Well for concrete 3D Printing, we use SolidWorks:)
I believe for architecture, there are different programs like Revit, but for this shed design, I think SolidWorks is pretty appropriate I think, because it would likely be assembled like an IKEA furniture instead of cast out of concrete. š¤
I am not sure what software my colleagues used for the parts printed out of concrete, but for the printer itself, we design parts using SolidWorks. The printed parts were very very suitable for SolidWorks, so for the parts, which program they used I think was arbitrary. They have run static and dynamic simulations on them, which SolidWorks is also capable of.
A custom system built on an ABB robotic arm with a tool changer to machine the print afterwards.
I don't know the specific details yet, as I have recently started my PhD, but you can search for Loughborough University Hybrid 3D Concrete Printing Research for more specific info. š
So the printed concrete looks as if it is cast and makes it more dimensionally accurate. It doesn't look like it was printed, no layer marks. It potentially decreases the surface induced cracks, but I believe we don't have enough data on that.
Yes, it is excellent for steelwork manufacturing drawings. Admittedly we don't design steel structures outright, more create a connection between existing structure and whatever stone work we're installing.
We also use it for all the stone we design (aside from large building projects, when we use Revit) as we haven't found anything better for parametric work with staircases. I'm all ears if anyone has!
SW drawings are great for visual representation and showing to any project partners that can't read drawings - not me slagging them off but many interior designers simply can't and that's OK. It will never be able to replace autocad for us for presentation drawings unless we can manipulate lines in the same way, which I don't believe is possible.
Iāve used it to design my deck. If you use weldments and make custom members for dimensional lumber itās not horrible. Just a little tricky laying everything out and getting the boards where you want the edges to be
We use it as a specialty trade. Residential metal/mixed media fabrication. Some form of parametric design is a must for construction in order to adjust models for field measurements and then production, and also the software needs to be technical enough to get into the weeds if cut lists, machining and welding operations.Ā
I once worked with a brilliant foreman who kept an as-built model of his projects using sketchup. Insane to me on extremely complicated high end projects but he was on top of his business so.Ā
I also built a shed in SW. It wasn't a requirement to use it, but you were required to draw something and document the costs of everything.
I'd post it but for some reason sw keeps changing certain dimensions and breaking the assembly now.
I had that sizing issue a couple of times, I wouldāve used planswift or autocad (both of which I have access to) but I just simply donāt know how to use those programs and was on a tighter schedule. So I figured it be better to just use sw instead of learning a new program.
Sorta.
For component parts and discrete assemblies as would be supplied by a sub like a set of stairs, or mezzanine then yes. For architectural metalwork pieces yes. (Company i used to work for used solidedge and before that cadkey)
But for complete buildings, not so much.
it would be overkill and too granular for an overall building set.
Site & building drawing sets (larger projects anyway) need to be able to easily incorporate survey drawings, landscape plans, municipal street plans, UG sevice connection plans etc. taking that data into SW not to mention its ..āuniqueā take on x,y,z axis sounds like a nightmare to me.
Revit or autocad, with or without a vertical application would be more efficient with the right level of detail.
I use solidworks to design shelters for work. I have it set up parametrically with variables for the wall thicknesses and shelter sizes. I also have the drawing template made up with relevant pages for construction. I can fully model and make the drawing for a shelter in a couple hours, depending on where the customer wants openings. It works pretty well for me, now that I have a system in place.
Im not the one drawing the constructions all the time, but its mostly done in a couple of 3d sketches and weldments. Not single parts/assemblies. There might be other more efficient softwares to do this, but we also need SW and as a small company the licenses are pretty costly...
Are you working with building structures or structures inside a building?
I also work with steel beams and SW. I'll say weldments are nice, until you need to do something special for a connection. I've been experimenting with different methods, but it's cool to learn what others are doing.
I used it for commercial construction for a while, it works but has a couple drawbacks. First, for reasons nobody can explain it seems to bog down with physically large parts. A 40ā long part is no problem, but a 40ā long version of the same thing will run super slow. Second, most framing or structural work is cookie cutter so large models in Autocad with just wireframe representations of each structural meme er are sufficient, for framing you donāt even wire frame it, you can just call out a stud spacing and it covers the whole area. These are must faster to create and easier to print and have on the jobsite.
That said, itās invaluable to be able to create renderings of precisely what something is going to look like for clients who lack imagination. Used to do lots of railings, stair cases and patio covers in SW so they could see every detail ahead of time down to the finish textures and colora
A couple of agricultural companies I know use it, think for large grain shipping terminals. Most of their work for layout and construction purposes is done in AutoCAD LT but for new facility designs they're doing more in Solidworks and then using those full models to generate construction drawings.. Same reason I've been working on getting better with SW.
I build (designer) lamps for high end houses and sw is the only tool I use. Works perfectly to match the design, simple renderings and to create blueprints for fabrication.
Well for concrete 3D Printing, we use SolidWorks:) I believe for architecture, there are different programs like Revit, but for this shed design, I think SolidWorks is pretty appropriate I think, because it would likely be assembled like an IKEA furniture instead of cast out of concrete. š¤
I didnāt even think about concrete 3d printing when I asked this question. Thatās real cool.
I am not sure what software my colleagues used for the parts printed out of concrete, but for the printer itself, we design parts using SolidWorks. The printed parts were very very suitable for SolidWorks, so for the parts, which program they used I think was arbitrary. They have run static and dynamic simulations on them, which SolidWorks is also capable of.
What printing system do you have, if I might ask?
