An innovative steel mesh manufacturer is promising speedier, more user-friendly and more accurate design and the ability to deliver Building Information Modelling (BIM) through its move to parametric 3D design.
Zaun Ltd, which offers an extensive range of perimeter fencing, high security fencing, sports equipment, automatic electric gates, security bollards and hostile vehicle mitigation products, has taken its entire research, development and product design across to 3D modelling.
Zaun is using AutoDesk Inventor Professional 2016 to give customers 3D renderings of all designs, which provide clearer visualisation and are easier to understand.
The parametric 3D modelling offers efficiencies in the design process, mitigates errors in design, gives greater clarity to customers on design approval and delivers substantial efficiency improvements in production.
It will also give architects and specifiers what they need for building information models that contain not only the design of a building and its components but information on its construction, ongoing maintenance and the properties of its components.
By next year, all centrally procured government construction projects must be delivered using BIM. The government hopes this will lead to its industry-wide adoption as the benefits become more widely understood.
Zaun research and development manager Adam Christie says: "BIM is driving an overhaul of the whole design process and is transforming how project teams collaborate so the transition from CAD to BIM will be more significant than when computers replaced paper drawings around 20 years ago."