CIMclad: Project Summary

Computer Integrated Manufacture of Cladding Systems

Introduction • To implement and test the concepts prototype
CIMclad is a collaborative project involving model using standard CAD technology (configured
Loughborough University, Leeds University and twelve to support the product model) and knowledge
industrial collaborators. The aim is to explore the from industrial partners
potential for using emerging IT tools and modelling • To propose a road map for the cladding sector as a
paradigms to increase the standardisation of procedures whole to realise computer integrated design and
and the efficiency of business processes within the manufacturing.
building cladding sector. The initial two-year research
programme ran from April 2000 to March 2002 and Deliverables
was specifically focused on Rainscreen cladding. This Project Reports
work is continuing with two RAIS industrial • Potential for process improvement within the
secondments. In the longer term, the CIMclad cladding sector
initiative is intended to lead to the computer-integrated
• IT usage and potential within the cladding sector
design and manufacture of cladding systems.
• Performance specifications for Rainscreen cladding
• Deployment scenarios and evaluation criteria for
Industrial Problems
prototype software
The type of problem characteristic of the cladding
sector that CIMclad will contribute to reducing include: • Evaluations arising from industrial deployment of
prototype software
• Inadequate capture of client needs.
• CIM road map for the cladding sector
• Lack of integration of information (client needs,
Information Technology
design, manufacture and installation).
• Product model for Rainscreen cladding
• Data generated at one stage not readily available
for reuse downstream or on future projects. • Prototype design software for Rainscreen cladding
• Insufficient co-ordination between the participants
(clients, designers, systems suppliers, specialist sub- Dissemination
contractors, installers, main contractors, etc.). • Web http://www. cimclad.com
• Sub-optimal design solutions. • Industry workshops
• Lack of true life-cycle analysis of projects. • Presentations and technical papers
• Lack of communication of design intent leading to
unwarranted design changes, unnecessary liability Funding
claims and increase in design time and cost. The project is funded by EPSRC/DETR under the
LINK Innovative Manufacturing Initiative scheme
• Inadequate pre and post-design specifications.
“Meeting Clients Needs through Standardisation”.
• Lack of standardisation in product description thus Including the industrial partners contribution, the total
information and data exchange problems. value is some £520k.
• Lack of standardisation of interfaces between
different types of cladding and between cladding
systems and main structure.
Research Team
Chimay Anumba, Alistair Gibb, Emeka Agbasi
• Growing pressure on specialist sub-contractors to Department of Civil and Building Engineering
exchange information in electronic format (with Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU
Tel: +44 (0) 1509 223097
systems suppliers and construction project teams). Email: c.j.anumba@lboro.ac.uk
• Lack of a co-ordinated approach and an overall
sector strategy. Alastair Watson, Abdulla Kalian
CAE Group, Department of Civil Engineering
University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
Objectives Tel: +44 (0) 113 3432282
The longer-term CIMclad goal is to deliver to the Email: a.s.watson@leeds.ac.uk
cladding sector strategic benefits similar to those
delivered to the structural steel sector by the CIMsteel Industrial Partners
project. The current project has the following Buro Happold
Centre for Window & Cladding Technology
objectives: CGL Cometec
• To establish the potential for process Corus Group
improvements through the standardisation of Council for Aluminium in Building
Geoffrey Reid Associates
procedures and more effective use of IT. Glamalco Ltd
• To consolidate a set of standard specifications for Sapa Bulding Systems
layered cladding walls. Kawneer UK Ltd
Ove Arup and Partners
• To develop a product model to support aspects of Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd
Rainscreen cladding such as specification, design, Whitby Bird & Partners
manufacture and construction.

June 2002
CIMclad: Newsletter 2
Computer Integrated Manufacture of Cladding Systems
Introduction
This is the second in occasional series of
newsletters from CIMclad (details of the original
CIMclad project are given overleaf). In this
newsletter project reports four to seven are
introduced. These reports can be accessed and
printed from the project web site where
additional information about CIMclad can also
be found.
http://www. cimclad.com
Project Reports
Formalised performance specifications for rainscreen
cladding
Report 4 structures relevant and coherent
rainscreen cladding specification identified in
CIMclad Report 3 - Review of Specifications on
Rainscreen Cladding for computer
implementation. The structure is entity-based
and was guided by the rainscreen cladding
product model requirement specification.
30 pages
Software deployment scenarios + evaluation criteria
Report 5 provides an overview of the focus,
scope and form of the 2D PM (product model),
introduces the prototype software and its use and
then describes the deployment criteria and
evaluation criteria. Appendices include the full
supporting documentation as provided on the
software CD to the trial participants.
43 pages
Evaluations arising from industrial deployment of
prototype software
Report 6 defines the objectives and the
deployment streams used in the industrial trials,
provides an analysis of the responses from the
participants and draws conclusions from this
analysis. The appendices include the collated
comments from the trial participants.
18 pages
CIM road map for the cladding sector
Report 7 proposes a road map for CIM
highlighting key implementation phases and
migration paths for cladding supply chain
organisations. It also identifies barriers and
constraints to CIM working method within the
context of developments in industry practice and
technology.
20 pages
Some terminology explained
Computer Integrated Manufacture
The computer integrated manufacture in
CIMclad refers to a longer-term goal of the
research programme, to facilitate the digital
integration of engineering processes within the
cladding procurement chain through design,
manufacture and installation.
Rainscreen Cladding
A layered cladding system typically comprising
an outer skin which incorporates air gaps but
forms the primary rain barrier, a ventilated air
gap that prevents water ingress and an
impermeable backing wall. (The current
CIMclad project is focused on Rainscreen
cladding.)
Product Model
An agreed coherent pattern for holding
information relating to a particular type of
product. Formal product models are
increasingly being used in the specification of
standards for the exchange of information in
digital form.
RAIS Secondments
Additional funding has been granted by EPSRC
to enable the two primary researchers to be
seconded for a period of twelve months (April
2002 to March 2003) to two of the industrial
partners:
CIMclad RAIS/1 (emphasis on modelling project
delivery processes and generating datasets)
Emeka Agbasi is seconded to Whitby Bird &
Partners
CIMclad RAIS/2 (align with industrial need)
Abdulla Kalian is seconded to the Façade
Engineering group of Buro Happold.
The partners are currently seeking further
opportunities to continue the CIMclad initiative.
June 2002