Borabela Construction System

Scouting for new solutions

www.vertex.fiV E R T E X S Y S T E M S O Y

Truss frame designto a whole new level

Vertex BD 2014 BIM: Making things clearer

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Vertex Systems Oy provides highly effi cient software products for technical design and data management, as well as expert services.

Vertex software boosts the customer’s business by improving the capacity of the design, sales and production teams.

Vertex Systems was founded in 1977 and it has exported over 8000 software licencies to 35 countries.

Vertex Systems Oy (Headquarters) Vaajakatu 9, FI-33720 Tampere Tel. +358 3 313 411. Fax +358 3 3134 1450

Editor in chief: Kai Ojalammi

Editorial staff : Viestintätoimisto Tulus Oy

Customer magazine ofVertex Systems Oy

www.vertex.fi

Engineering software

Building

Interior

Mechanical

Electrical and Automation

Plant

Data management software

DesignStream

Flow

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Vertex BD makes it easy to focus on your task. New context sensitive menus and object tree boosts the designers effi cency and user experience.

VERTEX BD, a fl exible CAD software platform for home builders, is continuing its eff orts to make design processes more fl exible, effi cient and productive. More features, focusing on usability, are included in the newest software version, Vertex BD 2014.Context sensitive menus help the user fi nd the right

object that they want to modify. The new type of menu systems limits the visible features and thus improves the effi cency of the design process. When a certain object is selected the software will show the designer only the options that are avaialble to them, improving the design process and drastically reducing the learning curve for new software users.‒ Most of the users are familar with this intuitive

technique that guides you through the design process. It helps the designer focus on what they are doing, describes Product Manager Jukka Haho.‒ Through the object tree it’s easy to create an

overview of the project in progress, modify components, view objects and manage visibility. Visibility management has been at the top of our customer’s wish lists.

Increase the focus Vertex BD 2014

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Context sensitive menu when Wall/Wall layer/Edge of wall /Wall end is selected.

Main thesis of Vertex BD 2014• Context Sensitive Menu: optimized view, smooth work fl ow

• Object Tree: focus on BIM visibility

• Truss Generator and Truss Engineering: more intelligent tools for truss frame design

• Renewed rendering: image based lighting, area light, indirect lighting and much more

• Frame Design: faster generation and modifi cation process for multilayer structures

The object tree view is our answer to our customers demands.

Keeping up with times

The other major features of Vertex BD 2014 include tools for truss engineering, rendering and frame design. Floor, ceiling and roof framing can be generated using fl exible but consistent tools and multilayered structures can be modifi ed faster. A new door and window library and interface has also been launched.The development of the Vertex BD software platform

is driven by the continuous demands of the building industry and ever changing building regulations.The design process is of paramount importance and

the versatile and reliable solutions that Vertex off er play a key part in cost eff ective operations that meet that demand.Since its establishment in the 1980s, the purpose of

the Vertex software platform has always been to inspire the user and, furthermore, to off er the best possible

benefi t to the house manufacturing industry.‒ The benefi ts gained from good usability and a

smooth design process translate directly into the house builders’ project lead-times. The more complicated structural engineering is to do, the greater the risk for mistakes becomes ‒ and fi xing them takes time, Haho explains.According to Haho, there are two parallel lines in the

development of Vertex BD. One is visible to the end-users as improvement in the user interface and tools. Another is the development that take place ‘under the hood’, so to speak. ‒ For instance, we must make sure that the software

can run even large projects with ease. The size and content of the design models are constantly increasing, as 3D modeling becomes more and more common, Haho adds. Improving usability also means keeping up with the

times: people are used to eff ortless usability of technical equipment in their free time, which means that they expect nothing less from the software they use at work.

Increase the focus

“The most customizable framing generator available in

Vertex BD includes consistent framing layout tools for walls, fl oors, ceilings and roofs.”

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V E R T E X G L O B A L V I S I O N | R U S S I A

Steel machine manufacturer Bora are takiing over the Cold Formed Steel framing machine market with a serious, strategic approach. Vertex software was chosen to fulfill their various needs in CFS – Cold Form Steel, engineering and running powerful machines.

