ifc4Precast the new standard in building information modeling
IFC4precast is a completely new concept for Building Information Model (BIM) data exchange, especially for the prefab industry. The digitization of the precast industry proceeds with big steps, to support and integrate the involved software systems like CAD, MES, PPS and ERP better in this evolution, several strong and well-known software vendors of this industry came together and founded the new buildingSMART working group IFC4precast, initiated by customers.
The project is aimed at creating an internationally standardized interface maintained by the industry. As prefabricated products are getting more complicated, demand for a more capable model exchange interface is on the rise.
wieso ifc4precast?
Current development of BIM focuses on documenting the building process by enriching and standardizing architectural and technical building models. At the moment, the prefabrication process is not deeply integrated into this development. IFC is already used as a standard exchange format between architectural software systems, but most of the contained information is lost in the subsequent data exchange process between specialized precast CAD solutions and automation facilities such as precast MES (manufacturing execution systems), Production Planning systems and ERP systems. Current interfaces between precast CAD and MES are inflexible and unable to adapt to new requirements.

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Advantages of IFC4Precast
- | model-oriented transfer in 3D
- | segmented export from CAD to MES, enables small amounts of data for the transfer
- | detailed transfer of element-, mounting- and reinforcement information
- | compatibility and support by free available IFC viewers
- | continous BIM-based data model
model-based data exchange for prefabrication industry
The current development of BIM focuses on the documentation of the construction process by enriching and standardizing architectural and technical building models. The prefabrication process is not deeply anchored in this development at present. IFC is already used as the standard exchange format between architectural software systems, but the information it contains is lost during subsequent data exchange to specialized, precast software systems (CAD, MES, PPS, ERP). Current interfaces between precast CAD and MES are inflexible and very difficult to adapt to new requirements. The project aims to create an international, standardized interface that is maintained by the industry. As prefabricated products become more and more complex, the demand for a more powerful model data exchange interface increases.
Publications:
CPI Concrete Plant International - IFC4PRECAST – A COMPLETELY NEW CONCEPT FOR THE PRECAST INDUSTRY