The importance of 3D BIM for steel engineering - Blog - ISD Group

In the year , BIM will play an important role in the construction industry. The expectation is that the importance of BIM will only increase in the coming years. Curious about why BIM is so important and which advantages it offers for your steel engineering company?

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What is BIM?

The term BIM is not new to most steel constructors. BIM or Building Information Modelling is a method in which different parties in the construction industry have access to a single 3D BIM model and work together throughout the entire lifecycle of a project, from drawing the initial design to its construction and eventually the possible demolition.

More than a 3D model

However, BIM is more than a 3D Model. A BIM model can be used as a shared database in which, in addition to the 3D model, other information is also shared. Examples include product types, the type of finishing on the product and the weight of the materials used. Because all parties involved have the same information, processes can be accelerated and errors can be avoided.

The advantages of BIM for the steel construction industry

Working with 3D BIM has various advantages. BIM can also make a big difference for the steel engineering industry. The most important benefit: BIM ensures better communication between contractors, subcontractors and other parties involved, which can save a lot of time and money for the entire chain.

More advantages of BIM

• Working with BIM is compulsory in an increasing number of public tenders;
• Errors can be detected as early as the design phase with the aid of 3D BIM;
• BIM ensures fewer surprises at the building site. It prevents additional work;
• The use of BIM leads to greater satisfaction among the involved parties;
• BIM enables a faster transition from drawing to production.

Why BIM is not (yet) always used properly

Despite all the advantages of BIM, it is by no means always applied correctly. Many projects only work with BIM in the design phase, therefor insufficient benefit is derived from working with the BIM method. In addition, not all information is usually shared or shared in the correct way. Companies in the construction industry must get used to sharing information with each other, while not all projects work with the BSI standard or the agreements made are not always properly committed to.

The future is BIM

More and more public tenders are making working with BIM mandatory. BIM has also become the standard in the steel engineering industry. In order to take full advantage of the benefits of BIM and be ready for the future, it is important to store and share product information in the right way. Using the right software for 3D modelling and Product Data Management can assist you with this.

Save with BIM

Would you also like to save with BIM? Working with BIM is one way to increase the profitability of your steel engineering company. Curious what other tips we have? Download our whitepaper now with '7 golden tips for a profitable steel engineering company’.

More information?

DMP is a powerful 3D printing technology that shapes any desired metal part geometry by melting metal powder layer by layer. This technology is applied to build up material in layers instead of removing it in different steps. The metal powder particles pinpointed by the laser quickly and fully melt so that the new material properly attaches to the previous layer, without glue or binder liquid. A powerful fiber laser with high energy intensity operates in the inert area inside the machine. This guarantees that the metal parts being built exhibit a dense and homogenous material structure. The CAD design of the parts directly drives the DMP production machines without the need for programming, clamping or tooling.

Want more information on 3D Steel Engineering? Feel free to contact us.

Our DMP printers allow you to create metal parts while achieving fine detail, which is why DMP is perfect for a variety of applications. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Producing complex parts that cannot be made using traditional methods
• Conformal cooling channels and latticework
• Enhanced fluid flow
• Direct tool-free production of injection molding inserts and cores
• Mass personal customization of orthopedic, dental, and other parts
• Parts with cavities, undercuts. and draft angles
• Reduced-weight and light-weight design
• Research and development
• Simplified assemblies and part consolidation
• Small, precision parts production
• Topology optimization while maintaining structural integrity

DMP is a powerful 3D printing technology that shapes any desired metal part geometry by melting metal powder layer by layer. This technology is applied to build up material in layers instead of removing it in different steps. The metal powder particles pinpointed by the laser quickly and fully melt so that the new material properly attaches to the previous layer, without glue or binder liquid. A powerful fiber laser with high energy intensity operates in the inert area inside the machine. This guarantees that the metal parts being built exhibit a dense and homogenous material structure. The CAD design of the parts directly drives the DMP production machines without the need for programming, clamping or tooling.

DMP is perfect for a variety of applications. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Producing complex parts that cannot be made using traditional methods
• Conformal cooling channels and latticework
• Enhanced fluid flow
• Direct tool-free production of injection molding inserts and cores
• Mass personal customization of orthopedic, dental, and other parts
• Parts with cavities, undercuts. and draft angles
• Reduced-weight and light-weight design
• Research and development
• Simplified assemblies and part consolidation
• Small, precision parts production
• Topology optimization while maintaining structural integrity

DMP allows for the production of small and extremely complex shapes with no need for tooling, and it permits dramatically different part design than conventional processes like machining, stamping or die casting will allow. DMP is ideal for:

• Aerospace and Defense
• Automotive
• Dental
• Healthcare
• Motorsports
• Semiconductor
• Truck, Bus & Rail
• Turbomachinery

Manage your part count and eliminate critical assembly processes such as welding that require extensive quality control and inspection. Reduce assembly time and cost by eliminating the need of sub-assembly labor and jigs and fixtures

Rethink design and enable fluid and airflow design to achieve best cooling, heating, mixing or other fluid flow in a part. Make the best of use of CFD by producing geometries that are truly optimized for fluid dynamics and not achievable with conventional production technologies. 

Design outside the subtractive tool box and increase the functionality of your component or product by making use of the design freedom metal AM offers.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Steel Structure Workshop. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.