From Moscow with Vertex

MOSCOW-BASED company Bora, an established steel machine producer, was founded in 2001. The company specializes in the manufacturing of modern automated equipment for processing cold-formed steel products.

Today the company has its own production facilities and modern fleet of roll-forming and metalworking equipment. In the area of roll-forming equipment Bora is one of the leading Russian manufacturers.

In 2013, the company introduced a new line of automated roll-forming equipment for the emerging cold formed steel market, focusing on the low rise residential

and commercial market.The choice of Vertex software for Bora machines was

not accidental. The company implements a fundamental and comprehensive approach to the Russian LGS market. Bora’s requirement was for the most advanced, sophisticated and well supported software package for project design and engineering. But this needed to be coupled with the ability to drive their powerful rollforming machines.

Vertex has fulfilled Bora s demanding expectation. – I truly believe that in the face of Vertex we have found

Sergey Zikov, the head of LSF department

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Distinguishing features of Bora advanced approach:• heavy and powerful machines with output metal thickness up to 2 mm• high degree of automation of the entire process from design to manufacturing• convenient widescreen LCD display interfaces • electronic components and drivers from leading world manufacturers• advantages of the Russian manufacturer such as fast service, technical support and spare parts supply• central offi ce in Moscow

a reliable partner, a strong developer of software for CFS design and the construction market, comments Bora CEO Alexander Andreev.

Vertex s good reputation in Russia, as well as the company’s presence in the country, was important for Bora when choosing a strategic partner.

– This spoke about the status of the company and its interest in promoting Vertex software in the Russian market.

An automated roll-forming production line “Bora LSTK” is a remarkable result of joint cooperation. It is a complete solution for the production of CFS structures, generated together with leading specialized software product Vertex “BORACAD”.

– We have found a partner who promptly responds with understanding to all our wishes, Mr. Andreev sums up.

Južno-Sahalinsk

Jakutsk

NovokuznetskNizhnevartovsk

MoscowYaroslavl

Cherepovets

Saint-Petersburg

Kaliningrad

Tula

Tambov

Yekaterinburg

Ufa

Balakovo

Nizhny NovgorodKirov

Saratov

Magnitogorsk

TolyattiVolgograd

Voronezh

Nazran

Krasnodar

Omsk

Krasnoyarsk

Irkutsk

Bora showed the public its fi rst Vertex run CFS equipment at the Mosbuild Expo, Moscow between April 1st and 4th 2014.

Bora have customers fromBaltic Sea to the Pacifi c Ocean

Borabela, a newgeneration construction system for building industry, is facing the turbulent market situation with good drive.

V E R T E X G L O B A L V I S I O N | C Z E C H

THE CZECH BASED COMPANY Borabela are constantly scouting for new ways to challenge the conventional construction technologies, aiming to maximize the quality and cost-eff ectiveness of building processes. Recent market fl uctuations have thus been favourable for the company.

– Investors, construction companies, architects and designers are forced to search for new solutions that are more and more economical and technically advanced, comments Alexander Bory, Manager of Strategic Development at Borabela.

– Our aim is to be able to serve our customers with the best possible quality, scheduling and pricing at the same time.

Borabela is off ering design and building expertise for various projects from family houses to multi-story apartment buildings. The Borabela construction system is converting smart architectural design into an optimal construction process, aiming to reduce the costs of logistics, building materials and overall construction time.

Borabela’s core business activities include design and development services, as well as innovation and technology scouting. Assembly of frames and on-site

steel structures is also part of the company’s portfolio. Borabela has a strong position in the Czech market:

it is the only company with both production and design know-how of Light Gauge Steel Framing technology (LGSF).

Expanding the portfoliothrough Vertex

Vertex was included into Borabela’s toolbox in 2013 and their experiences with the software and the advantages it presents have been extremely positive.

