Tag: fabrication

Automatically Converting Big Revit Elements into Fabrication Ready Components

Luke Johnson

Revit lets you model things that you can’t necessarily build, which shouldn’t surprise us given that “Revit was intended to allow architects and other building professionals to design and document a building” šŸ™‚ wiki

However, in recent times Revit is getting used more and more for fabrication workflows, with core Revit features, addins, and Dynamo scripts developing to make that happen.

With that in mind, I was shared something recently and simply had to share it… check out the video below:

Basically it shows how we can quickly cut up impossibly long modelled Revit elements (like Pipes) into more ‘buildable’ fabrication lengths. Cool! The video also discusses how appropriate generic fabrication content could really begin to bridge the gaps between Revit models and actual things you can buy off the shelf.

Thanks to Nathan Moore for sharing this! And credit also to Jeremy Tammik and Pablo Derendinger.

 

I think we will inevitably see more and more automations like this that connect Revit to real fabrication and procurement workflows. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments!

 

From the video comments:

Are you paying for a Revit M/P Fabrication add in or using ITMs to route and coordinate to LOD400? I think there is an opportunity to use native Revit to accomplish this. A properly “parameterized” fitting family combined with the correct pipe types and routing preferences would allow native Revit to produce what you need.

Dynamo Script here:

https://github.com/natethegrate1/MEPTools/blob/master/place_coupling.dyn

Credit to Jeremy Tammik and Pablo Derendinger:

https://thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/blog/2020/03/splitting-a-duct-in-more-depth.html

https://engworks.com/revit-dynamo-script-to-cut-pipes-and-ducts/

Some related thoughts and ideas from Nate here, pointing out a common problem with modelling generally (that in order to model accurately, you often have to select some kind of proprietary brand / make / model first):

I am in a situation (and I think most other companies are in similar situations) where I am not necessarily the final decision maker on the ā€œBRANDā€ of pipe/fittings that we end up buying. There is a fundamental disconnect I think in the industry that fabrication software providers want to provide MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC items to help streamline the downstream purchasing/install/warehousing operations… My solution is to create a ā€œSPEC DRIVENā€ family library (similar to how duct works) so I can simply have an ā€œASTM SCH40 Weldedā€ system or a similar Grooved system etc. That way the families placed will adhere to the spec and allow more flexibility downstream for the buyers/warehouse.

Trying to get FAB to RME Labs addin to work?

Luke Johnson

This Labs project was distributed a while back, but it timed out and the addin won’t usually run anymore. Its purpose was basically to import a .RIF file from cadMEP back into Revit with some intelligent mapping.

I had someone ask me how to get this working now that the Labs period is up, and I made the suggestion to set the computer time back to before the addin expired… And it works šŸ™‚ So if you really want to play with the FAB to RME Labs addin from about 2 years ago, this might be an option for you.

Where fabrication and design meet

Luke Johnson

This little re-quote has been sitting in my ‘Drafts’ folder for a while.  I find it quite challenging:

AEC is the only profession where the fabricators do not own the designers. Nike designs and then fabricates the shoe, Ikea designs and then fabricates the products and basically every element around us owns the fabrication and the design. When contractors figure out how to control the design, then the industry will be turned upside down.
via
Jason Grant’s Blog – Adaptive Practice by Jason Grant

What do you think?

When Fabrication and Design converge

Luke Johnson

When contractors figure out how to control the design, then the industry will be turned upside down.

The above quote is from Jason Grant’s Blog.  For a while now, it has been my desire to post about the future convergence of design and fabrication, but I am struggling to find both the ‘time’ and the ‘angle’ to write from.

At RTC Australia, in the ‘Film and Stage’ session with Phil Read, we discussed the  workflow on a film set.  Essentially, everything happens quickly – the design and construct timeframe is exceedingly compressed.  All the parts of the process must be expedited:  Brief – Schematic – Design Development – Modelling / Documentation – Output to Fabrication.  Some of the work is done using a type of CNC hotwire cutting process, with styrofoam as the substrate.

Here is an example of such a fabrication method:

How does this all affect AEC and Building Design and Construction?  Well, I think time will ultimately tell.  I don’t feel like making sweeping assertions today…

However, I would assume that the concept of ‘compressed timelines’ will continue to impact on the AEC Design and Construction process.

In the meantime, consider the rest of the quote:
AEC is the only profession where the fabricators do not own the designers. Nike designs and then fabricates the shoe, Ikea designs and then fabricates the products and basically every element around us owns the fabrication and the design. When contractors figure out how to control the design, then the industry will be turned upside down.
via
Jason Grant’s Blog

Image from http://www.architecture-tech.com/2010/07/one-small-step.html

Feel free to comment and share your wisdom…