Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Top 5 Benefits of 3D CAD Modeling in Mechanical Engineering Design

 


Do you find it difficult to write mechanical drawings accurately the old-fashioned way? Since most businesses discover design flaws during the manufacturing stage and are forced to restart the design phase, inaccurate drawings can cost you money and valuable time.

By improving overall design accuracy and removing the need for redundant designs, 3D CAD modeling can assist you in solving these issues and lowering design costs.

In this era of high maintenance and mechanical operations, the need of proper documentation and design cannot be overstated. Using conventional drafting techniques, engineering drawings take a long time to produce. The editing section is challenging because there is a high risk of error arousal at the conclusion of the development and because all of the phases must be updated several times.

It is possible to create mechanical models that are intricate and precise when 3D modeling and CAD are combined. Software for 3-D animation has become crucial in engineering design, especially in the discipline of mechanical engineering.

Top 5 Advantages of 3D CAD Modeling in Mechanical Engineering Design

Here are the top ten reasons why you should use 3D CAD modeling for mechanical engineering design.

1.      Improve the level of design

Over 700,000 common templates for mechanical components are available in the 3D CAD software, which is rich in a variety of libraries. This functionality allows designers and modelers to choose designs in a useful way based on the requirements of the modeling job. By doing this, the design accuracy is guaranteed and time is saved. With 3D CAD, all abnormalities and design irregularities are removed.

2.      Boosts the designer's efficiency

Even in the early stages of the design process, 3D CAD modeling can greatly improve the designer's ability to visualize all the mechanical parts of a design. This aids in making quick modifications by assisting the mechanical CAD designer in comprehending the final rendering of the same and making any necessary changes right away. The reduced number of revisions goes hand in hand with the designer's productivity. The laborious and manual aspects of the design are also diminished by 3D CAD modeling.

3.      Quick & Simple Documentation

Hand drawing mechanical parts was a time-consuming operation that required extreme precision in the past. The entire component design documentation process is made simple with uniform, thorough, and understandable documentation thanks to 3D CAD modeling's preconfigured documentation features, which include geometries and measurements, material specifications, bill of materials, and more. It provides a strong framework for comprehending the history of a mechanical project. Thus, the method has become more adaptable and imaginative thanks to 3D CAD modeling technologies.

4.      More Clear Illustration

Any part of a mechanical model can be animated and graphically displayed with the use of 3D CAD modeling software. This helps with conceptualizing the final product plan, evaluating the functionality of mechanical components, and creating a customer proposal.

You will make more data-driven judgments and create more precise business forecasts as a result of the smart 3D design strategy. Additionally, individual design components can be altered to match the demands of the client, allowing you to more accurately determine all "what-if" modeling scenarios and reduce the margin of error.

5.      More Rapid Manufacturing

The luxury of time to continue perfecting the component or final product, whether it is structural engineering or product design, is no longer available. Most of the time, 3D modeling creates a final, market-ready product faster.

Production time is decreased since the same 3D model that was used to design the component is also used to make the mold for plastic injection molded parts. Consistently precise part geometry and tolerances are transmitted to computerized numerical control (CNC) machines for metal components in order to quickly produce metal prototype parts.

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Bentley Systems announces integration of EC3 for embodied carbon calculation with iTwin Platform

 


Expanded integrated workflows for embodied carbon computation in the Bentley iTwin platform have been announced by Bentley Systems. With the help of the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator, the new integration enables carbon assessment in digital twin solutions for infrastructure (EC3).

Building Transparency offers the knowledge, materials, and techniques - such as EC3 - to address the role of embodied carbon in climate change. Construction material suppliers and manufacturers are being encouraged to invest in disclosure, transparency, and material innovations that lower the carbon emissions of their products as a result of the EC3 tool and its subsequent impact on the industry. These actions are driving demand for low-carbon solutions.

EC3, a free, open-access tool created by the nonprofit Building Transparency, enables benchmarking, assessment, and embodied carbon reductions with a focus on the initial supply chain emissions of construction materials. Building Transparency offers the knowledge, materials, and techniques - such as EC3 - to address the role of embodied carbon in climate change. Construction material suppliers and manufacturers are being encouraged to invest in disclosure, transparency, and material innovations that lower the carbon emissions of their products as a result of the EC3 tool and its subsequent impact on the industry. These actions are driving demand for low-carbon solutions.

The EC3 integration enables the free, open-source EC3 carbon database and calculator, Bentley's infrastructure digital twin solutions powered by iTwin, and third-party applications built on the Bentley iTwin platform, to simplify and accelerate the generation of carbon reporting and insights. The Bentley iTwin platform is an open, scalable platform-as-a-service that gives developers the tools they need to build and market products that use digital twins to address actual infrastructure issues.