Vertex has been used to illustrate building models and structures to customers using the 3D PDF format for ease. The sales department have used Vertex for material estimations and delivering quotations to customers. For the design department the seemless link to the Howick roll-forming machine has improved the overall building process immeasurably. Because of the increase in effi cency, any savings can be passed to the customers making the Borabela LGS solution even more appealing.

The overall experience of Vertex is extremely positive.

– The possibility to show customers the real structure of the project at an early stage is important.

– Vertex has helped us to expand our portfolio and win more projects, Bory summarizes.

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Scoutingfor newsolutions

“Investors, construction companies, architects and designers are forced to search for new solutions

that are more and more economical andtechnically advanced.”

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Borabela Construction System – Cornerstones

SPEED – An effective way of prefabrication in the production hall and rapid installation of skeleton constructions on site.

QUALITY – Precise automated factory production and assembly of sub-structures.

PRICE – Precise cost calculation for the complete project lifecycle, from planning, design and manufacturing to the finished project on the building site.

JADARHUS GROUP, the fastest growing regional house builder in south-west Norway, construct around 200 housing units every year. High quality and careful, accurate planning processes are of utmost importance in Jadarhus’s diverse projects, which include apartments, terraced houses and detatched houses. The company also carries out renovation work on existing buildings on behalf of private home owners, corporate entities and housing cooperatives.

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format, an open interchangeable fi le format that is applicable for Vertex BD, has turned out to

Cutting out problems

Completed fl oor structure and fi rst draft of ventilation IFC model. Note that holes for ventilation have been moved. Changes to ventilation were reported back to the party responsible.

be a good tool in challenging projects that involve many diff erent companies and products. Jadarhus has actively been using this method for two recent detached house projects. They are happy with the results.

In both houses, originally drawn by renowned architect Tommie Wilhelmsen, the roof structure proved to be challenging for traditional materials. Special truss beams were thus made by an external party that was not using a Vertex product.

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Norwegian house builder Jadarhus is happy with Vertex BD’s new IFC format, importing IFC reference geometry into the Vertex model. It makes any unforeseen problems easy to recognize and eliminate.

V E R T E X G L O B A L V I S I O N | N O R W A Y

Completed framing model with imported IFC of roof structure and ventilation.

Architectural model of one of the houses.

– A lot of beams were made into the trusses and it was essential to know exactly where loads were located. The framing for the houses was designed at the same time as the trusses, explains Ole Petter Sandve, Sales Consultant at Jadarhus.

The framing layout with the imported IFC truss model played an important role in successful projects. A separate IFC model of the ventilation, also from a 3rd party, was also imported into the Vertex BD model during the framing process.

Potential problems were identifi ed early and quickly. These problems were reported and project modifcations were made early in the design process, saving costs at the construction site.

Vertex BD, in general, also gets good assessment from Sandve.

– We use the PDF module to send 3D models to our customers. It s easier to get a customer’s interest when they can see the model, not only a drawing. This is clearly a competitive advantage for us.

Energy-effi cient, aff ordable homes

Energy-effi ciency is an important focus for Jadarhus. Since 1996, when the company started to operate, it has continuously tried out new construction methods and ever more effi cient energy solutions. The goal has always been to build even better, more attractive and more energy-effi cient homes at a price aff ordable to most people.

Jadarhus designed and built its fi rst low-energy home as early as 2003, in cooperation with Husbanken and Norsk Byggforsk. It was the Nordic region’s fi rst Active House, a good start for company s Isobo concept.

In 2010 Jadarhus developed and built ISOBO Aktiv, a completely new type of extra-energy-effi cient home. ISOBO Aktiv, situated at Sandved, is one of the most energy-effi cient homes in Norway and in certain periods it generates more energy than it consumes.

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A NEW COMPANY Vertex Systems AS is now off ering a comprehensive service for customers of Vertex products in Norway.

– Through the new company we are now able to provide better services for customers in the whole country, says Ole K. Øverland, part owner of Vertex Systems AS.

The new company was launched at Norwayʼs largest exhibition for the building industry, Bygg Reis Deg, where Vertex Systems AS management met with many existing and potential customers.

