FABTECH 2023

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F401: Fabricating Directly From the Design Model: Connecting CAD & BIM to Fabrication Shop Machinery (Room S403A)

13 Sep 23
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Tracks: Forming and Fabricating

*This conference session requires registration and payment.

Modern fabrication typically starts with a digital design model created using CAD or BIM (building information model) software, while modern fabrication machinery often contains a computer. In principle it should therefore be possible to implement a full model-to-fabrication workflow that saves labor, reduces waste, and prevents mistakes in machine programming and operation. In practice, there are numerous hurdles including: models don't generally detail part intersections like pipe end profiles within the model; models don't include fabrication-relevant details like cutting kerf, bevel angles, root gaps, o-let hole sizes, bend stretches, etc.; lack of standardized data exchange formats and file transfer and management issues; one-way data flow with little to no ability to monitor fabrication processes. This presentation will describe a simple, open, model-to-fabrication ecosystem developed by PypeServer that addresses all the issues above and works across different CAD and BIM systems and different types of machinery.
David Basiji – PypeServer