Designers and sustainability engineers in the architectural, engineering, and construction sectors devote a significant amount of time to manually exporting and compiling data from quantity counts and bills of materials in order to evaluate or report on the environmental impact of infrastructure projects. It may also be prone to errors, necessitating further assurance of successful carbon tool intake. Additionally, AEC professionals don't want to be restricted to using a single carbon calculator because different calculators may produce different results (for example, due to uncertainties in environmental product declarations), and the requirements for carbon reporting and certification vary depending on the project, the country, or the owner of the infrastructure.

Due to Building Transparency's open-source/open-access approach, the additional integration with EC3 not only improves accuracy while reducing time, but also offers uncertainty assessments of the EPD data and raises carbon transparency. Using the Bentley iTwin platform, users may combine engineering data produced by diverse design programs into a single perspective, produce a uniform report of materials and quantities, and share it via cloud synchronization with various carbon analysis systems, including now EC3.

WSP, which uses both the Bentley iTwin platform and the EC3 database on infrastructure projects like as the Interstate Bridge Replacement program, is one of the shared users with an interest in this new connection. According to Thomas Coleman, vice president of WSP USA, "for WSP, carbon footprint analysis and reduction are crucial in planning, designing, building, and running an infrastructure project from beginning to end." Better iTwin interaction with EC3 is a game-changer for us on a number of infrastructure projects, according to the author. The time and money required to provide detailed embodied carbon analyses and reports along the design and construction stages will be greatly decreased by implementing this relationship. In the long run, we see this collaboration as another step toward open, always-updatable digital twins of infrastructure, where carbon calculation and optimization are inherent and transparent in all phases of the infrastructure lifecycle across the entire value chain.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Largest Construction Industry in the UK

 




The construction market is anticipated to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% since 2016 to reach a value of $13,570.90 billion in 2021, according to The Business Research Company's "Construction Global Market Report 2022." The size of the worldwide construction market is anticipated to increase at a rate of 9.8% from $13,570,90 billion in 2021 to $22,873,96 billion in 2026. After that, it is anticipated that the size of the worldwide construction industry would increase at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2026 to reach $39,352.08 billion in 2031.

Have you ever wondered which firms dominate the construction sector? Who is turning over the most money? An intriguing look at the top UK revenue-generating enterprises and their identities.

here are 5 of the largest construction companies in the UK:

1.    Balfour Beatty Plc

George Balfour and Andrew Beatty created Balfour Beatty in 1909, and today they are the top international infrastructure company.

They have increased the revenue of the second-largest construction company in the UK by half, bringing it to an astounding £8.59 billion for the fiscal year ending in 2020.

Balfour Beatty is also the fourth highest-profit company in the UK.

Infrastructure that is innovative and efficient is financed, developed, built, and maintained by Balfour Beatty. They primarily conduct business in the UK, Ireland, and North America and employ about 26,000 people.

2.    Kier Group Plc

As a prominent provider of construction and infrastructure services, Kier was established in 1928 as a specialized concrete business. The company offers specialized design and build skills. After nearly collapsing, Kier has done exceptionally well to hold onto their good position. For the fiscal year ending in 2020, the group generated revenues of £3.48 billion. About 19,000 people work for Kier, who is primarily based in the UK.

Although Kier has the second-highest turnover of all businesses, the company now ranks 100th on the list for profit!

3.    Morgan Sindall Group Plc

Morgan Sindall was founded in 1977 by John Morgan and Jack Lovel John. It is a renowned construction and regeneration corporation with eight complementary subsidiary companies.

The group focuses on investments in affordable housing, urban renewal, infrastructure, and building. For the fiscal year ending in 2020, Morgan Sindall generated revenues of £3.03 billion. They operate throughout the UK and have over 6,600 employees.

4.    Interserve Plc

The first UK building, engineering, and fit-out company, Interserve was established in 1884 as the London and Tilbury Lighterage Company Limited.

Interserve specializes in design and construction capabilities and works on projects in several industries. Interserve's revenue for the fiscal year ending in 2020 was £2.55 billion. Over 60,000 individuals are employed by Interserve across 230 offices across the world.

5.    Amey UK Plc

One of the top five support services suppliers for road and rail infrastructure projects in the UK, the business was started in 1921 by William Charles Amey.

Amey handles the UK's defense estate, cleans and maintains schools, guides prisoners safely, and keeps jails and courts safe in addition to maintaining the country's road and rail infrastructure. They also provide utility services and collect and treat garbage.