– We are looking forward to the next year, Øverland comments with enthusiasm.

Proby AS, former reseller for Vertex Systems Oy in Norway, originally an architectural and engineering company, is focusing on their main business areas and no longer provide support or training services.

Vertex Systems AStakes over the service

VERTEX was acquired by the company at the beginning of last year with the main aim being to improve their business and their customer service. Houthandel Reynders sells wooden products, sheets and other materials for construction and renovation works in houses, gardens and other interiors. Processing and finishing materials, as well as producing standard sizes and tailored packages are also part of the company’s portfolio.

Benefits of Vertex software became evident shortly after new software initialization.

– Vertex have proved they add value not only for our company, but also for our customers, tells Luc Reynders from Houthandel Reynders.

– With Vertex we can offer overall, carefully tailored packages for our customers. Material calculations have been refined and the percentage of

timber loss is clearly reducing. Customers are happy, Mr. Reynders praises. Vertex is also saving time and anxiety at the building site. This means as a

result there is less sawing, measuring and uncertainty as the roofs, wooden frames and outhouses of Reynder’s customers are constructed.

Houthandel Reynders, a Belgien family business, utilizes Vertex to tailor their products and services for it’s customers. Concrete, visual plans and optimized material expenses are fitting well into their customer s needs.

Savings for the customer

V E R T E X G L O B A L V I S I O N | B E N E L U X

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The new president of Argos Systems Inc. believes in the product and the recovering market

V E R T E X G L O B A L V I S I O N | U S A

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THE POSITIVE OUTLOOK springs from a strong belief in the product at hand. “Vertex BD is the best software solution available in the market. For production home builders, component manufacturers and panelizers our solution brings

unbeatable benefits. Our clients are continuously saving enormous amounts of design time and

cost, by using Vertex BD and its unique house optioning system and intelligent construction drawing generation tools”, says Moilanen.

Moilanen has stepped in at an interesting time as new and innovative solutions have become available for builders. Home builders

“The housing market is recovering well in the U.S. and I’m really looking forward to continuing with Vertex sales in the North American market” says the freshly appointed new president of Argos Systems Inc., Pekka Moilanen.

everywhere are currently adopting the new BIM technology. BIM is the most advanced technology available in increasing productivity in the building industry.

“While builders will embrace the benefits of building information modeling, Argos Systems will have a big opportunity in providing services utilizing BIM technology with Vertex BD tools to North American builders”, Moilanen adds.

As the new president of Argos Systems Moilanen will concentrate on developing the company’s marketing strategy, organizing sales and developing the business further.

Pekka Moilanen has a strong background of six years in CAD and PLM solution sales at Argos Systems joint venture partner company, Vertex Systems of Finland, focusing on the European market.

Piping system expert GS-Hydro harmonizes and enhances its international operations with Vertex Flow data management software. The global management of product data with a single piece of software enables efficient and flexible operations.

GS-HYDRO manufactures piping systems for oil rigs, mining, and the aviation industry, among others, with operations in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Non-welded piping systems are in high demand particularly for systems that use hydraulics, in which high-pressure liquid needs to be transported and the cleanliness of the surfaces is of great importance.

The cooperation of GS-Hydro and Vertex began in 1992, when the company began using Vertex Plant software in the design of seamless piping systems for demanding applications, tailored to the needs of the customer.

GS-Hydro’s plant is located in Hämeenlinna, Finland, but the customers operate all over the world. The company has offices in 15 countries. Future developments for the company include investing strongly in its operations in the off-shore business and after-sales service. Another important goal is to make the company’s international operations smoother. This is where Vertex Flow comes in.

“The company has made a strategic decision to harmonize its practices, for enhanced operations. The updating of the design software and the implementation of Vertex Flow are part of this process,” explains GS Hydro’s system specialist Mikko Rupponen.

“When using the same software all over the world, we can obtain better cooperation, flexibility, and efficiency. Work does not have to be repeated, and no time is wasted in transferring information from one system to another”, he continues.

