Advance Steel

GRAITEC Advance 2012 Service Pack 1 is here!

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Service Pack 1 of the GRAITEC Advance 2012 suite comes with a set of enhancements and provides a series of advantages to end-users. Any customer under a maintenance contract can now download Service Pack 1 for Advance Design, Advance Steel or Advance Concrete from the GRAITEC Advantage web site.

The first Service Pack for Advance Design 2012 offers more than 150 improvements and corrections. The main features of this service pack are for:

  • General corrections: exporting to Melody Attaches and Effel Structure;
  • Corrections and improvements to finite elements results post-processing;
  • Corrections and improvements to Eurocodes 1, 2, 3 and 5.

You can now download SP1 for Advance Design 2012 Here, according to your operating system (32 bits or 64 bits).

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabricationService Pack 1 of Advance Steel 2012 comes with a set of enhancements, regardless of the CAD platform you are using, and provides the following advantages to end-users:

  • Improvements and updates for BOM and NC files;
  • Several corrections for joints and joint design;
  • Powerful set of enhancements for fast and efficient modeling.

You can now download SP1 for Advance Steel 2012 Here.

Advance Concrete: BIM software for structural concrete engineering, detailing and fabricationFor Advance Concrete 2012, more than 370 corrections and issues were analyzed and fixed with Service Pack 1, some of them sent by users. The main features of this service pack are:

  • Correction for modeling and drawings/layouts issues;
  • Several corrections for reinforcement options: representation style manager, reinforcement bars, bending details, etc;
  • Improvements to the Materials quantity Manager.

You can now download SP1 for Advance Concrete 2012 Here

Boat Mould Structure – Customer project

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Nial Ball, Westbury Park Engineering: “This contract was something a bit unusual and was carried out for a prestigious UK based boat building company. I say boat, but I suppose technically they were ships being 35 – 40 metres long! The problem was turning a mould following manufacture in order to release the boat from the mould. Being fiberglass it isn’t such a good idea to have the mould flex and crack the finished boat deck.

The steelwork for the project was designed and built around a 3D surface model supplied by our client and converted for AutoCAD by Graitec. The strange thing about surface models is that the surface isn’t actually there, well not in a solid drawing sense, but I was able to draw a series AutoCAD construction lines from key points on the surface model using XEDGES etc. Once the construction lines were in place the remaining structure was a breeze using Advance Steel. There were no major issues and the model was completed in three days and all drawings were created within the week.”

“The client was showing some concern with less than a week before the first mould had to be turned and released that we were not on site to install the steelwork. It seems that formerly the installation took seven men and two to three weeks as the structure was fabricated on site and in situ. With three days to go before ‘D Day’ our TWO men arrived on site with the pre-fabricated assemblies and in TWO days the structure was erected and we were home in time for tea with a day to spare. Thanks to Advance Steel we knew the structure would fit long before we arrived on site, the structure could be built in manageable sub-assemblies and with bolted joints there was no need for any welding on site.”

Webinar “Discover Advance Steel 2012” planned for May 3rd 2012

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Steel detailers, Structural Engineers: 
Discover Advance Steel 2012: The Powerful and Affordable Steel Detailing Software

on Wendsday, May 3rd, 2012 from 9:00 to 9:30 am CET or 5:00 to 5:30 pm CET

Register online to this webinar

Advance Steel® is specifically designed for professionals who require an easy-to-use 3D structural steel detailing software that automates the production of drawings, BOMs and NC files.

Advance Steel® is part of the GRAITEC structural BIM solution, automating the entire structural design process, from engineering design to detailing and fabrication.

Advance Steel TOP 5 benefits:

Advance Steel: BIM software for structural steel engineering, detailing and fabrication

1 – More Productivity with the flexible and efficient 3D modeling automatic tools: complete international catalogs, library of parametric joints, single or multi-user mode, etc.

