The EDGE platform provides the precast concrete industry a comprehensive solution for project design, estimation, production, erection, and much more. EDGE^R utilizes the world’s most preeminent graphics software, Revit, to facilitate the creation of detailed 3D models which can be translated into accurate bills of materials and shop tickets, allowing a more seamless workflow from the estimation phase through the erection phase. In combination with EDGE^ERP, EDGE^CAM, and EDGE^CLOUD, users can optimize all facets of their business.
EDGE^R
Modeling
EDGE^R makes modeling precast concrete structures on the Revit platform intuitive and simpler than ever before. The custom content provided with the EDGE^R package gives users the ability to easily model complex geometry. There is no need to waste time building unique and complex families that will never be utilized again; instead, at EDGE^ we promote using the simple families that are provided as the base and molding them into the desired geometry by means of cutouts and addon concrete families. Assigning piece marks is an automated process with EDGE^R which cuts down on potential human errors and saves the user valuable time. EDGE^R also simplifies the reinforcing process by automatically marking all rebar according to the user’s specifications and allowing users the ability to easily copy reinforcement to similar pieces. Once the 3D model is complete, translating the information into accurate take-offs, erection drawings, and shop tickets is a simple task.
Schedules
Often, scheduling must occur on the whole project, portions of the project, and scaled down to specific elements as well. With EDGE^R content and parameters, customizing schedules to the desired detail level is easily achieved using out of the box Revit schedules.
Shop Tickets
Detailing shop tickets in Revit is intuitive and efficient with EDGE^R. EDGE^R provides tools that give users the ability to annotate and dimension drawings more proficiently. By using customizable templates, the user can quickly generate shop tickets that include the appropriate views, bills of materials, title block information, and much more.
Change Management
All schedules, erection drawings, and shop tickets are derived directly from the 3D model making change management simple. Any geometric and dimensional changes made in the model will automatically be reflected on all relevant erection drawing and shop tickets. Additionally, if quantities for any materials in the model are modified (such as brick counts, embed counts, reinforcement counts, etc.) then the corresponding schedules will also automatically update to reflect the updated counts.
Project Management
EDGE^R also facilitates project management by tracking each precast element in the model throughout the critical stages of its lifecycle. Using the EDGE^R Ticket Manager, users can accurately determine the number of marks and total pieces in the model. Users can also quantify and identify elements that have been reinforced, track the creation shop tickets, and quickly identify when a ticket is ready to be released for production.
EDGE^ERP
The EDGE^ERP solution leverages the user’s model to extract information that can be directly imported into many common Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. It gathers pertinent information from all elements (such as precast elements, cast in place embeds, loose materials, lifting/handling, etc.) in the model and coverts it into a file format which can then be utilized by the user or directly integrated into the user’s ERP system.
EDGE^CAM
Using the existing Revit model, EDGE^CAM makes automation of the production workflow possible. EDGE^CAM extracts information directly from the model and converts it into a file format that can be read by many automated machines. The exported file contains information about finishes, cutouts, rebar, embed placement, and much more. The practical applications include laser projection, bed plotting, automated rebar bending, automated concrete distribution, etc. Supported file formats currently include Unitechnik (UXML) versions 5.2, 6.0, and 7.0 and Progress Group (PXML) version 1.3. Below is an example of an assembly that was modeled in Revit and exported with EDGE^CAM.
EDGE^CLOUD
EDGE^CLOUD streamlines the production process by providing production personnel real-time information directly from the Revit model. Assemblies and shop tickets are easily exported directly from Revit to EDGE^CLOUD which can then be accessed on a tablet or PC making the communication between engineering and production easier than ever before. If engineering revises a piece, they can easily update the information on EDGE^CLOUD providing production personnel immediate access to the revised information. EDGE^CLOUD offers interactive two-dimensional and three-dimensional views allowing production personnel the ability to easily interpret what is being built. It also makes the entire quality control process paperless while still conforming to the recording requirements from many governing organizations.
EDGE^AR
With EDGE^AR we are working to develop an application to leverage augmented reality for use in precast production and field work. The intent is to render elements to be produced in their bed position based on geographic benchmarks. EDGE^AR will provide the ability to tailor what is being rendered based on production phases. It will also extract model data for element information visualization and provide an interactive bill of materials. Some practical use cases include performing initial precast setup, performing pre-pour quality control checks as produced in the bed, performing post-pour quality control checks in a vertical position, and performing quality control checks for field cast elements.