G4Plant is now used by 30–40 designers at the company. With Vertex Flow, the number of users will grow significantly when professionals in other fields

V E R T E X G L O B A L V I S I O N | F I N L A N D

Seamless cooperation

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G4Plant manages demanding projects successfully

GS-Hydro has had positive experiences of the Vertex software. The three-dimensional design software for pipes and plant systems from Vertex, G4Plant, meets the needs of the company and grows with them.

The modeling of GS-Hydro’s components for the first product of the G4 generation, version 16, started in 2009. Today, version 20 is in use. For 2014, updates to G4Plant include easier 2D representation of 3D models and direct routing of multi-layer hybrid-material pipes. With the G4Plant software, the piping system can be designed from the draft stage all the way to the final documents.

The piping design projects carried out with G4Plant show great variety, and their duration ranges from a few days to a full year.

“This is a very customer-oriented and customized operation. For example, we have handled the piping system for a vessel sailing in Japan’s seismic-stress-prone area,” Rupponen says.

Rupponen mentions good customer service and user support as some of the benefits of the G4Plant. Customers’ ideas are heard and implemented.

“The company is Finnish, as are we. I know the staff well and we work together well”, he explains.

“We offer them a lot of ideas that Vertex implements in to the software. This is why we decided to continue using Vertex during the competitive bidding to be our designing company a few years ago”, Rupponen concludes.

start to use the Vertex solution as well. Flow aids in assigning or, alternatively, centralizing information as required. More resources can be obtained from wherever they are available.

“The number of licenses will increase significantly. We have been rapidly expanding to Europe and Asia in recent years,” says Rupponen.

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Best Tools Ever for CFS Truss Frame Design

THE VERTEX BIM MODEL includes all the information that is needed by the intelligent truss frame generator.

Trusses are created interactively based on the shape of the roof and the layout of the ceiling and walls below. The designer has the ability to defi ne certain truss parameters and details, which allows for a highly optimised and effi cient truss design process.

Create Truss Layout Easily

• Create the truss layout easily based on the roof shape and the supporting structures below• Hip end generation based on type selection and user defi ned parameters and details

Intelligent Truss Frame Generator

• Add vertical members over bearing structures and connecting trusses• Defi ne truss web position and spacing, profi le sizes, ties and generation rules• User defi nable default settings• Manage all shapes of trusses

The new Intelligent Truss Frame Generator and Truss Frame Engineering in Vertex BD 2014 take truss frame design to a whole new level. Intelligent Truss Frame Generator automates the truss frame design process using the information in the architectural model.

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Best Tools Ever for CFS Truss Frame Design

Immediate Analysiswith Truss Engineering

Vertex BD 2014 also introduces a new Truss Engineering solution, which gives the ability to immediately analyze the strength of truss structures. Truss Engineering is published containing support for the Australian building code. Other market areas will be available in the near future.

Features• user defi nes the structural loads for the project based on location, wind, dead and live loads.• the loads are generated into the model• load distribution to trusses• support recognition• additional loads defi nition (point, linear, planar)• capacity calculation of truss member based on engineering code• comprehensive calculation result report

Export• IFC• Staad Pro

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Streamline your house project

Sales – Design – Production – Assembly

Vertex Systems Oy • (Headquarters) Vaajakatu 9, 33720 Tampere, FINLAND • Tel. +358 3 313411 • info@vertex.fi • http://www.vertex.fi

United Kingdom • Vertex Systems UK • infoUK@vertex.fi • http://uk.vertex.fi

Australia • Vertex CAD/PDM Systems Pty Ltd • info@vertexaustralia.com • www.vertexaustralia.com

Benelux • CAD Serviceburo bvba • jos.stals@cadserviceburo.be • http://www.cadserviceburo.be

Norway • Vertex Systems AS • reimund@proby.no • http://www.proby.no

Russia • Dream House Ltd. • sales@vertexsystems.ru • http://vertexsystems.ru

USA • Argos Systems Inc. • pekka.moilanen@argos.com • http://www.argos.com