinations of both. “The project was created with a self-developed system (AOF 5.0). The decision in favor of ATHENA was made quickly because you can easily build elements with your own profiles,” reports Jochem de Langen, project engineer at De Groot en Visser. “The implementation according to IFC (BIM) after the 3D design is not a big art. ATHENA is ideal for creating detail points or cross-trade nodes. This provided a lot of relevant information during the construction process.”
For this pilot project of De Groot en Visser, an intensive cooperation was important for the implementation of such a prestigious project. Jochem de Langen emphasizes once again that the collaboration with CAD-PLAN, the good training as well as the support during the project phase were very beneficial to the success of the project. The 3D models elaborated with ATHENA were easily exported to the work preparation system for the material orders and the sawing lists.
“MFO Erasmus”, Rotterdam
Facedo has been working with ATHENA in the 2D area for a while. “The engineering tools ensure very clean detailed drawings and structurally flawless parts,” says Lennart Kok from Facédo. “3D models were created with ATHENA for the MFO Erasmus project in Rotterdam – with approx. 3,750 m² of Schüco FW50+ SI façade construction.
In this project, many segmented facade elements were mounted on a wide variety of on-site substrates. All anchors were modeled one-to-one with ATHENA, then worked out in 2D and ordered. In addition, all modeled elements were transferred to the customer’s 3D model. On the construction site, the fitters had great advantages thanks to the prefabricated anchors, all anchors were used without errors. The 3D model replaces on-site ‘fitting and measuring’ and saves an enormous amount of time.”
CAD-PLAN was founded in 1989 with the aim of providing designers and planners in the metal construction and facade construction industry with a specially tailored CAD system. “Today our main product ATHENA has grown into the most successful CAD application for facade technology.” tells Rinse Hoekstra on behalf of CAD-PLAN. “ATHENA is based on AutoCAD, but offers the facade builder an enormously extensive addition to functions, including the new 3D module. Window elements that are easy to draw can be converted into a 3D model for the 3D environment at the push of a button. The interface to the work preparation package Logikal from Orgadata can also be used for this.”
“Today our main product ATHENA has grown into the most successful CAD application for facade technology. ATHENA is BIM ready”