What do you do when you know that your processes can be more efficient, but a tool doesn\u2019t exist for your area of work? For Sajid Mahmood, MEVA UK\u2019s MAC Design Manager, the answer was to teach himself a programming language and make it happen. With the introduction of his bespoke software plugin for Autodesk Inventor, the design efficiency of both his team and other design offices has increased dramatically. So, how did a civil engineer become a self-taught, in-house programmer?<\/p>\n
Sajid began his drafting career in Dubai in 2007. Here, he worked on many high-profile projects, such as the Princess Tower in Dubai \u2013 which previously held the record for the world\u2019s tallest residential building \u2013 as well as the International Towers (Barangaroo) in Australia. In 2013, Sajid moved to another formwork company, eventually joining MEVA UAE in 2015. From here, he led the team with regards to the design, delivery and installation of the MEVA automated climbing system (MAC) for YOTEL Tower and A Tower.
\nIn the summer of 2018, Sajid and his family relocated to the UK where he took up his position as MAC Design Manager at the Tamworth office. Here, Sajid advises the design team, with a particular focus on the MAC system. This climbing system is used extensively for high-rise buildings in the UK, which is an excellent fit with Sajid\u2019s design experience.<\/p>\n
For many years now, the civil engineering and construction industry has been moving towards implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) \u2013 a 3D model-based method of working. Working in 3D provides a range of benefits compared to traditional, 2D plan-oriented approaches, not least of which are the opportunities for automating some of the repetitive design tasks.<\/p>\n
For example, being able to view a 3D model of any building component or even the completed project provides better visualization compared to 2D plans. This helps engineers and contractors see how components fit together and identify any clashes before work starts on site. With some software, this clash detection can even be carried out by the software itself, as can drawing creation \u2013 saving valuable design time.<\/p>\n
However, BIM for formwork is still a developing area. Whereas other disciplines \u2013 such as architecture \u2013 have growing libraries of BIM objects and specifically designed tools, there is little available for formwork. Therefore, the opportunities to automate repetitive parts of the design process are much lesser \u2013 unless you develop your own tools.
\n\u201cWhen we started using 3D design tools, we tried to make some blocks to help speed the process up. It helped, but it was not enough,\u201d explains Sajid. \u201cThe problem with using out-of-the-box 3D tools for any specialised application is that it\u2019s really generic \u2013 you have to put a lot of effort into getting your product to work as you want, and there isn\u2019t always time on live jobs.\u201d
\nSajid thought the process could be more efficient. \u201cEvery repetitive click that a designer does should be automated. That way, the focus of the designer can remain on the actual design process, not completing the model and the shop drawings,\u201d he says. \u201cI really felt that there was a need for a tool that would take away all that labour \u2013 the mundane work such as copying the same hole to the same beam on every job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sajid had previously had just a taste of coding prior to the development of the MAC system tool\u00a0 . \u201cSince writing my first iLogic snippet, I have been hooked on this idea of automating processes,\u201d he enthuses. \u201cThis led to the development of the plugin for Autodesk Inventor.\u201d
\nHowever, with little programming knowledge, it was a daunting task \u2013 but one that Sajid took on willingly. \u201cDuring the first lockdown when things were slower, that\u2019s when the idea came to me. I asked my superiors if I could try this idea, and they said yes. I just tried, and within a few weeks, I realised that I could do it \u2013 and that was it,\u201d he recalls.
\nBeing self-taught presented challenges, but Sajid searched relentlessly for solutions. \u201cI noticed that the online community of coders were happy to share knowledge \u2013 they\u2019re very generous,\u201d he says appreciatively. \u201cTo you, it\u2019s an impossible problem, but someone has already tried it \u2013 or if not, they will try it for you. It\u2019s amazing how many people are willing to spend hours just to help you. Now, when people put up questions that I have faced, I help them. It\u2019s just giving back,\u201d he says humbly.<\/p>\n
The result of Sajid\u2019s hard work is a bespoke plugin for Autodesk Inventor which automates a large part of the design process for the MAC system. By inputting just a few dimensions and project information, the 3D model and associated shop drawings can be automatically created in minutes.
\nWhile adjustments and checks still need to be carried out, a proportion of the work is removed from the designer\u2019s scope of works. \u201cIt\u2019s a couple hours of work if the designer wants to model it conventionally,\u201d Sajid explains. \u201cSometimes the client needs the 3D models, but the important deliverable is the shop drawings for fabricating the individual members \u2013 and it was that which was taking most of our time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Automation also improves the accuracy of the output. \u201cWhen you prepare a model and start putting hundreds of dimensions on, you might miss some and there is a chance there are mistakes, like a typo. If the proving engineer doesn\u2019t spot it, the parts get to site and the site supervisor finds the problem,\u201d Sajid says, explaining a common construction issue. \u201cWith automation, the checks are already done \u2013 and you get that confidence that it\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n
The beta version of the software plugin has been shared with other MEVA teams and used on six projects so far, within the UK, Dubai and Singapore \u2013 with impressive results. \u201cIt\u2019s not a mature estimate as I need more data, but the time savings are encouraging.\u00a0 By reducing the design hours and modelling work, we can pass these savings on to our customers and show that our determination to develop and improve our systems will help them save time and money,\u201d Sajid points out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For Sajid, the next steps are incorporating the feedback he\u2019s received from the other team members who are trialling the beta version. \u201cWhat Sajid has achieved for our team is nothing short of amazing \u2013 he\u2019s done a great job for us,\u201d comments Richard Harradine, Managing Director of MEVA UK. \u201cAnd there are other benefits to our office \u2013 for example, we\u2019re able to attract younger staff who have grown up with this technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sajid and his team members \u2013 both in the UK and abroad \u2013 are also pleased with the results. \u201cI\u2019ve really enjoyed this \u2013 it\u2019s been very rewarding; it helps us, and everyone in the team is happy,\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What do you do when you know that your processes can be more efficient, but a tool doesn\u2019t exist for your area of work? For Sajid Mahmood, MEVA UK\u2019s MAC Design Manager, the answer was to teach himself a programming language and make it happen. With the introduction of his bespoke software plugin for Autodesk […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1009,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[93],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n