CU1803

SOFTWAREreview
and give customers free access to all
of the information stored with each
product.
For customers new to BIM, and those
that have already invested in BIM,
entailing, probably, substantial
changes to working processes in each
of them, they can now reap the
benefits of savings in cost and time,
and the reductions in errors, alterations
and rework caused by information loss,
and other factors that bedeviled old
working practices, by taking advantage
of the BIM solution developed by, of all
companies, a component
manufacturer.
THE DNA PROFILER
Tata Steel were not content, however,
to merely put together a
comprehensive product information
database. Their aim was to provide a
long term solution that would satisfy
the demands that a move towards a
connected, digital world was making -
to provide information in multiple
formats through interconnected
channels, and to make it relevant,
independent of the environment it was
intended to be used in.
Instead, they launched a pioneering
BIM and product data tool for all of its
European construction brand products,
to support architects, specifiers,
engineers and facility managers. The
new DNA Profiler has been designed to
minimise 'data overload' and will allow
users, at whatever stage they are in the
construction process, to retrieve the
exact level of BIM data they require -
and in the format they need.
The solution they developed covers
all of Tata Steel's European brands -
Celsius, ComFlor, Kalzip and Catnip
products - in all relevant BIM software
formats, enabling them to work in
native formats in Autodesk Revit,
ARCHICAD, Tekla, Allplan and Trimble
SketchUp. Any product can be
downloaded as a dataset, 3D object,
or a combination of both, preserving
their parametric capabilities.
Products can be accessed using
filters for product data or performance
characteristics, enabling architects and
contractors to extract the precise
information they need for a project, or
to meet EIR (Employer Information
Requirements).
Datasets are also structured in
accordance with ISO and CEN
requirements, ensuring their
consistency with current standards,
and improving their interoperability. To
extend the use of the information, APIs
can be integrated within the database
using Tata Steel's coBuilder, which
enables data or product attributes to
be mapped and used in other
applications and languages worldwide.
The current scope of DNA Profiler
BIM objects includes contact details,
mechanical properties, performance
characteristics, maintenance
requirements and guarantee periods.
As they are still in the early stages of
development of the product, the
datasets are scheduled to be
expanded to include information on
lead times, pricing and much more.
The DNA Profiler is free for everyone
to use - it just needs a simple
registration on the Tata Steel
Construction website, which will allow
users to jump between resources
easily. Users also have access to case
studies where they can see the
products in use, order samples or
download literature.
Tata Steel is committed to sharing its
BIM knowledge and expertise, as Alex
Small, Tata Steel BIM and digital
platforms manager, explained:
"Enhancing and supporting the
adoption of BIM technology is vital for
UK construction. BIM offers tangible
supply chain benefits. It saves
essential time and costs, highlights
any technical issues within the design
stage and beyond through to end user
asset management, yet for many,
heavy investment cost is prohibitive.
"If BIM is to be properly adopted, the
industry needs to support small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and
our industry-leading DNA Profiler not
only provides the design community
with the tools it needs but acts as a
standard setter for product
manufacturers going forward."
www.tatasteeleurope.com
March/April 2018 27