2 – Short learning curve: reduces new employee ramp up time

3 – Specific features for miscellaneous steel and sheet metal: automatic functions for all type of stairs and railings, automatic tools for sheet metal creation, folded and twisted plates, etc.

4 – Precise and automatic creation and updating of construction documents: BOMs automatically created from the 3D model, revision control, revision clouds, drawing presentation template, automatic drawing scaling, paper formats and views, etc.

5 – BIM and collaborative work: DXF / DWG / Revit imports, multi-user technology, interoperability with major industry leading detailing / fabrication / engineering / MRP packages (CIS/2, SDNF, DSTV, KISS, etc.), etc.

Advance Steel: Professional Steel Detailing Software Solution for AutoCAD

Historically based on the AutoCAD® platform, Advance Steel® 2012 allows users to use their software with or without AutoCAD®. In fact, the product includes its own graphics engine, and the user can select the desired CAD platform. Regardless of the selected platform, all the essential functionality of the software is retained, as well as DWG® compatibility.
This major change has also allowed GRAITEC to simplify the user interface by focusing on and organizing the industry specific functionality of the software.
Another major impact for users: the overall cost of the solution and the ease of installation and deployment. The return on investment for the current version is improved by 30%.

GRAITEC Group announces + 19.9% turnover growth for first Quarter 2012

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 GRAITEC announces 19.9% turnover growth for the first Quarter of 2012, compared to 2011.

After a very intensive 2011, the first quarter of 2012 exceeds expectations from a turnover and margin perspective for GRAITEC.

Going more into the details, the performance of GRAITEC France, USA, Russia and Germany are absolutely remarkable. The new subsidiary in Italy has also realized a superb performance with a turnover that exceeds the objectives by +34%.

The GRAITEC Advance suite has achieved during Q1 2012 an amazing growth of +43% compared to 2011: “This is a great performance that demonstrates the growth capacity of GRAITEC solutions but also their fit to the market, customer needs and BIM environment” comments Alexandre Tartas, GRAITEC COO.

GRAITEC announces +52% growth of Advance Steel for 2011Advance Steel continues on a very positive tendency growing by almost 40% during Q1, both mature markets and new markets have contributed to this success. Alexandre Tartas comments: “The impact of the Advance Steel standalone application has not been significant during Q1, due to a pretty late delivery during the quarter. We expect a real effect during Q2 and feel very optimistic since the customer feedback is absolutely amazing. GRAITEC has also registered significant sales to Strucad customers during Q1 and many contacts have been established with companies that are using this solution and are very happy to consider Advance Steel“.

GRAITEC announces +52% growth of Advance Steel for 2011 Advance Design continues to benefit from a high adoption rate especially on the French market that recognizes that GRAITEC provides the very best structural analysis solution on this market. “The quality of the solution provided such as the comprehensive international codes and the service provided by GRAITEC have highly contributed to the great Q1 result for Advance Design with 45% growth“, says Alexandre Tartas.

GRAITEC announces +52% growth of Advance Steel for 2011 Last but not least, Advance Concrete growth has been a strong contributor to the Advance suite performance, showing a 61% growth year to year. Alexandre Tartas comments: “We have spent a lot of time with our customers to deeper understand their expectations and have translated them in features to improve their Advance Concrete experience, we are proud to say the result of this work.”

Alexandre Tartas concludes: “Q1 2012 has been a great success but is just a step in the GRAITEC 2012 road to 29 million Euros and it shows the Group capacity to grow. We expect to continue to enjoy such performance in 2012.“

Great feedback from one of our clients in UK

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Will Rudd Davidson Edinburgh & Glasgow is one of Scotland’s leading Structural and Civil Engineering Consultancies. The Company has 25 skilled Engineering staff working with the latest technology and within a Quality Management framework, providing a high standard of service, professionalism and flexible response to requirements. With Associates based in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, the Company can call on approximately 35 technical staff to address the challenges of larger scale commissions throughout the whole of the UK.