Amey had $2.40 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending in 2020. Over 16,000 people work for Interserve. Amey is now ranked 98th in terms of profitability.


Wednesday, November 9, 2022

TELUS Sky tower in Calgary to be first LEED Platinum development in the city

 



Both the 149-meter-tall Vancouver House and the 220-meter-tall TELUS Sky tower contain offices and residences with a mix of uses, and their platforms have access to bicycle and pedestrian walkways. The highest level of Energy and Environmental Design is also held by both. The first LEED Platinum structure in the city is called Vancouver House, and TELUS in Calgary now has the biggest LEED Platinum footprint in North America at 70,725 square meters.

The developers of TELUS Sky are striving to achieve LEED Platinum certification for the office, retail, and art spaces of the building, with the residential levels being targeted for LEED Gold. This will make TELUS Sky the most environmentally sustainable building in Canada over 200 meters in height.

Calgary and Vancouver have started an urban experiment to build a downtown that is extremely dense. While Alberta is centered on a cluster surrounded by low-density housing, the largest city in western Canada built a densely populated core. In either form, both buildings serve as examples of how to approach urban planning from a combination of living and working spaces, fulfilling the community's need for an urban development that is genuinely sustainable and vibrant.

In the brief but fruitful history of urban policy in the city, Vancouver House represents a new chapter. A new urbanist platform with a slender tower that strives to retain view cones through the city while energising the pedestrian street, the tower and base are a new interpretation of the regional typology known as "Vancouverism."

The Granville bridge, a nearby park, and the tower's location at the entry to Vancouver all impose setback requirements on the tower's site. What was left was a tiny triangular site that was almost insufficient for construction. The 30-meter separation from the bridge was intended to be the absolute minimum gap before the structure could expand once it reached a height of 30 meters in the air, which would have allowed BIG to double the floor plate.

As a result, Vancouver House gradually rises from the ground, opening up new views of Vancouver's expansive natural surroundings. What appears to be an absurd gesture is actually a very dynamic building that is influenced by its surroundings.

In Calgary's downtown core, the TELUS Sky tower combines a vibrant mix of living and working areas. Since the car is a central element of Calgary Downtown, its programmatic consistency results in a night-time population decline as individuals head home. By stacking the houses on an office tower, TELUS Sky creates a programmatically diverse complex that is active throughout the day.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Construction Technology Trends for Your Business in 2023

 



The year 2023 is going to be wonderful for building. With the development of technology and the enormous demand for services, only upward movement is possible.

The future of the global construction industry is bright, with prospects in the non-residential, infrastructure, and residential sectors. There are prospects in residential, non-residential, and infrastructure construction, which bodes well for the future of the global construction business. According to a recent survey by Research And Markets, the global construction industry is expected to reach an estimated $10.5 trillion by 2023, and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2018 to 2023.  Increased home starts and rising infrastructure because of increased urbanization and population growth are the main factors driving this market's growth.

Emerging trends that have a direct impact on the dynamics of the construction industry include increasing demand for green construction to reduce carbon footprint, bridge lock-up device systems to enhance the life of structures, building information systems for efficient building management, and the use of fiber-reinforced polymer composites for the rehabilitation of aging structures.

The use of robots is changing a number of industries, including medicine and agricultural production. The building business has also been revolutionized by these cutting-edge devices. Robots might help building projects stay on schedule and within budget. However, interested organizations must research which devices are most suited for helping with labor-intensive or time-consuming operations.

  • Green Construction

Fossil fuel emissions from the building sector are a key factor in climate change. Nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions connected to energy come from building operations and construction. But as the seriousness of climate change becomes more widely recognized, the building sector is making real efforts to lessen its environmental impact. Leaders in the industry are looking for ways to cut down on demolition waste, use eco-friendly building materials, and use locally sourced building supplies. Clients in the construction industry are also making investments in businesses that offer the environmentally friendly, sustainable practices they want.

  • Modular Design

In the construction industry, modular construction is quickly rising to the top as a preferred method of building. A modular structure is created off-site and put together on-site. This method enables more rapid construction, greener construction, and cleverer design. The modular construction method also results in less waste. Building workers can manage inventory and recycle used materials. Additionally, the structures can be relocated or renovated, which lowers the energy and material costs associated with a new project. By 2023, the market for modular construction is expected to be valued up to $157 billion.

  • Remote Worksites

While adhering to stringent safety regulations, construction companies managed to remain productive in 2020. While ensuring the safety of employees, consumers, and contractors, mobile construction apps have allowed the sector to grow. Construction organizations are becoming more aware of the importance of mobile access and distant work sites to their bottom line as 2023 draws closer. Remote completion of many building phases can save the builder and the client time and money. Projects will be completed more quickly than ever before because to predicted technical breakthroughs that enable work to be done offshore.

