3D software: more efficiency, confidence and security

For more than 45 years, Limeparts-Drooghmans has specialized in the realization of high-quality ventilated facade systems. At the beginning of this year, a definitive departure was made from designs on the two-dimensional plane. Each project has since been engineered in HiCAD 3D software from which the extensive production equipment is directly controlled. The brand new offices and production hall of Vorsselmans in Loenhout, called Evergreen, had the premiere.

A visionary once said: good design is not how something looks, good design is how something works. However iconic our innovative cladding may look, behind the facades lies immense functionality. Speaking is Anthony Verrienti, Key Account Manager at Limeparts-Drooghmans. "Our engineering department is pivotal in translating an architect's design into a feasible and aesthetically pleasing end result. As we received more and more requests from the market to work with BIM, we invested in the 3D software HiCAD from ISD Benelux."

Directing production

Limeparts-Drooghmans has been working with HiCAD for a year now. According to the engineering department, it is a very comprehensive program that can be completely customized. "Making a 3D design may take a little more time compared to previously a study in 2D, but after approval of the plans we can control production directly from HiCAD. We no longer have to make a translation in another program. That is definitely the big advantage. We can now also run several projects simultaneously through the plant without any problems, because they do not interfere with each other in the workflow. There is no more production drawing work involved. That means we can also produce much more efficiently."

Punchart

Evergreen is the first project worked out by Limeparts-Drooghmans entirely in HiCAD. The new headquarters of Vorsselmans in Loenhout is situated in front of a forest. "To make the forest visible again, we chose to project the forest on the aluminum facade cassettes with punchart," says Anthony Verrienti. "The 3D execution drawings provided a good basis for us to model the facade cassettes in HiCAD and then integrate them back into the client's 3D model for clash checking and approval. Under the guise of 'what you see is what you get,' the client can see in advance what his facade will look like and how all the elements fit together."

Learning path

From setting up a model to putting pieces into production, everything is now done integrated in HiCAD at Limeparts-Drooghmans. The engineering department is very satisfied to date. "Designing in 3D requires a different mindset than we were used to in 2D until now. A lot of things come together for our draftsmen, they have to make the switch from 2D to 3D, have to learn new software, etc. It has been quite a learning curve. But now we have mastered the software quite well and we have reached the point where we sometimes 'get stuck'. Then we turn to the supplier of HiCAD, ISD Benelux. They are very accessible, think along in solutions and if necessary they will configure custom functionalities. That works very pleasantly."

The move to HiCAD and in particular 3D modeling offers clients of Limeparts-Drooghmans more certainty, according to Anthony Verrienti. "In fact, we have already created the building once, albeit digitally. Then when we effectively start on site we go and make it for a second time. There are no surprises afterwards and that gives confidence and certainty."