BIM is currently seen as one of the most important technologies in construction today due to its ability to improve the entire project team's ability to deliver safer, more cost-effective constructions.
Five Reasons to Outsource Your 2D and 3D CAD Drafting Services
Outsourcing any task can be difficult at first if you are used to doing everything yourself. However, there are a great many reasons why you should outsource your 2D and 3D CAD drafting services, particularly to a professional company such as National Steel Detailing.
Effective Communication Tool
Computer Aided Design drafting is a precise service offered by our team and provides a clear communication tool for all those involved in the design, architectural and build process. CAD drafting, shop drawings, or manufacturing drawings are a necessity in the building world and ensures there is no room for errors or other design issues. CAD drafting will tighten up the collaboration between everyone and make sure that all building professionals are working on the same page.
Time Saving Aspect
If you are considering your next build project, outsourcing your 2D or even your 3D CAD drafting services will give you the time to focus on other areas of the project. Overall time will also be saved as our knowledgeable team has an in-depth grasp of design and CAD software and is able to produce professional quality drawings in a timely manner.
Continuously Updated Software
As software is constantly changing and being upgraded, if you outsource the drafting services, there is no need to continuously have to learn and relearn new software processes. If you are not utilising a particular software on a regular basis, then it is almost like starting from scratch because it has been so long in between projects.
Lack of in-house expertise and skill
Your company may already work in the building industry, but you don’t have enough manpower to get this project done within the available timeframes. National Steel Detailing can act as an extension of your firm providing a service that you might not otherwise be able to give to your own clients. Our valuable CAD drafting service may also give you an edge over your competitors offering a service that they themselves may be unable to provide.
Up to date knowledge on regulations and safety practices
Just as software can change over time, so can the rules and regulations on building and safety practices. Our drafting team is fully up to date with all the building practices set out by the BCA and is always on alert to important changes in the industry. We do this so our clients don’t have to and instead, they can spend their time focusing on their personal project deadlines.
Our CAD drafting services and structural steel detailing and design work is carried out by our Sydney-based team. As we are known for our fast and accurate CAD drafting services, it makes sense that we are the first ones to turn to when you are seeking error-free solutions for your next building project.
Benefits of Moving from 2D to 3D CAD Workflows for Sheet Metal Fabricators
While the use of 3D CAD workflows is growing in popularity, many sheet metal fabricators still rely on 2D drawings to get the job done. Despite the popularity of 3D drawings in other industries, sheet metal fabricators seem to be hesitant in making the switch as 2D drawings have been used in the design and building industry for many decades with much success. But as the change from 2D to 3D brings with it many added advantages to even to the smallest of sheet metal fabricator operations, the benefits far outweigh the issues of training, increased investment and resistance to change that may be stopping progress in its tracks.
Accurate design intent
Designing in 3D provides more accurate sheet metal fabrications and demonstrates specific design intent. This method of workflow increases the quality of the overall workmanship and also reduces scrap. 3D drawings allow for better communication between all contractors and builders and everyone is clear on the work to be delivered.
Competitive playing field
In this digital age, even the smallest sheet metal fabrication operations can compete against the big companies as it all comes down to efficiency, productivity and quality of design. Utilising 3D drawings enables a smooth development process from start to finish. Repeat business is almost guaranteed when the work is done right the first time.
Greater control over craftsmanship
As any changes in 3D drawings are automatically reflected in 2D drafts, there is no doubling up of the workload. All design inconsistencies are eliminated, and fabricators are then able to produce quality output in record time. The latest CAD software also offers design automation permitting repetitive tasks to be done automatically enabling fabricators to spend more time on enhancing their projects.
Flexibility in design
With an improvement in overall quality and design accuracy, 3D software provides opportunity for greater flexibility in design, reducing the need for unnecessary rework. There is less time from conception to the fabrication stage and issues with design and project bottlenecks can be overcome with haste.
Improved collaboration
There are so many moving pieces to any building project and adopting a more practical 3D approach to the design can only work in your favour. It allows for a much-improved collaboration between contractors, designs, managers and builders and reduces the need for change orders. On such occasions that a change must be made, the 3D drawings can easily be modified without unnecessary stress.
