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FARO® Introduces As-Built Software Platform For 3D Digital Modeling

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FARO, a trusted source for 3D measurement and imaging solutions for factory metrology and construction BIM, announces the availability of the FARO® As-Built software platform that enables efficient and cost-effective transfer of 3D reality capture into Autodesk® design tools to create ready to use CAD and Building Information Modeling (BIM) deliverables.

As-Built is specifically designed to minimise the effort and time required to create as-built documentation, which is the main task across AEC professionals in the building, facility and infrastructure design phases.

This comprehensive and innovative platform seamlessly integrates processed 3D data coming from the FARO SCENE software platform and can then support point cloud modelling (i.e. the set of data points acquired by a 3D laserscanner that are then displayed as a visual representation of an object or area) for the latest 2019 Autodesk® design tools. The FARO As-Built platform offers three powerful options:

  • As-Built for AutoCAD® Software
  • As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®
  • As-Built Suite – includes both As-Built for AutoCAD® Software and As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®

The full functionality of PointSense for AutoCAD® solutions, all previous standalone AutoCAD® plug-ins and PointSense for Revit®, respectively are now migrated into the As-Built platform. Additionally, As-Built is available across a broadseries of languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, English and German.

As-Built for AutoCAD® Software

  • Best in Class Usability: Users now have access to a common graphical user interface that provides a single entry point for all FARO features and functionality across the entire AutoCAD® platform. This enables new users to get upto speed quickly and immediately begin to leverage the power of As-Built.
  • Unique Performance and Value: AEC professionals benefit from a single point cloud-modelling platform that not only offers versatile tools that span different industries such as Architecture, Civil/Survey, Oil & Gas, and FacilityManagement but also total stations and UAV sensors. There is no longer a need to purchase or support separate total station software. Additionally, it is now easy to combine a terrestrial view with an aerial view that provides an evenbetter digital representation of the real world.

As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®

  • Confidence in Accuracy: As-Built for Autodesk® Revit®, like its predecessor PointSense for Revit®, accelerates Scan-To-BIM workflows and includes powerful features such as surface analysis by Levels of Accuracy standards asdefined by the U.S. Institute of Building Documentation, which enables users to more confidently validate the accuracy of the as-built model compared to the relevant point cloud.

“We have been uniquely focused on delivering 3D digital modeling solutions that address the key pain points of AEC professionals; specifically waste and project delays that lower productivity and increase operational costs,” statedAndreas Gerster, Vice President Global Construction BIM. “As-Built is both a powerful tool for Autodesk® users who use FARO Focus and Freestyle solutions and also for other 3rd party 3D imaging hardware products.”

GROHE SPA Opens First Flagship Store In Asia

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GROHE, the world’s leading brand in sanitary fittings, opens its first fully-owned and operated flagship store in Asia in March 2018. Located in the heart of Singapore’s main shopping belt, GROHE SPA aims to raise the bar in delighting and inspiring designers and consumers with a showcase of GROHE’s most innovative water technologies.

Covering over 6,000 square feet on two levels, visitors are invited to learn about the design inspiration behind GROHE’s award-winning collections and experience “Pure Freude an Wasser” (Pure Joy of Water).

“GROHE pursues the brand values of technology, quality, design and sustainability, seeking to develop new innovations that bring value to our consumers. In the same vein, we strive to up the ante on the retail front, making this showroom a stage where GROHE’s advancements in water technology are brought to life. More importantly, we aim to inspire and change the way consumers interact with our products,” said LIXIL Water Technology Asia CEO, Bijoy Mohan.

Be inspired by world-class luxurious bath sanctuaries
GROHE collections and products star in many of the world’s most luxurious spas and hotels. The store has recreated seven of these luxurious bathroom suites – each telling a unique design story and testifying to architects’, designers’ and developers’ preference for the brand. Consumers can walk through the bath sanctuaries to get inspired and learn more about the different products featured so as to create their personal hydrotherapy at home.

To experience the different shower sprays, GROHE SPA features live water areas where visitors can experience first-hand GROHE’s DreamSpray® technology. Consumers can also try GROHE’s Minta Touch in the live kitchen area where the tap can be turned on and off with a touch of the arm, leaving hands free to handle food in the kitchen.

Enhancing the brick-and-mortar experience, the store is equipped with smart technologies that help consumers and designers visualise and plan their selections. Tapping on virtual reality (VR) technology, GROHE SPA has a built-in Shower Configurator where consumers can customise their preferred shower system and experience how it comes together in function and design before making a purchase. Putting on a VR headset, consumers see their selections brought to life via projections to experience their shortlisted choices, all without actually getting wet.