Will Rudd Davidson Edinburgh & Glasgow has been working with GRAITEC software for several years now and their response for the support and consulting services they received was rated: EXCELLENT.

Alistair Crawford, Will Rudd Davidson Edinburgh & Glasgow spokesperson, declares: “GRAITEC support is the standard by which I judge other companies. Whilst many have improved over the years I still consider GRAITEC to be the level they should aspire to. Having a dedicated UK call and support centre is also a good ace to have up your sleeve.”

GRAITEC offers its users a wide range of servicesto optimize productivity: complete service maintenance, phone, fax and E-mail based technical support, interactive live web support, general and custom training, special project assistanceand consulting services, CAD/design projects, custom software development and many others.

You can visit our Support  page for more information, or take a look at GRAITEC Advantage to see all the services included in our maintenance contract.

Here are some of the projects done by Will Rudd Davidson Edinburgh & Glasgow:

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Advance Steel: Effective use of Joint Tables

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Watch this video tutorial on how to set up joints to be configured automatically so you don’t need to constantly adjust settings.

Advance Steel for StruCAD users

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Advance Steel for StruCAD users

Advance Steel, the alternative solution to StruCAD

GRAITEC Products: CAD and Design Software for the Construction Industry

  • Proven track record with more than 10,000 seats worldwide: Trusted market confidence
  • Rapid adoption rate resulting in +50% growth in licenses in 2011: Tried and tested solution
  • Increased functionality / productivity: Tools for all market sectors: BIM, Structures, Off-shore, Bridges, Architectural, Sheet-metalwork,…
  • Works as a standalone application or with AutoCAD: Flexibility for users to choose platform to that suits them – no need to have AutoCAD
  • Low initial financial outlay: Best value system on the market
  • Lower on-going cost of ownership: Premium support & maintenance less than half the price of other systems
  • Easy to use and short learning curve: 5 day foundation training course; 3-days transition training from Strucad, includes full training manual
  • Quick and easy deployment: Set up company drawing borders in minutes
  • Interoperability: DSTV NC files in all versions, IFC, SDNF, CIS2, Graitec BIM, KISS, PSS, …
  • Support and Helpdesk service rated 98% excellent or good by our users: Dedicated team ready to help you by phone, email or remote assistance

Advance Steel 2012 videos

Advance Steel 2012 – Easy and efficient modelling tools
Advance Stel 2012 – Easy and efficient modelling tools
Advance Steel is a complete 3D BIM steel detailing software providing automatic and user-friendly tools for creating the 3D model of your building in the best time.
From the creation of the portal frames to the generation of all cladding profiles, Advance Steel comes with numerous easy-to-use tools for purlins, side rails, automatic connections, stairs, railings and much more!
Advance Steel 2012 – Navigation through a 3D model
Advance Stel 2012 – Navigation through a 3D model
See how user-friendly and powerful Advance Steel 2012 is to navigate through a complex pedestrian bridge (model courtesy of PKD, Czech Republic).

Customer Projects

Advance Steel CIS/2 interface Advance Steel CIS/2 interface
Coke oven gas desulphurization done by
Hutni projekt Frydek-Mistek a.s with Advance Steel		 New Valenciennes stadium done by
ETI with Advance Steel
Advance Steel CIS/2 interface Advance Steel CIS/2 interface
U2 “360° concert” stage done by
Stageco with Advance Steel		 Steam cracking furnaces done by
Heurtey Petrochem with Advance Steel

AceCad acknowledges that Advance Steel works with StruM.I.S

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AceCad, IT software developer of supply chain solutions for Steel Building Structures, acknowledges that the Advance Steel Kiss export as the format to interface with StruM.I.S.

The KISS standard (“Keep It Simple, Steel”) was developed under the auspices of FABTROL Systems, as a solution for the problems caused by incompatible data formats and it can be used to transfer fabrication-related data between CAD and fabrication management software applications.  For more information about the KISS file format, visit: http://www.steelkiss.org/.

