The CCTV cameras, clocks and PA systems were required to be housed in steel totems along the platforms within the main train shed. There are different disciplines involved in this type of steel work including Architecture, Steel Fabrication, Mains Power Contracting and Communication Contracting. Each discipline had to be coordinated efficiently to ensure that there were no clashes between the different equipment types and the bought in equipment such as a PA Speaker, so that each entity would fit into the structure accordingly. All electrical items had to be cabled, therefore all cable routes had to be designed and checked for clashes, interference and cable routing requirements (such as access and cable bend radii).
To ensure that the bought in parts would fit onto the bespoke steel totems, the totems were modelled in SolidWorks using the fabrication drawings from the steel manufacturer. Then using the datasheets obtained from the manufacturers, the bought in parts were also modelled. This allowed the engineers to envisage the completed assembly and modify the design when required.
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Assembling the parts in SolidWorks meant Jensen Consulting could utilise the standard evaluation tools such as interference detection and hole alignment which highlight any discrepancies before the fabrication drawings went into manufacture, thus avoiding costly mistakes.
Jensen Consulting were able to take advantage of the Routing module found in SolidWorks Premium. This increased productivity as it allowed all the cables to be inserted into the assembly using 3D sketches, which allowed the users to visualise the cable routes in full 3D. Since you can specify the cables used within the Routing add-in, the SolidWorks users were able to use the datasheets provided by the communication contractor to directly input the details.
The full operation of communication cables (such as network, fibres, coax etc) can be limited if the minimum bend radii is exceeded, it was therefore important that this was avoided. The routing add-in highlighted areas of concern so they could be resolved sooner rather than later.
The flexibility of SolidWorks and the power of the Routing add-in allowed Jensen to make modifications to the design easily and ensured they also saved money as cables & conduit could be pre-cut to length off site ready for installation, which reduces cable waste and time as any work that can be carried out off site is always faster, cheaper and more efficient than on site.
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Jensen Consulting is a UK based company operating in Hitchin and Cambridge, they provide Engineering Design Services in Mechanical Design and Product Design. If you would like to find out more about the company and the services they offer please visit their website at www.jensen-consulting.co.uk also keep upto date with them via Twitter @InfoJensen
Visit the website www.cadtek.com for more information on SolidWorks and to request a quick quote fill out the short form on our homepage and we will get back to you in 30 minutes or less, alternatively call our sales team on 01663 741 405.
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