CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
29 February 2012
Implementation Investments
New Zealand Company Speeds Up Architectural Projects with Autodesk Software
Autodesk, Inc. has named 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions, the New Zealand-based design and build company, as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for February 2012. The company was recognized for its use of Autodesk Inventor software to create stunning facades for a series of projects with unique physical and environmental challenges, as well as highly complex design and build procedures.
The company’s assignments include a café that sits on the edge of a mountain, 6,000 feet above sea level; a Moroccan-style restaurant with an elaborate operable window system; and a stunning vacation home called Jagged Edge, where each facade on the structure is rhombus-shaped, and contains no 90-degree angles.
“The Digital Prototyping capabilities of Autodesk’s products enabled us to develop and plan original and unique designs that are financially viable and award-winning,” said Jason Dent, founder of 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions. “This is a key reason why we are winning these amazing design projects from clients.”
Using Autodesk Inventor enabled 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions to streamline its design workflow and, in the company’s estimation, effectively eliminate 10,000 hours of designing and physical labor, an approximate savings of NZD$775,000 (US$830,000) across the three particularly challenging projects mentioned above.
Digital Prototyping Ensures Accuracy, Reduces Costs
4th Dimensional Facade Solutions worked closely with its reseller—Autodesk Gold Partner CADPRO Systems—to capitalize on the benefits of Autodesk software throughout the design and build process. To fully capitalize on the power of Autodesk Inventor software, 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions uses high-performance Dell computers and NVIDIA graphic cards.
In the design phase, 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions used Autodesk Inventor to create 3D Digital Prototypes of the facades. By simulating and validating the accuracy of its designs, the company was able to more confidently order the exact amount of premeasured materials from overseas manufacturers required to construct the facades.
The interoperability of Autodesk’s products ensured that the company was able to work smoothly across AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Inventor software and effectively collaborate with architects, engineers and other partners during the build phase—helping to minimize on-site errors.
About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information about Autodesk Inventor of the Month, contact IOM@autodesk.com.
About 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions Ltd.
Operating since 2004, 4th Dimensional Facade Solutions is a New Zealand-based design and build consultancy specializing in glass facades, and also dealing in timber and steel works.
About CADPRO Systems Ltd.
CADPRO Systems is New Zealand’s leading supplier of professional Computer Aided Design technology, specializing in Digital Prototyping solutions for Manufacturers and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology for architects, engineers, contractors, and owner/operators. For more information, visit http://www.cadpro.co.nz.
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