Soilbuild - Leading the way in building more efficiently and intelligently
Soilbuild Construction Group Ltd. is one of the leaders in embracing an integrated digital delivery and a robust Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) ecosystem within its Integrated Construction and Prefabrication Hub (ICPH). Tekla Structures is harnessed in the ICPH for its strength in working with various machine interfaces.
In 2018, Soilbuild moved into its Integrated Construction and Prefabrication Hub (ICPH), a compact facility with two levels of highly mechanised production operations. Focusing primarily on producing prefabricated construction elements, with an option to assemble them to form volumetric components, this integrated facility gives Soilbuild the capability to expand its prefabrication capabilities significantly.
Soilbuild saw Tekla Structures as the ideal platform in facilitating integrated digital delivery. The software’s adaptability and flexibility allows them to utilise information in the Tekla constructible model at every stage of the production cycle. It also enables Soilbuild to continually incorporate new technologies in its existing production ecosystem. With this seamless flow of information, not only is Soilbuild able to increase production volume substantially, it is able to produce more complex components in a shorter period of time. This, in turn, enhances its standing as a firm with the ability to innovate and integrate IDD in its work processes.
A Highly Flexible And Adaptable Platform
Thanks to its open BIM approach, Tekla Structures has the ability to communicate with MES solutions and machine interfaces and export files in various formats. This makes collaboration with various project stakeholders easy. Soilbuild can efficiently exchange digital information across the project value chain, as well as work with other providers’ solutions and fabrication machinery.
“Tekla Structures’ adaptability makes it easy for us to work with various machine interfaces as well as incorporate new technologies into our existing production ecosystem,” says Mr Nath Tushar, Digital Innovation Leader, Soilbuild Construction Group Ltd.
“This flexibility is very important for us as we continue to push the boundaries of construction,” says Mr Daryl Chew, Planning Engineer, Precast, Soilbuild Construction Group Ltd. “Tekla Structures’ interoperability minimises discrepancies and miscommunication amongst the various project stakeholders. This in turn enables us to work more efficiently from the start to finish of each project.”
Facilitating Complete Information Flow
At Soilbuild, Tekla Structures is a key enabler of the flow of information from one interface to the next, creating a complete and wholesome production cycle at its fully automated production facility. At the design stage, Tekla Structures facilitates the team in creating highly developed, accurate and information-rich constructible models. These models contain the key information of every element needed for production and tracking purposes. This digital information is then extracted and exported in formats that are used throughout the entire process cycle – from the sales order and engineering works to the planning, production, inventory and even the delivery order.
“The high LOD constructible model allows us to build up the level of details in the BIM model according to the design requirement,” says Mr Daryl Chew. “Outside of the engineering team, the constructible model allows modellers to collaborate with the production team and even with the on-site installers.”
Besides enabling more efficient design, Tekla constructible models are also utilised at project meetings. Models are drawn out and enlarged for discussions and analysis, to remove any potential problems that may arise during the production stage.
Once the model is approved from an engineering perspective, information from the constructible model is passed on to the production team. Data is extracted and transferred seamlessly from the Tekla model to the ERP system, and then over to the manufacturing execution system (MES) which manages the overall production cycle.
This seamless flow of information eliminates several manual work processes. As a result, Soilbuild is able to produce components of various shapes and sizes, with high precision within a shorter time than before.
Moving Ahead With Tekla
“With the Tekla constructible model, our work process is more systematic,” says Mr Nath Tushar.
“Tekla provides a platform where collaborative sharing can take place from a business perspective. This has a positive impact on our productivity.”
“Furthermore, the Tekla system allows dedicated user access rights and has a tracking system that ensures accountability,” says Mr Daryl Chew. “Tekla support team is also very proactive in continuously improving the software and customising it to our local needs.
“Moving forward, our plan is to integrate AI learning into our operation to take it up to the next level.”
“Tekla Structures’ strength in facilitating the flow of information from one interface to the next in our integrated ICPH allows us to employ highly automated processes, while our competitors are still working with manual processes. This gives us a strong competitive edge in delivering greater value to our customers,” says Mr Nath Tushar, Digital Innovation Leader, Soilbuild Construction Group Ltd.
Company overview: SOILBUILD CONSTRUCTION GROUP LTD
Founded in Singapore, Soilbuild is a leading integrated property group with over 40 years of experience in constructing, developing and managing award-winning residential and business properties.
This article was published in CPi magazine #5-2019.