SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Trimble announced it is supporting new construction modeling workflows with enhanced integration between Bentley Systems’ AECOsim Building Designer software and Trimble’s Vulcan sheet metal cutting software for the HVAC market. The new workflow integration enables design models to be shared easily, securely, and accurately. The move expands the companies’ ongoing collaboration around construction modeling and enhanced information mobility — which includes a goal to leverage Bentley i-models when Trimble and Bentley solutions are used together in project delivery.

Vulcan is a sheet metal cutting software solution for HVAC contractors, design/build firms, and duct manufacturers, who rely on the software to increase shop productivity, reduce waste, and improve their bottom lines, said Trimble. AECOsim Building Designer is Bentley’s software for teams involved in the design, analysis, contracting, documentation, and visualization of buildings. The platform leverages i-models for the open exchange of project information so that team members may share and interact with complex project data and across product lines and technology platforms. By extending Trimble and Bentley’s existing i-model integrations to Vulcan, users can directly transmit design drawings to sheet metal fabrication, which can reduce errors and rework, and ultimately save time and costs.

“Sheet metal cutting and fabrication requires the utmost precision to ensure the finished product will meet design specifications exactly, but the design-to-fabrication gap is where errors are most likely to occur,” said Pat Bohle, general manager of the MEP Division within Trimble Buildings. “Bentley’s i-models ease data-sharing and improve accuracy so that our customers can feel confident that the fabricated product matches the design spot-on.”

“Trimble and Bentley share the goal of improving productivity and accuracy across construction processes, so we’re pleased that our collaboration continues to deliver significant and tangible benefits to the industry,” said Harry Vitelli, Bentley Systems senior vice president, construction and field. “We look forward to combining our efforts in supporting construction modeling workflows for all disciplines.”

The new capabilities will be incorporated into Vulcan 2015 version 2, which is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2015 through Trimble Buildings’ MEP Division. For more information, visit http://mep.trimble.com/products/fabrication/vulcan.

Publication date: 5/4/2015

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!