Understanding that product information is key in purchase consideration, the store has implemented the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable immediate access via a mobile device. Visitors can learn more about each product displayed and get detailed specifications as they walk through the store, tagging products and emailing the desired information to themselves immediately.

Alternatively, they can also project their selections onto a 40-inch interactive touchscreen display interface to better understand each product and view how products have been used in hotel and housing projects from around the world.

Singapore Solar Developer Sunseap Donates Solar Array To Green School Bali

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Green School Bali students and friends are one step closer to getting their campus off the grid, with the support of Sunseap, one of the largest clean energy solutions providers in Singapore.

Sunseap, a Singapore-based solar developer, generously donated PV solar panels that will power one of the world’s greenest maker spaces: The Green School Community Innovation Hub. The “iHub” is a green, rapid prototyping facility that is changing the face of education, and is where inspiring entrepreneurial problem solving, student ideas are incubated, tested, rethought, refined, and finally brought to life, under the guidance of the community, visiting entrepreneurs, local artisans and teachers.

Mr. Rob Khoo, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Sunseap Group, said: “Sunseap is delighted to support Green School Bali in its efforts to go green. This donation is part of Sunseap’s corporate social responsibility initiative to help people in the region become more aware of the impact of their daily activities on the environment and how they can switch to renewable energy sources to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Sunseap’s donation puts the power into the hands of young people to be the change makers they want to be. This project represents the entrepreneurial mind-set and collaborative problem solving that are the hallmarks of both Green School and Sunseap.

In combination with micro-hydro turbine on the banks of the local river, this gift of solar panels will expand an existing solar array on campus, adding another exciting element to the student-driven energy sustainability project “Operation Rain or Shine”. The ultimate goal of Operation Rain or Shine is to become a model of renewable energy production and storage for the school and local community—a showcase of resilient and reliable clean energy. The hybrid renewable energy micro-grid will now be expanded through the generous support of Sunseap.

thyssenkrupp’s TeleRetail Delivery Robot Debuts in the US

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thyssenkrupp’s TeleRetail delivery robot was among the technical innovations and vehicles presented at a US Senate Field Hearing, held on January 24th, 2018 at the Washington Auto Show 2018 in Washington D.C.

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, convened a hearing titled “Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies” at the Washington Convention Center. The session focused on self-driving vehicles, and thyssenkrupp Elevator’s and TeleRetail’s groundbreaking delivery robot was named as a benchmark product.

“Fast growing American Metropolitan areas need intelligent solutions to cover the last mile in delivering spare parts to our technicians. In connection with TeleRetail we are testing autonomous vehicles to solve this growing logistical problem,” explains Ivo Siebers, Senior Vice President of Global Logistics at thyssenkrupp Elevator.

Self-driving vehicles already play a major role in the future of urban logistics – not in the shape of cars commuting people, but also in the shape of robots carrying and delivering goods. In collaboration with software developer TeleRetail, thyssenkrupp Elevator launched a pilot project in which delivery robots transport spare parts and other material to maintenance job sites. Perfect for maintaining elevators in a contemporary way, the robots represent the future of smart maintenance logistics, reinforcing thyssenkrupp Elevator’s position as a future-oriented mobility provider.

Every year, the Washington Auto Show wows audiences with its cutting-edge exhibits and advanced technologies. More than 600 new models from over 35 manufacturers impress visitors while providing a glimpse into the future of mobility. Attendees can view thyssenkrupp’s TeleRetail delivery robot at booth MTI1 right in front of saloon H.

For elevator and escalator servicing, spare parts are needed quickly and a technician either has to drive back to base in his or her service vehicle or have it delivered by a colleague. But with increased traffic clogging up city streets, the pressure on the supply chains is rapidly. “This is a major urbanisation challenge that our service technicians are already experiencing today,” continues Siebers. “With driverless delivery robots we could fill a gap and get spare parts from our warehouses to the job site faster, more efficiently and with less impact on the environment.”

The delivery robots are just 85-centimetres wide and are suitable for traveling on sidewalks, thereby avoiding road congestion. They can also reach inner-city areas where vehicular transport is limited, carrying payloads weighing up to 35 kg. Information on delivery status can be obtained quickly via an online Logistics Automation Platform. “We hope to improve our service delivery in this way,” adds Siebers.