  • Use of rented tools

Construction businesses will continue to favor renting equipment or buying old goods over brand-new ones. Both of these options are anticipated construction industry trends for 2023 because they let companies stay current with technology while spending less money. Particularly with rented equipment, building businesses can test whether various devices produce the desired outcomes.

 

 

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Change Conference (COP27)- November 2022


 


The 27th iteration of the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) is slated for Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, from November 7 to November 18, 2022.

The State of the Climate in Africa 2020 is a report that was published by the World Meteorological Organization and its collaborators.

According to the analysis, up to 118 million severely poor Africans may experience drought, floods, and excessive heat by 2030. This highlights the continent's disproportionate susceptibility. As a result, efforts to reduce poverty and boost the economy would stop, leaving more people in extreme poverty. estimates that by 2030, up to 118 million extremely poor Africans will be vulnerable to drought, floods, and excessive heat, warning of the continent's disproportionate susceptibility. As a result, efforts to reduce poverty and promote economic growth will be hampered, leading to an increase in the number of people living in deep poverty.

According to the report, Sub-Saharan Africa will need to invest between $30 and $50 billion annually, or roughly two to three percent of GDP, in climate adaptation over the course of the next ten years. This amount is sufficient to promote economic growth and job creation while giving priority to a sustainable and green recovery.

The COP27 summit will progress international climate negotiations, spur action, and offer a crucial chance to look at how climate change is affecting Africa.

The Role of Construction in Climate Change

Climate change and global warming are occurring in the modern world at an alarming rate. The extraction of natural resources for building materials uses energy, harms the environment, and contributes to global warming, among other things.

In both industrialized and developing countries, the primary drivers of greenhouse gas emissions and energy use are construction and the built environment. As a result, significant changes must be made in the manner that materials are created, consumed, and energy is conserved. Immediate advice on the use of renewable resources, as well as recycling and reusing building materials, is essential.

Sustainability has lately changed from a trend to a necessity due to the AEC industry's role as one of the primary contributors to climate change. Now there is a real chance for manufacturers, engineers, and architects to actively contribute to improving society.

Recent years have also seen a rise in the need for ecologically friendly building, particularly the development of smart cities.

Even though building and construction-related emissions were significantly decreased in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19-induced global lockout, trends are once more accelerating. Consequently, "emissions will keep rising and contribute to calamitous climate change," the UN said.

Construction and Global Climate Change

  • About 40% of the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from this industry (WBCSD 2018). The materials utilized, as well as the heating, cooling, and lighting of buildings and infrastructure, are the main sources of these emissions.
  • In 2019, CO2 emissions rose to 9.95 GtCO2. When building construction industry emissions are included, the sector is responsible for 38% of all energy-related CO2 emissions.
  • To reach net zero carbon building stock by 2050, direct building CO2 emissions must be cut in half by 2030.
  • According to UNEP’s annual Emissions Gap Report 2020, the globe is still on track to experience a temperature rise of more than 3°C this century, despite a decline in carbon dioxide emissions in 2020 brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic.
  • A recent UN report presents a gloomy picture of the state of the environment, noting that the building industry was responsible for 37% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.

In recent times we have also witnessed a growing demand for environmentally sensitive construction, specifically the creation of Smart Cities

Despite the fact that the Covid-19-induced global lockout drastically reduced building and construction-related emissions in 2020, trends are once again on the rise. According to the UN, this means that “emissions will keep rising and contribute to disastrous climate change.”

 

COP27 and the Road to Sustainability

We must take swift action to reduce carbon emissions, which represent about 40% of world emissions. We must convey this information to countries at COP27 in order to persuade them to pass regulations and other actions that will considerably lower the sector's carbon footprint.

The COP27 summit is a fantastic chance to show support for one another in the face of an existential threat that can only be stopped by well-coordinated action and effective implementation.

The delayed adoption and adaptation of technical improvements in the worldwide construction industry has earned it a bad reputation. The construction industry needs to start promptly tackling society's most challenging environmental and sustainability issues if we want to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

AEC organizations and their leaders need to acquire competencies and skills that can make them more effective and sustainable. There is no right time to do this, the Right Time is Now.

Friday, November 4, 2022

AutoCAD vs SolidWorks: Which is Best?

