Nowadays, digital continuity is a key success factor considering the numerous software that can be installed in one organization.
In steel fabrication, the first challenge is to integrate data from the detailing o ce to avoid double entries and benefit from all the information already available there.
The second is to integrate data from external software such as ERP, MIS or plate nesting software that are complementary to our solutions.
For those reasons, we have developed for years di erent ways to exchange data for our customers to make the most out of all their various software, including Steel Projects, which is at the art of the production process.
Import files from multiple detailing software including :
Managed formats are the most commonly used in our sector :
The software analyzes the geometry of each part, generates their 3D view, and then interprets for each one the operations required in production.
Steel Projects also allows you to import more advanced, modern and evolving formats, called BIM because they are rich in information. These files integrate the entire structure of a project or phase, its assemblies and secondary parts, connections between master and secondary parts, planning data (delivery dates) and more data from the 3D model. Finally, this type of format enables to import only one file per project, avoiding errors related to files lost in the process.
In addition to the IFC format (standardized by the American organization BuildingSMART), which is becoming increasingly common in the steel industry, we have developed a special format with Tekla Structures: XML.
Here are some illustrations of the advantages of these two types of files :
The goal will be to achieve considerable productivity gains in the fitting and welding stations.
This format has been developed by steel projects and its specifications were given to other players on the market if they wanted to comply with them to exchange data easily with Steel Projects. It allows to import fabrication jobs, nesting, stock information, etc.
Some of our partners such as Tekla PowerFab, Strumis, Construsteel or Lantek have already included the possibility to exchange PNI files with their software.
Some specific developments can be required on particular cases and our development team can then customize special interfaces on demand. This already happened with some big player in the ERP industry for example. Those are subject to specific quotes that depend on the amount of work required.
The following diagram sums up the di erent exchanges that there can be between Steel Projects and external software during the whole process. The goal for our customers is to achieve full digital continuity, essential to maximize their processes and then make significant productivity gains. Finally, it enables to make the most out of each software and their possibilities.
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Make an appointment with one of our experts to discover how Steel Project PLM will help you better manage your production.