Knauf Insulation has engaged in strategic partnership with construction data experts coBuilder for digitising and delivering BIM-ready product data.
The Product Data Template-based BIM data software goBIM is the most recent addition to coBuilder’s product portfolio. The tool was launched recently in an enhanced version based on trials with UK and international manufacturers.
It is a tool that allows manufacturers to share their data in a structured way that is based on European, national, industry-wide, legal and market-specific requirements and standards, giving manufacturers the opportunity to communicate in the languages and BIM formats that they require.
goBIM will enable Knauf Insulation to distribute their product data to various actors in the construction industry, allowing customers to query product properties and subsequently have the data mapped and structured to BIM formats such as IFC, Revit, or ArchiCAD.
Once the data is BIM ready, they will be able to browse products based on specific property criteria (e.g. fire rating), which will enable them to easily find the most suitable solutions for their projects.
Stephen Smith, marketing manager at Knauf Insulation, commented: ‘”We are pleased to be the first insulation manufacturer on goBIM. As a truly innovative company, we are delighted to be able to make our data available to our customers in multiple BIM formats.
The Product Data Templates (PDTs) in goBIM are based on properties described in CEN, CENELEC, ISO, national standards, and openBIM formats i.e. IFC/COBie or data required by market actors. The template structure is researched and developed in conjunction with the CEN 442 WG4 committee on data dictionaries and standards and with relevant national programmes.
This holistic approach allows the PDTs to be easily altered according to different use cases, so once the data is added by the manufacturer it can be used in the formats required by the manufacturers or their supply chain. By using the buildingSMART Data Dictionary, coBuilder will map Knauf Insulation’s data to major naming conventions such as the European Uniclass and the American Omniclass, making the product information interoperable.
Mr Smith continued: ”We have been looking for a future-proof solution that goes beyond the 3D objects capabilities and will help us meet the demands of our organisation and our partners, without the need for significant software implementation and investment. We have found this solution with coBuilder.”
goBIM has also recently been in the spotlight thanks to winning the 2016 CE Wales Awards competition within the ‘Innovation’ category. The tool is now open for registration, free of charge, for UK and international manufacturers and lets them digitise up to three of their products by creating Product Data Sheets for them.
