Builders of tubular structures got a boost this week with the release of Finnish company Tekla and Dutch outfit HGG's software solution for tubular profiles.

HGG and Tekla, whose biggest U.S. customer is Bechtel, have been developing the standardization sofware solution for the steel tube industry since 2007.

A new Tekla Structures 15 introduces control data for numerically controlled, or NC machinery in standard open XML format. Tekla Structures is the only solution on the market to cover all 3D tubular structures from design and detailing to automatic fabrication.

Data transfer with tubular sections has been possible but has required several manual operations and editing of data to complete the process. By completing the 3D building information model with a wide range of tubular connections, it is now possible to export information to tube profiling machines via XML as the new industry standard.

The new suite includes a visualization module for 3D representations of cutting shapes on tubular structures

All information about tubular sections can now be managed and kept up-to-date in the structural building information model so that all data for fabrication can be extracted from one source. This does not require any manual input or editing anymore, as even complex tubular connections can be handled automatically.

The objective had been the input of parameters into Tekla Structures such as root opening, shrinkage, bevel, and profile type. The new NC application creates the required control data file in XML format from these parameters, and HGG calculation module generates contour information from this file to be used as input when visualizing weld preparations in the Tekla Structures 3D environment.

The NC application will be distributed as part of the standard installation of Tekla Structures 15 Steel Detailing configuration.

Tags: HGG, Tekla