Improve Communication With 3D CAD Modelling
Builders, engineers, project managers, contractors, designers – a lot of people are involved in a building project. But the truth is that the overall project is only going to be as successful as the communication between each of the parties. If information goes missing or if there is miscommunication at any stage of the design and development process, then more funds will need to be sourced, and the timeline pushed back to take into account these mishaps. 3D CAD modelling sets a professional tone, and there is no misinterpretation of the drawings as everyone understands where they fit into the project and what needs to be done.
Thanks to 3D modelling, designers can create realistic 3-dimensional images and everyone involved in the project has a good understanding of its overall look and feel. Communication is enhanced from the get-go and, not only can the overall design be more easily visualised by all contractors, designers and engineers, but it also serves as a clear starting point for others who tend to rely on 2D drawings.
As 2D drawings cannot display product information in full, quite often a prototype will need to be created to demonstrate the complete capabilities. This can impact the timeline of a building project, especially if the 2D model needs to be reworked and a second prototype created. Photorealistic renderings ensure that there is no such delay, ultimately speeding up the approval process without collisions or restrictions. Even a non-specialist can grasp the design of a 3D model when it is placed in front of them, and the end customer can be 100% satisfied with the realised designs.
Many companies are starting to see that there is a real return on their investment when it comes to improving technology and methodologies in the workplace. Not only are staff happier keeping abreast of the latest in 3D technology, but they strive to maximise their quality of work and increase their innovation in design.
Collaboration can quite often be forgotten if each department feels that they are operating independently of each other. 3D CAD drawings assure that everyone is acting as a team providing quick turnaround in terms of their designs, technical drawings, and assembly instructions. 3D models are most definitely a useful tool which enables everyone inside and outside the company to set more realistic goals and communicate their requirements more efficiently without error.
Outsourcing CAD Can Help Reduce Product Development Costs
To stay competitive in the engineering and design world, you must be able to keep your product development costs as low as possible. While outsourcing is not a new concept, many companies, particularly smaller ones, don’t fully conceptualise that outsourcing CAD can also be particularly beneficial to them.
Maintain your trust
Your organisation may not have the infrastructure to develop CAD modelling in-house, and in these circumstances, it can be a smart money-saving strategy to outsource to a reliable company. Perhaps you don’t have the staff available to get the job done efficiently and then fail to meet a tight timeline, thus jeopardising your client relationships. By outsourcing, you can guarantee that the work will be done in time and on budget and maintain your professionalism throughout the whole project. It is one of the best ways there is to make the most of your available resources. Remember it only takes one misstep for your customers never to consider you for a second project.
Reduce staff fluctuation
Outsourcing CAD for your designing and drawing can mean that your staff can spend more time on other core business activities which bring in the dollars. And, if you find that you don’t require the services of a full-time employee to do the CAD drawing, then outsourcing can be one of the smartest things you can do for your business. Not only will you not have to pay a full-time wage and cover an extra staff member’s benefits, but you don’t have the additional expenses that go with hiring a new employee such as technical equipment costs. Remember, no one wants to go through the unnecessary stress of hiring and firing through a fluctuating workload. Continuity in the workflow is always best from everyone’s perspective.
Offer efficient and error-free services
Outsourcing your CAD means that you only pay for the services as and when you need them. This equates to fewer dollars spent and a greater efficiency in your company processes; a win-win for everyone. With a higher capacity for drawing production and a lower cost per drawing, your resources won’t be stretched so thinly. Outsourcing is a clever way to accomplish all you can in a limited amount of time, particularly if you are short on office staff or have an abundance of projects coming through your door with a quick turnaround time. If your team are too busy or even overworked with little downtime, then errors may be missed despite their best efforts.
Be the best in the business
Training may be necessary to get your team up to speed with the latest in CAD technology, and again, outsourcing can mean that the work will be done exactly as required without that additional headache and strain on your resources. Outsourcing is also helpful for that one big project that you would typically turn away because you are limited in staff. Consider the advantages before you say no to future customers. Offering a service such as CAD drawings, even if you outsource, is a great thing to do for your business as you are leveraging the skills of another company to boost your own. You will be able to offer a competitive service, which is genuinely cost saving to your overall business.
As with any project, clear communication from start to finish is your guarantee of success and keeping the costs low. Be sure always to ask questions of any company you wish to partner with, so you know exactly what will be delivered. This way, all charges will be completely transparent without any surprise, and it will work out to be a mutually beneficial relationship for all parties involved.