TeleRetail is developing driverless delivery vehicles, and for thyssenkrupp Elevator they could be an optimal logistics solution for elevator servicing. The cloud-based driverless systems could form complete supply and logistics networks; a promising solution with enormous development potential.

“With our platform we want to optimise logistics by saving time and costs, and minimising space requirements, energy consumption and emissions,” says Torsten Scholl, CEO of TeleRetail Mobility Automation. “thyssenkrupp Elevator and TeleRetail are looking forward to conquering the emerging 3D logistics automation opportunities together.”

Schneider Electric Named a Leader in Facility Optimisation Software

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Schneider Electric, one of the world’s leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, recently announced that independent analyst firm Verdantix has positioned the company as a leader in its Green Quadrant Facility Optimisation Software report.

By combining benchmark data from live product demonstrations and questionnaires with an independent customer panel, this year’s report recognises a market shift. Facility administration has evolved away from the reactive state of energy management and towards facility optimisation solutions that help save money, lower risk and improve efficiency. This evolution has been powered by the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), allowing even greater connectivity between systems.

The report placed Schneider Electric in the leader quadrant by assessing its wide range of software capabilities and strategic momentum in the market for facility optimisation software. As part of its report analysis, Verdantix examined Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Building offers and noted the following strengths:

  • Energy risk and utility bill management: EcoStruxure Resource Advisor received high marks for its energy procurement and risk management capabilities.
  • Facility data capture: EcoStruxure Building Operation building management software that achieved top scores for its ability to capture facility performance data from energy meters, sensors, HVAC and lighting systems, equipment and external sources such as weather data.
  • Energy monitoring and tracking of energy management projects: EcoStruxure Building Advisor recognised for its ability to identify energy efficiency opportunities and was noted for its ability to provide insight into HVAC system poor performance and faults.

“Schneider Electric breaks away as a leader in our Facility Optimisation Software report,” said Derrek Clarke, industry analyst, Verdantix. “Firms with complex operations that seek to future-proof their building system investments should shortlist Schneider Electric among their considered vendors.”

“We are honoured that Verdantix recognises us as a leader in facility optimisation software. Their independent analysis validates the work we do to make EcoStruxure the backbone of our clients’ smart building strategies,” said Laurent Bataille, executive vice president, Eco Building, Schneider Electric. “As buildings can produce massive amounts of data, EcoStruxure Building helps clients capture and use that data to create greater efficiency, productivity and sustainability,” he added.

The Green Quadrant report provides a detailed comparison of 14 facility optimisation software applications. The report provides guidance for senior executives and decision-makers, including CFOs, heads of procurement and directors of energy, facilities and real estate. It helps those in industries such as banking, commercial real estate, healthcare, hotels and leisure, insurance, media and retail select a software supplier to assist in improving the performance of their firm’s facility operations, from the office building to the enterprise level.

YORK YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller is First Performance-Optimised Chiller With New, Low-GWP Refrigerant

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Johnson Controls recently introduced the YORK® YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller, the first chiller fully optimised for ultimate performance with a next generation low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant – R-1233zd(E).

Chosen for its efficiency, safety, availability, low environmental impact and cost, nonflammable R-1233zd(E) has an ultra-low GWP of 1 and is readily available from refrigerant manufacturers.

“We have long led the industry in delivering chiller innovations,” said Laura Wand, vice president, Chiller Solutions, Building Technologies & Solutions at Johnson Controls. “With the new YORK® YZ, we have engineered the world’s most efficient low-GWP line of centrifugal chillers. Our broad range cooling capacity will serve our customers’ many diverse application needs.”

Johnson Controls used a holistic approach to system design and engineering, optimising every component around a carefully selected next generation refrigerant for ultimate performance. The YORK® YZ chiller uses an integral, variable speed drive and advanced magnetic bearing technology that features a single moving assembly suspended in a magnetic field that does not require lubrication.

This technology requires 80 percent fewer moving parts than traditional oil- or refrigerant-lubricated drivelines. The result is enhanced reliability, reduced maintenance and improved efficiency. Compared to traditional fixed-speed oil-bearing chillers, the YZ delivers up to 35 percent annual energy savings.

The YZ chiller can deliver significant energy savings and lower operating costs by taking advantage of the off-design conditions where chillers operate 99 percent of the time. The YZ operates with entering condenser water temperature as low as 40°F (4.5°C), providing enhanced performance in every operating condition and the widest operating envelope in the industry. The YORK® YZ uses an optimised single stage design to provide industry-leading real- world energy efficiency.