 



We'll explore a comparison between AutoCAD and SolidWorks in this article. While SolidWorks is a three-dimensional (3d) modeling mechanical designing software that is only compatible with the operating system Microsoft Windows, AutoCAD is a computer-aided two-dimensional (2d) and three-dimensional (3d) designing and drafting software that is compatible with both Microsoft Windows and macOS. Both of them can be used for engineering design, building projects, and graphics creation. Engineers and professionals from various trades utilize these two programs for a variety of professional tasks. You can easily distinguish SolidWorks software from AutoCAD software in this post. To better comprehend AutoCAD software and SolidWorks software, we shall talk about all elements of these two programs.

The 3D modeling community of today has access to a vast range of 3D modeling software, with updates released yearly and new and improved forms of software for each purpose imaginable. However, the top manufacturers of 3D modeling software, namely Dassault Systems and Autodesk, continue to hold the majority of the market share. We compare SolidWorks, and AutoCAD in depth. This information should aid you in making the best CAD software selection possible.

Comparison Between AutoCAD and SolidWorks Software

Many design professionals are very familiar with AutoCAD software, and engineering students are also very familiar with it. These students begin their learning of design with AutoCAD software, but SolidWorks enters the learner's knowledge when they start to lean toward learning three-dimensional (3d) modeling. Therefore, the fundamental requirements for using any piece of software vary. Both pieces of software are used for academic and professional endeavors.

What is AutoCAD?

As was already noted, the CAD program AutoCAD is intended for use by interior designers, architects, and engineers. Instead of the former way of making technical drawings by hand-drafting them, it is now usual practice in the industry to use a computerized tool to create a digital version of your design.

Users using AutoCAD can produce a wide variety of 2D and 3D designs and drawings. Using some basic capabilities like copy and paste, form, position, and size, these drawings may be created and modified much more quickly and easily. It has a wide range of applications in numerous industries, including greeting cards, fine art, architecture, and design.

What is SolidWorks?

One of the most widely used CAD applications by professionals worldwide is SolidWorks. It has an astonishing selection of capabilities that enable users to construct any shape imaginable. It has a reputation for being relatively simple to use and straightforward to learn, making it a 3D CAD tool that is approachable for users of all ability levels.

Simulation, motion, assembly, ScanTo3D, and photo rendering are just a few of its numerous functions. What is the purpose of SolidWorks? SolidWorks can be utilized in a wide range of industries, including but not limited to those in the automotive, electronics, medical, defense, and transportation sectors.

AutoCAD Features

  • 3D Modeling and Visualization
  • AutoCAD Mobile App
  • Command Line
  • Data Extraction
  • Data Linking
  • DWG and Image References
  • Dynamic Blocks
  • Geographic Location and Online Maps
  • Import 3D Models
  • Multifunctional Grips
  • Parametric Constraints
  • PDF and DGN Import/Export/Underlay
  • Photo Studio
  • Revision Clouds
  • Sheet Set Manager
  • Solid, Surface, and Mesh Modeling

SolidWorks features

  • 3D Solid Modeling
  • Advanced Surface Design
  • Advanced Surface Flattening
  • Automatic Drawing View Creation and Update
  • Bill of Materials (BOM)
  • CAD Dimensioning, Tolerancing, and Annotations
  • CAD Import/Export
  • CAD Productivity Tools – SOLIDWORKS Utilities
  • CAD Search
  • CAD Standards Checking (Design Checker) and Drawing Comparison
  • Conceptual Design
  • Conceptual Design
  • Large Assembly Design
  • Mold Design
  • Piping and Tubing Design
  • Plastic and Cast Part Design Direct Model Editing

 

Which Industry?

With the introduction of toolkits like AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD Architecture, and AutoCAD Electrical throughout the years, as well as the inclusion of AutoCAD 3D modeling capabilities, AutoCAD has evolved from its original purpose as software for 2D architectural and construction design.

On the other hand, SolidWorks was initially intended to be a tool for 3D product modeling, mechanical part design, and simulation. It didn't begin to delve into the world of architecture and other engineering features until much later.

AutoCAD Software

  • Architectural and construction design
  • Civil and structural engineering

SolidWorks Software

  • Electronic, electrical, and technology design
  • Mechanical parts and assembly design
  • Automotive and aerospace design

Final Thoughts

You may now more clearly comprehend the key distinctions between SolidWorks CAD software and AutoCAD software after carefully reading this article from beginning to end, and you can make excellent use of them in your designing or modeling projects. After reading this post, picking one of them will be a lot simpler for you, and this software will provide you a growing number of advantages.

 

Big Wins Competition to Design 300-Meter-Tall Residential Tower and A 250-Meter-Tall Office Tower in Shenzhen

  In Shenzhen, China, BIG has won a competition to create a pair of skyscrapers that form gently sloping volumes tapering towards the sky. ...