黑洞社区

Movers and Makers

Composite panels from Eurobond were chosen for UTC Sheffield to replicate and support the rainscreen finish and also provide enhanced acoustic properties and thermal performance, while performing the span calculations and technical support using BIM. The products used were Europanel F5 Extra and Rainspan and the final specification involved a single installation of Europanel manufactured Colorcoat Prisma by Tata Steel in slate grey and helios (F5 Extra 200mm V Groove) and Rainspan (a composite panel providing structural support for rainscreen systems).
Eurobond Laminates

Balfour Beatty used BIM to construct the 23-story, 1,001-room Omni Dallas Hotel. Balfour Beatty incorporated its subcontractors into its BIM process. They developed detailed plans for their portions of the project using their own software applications and Balfour Beatty aggregated the information into a single project model using Autodesk Navisworks Manage software. Balfour Beatty says BIM solutions the company beat its construction schedule by two months.
Balfour Beatty

New products from the Marley Alutec Tudor downpipe range have been used at Moreteyne Manor, a traditional Tudor property in Bedfordshire, to replace a PVC system that had discoloured due to old age. The company has recently added a 102mm pipe to the range, which is available as BIM objects and can be downloaded from the company鈥檚 website. Manufactured from marine grade aluminium, the range is corrosion resistant. Marley Alutec鈥檚 Tudor downpipes are available in both a 63mm and 76mm circular size and come in 24 colours.
Marley Alutec

Export plug-in for Rhino
Datakit has launched a Solidworks export plug-in for Rhino, completing its range of plug-ins for the Rhinoceros software. This new extension allows Rhino users to save their models as .sldprt and .sldasm files, the native formats of Solidworks software. The plug-in uses Datakit鈥檚 writing technology, which the company says means users don鈥檛 need to get a Solidworks license or to install Solidworks in order to use the product. It says the add-on is ideal for Rhino users wanting to exchange their models with Solidworks users, as bidirectional exchanges between these two applications are possible.
Datakit

BIM software
BIM software developer Graphisoft has released Archicad 21, its new BIM software solution. This version features the Stair Tool with patent-pending predictive design technology. Archicad鈥檚 algorithms validate thousands of design options in the background. The software offers options that fit both the user鈥檚 graphical input and the chosen standards. Also updated is the CineRender by Maxon, which offers integrated rendering options in the BIM context.
Graphisoft

Scale-aware sketching app
Open Screen has released an update to its scale-aware sketching app on iPad, Archisketch 2.5. Customers can now pan and zoom simultaneously in the drawing environment, and duplicate projects with email sharing, modify and move entire groups of shapes. The update also includes an improved two-point perspective grid layout and a modernised projects system. The Archisketch Freehand tool works with the sensors in the Apple Pencil, which the company says accurately measures pressure and tilt for a natural drawing experience. The Archisketch 2.5 update requires iOS 10 or later.
Archisketch

New BIM files
Marley Plumbing & Drainage has recently created 106 push-fit and solvent soil BIM files, as well as 47 solvent waste files. These can be accessed on either BIMstore or via the Marley website. The company has grouped the files together rather than creating individual objects in order to make the downloading process quicker and easier. The company says it decided to create a larger variety of BIM files for its most popular products to help its customers meet the government鈥檚 demands.
Marley Plumbing & Drainage Solutions

Extended BIM data portfolio
Duravit has expanded its BIM data portfolio and is now making more than 150 BIM files available for architects, planners and the sanitary, heating and air-conditioning trade. The designer bathroom manufacturer wants to promote the development of integral planning in the construction industry, based on the BIM method, which is already required for public projects in the US, UK and Spain. It says digital planning should lead to greater transparency in the construction phase and to lower operating and maintenance costs later.
Duravit

Updated objects
Boon Edam has announced it has released updated BIM objects on its two latest product releases; the Swinglane 900 Wide and the Speedlane 900 Wide. The Swinglane 900 is a fail-safe security barrier composed of slim, stainless steel cabinets, a glass swinging door wing and an advanced sensor system. The Speedlane 900 can be easily integrated with almost any access control system and a high capacity throughput of 30 people per minute can be achieved due to the design of the quick sliding motion of the door wings.
Boon Edam

Kingspan Insulation BIM Objects
Kingspan Insulation has released a new range of BIM objects, including more than 1,000 flat roof and flooring objects. These, available on Kingspan鈥檚 U-value Calculator app and website, cover a wide range of constructions, including build-up constructions for the new Kingspan Kooltherm K103 Floorboard and Thermafloor TF70 floor insulation.
Kingspan Insulation