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At this year’s SolidWorks World Conference-Exhibition in Anaheim, California, Lithuanian company “SolidACE” presented its brand new computer-aided structural steel modeling, analysis and detailing application “BuiltWorks 2010” that has been developed to work with “SolidWorks” 3D design system. The new software application revolutionizes the eminently mechanical 3D parametric modeling functionality of SolidWorks literally bridging the gap between manufacture and construction.

“SolidACE” was established on November 7, 2008, with the express intention of developing intuitive computer-aided design and engineering tools for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) and Plant Engineering markets. During the first year of operation, in rapidly short terms company has developed its first flagship product for structural steel design “BuiltWorks 2010”.

“What stimulated you to launch a new company and to start development of another application in competitive world”, we asked the CEO of “SolidACE”, Dr. Vladimir Popov.

– We didn’t start on a plain ground: “SolidACE” is an international joint venture of two entities – “IN RE”, UAB, the CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM solutions provider and structural engineering consulting center since 1996 and DS SolidWorks Value-Added Reseller since 2004 in Lithuania, and US based “AMC Bridge”, LLC, having a long term experience in developing applications for SolidWorks and its CAD environment.
Using our intimate knowledge of “SolidWorks” technology and dedicated experienced structural steelwork professionals allowed us to bring the benefits of state of the art solid parametric modeling technology to structural world. The engineers in these fields were eagerly searching for an intuitive and flexible 3D design environment like “SolidWorks”, and so we have delivered with “BuiltWorks”.

– What challenges does “BuiltWorks” solve with respect to technologies, how can it help the engineers?

– “BuiltWorks” was developed to meet the requirements of AEC and Plant Engineering industries for flexible and versatile tools that maintain true solid model of steel structures. It includes functions for component modeling by international steel libraries, connection detailing, and generation of drawings and bills of materials.

“BuiltWorks” functionality is targeted to support the full analysis and design lifecycle and has seamless integration of physical model to leading structural analysis and design engineering applications, particularly – STAAD.Pro.

Integration functionality includes support of SDNF to allow the flexible and efficient workflow with third party Structural and Plant applications. Support of DSTV NC industry standard enables the integration with steel manufacture machinery automation. “BuiltWorks” is flexible enough to enable external best of breed vertical market products to be linked to SolidWorks creating an open environment.

– How do you define “BuiltWorks” target markets and areas of application?

– The primary target for “BuiltWorks” is Plant and Process market – to create models for process related structural requirements in conjunction with inherent equipment and piping design functionality of “SolidWorks”. It can also be applied in traditional mechanical markets for design of heavy machinery and smaller machines where engineers often need to design structural elements for all forms of supporting frames and ancillary structures.

Of course, it can be applied in traditional AEC and Building market as a tool for developing suitable for analysis building models and then processing for connections, bills of quantities and drawings, specifically – steel framed buildings of varying complexity.

– This issue of “Made in Lithuania” is dedicated to World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China. Is your product prepared for Asian market?

– We know that “SolidWorks” is extremely popular in Asian countries – China, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia and other – and widely used both in mechanical and structural design, including AEC and Plant, and we know there are strong “SolidWorks” professionals with very good background in structural knowledge area.

Therefore we are preparing seriously for this market – from very first versions of our application “BuiltWorks 2010” we have introduced user interface in Chinese and Japanese languages. With the current release of “BuiltWorks” we add the database of National standard GB of China for steel section profiles; we are also working on other national and regional standards, including local design codes.

– You started new business facing the recession of the world economy. What are your plans for company growth?

– Year 2009 was a development stage for our new application, so we were investing mostly in R&D activities, which don’t pay off directly. We are entering the market with the mature product “BuiltWorks” right now, in the beginning of recovery of world economy. At this point there is a big demand of cost effective, efficient methods and applications for carrying the business, so we strongly believe our product will fit these requirements helping customers to make their job faster, quicker and cheaper, thus helping them to recover for the recession in a shorter time.

 
We will continue looking for establishing the relationships with reliable and serious partners, not only for “SolidWorks” resellers, but also for other structural engineering professionals, who probably established their business on other CAD platforms, but do see a potential in using or selling “SolidWorks” and its specialized add-ons, such as “BuiltWorks”. We encourage all interested persons and companies to follow up our development and participate in our software evaluation program. After all – the feedback from users is the real basis for our future development plans.