Success Story
The National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory (Brookhaven) receives significant attention from scientists the world over. Thousands descend on the electron storage ring every year to use its X-rays, ultraviolet light, and infrared light to conduct research in biology, medicine, chemistry, environmental sciences, physics, and material science. To help push the boundaries of research even further, Brookhaven started construction on a new electron storage ring—NSLS-II—in 2009 and continues to 2023 developing new beam lines. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, NSLS-II will use magnets to force electrons to travel at nearly the speed of light around a circular storage ring, producing energy known as synchrotron radiation. Scientists will use this light energy in research on self-assembling structures, nanometer-scale material properties, material superconductivity, and materials for harvesting solar energy.
By any standards, completing the 900-foot diameter NSLS-II facility is a highly complex undertaking. The storage ring’s two major systems—an accelerator and the beam lines it powers—involve thousands of parts and assemblies. When completed, not only must these systems work perfectly as designed, but they also must interact seamlessly with the ring building that will house them. Thus, it’s critical that all teams understand how their particular pieces of the puzzle relate to other aspects of the project.
Brookhaven turned to Autodesk software to help them tackle their specific challenges as well as to communicate and collaborate more effectively with each other. Widom Associates, an Authorized Autodesk Solution Provider, provided Brookhaven with an integrated Autodesk solution that facilitates Digital Prototyping and BIM, enabling teams to experience equipment and building designs in 3D before cutting steel or pouring concrete. “The scientists and engineers want to see accurate 3D prototypes of all the components, parts, and assemblies that go into the accelerator and beam lines,” notes Loftus. “What’s more, we must maintain absolute control over data integrity throughout the process.”
Leaning on its extensive experience in both manufacturing and construction, Widom helped Brookhaven master unique workflows to support the bidirectional flow of digital data between teams. “We received great training in Digital Prototyping and BIM from Widom Associates,” says Loftus. “With Widom’s exceptional support and the intuitive nature of Autodesk software, everyone on our team got up to speed quickly on the new workflows.”
“Our highest priority is to meet the budget and schedule. We need to stay very well coordinated and find problems early so that we’re not making costly, time-consuming adjustments in the field.”
The Brookhaven teams turned to Autodesk software to help them tackle their specific challenges as well as to communicate and collaborate more effectively with each other. Widom Associates, an Authorized Autodesk Solution Provider, provided Brookhaven with an integrated Autodesk solution that facilitates Digital Prototyping and BIM, enabling teams to experience equipment and building designs in 3D before cutting steel or pouring concrete.
Leaning on its extensive experience in both manufacturing and construction, Widom helped Brookhaven master unique workflows to support the bidirectional flow of digital data between teams. “We received great training in Digital Prototyping and BIM from Widom Associates,” says Loftus. “With Widom’s exceptional support and the intuitive nature of Autodesk software, everyone on our team got up to speed quickly on the new workflows.”
Autodesk software is helping the Brookhaven teams keep the multifaceted NSLS-II project on track. “On a project as complicated as this, we can’t help but be impressed with the capabilities of Autodesk software.” Construction is proceeding on schedule and Torcon has stayed within budget for its original scope—a significant feat on a complex project such as NSLS-II. In no small part, these results can be attributed to the fact that Brookhaven and Torcon are using Autodesk software to communicate and collaborate effectively at all times. Digital Prototyping with Inventor and BIM with Navisworks make it easy for everyone to see what’s been done and what’s ahead—keeping everyone squarely on the same page during construction. And because Torcon plans to deliver the Navisworks model to Brookhaven after completing construction, it will help with ongoing facility operations as well. Torcon intends to use the 4D scheduling capabilities in Navisworks.
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Reilly Architectural - Innovative Designs and Extraordinary Craftsmanship
The products created by Reilly Architectural are not only innovative, they defy simple categorization. “A window might also serve as a door, or a door as a wall,” says Michael Reilly, president of Reilly Windows & Doors. “Our products also tend to be mechanically complex, such as a 15-foot window that drops into a basement or a curved unit that slides into a wall.” These unique window and door designs need to interface seamlessly with their intended homes. “We must be able to visualize how our products will function and then quickly make changes to the design if needed,” says Reilly. “Products must meet the exacting expectations of very creative architecture."
Gorillas in our Midst
The Bronx Zoo (also historically the Bronx Zoological Park and the Bronx Zoological Gardens) is a zoo within Bronx Park in the Bronx, New York. It is one of the largest zoos in the United States by area and is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States by area, comprising 265 acres (107 ha) of park lands and naturalistic habitats separated by the Bronx River. To create an exhibit with no bars:"The exhibit would be designed to give both the animals and the visitors the most natural experience possible by immersing people in to the gorillas' world," explains Susan Chin, assistant director for architecture at the nonprofit WCS. Transforming a section of the ultimate urban jungle into a lush, tropical paradise replete with a dozen waterfalls, several babbling brooks, miles of vines, mounds of sculpted rock, numerous rare plants and exotic flowers, and hundreds of unique animals-was a complicated un der taking. Taking charge of the project was the WCS Exhibition and Graphic Arts Department, which, in addition to its usual responsibilities of exhibit design and production for WCS venues, also created the conceptual design and master plan.
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