Advance Steel has been certified by FABTROL since September 2007 (http://www.fabtrol.com/kiss-compliant-software.html) for its ability to exchange data using the KISS file format. Our customers can use KISS files to transfer data from the model and the bill of materials between Advance Steel and StruM.I.S.

AceCad acknowledges that Advance Steel works with StruM.I.S

StruM.I.S (steel fabrication management information system that harnesses the information flow and work processes throughout the steelwork contract between departments, suppliers and clients) acknowledges its compliancy with Advance Steel output through the KISS file format. Other formats include: CIS/2, CSV, PDMS, DSTV CAD.

http://www.acecadsoftware.com/steelwork_construction_virtual_tour.php

AceCad acknowledges that Advance Steel works with StruM.I.S

2012 GRAITEC R&D Awards

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This year, GRAITEC presented the 2011 R&D AWARDS to 5 members of the R&D department in Romania. The awards were handed by Francis GUILLEMARD, CEO and founder of the GRAITEC Group, at the 2012 Kick Off, in Bucharest.

The first 2011 Development Award was received by Bogdan ZAVU (Advance Concrete Team Leader) and Emil MOGA (Advance Concrete Senior Software Engineer), for the new DWG export procedure. The DWG export procedure is a key feature of ADVANCE Concrete, which was fully rewritten, resulting in a major speed improvement.

Development Award was received by Cosmin BARBU and Diana SERBANThe second 2011 DEVELOPMENT AWARD was received by Cosmin BARBU (Advance Design Project Manager) and Diana SERBAN (Advance Design Senior Software Engineer), for Crack Analysis, taking into account real reinforcement on beams and columns. Until now, Advance Design was dealing with the required reinforcement with regards to Concrete Design. Version 2012 of the software is making a big step forward, as Advance Design is now helping the user to determine the real reinforcement section and performing EC2 crack analysis.

The engine of Arche Beam was extensively reused and adapted for this project.

TECHNICAL AWARD FOR BEST DEVELOPMENT was received by Mircea KLEPSThe TECHNICAL AWARD FOR BEST DEVELOPMENT was received by Mircea KLEPS (Advance Steel Senior Software Engineer), for the Graitec Modeler as part of the Advance Steel Standalone project. The component was first started by Mihai DOBRESCU and continued by Florin SECUIANU and Mircea KLEPS, Mircea being the one whose fingerprint was decisive for the current engine state-of-the-art status.

In the next step, the component will be used for driving Advance Concrete.

For more information on all the new features of the 2012 GRAITEC Advance suite, please visit the GRAITEC ADVANTAGE page at http://www.graitec.com/en/welcome.asp .

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GRAITEC will be exhibiting at NASCC 2012 in Dallas, Texas, April 18-20, 2012

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March 22nd, 2012. GRAITEC is pleased to announce that the GRAITEC North American team will be exhibiting at NASCC, the steel conference in Dallas, Texas, on April 18-20, 2012 at booth #610.

The GRAITEC team will be demonstrating Advance Steel 2012, the powerful and user-friendly 3D structural steel detailing and fabrication software that automatically creates drawings, BOMs and NC files, and that communicates with Autodesk® Revit® among other systems.

Version 2012 of Advance Steel provides the user with the choice of CAD platform, AutoCAD or the GRAITEC CAD platform. The team will be demonstrating Advance Steel with both platforms at the NASCC.

GRAITEC will also be demonstrating Advance Design 2012, a superior solution for the structural analysis and design of Reinforced Concrete, Steel and Timber structures according to the latest versions of Eurocodes and North American codes.

During the NASCC, GRAITEC is offering

3 workshops on Thursday, April 19:

Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca

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On March 2nd, GRAITEC and ROBOBAT Morocco organized in the seminar room of the “Le Royal Mansour Meridien” hotel in Casablanca (Morocco) a half-day presentationof the GRAITEC Advance BIM solution and particularly Advance Steel (BIM 3D steel detailing software).

Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca

The half-day started with a presentation done by Mr.Soufiane SMAILI (Managing director of ROBOBAT Morocco) of the solutions and partnerships proposed by ROBOBAT Morocco on the Moroccan market.

This event provided the opportunity to announce the partnership between GRAITEC and ROBOBAT Morocco allowing ROBOBAT Morocco to promote and sell Advance Steel on its local market.

Mr. Francis GUILLEMARD (CEO founder of the GRAITEC group) then presented the GRAITEC group and its presence all over the world; he explained the strategic aspect of the partnership and the importance of the Moroccan market for GRAITEC.

Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca

Mr. Babacar CISSE (Business Development Manager for Africa at GRAITEC) then detailed which partners have recently joined GRAITEC to promote the GRAITEC Advance solution on the African continent. Mr.CISSE insisted on the importance to have local motivated and well-trained partners allowing support and proximity assistance.

Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca

The Advance Steel software was demonstrated in detail by Mr. Philippe BONNEAU (Advance Steel Marketing Product Manager) with a “live” presentation of the new release of Advance Steel 2012, an explanation of the benefits and advantages provided to the user and also a focus on the interoperability with the other solutions present on the market (e.g. the successful import of a model from the analysis Robot software into Advance Steel).

Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca Partnership with ROBOBAT Morocco and roadshow in Casablanca

This seminar was a great success with more than 90 Moroccan engineering offices and construction companies, and gave the opportunity of different exchanges during brunch.

Mr. Babacar CISSE comments: “In the direct continuation of the geographical expansion of the solutions developed by the GRAITEC Group, Morocco is part our strategy and we are very happy to welcome ROBOBAT Morocco in our distribution channel of partners.“

More doors open to Advance Steel

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With the shocking Strucad announcement, Strucad users are now faced with a difficult decision – or is it?
For anyone involved in Structural Steelwork, the way GRAITEC UK sees it, there is a clear and easy choice, Advance Steel 2012!

Advance Steel 2012 offers:

– Proven track record with more than 10,000 seats worldwide

  •  Trusted market confidence

– Rapid adoption rate resulting in +50% growth in licenses in 2011 – 

  • Tried and tested solution

– Increased functionality / productivity 

  • New tools for all market sectors: BIM, Structures, Off-shore, Bridges, Architectural, Sheet-metalwork…

– Works as a standalone application or with AutoCAD – 

  • Flexibility for users to choose platform to that suits them – no need to have AutoCAD

– Low initial financial outlay 

  • A fantastic GRAITEC UK ‘Switch-offer’

– Quick and easy deployment

  • Set up company drawing borders in minutes

– Interoperability 

  • DSTv NC files in all versions, IFC, SDNF, CIS2, Graitec BIM, KISS, PSS…

– Support and Helpdesk service rated 98% excellent or good by users  

  • Dedicated team ready to help you by phone, email or remote assistance


The GRAITEC UK branch has never received so many phone calls and enquiries from people looking for an alternative solution to Strucad, and the feedback from those that have already moved to Advance Steel was “easy to use” and “very capable”.

If you have been affected and would like to see more about Advance Steel why not visit www.graitec.co.uk/advance_steel_2012.html or contact one of the Graitec UK team on 0844 543 8888 or email your enquiry to sales@graitec.co.uk

The versatility of Advance Steel can help you realize projects out of the ordinary!

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With Advance Steel, our users can create amazing projects.  Our American users understand this and have created incredible structures with it.  Tuckerman Steel Fabricators Inc. were able to harness the power of Advance Steel to create their latest project, something special that was launched on 11/11/2011 and captured on video.  Check it out at Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum-Launching 11 11 2011!