The chiller can also operate with condenser temperatures below the evaporator temperatures, eliminating the need for a water-side economiser, which simplifies the system, requires less mechanical room space and saves money on components, piping, controls and maintenance.

“We continue to deliver industry-leading chiller options that best meet the needs of our current and continually expanding customer base around the world,” said Bill Jackson, president, Global Products, Building Technologies & Solutions at Johnson Controls. “The YZ is another fantastic platform system that equips our customers with environmentally friendly performance in an optimised solution. Thank you to our YORK® Chiller team for leading the way.”

Multivista and Procore Announce Partnership

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Multivista, a leading global provider of documentation and software services for the construction industry, recently announced a partnership with Procore, a leading provider of cloud-based apps for construction.

Through an advanced integration, users of both services can immediately attach and reference Multivista-captured visual data to perform critical project functions within Procore.

“We’re excited to launch the Multivista integration to all users on our Procore App Marketplace,” said Laura Paciano, Senior Manager, Partner Programs, at Procore. “With this integration we are providing direct access to critical information that will allow Procore users to deliver quality projects, safely, on-time, and within budget.”

Desktop, tablet, and mobile functionality included
The complimentary integration directly enables more robust and efficient processes for Procore and Multivista users. By leveraging comprehensive as-built project photo and webcam feeds, provided by Multivista, users can quickly respond to RFIs and change orders on Procore. Additionally, project teams in the field can use the visual data to quickly complete quality and safety items, like daily logs, observations and punch lists.

The partnership enhances workflows for the entire team, from the field to the board room, through all phases of construction. “An RFI that previously would have required a costly site visit and taken days or weeks to respond to can now be handled in minutes,” says Russ Bollig, Multivista’s Product Manager responsible for the integration. “Users just select a relevant photo from their Multivista database, click the new ‘Add to Procore’ button, and the image, precise location, and any comments they include appear in their Procore RFI within seconds.”

For maximum workflow efficiency, Multivista and Procore developers have ensured the functionality of this integration is the same on both the desktop and mobile versions of their respective platforms.

HVACR Vietnam 2018 Comes to Hanoi for 12th Edition

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HVACR Vietnam, the only focused and most established international industrial exhibition in the country, is coming to Hanoi for the first time for its 12th edition, on 18 – 20 April 2018 at the National Exhibition Construction Center (NECC), Hanoi.

HVACR Vietnam 2018 features a comprehensive showcase of the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Air Filtration & Purification, and Refrigeration technology and systems in the region.

The exhibition is set against a backdrop of emerging industry trends not only in the country but globally – seeing a paradigm shift in HVACR technologies, where majority of the changes are aimed at energy efficiency and higher energy performance.

For its 12th edition, the annual international exhibition will accentuate the energy efficient products and systems, delivering better ways to preserve our way of life, save the cost of the electricity and fuel, and aim for practical and sustainable implications.

As such, HVACR Vietnam 2018 proudly presents a special feature – “Guide to Building Energy-Efficient Homes and Offices”, demonstrating the key components and features of energy efficient construction that can be incorporated to modern smart homes and automated offices. These appliances and technologies are implemented to lower energy expenditure, improve indoor air quality, enhance home and office comfort, reduce air and moisture infiltration, and increase the durability of the property as a long-term investment.

This special showcase will be guided and led by Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC), the strategic partner for HVACR Vietnam 2018. VGBC is an international non-profit organisation, established in 2007 with the aim to raise awareness and build capacity for the development of green building in the country.

Apart from bringing the industry together to address the requirements of the region’s demand amid emerging industry trends, HVACR Vietnam 2018 also allows industry experts to explore business opportunities, source for latest products and solutions, and network with other professionals in the field.

HVACR Vietnam 2018 is targeted at the professionals within the industrial sector, including the following industries: building and construction, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, retailers, trade associations, water and waste management.

Companies in the HVACR industry looking to expand their business in Vietnam and the region are welcome to register to exhibit at www.hvacrseries.com/vietnam.

Schneider Electric and Bolloré Logistics Strengthen Green Partnership

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Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, and Bolloré Logistics, a major player in international logistics and freight forwarding, have strengthened their partnership through a new contract to upgrade the power management systems at the Bolloré Logistics Singapore Headquarters with Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Power Monitoring Expert, with the view to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

EcoStruxure™ Power Monitoring Expert helps to maximise system reliability and optimise operational efficiency by tracking real-time power conditions, analyse power quality and network reliability.

