Author: CADD CENTRE

Exoskeleton in Construction

CADD CENTRE

Did you know, the rate of musculoskeletal disorders in the Construction industry is 16% higher as compared to other industries?

These statistics show that construction workers are at significant risk of workplace injuries caused by overexertion and fatigue. However, this risk can be reduced significantly if construction companies adequately harness the potential of technology and automation tools, like the Exoskeleton.

An Exoskeleton comes in handy for lowering stress and strain on construction sites. It is a wearable gadget that resembles a human skeletal structure and has motorized muscles to multiply the wearer’s strength.

Considering the usefulness of Exoskeletons, it can be expected that their popularity likely to grow in the years to come. Researchers predict that by 2025, the market for robotic exoskeletons will grow from $68 million in 2014 to $1.8 billion. Based on these statistics it can be ascertained that Exoskeletons are likely to stay in the times to come. Consequently, the article focuses specifically on disseminating information about the various types of exoskeletons and their applications in the construction sector.

Exoskeletons play an important role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of the construction site. Listed below are some of the many types of Exeskeletons that contribute to reducing construction-induced fatigue and exertion.

Mounted Arm Exosuit: It is a tool-holding Exoskeleton with a spring-loaded arm connected to a lower-body exoskeleton and a counterweight. It helps workers use hefty hand gears quickly, enabling them to complete jobs faster, with less fatigue, and better workmanship. EskoZeoG and EskoBionics are the commonly used products under this category.

Overhead Exosuit: Workers who perform overhead installation work, such as installing sprinklers or ductwork, benefit from exoskeletons that provide arm, neck, and shoulder support. These gears lessen the strain on the neck and arm muscles and decrease injuries brought on by repetitive stress. Additionally, they offer torso and arm motion without limiting passive or dynamic support.

Power Gloves: For people who have trouble grasping objects or have other dexterity problems, power gloves that fit around the hand can help. When picking up objects or carrying bulky hand tools, the improved grip facilitated by power gloves can be advantageous.

Crouching and Standing Support: A portable exoskeleton called a chairless chair supports workers while they crouch or stand still for long periods. Additionally, they lessen musculoskeletal system diseases and injuries brought on by repetitive stress.

As technology advances, the capabilities of Exoskeletons will further improve, which will eventually contribute to increased workplace safety and higher productivity. Therefore, it is prudent to invest in robotic Exoskeleton technologies to achieve sustainable growth and competitive advantage in the construction industry.

SOLIDWORKS 2020: A Bridge to 3D EXPERIENCE

CADD CENTRE

The new release of the SOLIDWORKS 2020 was announced by its parent company named Dassault Systèmes. The new CAD platform comes with several integral features as well as tools that defines the latest version of the technology and an urge to follow the 3DEXPERIENCE (Dassault’s cloud-based platform).

SOLIDWORKS meet 3DEXPERIENCE

After the introduction of SOLIDWORKS 2020, the difference is not clearer when it comes to the solely independent 3DEXPERIENCE. The latter is a set of cloud-based intended applications that endeavors to give unified integration all over the product development process. However, the goal is now turned into a great challenge as post three years of collaboration, Ericsson (Swedish telecom firm) switched itself off from the platform. Jaguar Land Rover was also unsuccessful in applying the 3DEXPERIENCE model after working for a decade to adjust changes. These issues have now become the turning point for Dassault Systèmes to push SOLIDWORKS to 3DEXPERIENCE. The company hopes to regain faith with SOLIDWORKS to win the battle with 3DEXPERIENCE.

