XLam Australia, Timber Concept, Hasslacher Norica Timber, Katerra, KLH, Lendlease, ZMP, J. u A. Frischeis, Stora Enso, Mayr-Melnhof and Structurecraft are in this case not a list of the who's who of the global CLT scene but just a small excerpt of the customer list of hsbcad. Next to the majority of renowned CLT producers, also a lot of planners are relying on the tried-and tested CAD/CAM solution. The reasons for this are manifold, even though customers tend to particularly highlight hsbcad's flexibility as well as great service.
The best solution
Timber Concept plante dieses zweigeschossige Bürogebäude namens „LKF“ in Riga mithilfe der hsbcad-Software © Timber Concept
Based in the German part of the Bodensee area, planning enterprise Timber Concept realizes timber engineering and CLT projects around the globe. Its customer base consists of, amongst others, timber construction companies, building firms and architects as well as planners and investors. Depending on the customers' needs, the company's services range from feasibility studies and concepts to static calculations and construction drawings and implementation planning.
Already in its founding phase six years ago, the young planning office opted for the CAD/CAM solution by hsbcad. "If you want to realize large free forms and bow string truss constructions only a few software solutions are left that can be considered. And if you additionally plan to work a lot with CLT, hsbcad is definitely the right address", Timber Concept manager Markus Tiling remembers his decision-making process back then.
Today, he and his team are particularly taken with the flexibility and the continuous development of the program. "No matter if it is a problem or a suggestion – generally, hsbcad's employees react promptly and utterly competent to our requests", as David Weizsäcker, CAD constructing engineer, puts it. Another advantage according to the carpenter is the software's wide distribution. If – as is often the case – also the CLT producer is working with hsbcad, 3D projects can be transferred in the original DWG format. This omits new constructions and therefore eliminates an otherwise frequent source of error.
Sharing saves time and nerves
Over a year ago already, hsbcad took a concrete step toward BIM with its application hsbshare. It allows for directly uploading IFC models into the cloud and sharing them. The technician, for instance, can load the model directly at the construction site and if some things aren't clear they can immediately contact the planner. Weizsäcker likes the idea, especially for projects that are far apart, but he is hoping for a "more user-friendly application". hsbcad is already working on fulfilling this customer request and will present a new user interface for hsbshare at the Wood Construction Conference in Garmisch-Partenkirchen 2018.
No interfaces
The "Moholt 50/50" realized by Stora Enso is the biggest solid wood project in Norway © Stora Enso
MP Holzbausysteme has also been working with hsbcad since its founding days. Unlike Timber Concept, ZMP was sure of this decision right from the beginning: "In this area, Stora Enso is working exclusively with hsbcad. As a subsidiary, our implementation plans go directly into production, exactly as they are, all thanks to hsbcad", carpenter Roland Berger reports.
First and foremost, Berger appreciates the clearly defined features as well as the broad spectrum of tools that the user can dispose of. Under the umbrella term "dynamic tools", hsbcad unites customizable and flexible processing options. Berger mentions the memory option for the direction of fiber or the elements number, but also the provision for electric processing: "With only one click, for instance, I can place a triple power socket – and our Hundegger machines take this into account during joining."
Internationally in demand
For project "Cap Marais", Hasslacher used the new implementations of prefabricated roof components from wood-concrete-composite, X-fix C as well as tongue-and-groove joints in the joint area © Hasslacher Norica Timber
But not only planners but also the industry is relying on hsbcad. Next to many European
companies, international top players rank among the software specialist's customers such as XLam Australia, Structurecraft, Lendlease or industry newcomer Katerra.
The Austrian timber industry Hasslacher Norica Timber made the changeover to hsbcad for CLT planning four years ago. "Compared to other solutions, hsbcad is designed as simple as possible. The software works and additionally is improved constantly", Peter Pleschberger reports. The design draftsman at Hasslacher is in charge of implementation and further development of the program. Especially for the timber industry from Carinthia, hsbcad for instance programmed an attachment for the newly developed wood-concrete-composite elements.
Continuous development
Working closely together with the industry, hsbcad continuously works on additional system implementations such as the timber-to-timber bonding agent X-Fix by Schilcher Trading & Engineering. Other examples for current developments are the incorporation of a new TTV connector by Rothoblaas or CLT connectors by Sherpa, according to hsbcad manager Gottfried Jäger. The last two implementations will be presented for the first time in December in Garmisch.
Another noteworthy development took place in the area of nesting for materials optimization. Meanwhile, hsbNesting offers a simple way for rectangle nesting while the large solution hsbNesting PRO provides a feature for contour-related optimization. With the latter option it is possible to specify raw panel sizes or determine optimal sizes.