The project shown is a steel barge supporting a 3 story building consisting of shops, a museum, and restaurants, including ballast compartments, stair wells, elevator compartments, watertight doors, gangway support platforms and pile guides. The barge had to be pre-fabricated in panels – deck panels, bottom panels, bulkheads, side panels, and very often panels that included over 150 parts. Accordingly to Ilko Dimitrov, Project Manager at Tuckerman Steel Fabricators Inc., Advance Steel increased the productivity and the accuracy of the drawings: “The software was very helpful in detailing the panel drawings and all the interior framing and stairs as well”.

Also, the designers of the barge noticed that Advance Steel is very well designed to optimize drawing layout by eliminating empty spaces between members, and has the option to create running dimensions from left to right and vice versa, and the option to switch between absolute and relative or both types of dimensions. The scaling of objects is very easy. Placing labels, part marks, material type and basically all necessary information is very handy. Creating and updating BOM is fast and accurate.

Tuckerman Steel Fabricators, Inc. based in Boston, MA is incredibly proud of the results obtained with Advance Steel.  The week after they were trained on Advance Steel they were able to model and detail the entire barge.  They were able to meet their fabrication and shipping deadlines without any errors!

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GRAITEC launches its Czech website

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AB Studio is pleased to announce the launch of the new Czech GRAITEC website, thus making the Advance  suite, but also CADKON and TREPCAD, available to engineers and structural draftsmen in Czech Republic and Slovakia.

While looking for comprehensive and easy to use detailing software solutions, consider CADKON (link to http://www.graitec.cz/cadkon.html), a convenient and powerful tool with simple controls, specifically designed for creating advanced construction drawings, and now can be run as a standalone application.

The website provides information on the GRAITEC ADVANCE suite, with its many new features and improvements included in the 2012 versions, with special focus on the Czech version of Advance Design (http://www.graitec.cz/produkty-advance/advance-design.html) and the fact that starting from the latest version, Advance Steel (http://www.graitec.cz/produkty-advance/advance-steel.html) breaks free from AutoCAD.

Another novelty for Czech users is the Czech version of TREPCAD, a dedicated and comprehensive stair modeling and detailing software that will be available to Czech customers in March, 2012.

The website also includes a customer reference section (link to http://www.graitec.cz/reference/), where there is information about our clients remarkable designs – the most elaborate projects made with ADVANCE or CADKON software solutions can be viewed.

AB Studio, a part of the international GRAITEC Group and one of the largest suppliers of CAD / CAE solutions in the Czech Republic, invites you to visit us at www.graitec.cz!

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Another success story: customer in Canada thrilled to work with Advance Steel

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A recognized and expanding company in the manufacturing of steel structures and wrought metals situated in Quebec (Canada), Pro-Mec Elite Inc., has chosen GRAITEC Advance Steel 2012 as its steel detailing software.

Pro-Mec Elite Inc. was using AutoCAD and Inventor so far to do all their studies. They recently decided to move to a 3D BIM solution in order to gain productivity with their drill-line from Ficep and analyzed all software available on the market.

After an extensive review of several software packages such as TEKLA Structures, SDS/2, and StruCAD, they found that Advance Steel is much easier to use and with the advantage to be based on AutoCAD.

GRAITEC Inc. had different meetings with Pro-Mec Elite Inc to answer their expectation and demonstrate that Advance Steel is the right solution for the type of structures they are daily doing.

Therefore Pro-Mec Elite Inc. decided to purchase 2 seats of Advance Steel (with the potential to acquire 4 additional licenses as 6 detailers are working the company) and followed the training 2 weeks ago in the office of GRAITEC Inc (Montreal).

Already, after only 1 week using Advance Steel, they noticed a significant time gain in the realization of drawings and are very satisfied with the software and customer service at GRAITEC.

More information on Pro-Mec Elite Inc. website: http://www.promecelite.com/news/purchase-of-graitec-advance-steel_12

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Advance Steel 2012: CAD platform freedom

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Advance Steel® is specifically designed for steel professionals who require an easy-to-use 3D structural steel detailing software for automating drawing production.