The Portfolio of 3DEXPERIENCE.WORKS

Aaron Kelly is the cloud advocacy director at SOLIDWORKS who gave precise details about the release of SOLIDWORKS 2020. Kelly commenced on the demo presented for the software by addressing ten new software which was launched the same year as the 3DEXPERIENCE.WORKS portfolio. The advocate director further states that SOLIDWORKS 2020 is a leading application in the 3DEXPERIENCE.WORKS portfolio. The 3D Sculptor under the MechDesign is defined as the sectional modeling application xShape, and 3D Creator includes xDesign which is a browser-based parametric modeler. The director of Product Portfolio Management states that ABAQUS has the finest technology for structural simulation in the world. Industry innovation, 3D Component Designer, Change Management, etc. are listed under Data Mgmnt; they aim to bring product data management (PDM) to the SMEs.

Features of SOLIDWORKS 2020

  • The application is Make Part Flexible
  • Allows bellows, springs, and hinges for showcasing numerous variations in compressed and uncompressed assembly.
  • Plastic housing used for positioning two mates
  • Detailing mode to open big drawing files quickly
  • Edit and add symbols and annotations
  • Print and save without opening the drawing
  • SOLIDWORKS 2020 assures improvements in data management and electrical design

Building a Bridge

SOLIDWORKS 2020 helps to engulf the loyal users who were looking for a new and advanced system. Certainly, its features, such as enlarged design view, the Make Part Flexible, as well as detailing mode, have extended the parts of improvements. However, the main attention of SOLIDWORKS 2020 is driven to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Dassault is trying to enhance the capabilities of SOLIDWORKS by adding digital experience to the application. The CEO explains to build a bridge to the platform for users to experience the offerings of 3DEXPERIENCE.WORKS.

How level of Development (LOD) – New Standard of Excellence to AEC

CADD CENTRE

Background:

AEC was formulated to enhance the entire process of development of design information, its management and control. Initially, its main focus was on CAD layering settlements, but gradually with the technological development in the design sector, AEC expanded its horizons to shelter the other characteristics of design information development and communication. And that’s when LoD Came into existence.

What is LOD?

The Level of Development (LOD) Specification is an orientation which allows the users in the AEC Industry to specify and illustrates the reliability and consistency of Building Information Models (BIMs) at different stages of the design and construction process.

This robust specification allows the design model creators to outline exactly on what base their models can be relied on for, and also assists the users to clearly understand the usage of the design models they demanded along with its limitations.

LoD comes with six developmental levels to determine the details required in a BIM model. Further the BIM customizes those levels as per the construction and building traders specifications, in terms of different components like Electrical, plumbing, roofing or basements, etc. Below mentioned is a brief overview of these six developmental levels:

  1. LoD 100:

Give a generic explanation of the existence of the building elements, excluding their shape, size, or location.

  • LoD 200:

 Specifies the approximate quantity, size, dimensions, location, or positioning of the building elements.

  • LOD 300:

Unlike Lod 200, LoD specifies the size, shape, location, orientation, and quantity of the elements.

  • LOD 350:

Give a brief overview of the definite element and its relation and interconnection with other components.

  • LOD 400

Give a detailed explanation of the elements based on their disclaimers in the model.

  • LoD 500:

Provides all the post-construction information to the clients for instance: Model number, manufacturer, Date of Purchase, etc.

Why LoD?

Since the users cannot fully trust and easily rely on 3D modeling and BIM results, Therefore LoD with an added feature of numerical Lexicon helps the creators and recipients, overcome this reliability problem. This added feature assists the users to digitally observe, evaluate and note the maturity level of the different components in a model. The maturity level of the elements triggers the mechanism to begin their work.

CADDCentre EV

ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVs)

CADD CENTRE

Electric vehicles are the new trend in the automobile sector, and people are aligning their interests towards this trend. EVs are gaining immense popularity in developing countries that are aiming to reduce their pollution mark and also want to reduce their dependence on oil-rich countries. EVs are energy-efficient vehicles with zero carbon emissions which the main USP of it due to which it seems affordable asset for a consumer. Governments are promoting EVs to their citizens. However, the present scenario restricts the user to purchase an EV as there is no infrastructure for EV charging, and the cost of an EV is very high compared to the petrol/diesel vehicles.

