LAS VEGAS - Trimble has introduced Trimble® Design Link, an interoperable building information modeling (BIM) software solution for mechanical contractors providing HVAC and sheet metal services. According to the company, Design Link provides direct export to Vulcan® CAM cutting software, Trimble’s QuickPen AutoBid® SheetMetal estimating software, Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) export for BIM collaboration, and Point Creation for field layout with the Trimble MEP layout solution.

Trimble said Design Link serves as a central source for BIM design collaboration of HVAC and sheet metal. It acts as a “BIM conduit,” allowing for the easy implementation and management of data, project specifications, and fabrication standards. “For BIM adoption to become truly mainstream, interoperability between solutions is key to helping contractors more easily take the next steps,” said Pat Bohle, general manager of Trimble’s Building Construction Division. “Trimble Design Link helps facilitate the BIM process by connecting solutions that aid in driving the detail rich, design data from the office directly to field level positioning systems for increased efficiency and cost savings.”

In pursuit of standards within the VDC process, Trimble Design Link has incorporated the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) file format as a means of extending the solution’s interoperability with popular design and construction based software applications. A direct example of this effort is the inclusion of a specialty export option that allows Tekla Structures users to easily import a Trimble Design Link file for clash detection and collision avoidance analysis. Structures users can also query fabrication data contained within the Trimble Design Link file. “As clash detection becomes more pervasive in our industry, the way we prevent and resolve these costly mistakes too will mature,” said Stacy Scopano, business and development manager of Tekla Corp. “We see Trimble Design Link as a next step forward to intelligently optimize coordination with mechanical systems.”

Trimble Design Link is available through Trimble’s QuickPen Division. For more information, visit www.quickpen.com.

Publication date: 11/29/2010