 

 Choice of graphical platform and improved ergonomics 

Historically based on the AutoCAD® platform, Advance Steel 2012 allows users to use their software with or without AutoCAD®. In fact, the product includes its own graphics engine, and the user can select the desired CAD platform. Regardless of the selected platform, all the essential functionality of the software is retained, as well as DWG® compatibility.

This major change has also allowed GRAITEC to simplify the user interface by focusing on and organizing the industry specific functionality of the software and the BIM integration. A “BIM Center” facilitating data exchange is available.

Another major impact for the user: the overall cost of the solution and the ease of installation and deployment. The return on investment of Version 2012 is improved by 30%.

Advance Steel 2012: Choice of graphical platform and improved ergonomics

 

 New automatic controls for 3D modeling 

Version 2012 also has many other improvements, the main ones are as follows:

  • Management of a preliminary reference mark to improve the traceability of elements from their creation to manufacturing
  • Option to group similar connections to manage and change them in a single operation
  • Implementation of new automatic connections (e.g., turnbuckle bracings, purlin connections with sleeves, connections between steel and concrete elements)
  • All new connections work on standard and cold rolled profiles
  • Numerous modifications in the existing connections, including in the field of metalwork.
Advance Steel 2012: New automatic controls for 3D modeling

 

 Extensive libraries 
Advance Steel 2012 provides libraries with lots of new and updated profiles and bolts:

  • Cold rolled profiles ( Joris IDE, Kingspan, etc.)
  • Cladding sections (Perfitec, Metecno, Corus, etc.)
  • Bolts and connectors (Lindapter, Australian bolts, etc.)

 

 Enhancements for high quality drawings 
Following on from previous versions, Advance Steel 2012 continues to improve the overall quality of drawings created automatically by the software:

  • Several new drawing styles delivered and ready to be used
  • Lists on drawings can be customized to include formulas (e.g. elements weight + 5%)
These new options increase user productivity and protects the production and management of documentation of their steel construction projects.

GRAITEC ADVANCE 2012 Version is released!

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1st multi-platform version for the GRAITEC Structural BIM suite

 

GRAITEC Advance 2012 is released!

 

NEW CAD SYSTEM for Advance Steel

 

Major PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS for Advance Concrete

 

NEW DESIGN CODES including timber design for Advance Design

 

GRAITEC Advance, aims primarily to improve the productivity of its users, help them reduce design errors and increase the quality of project documentation. The GRAITEC Advance suite is for the most demanding professionals and its ergonomics are designed to make it easy to learn and use.

The Advance suite is based on the implementation of a digital model (BIM / Building Information Model). This technology associates each real object to its virtual equivalent in the digital model and users have the opportunity to simulate the behavior of the real structure and automate many processes. With open BIM standards, Advance can also be used with the Autodesk Revit suite for the structural analysis and design and document creation of models created in Revit.

Version 2012 represents a key milestone in the development of GRAITEC. In fact, the new Advance Steel software architecture allows it to work without an AutoCAD license. This innovation frees up AutoCAD licenses for other uses in the design offi ce. In addition it offers an economic advantage to companies without AutoCAD licenses or that do not have updated AutoCAD licenses.

Major investments were made to simplify usability and improve the performance of our solutions. GRAITEC also continues to introduce new design codes to meet the productivity and quality demands required by a market increasingly more international.

Movable overland tripper detailed with Advance Steel

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Clinton Dantu, the CEO of Dantu Drafting cc. (South Africa), explains why Advance Steel was the right tool to handle this complex project and for creating all detailed drawings.

“Dantu Drafting cc. is a registered company formed five years ago to meet the high demand for an independent drawing office not affiliated to any particular Consulting or Engineering firm. We entered the market with many years of experience in Materials Handling, Process plants and Heap Leach layouts. We added detailing to our résumé as we found managing the drawing work from layout to fabrication gives us the edge over any of our competitors and speeds up the completion time of the job as a whole. We have been using Advance Steel for the past four years and we are really impressed with its 3D modelling capabilities and the speed with which one can complete any project.”