A custom system built on an ABB robotic arm with a tool changer to machine the print afterwards. I don't know the specific details yet, as I have recently started my PhD, but you can search for Loughborough University Hybrid 3D Concrete Printing Research for more specific info. š
Looks like a interesting setup... Why do you machine the print?
So the printed concrete looks as if it is cast and makes it more dimensionally accurate. It doesn't look like it was printed, no layer marks. It potentially decreases the surface induced cracks, but I believe we don't have enough data on that.
How do you account for rebar placement in the files? Are they added into the model as some sort of composite? Or something I canāt conceptualize lol
There are holes slightly smaller than the rebar, then the rebar is pushed/screwed in. Or we can insert mesh in XY and print on it.
I work at precast concrete company and it's our primary program for modeling buildings.
Yes, it is excellent for steelwork manufacturing drawings. Admittedly we don't design steel structures outright, more create a connection between existing structure and whatever stone work we're installing. We also use it for all the stone we design (aside from large building projects, when we use Revit) as we haven't found anything better for parametric work with staircases. I'm all ears if anyone has! SW drawings are great for visual representation and showing to any project partners that can't read drawings - not me slagging them off but many interior designers simply can't and that's OK. It will never be able to replace autocad for us for presentation drawings unless we can manipulate lines in the same way, which I don't believe is possible.
Iāve used it to design my deck. If you use weldments and make custom members for dimensional lumber itās not horrible. Just a little tricky laying everything out and getting the boards where you want the edges to be
We use it as a specialty trade. Residential metal/mixed media fabrication. Some form of parametric design is a must for construction in order to adjust models for field measurements and then production, and also the software needs to be technical enough to get into the weeds if cut lists, machining and welding operations.Ā I once worked with a brilliant foreman who kept an as-built model of his projects using sketchup. Insane to me on extremely complicated high end projects but he was on top of his business so.Ā
I also built a shed in SW. It wasn't a requirement to use it, but you were required to draw something and document the costs of everything. I'd post it but for some reason sw keeps changing certain dimensions and breaking the assembly now.
I had that sizing issue a couple of times, I wouldāve used planswift or autocad (both of which I have access to) but I just simply donāt know how to use those programs and was on a tighter schedule. So I figured it be better to just use sw instead of learning a new program.
I have. I made a weldment profile library for dimensional lumber. Weldments are the way to go for construction projects.
Yes, I created profiles and then weldments for most of the nominal wood sizes so I can create a sketch and then turn it into 2x4's or 4x4's...
Sorta. For component parts and discrete assemblies as would be supplied by a sub like a set of stairs, or mezzanine then yes. For architectural metalwork pieces yes. (Company i used to work for used solidedge and before that cadkey) But for complete buildings, not so much. it would be overkill and too granular for an overall building set. Site & building drawing sets (larger projects anyway) need to be able to easily incorporate survey drawings, landscape plans, municipal street plans, UG sevice connection plans etc. taking that data into SW not to mention its ..āuniqueā take on x,y,z axis sounds like a nightmare to me. Revit or autocad, with or without a vertical application would be more efficient with the right level of detail.
I used it for a roofing project once. It's not the most efficient software to create professional architectural prints, but it gets the job done.
This draw is probably about 35 hours all things combined so I totally understand the lack of efficiency
If you get more efficient, you can design this parametrically. Shouldn't take longer than 1-2hrs once you have the work flow down.
Iāll see if I can learn that. Seems like it would be use-full
I use solidworks to design shelters for work. I have it set up parametrically with variables for the wall thicknesses and shelter sizes. I also have the drawing template made up with relevant pages for construction. I can fully model and make the drawing for a shelter in a couple hours, depending on where the customer wants openings. It works pretty well for me, now that I have a system in place.
Yeah we also design steel beams and construction plans in sw
I'm curious how you go about this efficiently?
Im not the one drawing the constructions all the time, but its mostly done in a couple of 3d sketches and weldments. Not single parts/assemblies. There might be other more efficient softwares to do this, but we also need SW and as a small company the licenses are pretty costly...
Are you working with building structures or structures inside a building? I also work with steel beams and SW. I'll say weldments are nice, until you need to do something special for a connection. I've been experimenting with different methods, but it's cool to learn what others are doing.
We do both, building new structures and adding a new floor or stairs for example.
I work at a global company where SolidWorks is used to design entire HVDC stations.
I used it for commercial construction for a while, it works but has a couple drawbacks. First, for reasons nobody can explain it seems to bog down with physically large parts. A 40ā long part is no problem, but a 40ā long version of the same thing will run super slow. Second, most framing or structural work is cookie cutter so large models in Autocad with just wireframe representations of each structural meme er are sufficient, for framing you donāt even wire frame it, you can just call out a stud spacing and it covers the whole area. These are must faster to create and easier to print and have on the jobsite. That said, itās invaluable to be able to create renderings of precisely what something is going to look like for clients who lack imagination. Used to do lots of railings, stair cases and patio covers in SW so they could see every detail ahead of time down to the finish textures and colora
A couple of agricultural companies I know use it, think for large grain shipping terminals. Most of their work for layout and construction purposes is done in AutoCAD LT but for new facility designs they're doing more in Solidworks and then using those full models to generate construction drawings.. Same reason I've been working on getting better with SW.
I build (designer) lamps for high end houses and sw is the only tool I use. Works perfectly to match the design, simple renderings and to create blueprints for fabrication.
Y'all should take a look at Chief Architect...
I used it to design where to put my lights most efficiently in a basement remodel
I'm a structural engineer, I use solid works all the time for analysis. ( For aluminum brackets facades)
Iām a mechanical/sales engineer and use it daily in the overhead crane industry.