Precast CAD: Planning, presenting and producing efficiently

Photo: W. Riemenschneider

Precast businesses intending to plan, present and produce efficiently require state-of-the-art design and engineering tools

Photo: W. Riemenschneider

Photo: DICAD

Precast elements
improve production quality and reduce manufacturing and construction times

Photo: DICAD

Photo: Unitechnik

In precast production, CAD and CAM have paved the way for a considerable streamlining effort: control desk with control computer

Photo: Unitechnik

The control computer converts CAD data to machine data and transmits this information to the production line

Photo: Unitechnik

Photo: Wellcom Software

Element-specific features and automated routines ensure the streamlined engineering of standard precast components

Photo: Wellcom Software

Photo: BauBIT

From design …

Photo: BauBIT

… to assembly – precast CAD ensures streamlined processes

Photo: BauBIT

Photo: Nemetschek Engineering

Overviews, position and installation plans are generated from the 3D data model

Photo: Nemetschek Engineering

Photo: BauBIT

Whether columns, beams, walls, floors or stairs …

Photo: BauBIT

Photo: Nemetschek Engineering

… before launching production, the element is optimized down to the tiniest detail on the computer screen

Photo: Nemetschek Engineering

Photo: DICAD

Visualizations of the entire structure …

Photo: DICAD

Photo: Nemetschek Engineering

… and visualizations of individual elements…

Photo: Nemetschek Engineering

Photo: Tekla

… or of intricate details accelerate the process of coordination with all parties involved

Photo: Tekla

When using the degree of automation as a yardstick, the precast industry is spearheading the trend in the construction sector. There is hardly any other sector in which the interlinking of digital design and production data is equally far advanced. This article reports on CAD and CAM opportunities, trends and developments.

In the past few years, prefabrication and precast construction have become increasingly significant. One of the main reasons why this happened is the increased cost and time pressure associated with the erection of buildings and structures. Precast elements can be manufactured for a wide range of applications quickly and efficiently in almost any conceivable dimensions, shapes, colors and surface textures. Series production increases cost efficiency and manufacturing quality but also reduces production and construction times. Industry-specific software has been used for many years at precast...