Movable overland tripper successfully detailed with Advance Steel

“The Movable overland tripper (mot) is a hydraulic driven and steered machine. We used wheel mounted Bonfiglioli 713 c3b with brake and disengagement planetary 142:1 gearboxes. The mot will be used in Zambia at Luanshya copper mine, to feed a heap leach system. The total mass of the machine is 45 tons with a total length of 38 meters and a total height of 9 meters. The mot is needed to be an all-wheel drive machine, as it runs above a 900 wide overland conveyor over uneven terrain.“

Movable overland tripper successfully detailed with Advance Steel

“We used Advance Steel for this project so we could do all our layout work in 3D and still easily supply the client and designers with 2D AutoCAD® drawings from which we could all sit around a table to discuss the concept. After our meetings we could update our 3D model to suit any comments and so update our 2D AutoCAD® drawings in time for the next meeting. Having the model proved to be a great tool in getting any new parties involved up to speed with the project, just by showing them the model they would get an immediate insight in to the project. Once the mot’s concept was approved and the design was complete we could continue with creating the connections and then the shop detail drawings. With a certain amount of input we could update our shop drawings to suit our fabricators requirements.“

Movable overland tripper successfully detailed with Advance Steel

“Using Advance Steel for this project helped us speed up the design time for the mot as we had a constantly updated model to keep all involved with the project informed of our progress and ideas. By using Advance Steel as the 3D steel detailing application, productivity gains of over 25% were realized, compared to using regular AutoCAD®.“

Movable overland tripper successfully detailed with Advance Steel

Engineering office: Dantu Drafting cc (South Africa) – http://dantudrafting.com/
Project: Heap leach project
Client: Luanshya copper mine
Location: Muliashi Copper Mine (Zambia)

Advance Steel Project: Mugam Evi Concert Hall

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Here is a great example of GRAITEC’s versatile modeling BIM software ADVANCE Steel : Mugam Evi Concert Hall

Project location: Baku, Azerbaijan

Design Office: NCA Container- und Anlagebau GmbH

Project description:
The concert hall consists of 500 tons of steel. A specific feature of the project was the creation of the whole steel construction. The construction mainly consists of three-dimensional rolled pipes. Additionally each single pipe had elliptical-shaped radii on two levels. The parts of the steel construction had to be connected in an elegant way, to give the building a perfect façade. First, the steel parts were prefabricated in the workshop of NCA Container- und Anlagenbau GmbH. The Steel parts were finally welded together, to have a smooth connection between the main bars.

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Successful Advance Steel User meeting in Netherlands

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A user meeting was organized by MATRIX Software, the GRAITEC reseller of Advance Steel in Netherlands on the 29th November for the users from Netherlands and the Flemish-speaking area of Belgium. More than 50 end-users were present at this event which took place in Gorinchem (Netherlands).

The companies Stageco&Breetec explained in details how they successfully used Advance Steel to model in 3D the impressive stage of the U2 Tour.

Matrix software finished the meeting with the presentation of prizes for the 3 best projects in their 2011 Advance Steel User competition.

Marc Verstraten (from Breetec company), winner of the first prize in the 2011 user contest, explains: “Advance Steel was the right software solution to handle the type of complex project for the conveyor for Arcelor-Mittal, and although the project did not use a lot of the standard connections from Advance Steel, it still was possible to create the complete model with Advance Steel objects. As more than 50% of the project consists of folded plates we were especially satisfied with the Advance Steel bending and unfolding capabilities, plus also the drawings that Advance Steel produced more than met the accuracy requirements for this type of construction.
We are very proud to win the first prize in the 2011 user contest. It confirms that smaller companies can produce complicated designs and thereby acurately achieve the higher level of complexity required in so many modern design. We will keep improving our skills with Advance Steel by pushing ourselves and the program further to the limit. ”

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