This new system enables Bolloré Logistics to collect and organise data gathered from the company’s localGreen Hub facility’s electrical network, including monitoring points for critical loads such as server UPS as well as transfer pump, freezer and chiller functions.

This data is then presented as meaningful, actionable information via an intuitive web interface, allowing the company to make informed decisions on energy saving measures to improve operational efficiency, reduce energy-related costs, as well as optimise equipment utilisation and cost of operations.

Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Power Advisor service will be used in tandem with the Power Monitoring Expert tool to identify gaps in the power management system and power quality issues within the larger electrical distribution system, and provide recommendations to ensure optimised performance and power reliability.

The EcoStruxure™ Power Advisor is a proactive analytics-based service for power management systems to deliver optimised performance and power reliability. This will be the first time Schneider Electric will be deploying the EcoStruxure™ Power Advisor within the logistics industry worldwide, as it is mostly used in critical facilities such as hospitals, data centers, oil refineries and more, demonstrating Bolloré Logistics’ commitment to be at the forefront of energy efficiency and sustainability.

“Our Green Hub office in Pioneer Turn is already equipped with Schneider Electric’s building management, card access, and CCTV systems. This new powerful energy management solution will help us operate in a more sustainable manner and adhere to the highest Quality, Health, Safety, Environment (QHSE) standards,” said Fabien Giordano, Regional Director – South East Asia of Bolloré Logistics.

Damien Dhellemmes, Country President, Singapore, Schneider Electric added: “Bolloré Logistics is more than a customer to us. We have been working for decades together in the transport and logistics field with Bolloré Logistics being a strategic supplier for Schneider Electric. More recently, we have supported BlueSG – car-charing programme by providing electrical components inside every EV-Charging station. We will continue to find synergies between us.”

Launched earlier this year, Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ is an open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture and platform that delivers enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity. EcoStruxure™ leverages advancements in IoT, mobility, sensing, cloud, analytics and cybersecurity to deliver Innovation at Every Level.

This includes Connected Products, Edge Control, and Apps, Analytics & Services, which has been deployed in more than 450,000 installations, with the support of 9,000 system integrators, connecting over 1 billion devices.

AGC and Kinestral Technologies Join Ventures to Accelerate Global Adoption of Smart-Tinting Glass

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AGC Asahi Glass, a world-leading manufacturer of glass, chemicals, and high-tech materials, and Kinestral Technologies, maker of Halio smart-tinting glass, announced the creation of three joint venture companies that will sell, distribute, and service Halio to meet increasing global demand for smart city solutions. Formed to accelerate the adoption of Halio, the new ventures – Halio North America, Halio International, and Halio China – will be the exclusive sales and marketing agents for Halio smart-tinting glass in the commercial and residential housing industries.

Halio China includes a third partner: G-Tech Optoelectronics Corp. (GTOC), a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group. The three partners have been introducing Halio in their respective markets since the product was first unveiled in January 2017 at the BAU Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials and Systems in Munich, Germany.

“Partnerships are integral to the successful roll-out of HalioTM smart-tinting glass in the Asia Pacific region to support the growing number of green buildings. As such, joining forces with AGC gives us access to a global sales and support infrastructure, as well as decades of expertise in the use of glass in facades, while GTOC bolsters our manufacturing expertise and provides us access to China, one of the fastest growing markets for smart-tinting glass,” said S.B. Cha, CEO of Kinestral Technologies.

The technology

Halio technology enables glass to tint, reducing glare and blocking unwanted solar heat – automatically or on command. It looks like ordinary clear glass until it tints, achieving its darkest shade in less than 3 minutes, thus improving occupant comfort in smart homes and buildings while achieving up to 40 percent improvement in energy efficiency.

“We are convinced that Halio technology is poised to transform the glass industry,” said Jean- François Heris, senior executive officer of AGC and president of AGC Building and Industrial Glass Company. “Natural light is the #1 most desired feature in office designs, but conventional glass requires blinds, shades, awnings or architectural elements that block heat and glare. Halio gives people the best of the outdoors while meeting increasingly stringent energy codes.”

Jim Arnold, former senior vice president of sales at Control4 and DIRECTV, will head Halio North America. Alain Jardinet, a veteran executive of AGC Glass Europe, will lead Halio International which will sell to all markets outside of North America and China. Halio China will be headed by Alex Jiang, an executive of GTOC.