STRUMIS launches Estimodelling: A new era in estimating

What is Estimodelling and how important is it in today’s competitive market?

Well, before we investigate what Estimodelling is all about, let’s look back at how steel structures have traditionally been estimated by the steel fabricators.

• 1970 - Paper drawings/calculator. Very reliant upon experienced estimators
• 1985 - Advent of estimating software program STRUMIS – manual take-off
• 1990 - 2D CAD models, AutoCAD, manual take-off inside STRUMIS
• 2000 - 3D wireframe models. BOM import to STRUMIS using “norms” for fittings

For many years, the STRUMIS Estimating software program has been synonymous with greater estimating speed and accuracy. Well now, our all-new Estimodelling feature is taking the process of estimating steel structure projects, to a whole new level of speed, control, consistency and accuracy.

STRUMIS Estimodelling is the ability to import, in seconds, a fully connected steel project model from 3D detailing programs such as Tekla Structures and SDS2.

For many years, STRUMIS has had the ability to import BOM’s from any electronic source, the big difference now, is that the connection details and weld data is detected, imported and costed accurately, in comparison to industry norms in the past, which have provided a “reasonable assumption” for connection details and process times such as cutting and drilling.

Weld Data - Estimodelling allows the weld data within the 3D model to be considered as a vital component and can be costed for time and labour of laying the weld and also the cost of the weld wire needed to lay the weld too.

Connection Details – Estimodelling now allows all connections and main bar material, to be considered, with precise manufacturing cut and drill times. Each beam and plate will be analysed for thickness and hole diameter, ultimately resulting in manufacturing process times, but at the early stage of estimating your steel projects.

Fully Connected Assemblies – All main bar material for any assembly is now associated with its connection details or fittings. This new hierarchy of fittings and main bar material of all assemblies allows weld time, weld cost, main bar material, fittings material, and fittings production times and costs to be calculated in seconds.

What are the benefits STRUMIS Estimodelling provides?

• Incredible Speed – Importing your 3D CAD models in seconds
• 100% Accuracy – the whole 3D CAD model is imported and costed
• Calculate All Costs – Main members and fittings costs are priced
• True Process Times – All parts and assemblies are timed and costed
• Import Weld Data – 100% accurate as modelled on welding times and costs
• Security - Peace-of-mind of bid accuracy.
• Intuitive - User friendly and modern interface
• Real-Time Job Costing - Estimate v Actual live & accurate job costing
• Consistency – No more reliance upon experienced estimators
• Knowledge Retention – Software programs retain knowledge, staff retire

STRUMIS continue to drive technological advances and support the steel fabrication and construction industry through innovative ideas and by listening to what the industry needs.

Estimodelling will benefit many steel fabrication companies in establishing quick and accurate estimates in double-quick time. From larger, super-size steel fabricators to smaller SME size steel fabricators, the benefits of STRUMIS Estimodelling are for all.