Limitations:

  • EVs are still evolving because the main component in it is the battery which limits its range and capabilities to tap the market in terms of cost and feasibility.
  • Presently the battery is composed of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) which has a very short life cycle in terms of charge and also has a history of overheating which is a major security concern for the time being.
  • Research is being conducted on a large scale for the batteries so that they have enhanced fire resistance, rapid charging, and larger life cycles.

Future Solutions:

  • EV advancement is the solid-state and lithium silicon technology which will change the face of EV in the market and pave the way for an installed EV base of 100 million by 2028.
  • Numerous investments from OEMs such as Volkswagen, BMW Group, and Daimler, have been made in solid-state technology and lithium-silicon technology organizations, including QuantumScape, Solid Power, Enevate and Sila Nanotechnologies. These investments exhibit the importance of these technologies for the future of EV batteries.
  • These technologies support the increase of energy density in the batteries, which can provide charge for a longer period and also result in higher power.
  • By 2025 all the batteries dominated by silicon in its composition will be able to deliver energies up to 400Wh/kg which will let the vehicles to acquire the power of 300kW and over that will result in more efficiency.
  • The initial solution is the Silicon-based anodes in the batteries, which will be dominant in the market till 2026.
  • The next stage will be the Solid State technology in the battery which will enhance the battery composition and will be able to deliver charges of 500kW and will have an energy density of 500Wh/kg.
  • These technologies are being in research and are funded by organizations for their advancements, so they deliver the committed features like longer life cycles, quick charging and also become very cheap and affordable to a common man.
  • The advancements in the battery segment will the future of the automobile sector and for those who are hoping for a greener earth.  
  • The addition of silicon alone over the next seven years will grow the EV installed base from 8 million in 2019 to 40 million in 2025.

Construction Powered by Machine Learning

CADD CENTRE

The Engineering and Construction Industry is one of the fastest and most lucrative industries in the world. Due to its massiveness, it is now on its way to join hands with digital technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. These initiatives aim to meet the growing demands of more and more buildings soon.

The Annual Connect and Construct Summit conducted in London recently by Autodesk discussed how the construction industry could tackle this growing demand. One of the construction partners at the event was the Royal BAM Group. It is a lifecycle construction firm with several projects all over the world. These firms use the concepts of Machine Learning to enhance their workflow. There are several other reasons why these companies are using Machine Learning to power their business.

Data Analysis

The concepts and methods of Machine Learning can collect a massive amount of construction data. These tools can then use this data to catch errors and fixing them in a short time. The concept also helps to saves costs in hiring experts and fixing errors.

Insights by Construction IQ

Construction IQ is a part of Autodesk 360 platform which uses BIM project data and machine learning to predict risks associated with a project. The technology is also able to identify some issues which were difficult to predict otherwise such as fall hazards, water hazards, pending inspections, and even issue which is overdue from a long time.    

Machine learning tools can categorize these issues into high and low risks and notify the contractors and subcontractors about them. Construction IQ also identified one of the biggest risks that focused on the human errors. It was found that workers at several times fix the issue indicated by the system manually but forget to close it in the system. This revealed the shortcomings of the digital shortcomings of the present systems and the areas on which machine learning needs intervention. The machine learning algorithms thus helped the construction professionals by providing realistic insights with the help of smart algorithms to mitigate them.     

Empowering BIM 360

Machine learning-powered Construction IQ, together with BIM 360 helped the construction teams to reveal actionable details and improved performance. For instance, it increased number of active users in BIM 360 tool, increased number of active projects in BIM 360, the BIM Collaboration tool also saw additional active projects in BIM 360 Glue, and the BIM construction Docs also saw a surge in active users.

Overall, the concept of machine learning and automation are gaining more success today than ever before. Apart from the other domains, it is also on its ways to revolutionize the construction industry. The technology will also help to develop innovative and stronger building designs in the near future.