The modelling and production of aluminium composite facade elements is a profession in itself. “With many software packages, it is a time-consuming process,” knows Dennis Meijer, director of Compal Composites BV. The expert in 3D facade cassettes of aluminium composite has been relying on HiCAD in combination with the unique Alucobond module for about three years now. “It provides us with enormous time savings during project preparation.”
Compal focuses exclusively on the modelling and production of aluminium composite facade elements. “We engineer facades completely in-house, and then produce them to required specifications in our own production hall,” says Meijer proudly. “We deliver the facade elements prefabricated so that they can be assembled directly on site. The fact that we also engineer ourselves is seen as an advantage in the market. It is not unusual for an architect or project developer to ask us at an early stage to shine our light on a facade in aluminium composite.”
After several years of experimenting with another software package, Compal made the conscious decision to switch to HiCAD more than three years ago. Meijer: “At the time, we were getting more and more requests to work out projects in 3D BIM. HiCAD is the best tool for this and offers a number of interesting solutions with which, for example, you can generate sheet metal developments or drawing sheets directly. That simply saves a lot of time. Of course, it takes some effort to master the software, but this does not outweigh the many advantages, such as simultaneous 3D modelling and 2D work. With one push of a button you generate a 2D view or a cross-section of the 3D model.
Meijer has some examples of recent projects that Compal has worked out in HiCAD. “We completely modelled the facades of the three buildings of Project Veste in Zutphen in HiCAD. In accordance with the client’s BIM rules, our data was provided for a clash check. As the manufacturer, we were responsible for the engineering, production, prefabrication and assembly of the elements, including the mounting construction, and were therefore able to guarantee fast
assembly at the construction site. A total of just under 9,000 m2 of gross aluminium composite was processed in our production hall into 6,500 m2 of prefabricated facade elements in a frame system. The Alucobond module in HiCAD is suitable for all types of aluminium composites
With one push of a button you generate a 2D view or a cross-section of the 3D model.“
the Alucobond façade of the ‘Praktijk College in Rotterdam’, each mitre is unique. Not one has the same dimensions. “Modelling in HiCAD was indispensable for this,” says Meijer. “It is a very complex façade because of the many size differences and the large cantilevered facade surfaces with diagonals. The mitres were extremely difficult to determine. HiCAD proved indispensable for seamlessly connecting them. In this way, we have successfully implemented quite a few projects in HiCAD over the past few years.” Meijer is also satisfied with the collaboration with ISD, supplier of the software programme. Meijer is also satisfied with the cooperation with ISD, the supplier of the software programme. “They are open to feedback. It is nice to see that we see suggestions for improvements, for example, in a subsequent update. That inspires confidence and creates a bond,” concludes Meijer. Download the pdf-version here
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