News and blog articles for BIM engineers

Sabiana Fan Coil Units: Acoustic Comfort & Energy Reduction

27 July 2018

Sabiana SkyStar

The SkyStar ECM series uses an innovative brushless electric motor controlled by an inverter card that varies the air flow continuously by means of a 1-10 V signal generated by Sabiana controls (version SK-ECM-IR) or by independent contollers (version SK-ECM). The extreme efficiency, also at a low speed, makes possible a great reduction in electric consumption (more than 75% less in comparison to a traditional motor) with absorption values, under normal operating conditions, that are no greater than 10 Watt in the entire range.

Sabiana Carisma

The Sabiana Carisma extensive fan coil range includes wall and ceiling mounted units, exposed or concealed with either tangential or centrifugal fan options, delivering one of the most versatile ranges of fan coils on the market today. Units covers are made from strong plastic lateral corners and galvanized frontal steel sheet. The plastic top grid has fixed louvres and is reversible in order to distribute the air in two different directions.

Sabiana is BIM ready

Publishing Revit families and CAD files on MEPcontent has been an important step in the BIM journey for Sabiana. "Offering BIM files for our products is no longer a choice, it's a must" according to Luca Binaghi, Commercial Director for Sabiana. "BIM is an essential part of the workflow of our customers nowadays. Offering accurate 3D content, equipped with correct technical and product information is very important to us. MEPcontent is an important partner in our BIM strategy, offering both a BIM platform with a global reach and expertise when it comes to BIM for the MEP industry."

MEPcontent users can download the BIM files for Sabiana products for free from the MEPcontent platform.

About Sabiana

Sabiana is an Italian company which conceives, designs and manufactures appliances for air-condition spaces where people work and live. The company builds equipment and systems to heat and cool any type of space: factories, offices, hotels, hospitals, shopping malls and houses. Always based on the most natural element in existence: water.

These 4 Apps will boost your productivity in Revit

27 July 2018

Revit is the go-to platform for designing and collaborating with construction partners in BIM projects. But when it comes to specific or complex tasks, the platform has its limitations. Reconnecting specific system parts with native Revit functionality, can be quite time-consuming for example. This is why additional plugins or add-ins come in handy. Below, we have selected four MEP Plugins for Revit that will help you realize your Revit projects faster:

1. Design MEP systems up to 60% faster

Whether you want to connect a fitting to a pipe, rotate entire systems in 3D without leaving your view, or reconnect a saddle to a pipe, you can now save considerable time in Revit. The new Productivity Tools App for Revit features 6 useful functionalities in one ribbon that will help you design your MEP systems up to 60% faster. Here you can check out what these functionalities are and see how they can be used in your project.

2. Create openings in Revit for MEP elements

Generate openings with increased accuracy on places where MEP elements clash with structural elements. You can for example quickly create holes in walls, floors or ceilings where ducts or pipes intersect. The Openings for MEP App allows you to very easily communicate with the structural engineer about these openings. Create opening requests, send them to the structural engineer for approval and update your model with the response file you get back. Check out how you can use this App to optimize your workflow.

3. Generate electrical schematics automatically

If you’re an electrical engineer, you may have run into the fact that you cannot easily create schematics for electrical systems in Revit. The recently updated Electrical Schematics App however, allows you to do exactly this. You just need to select the available main panel(s) in your project, and the schematic will be created automatically. You can choose to generate either a system structure schematic or a block schematic. This way, you’ll have a clear overview of your electrical system. Watch the video to see how the App works.

4. Edit your data quickly in Excel

Revit’s great for modelling systems, Excel is great for updating and sharing data. By combining the best of both, you can save time a lot of time on updating information in your Revit project. The Export and Import Excel App allows you to export data from your Revit model to Excel, where you can update or add data to multiple elements at once, and import the data back into your model. This enables you to easily add manufacturer or calculation data to your model. The app has recently been updated, so now there’s even more information that can be exported from Revit. Learn more about this Revit App.

Start saving time

The Apps listed above will provide you with smart workflows and a better and faster design experience in Revit. And the good news is: you can easily download them from the MEPcontent store and try them for free. So if you want to experience one of the Apps yourself before reaching out to your creditcard, visit store.mepcontent.com and download your free trial. Use the summer with our Apps to complete your Revit projects in no time.

Update: Add height annotations to your MEP openings

25 July 2018

Place height annotations for each opening in your project

The Stabiplan Openings for MEP App for Revit has been updated with a much-requested functionality: automatically adding height annotations for all openings in your Revit project. This allows all project stakeholders to easily see the heights for all your openings within the project.

How it works
Once you have placed the openings in your model, you can also place a height annotation for each opening. You can select the openings from the Current view, define a New selection or use the Current selection. Next, you can specify if the height must be measured up to the Bottom, Center or Top of the opening. You can also choose if the annotation must be based on a Level or the Project Elevation in your project. The level can be selected from the drop-down menu which contains all levels within your project. It is also possible to use the predefined options: Level below opening or Level above the opening. The project elevation is based on the Project Base Point in your Revit project.

Extra functionalities
Besides this there are three other new functionalities included in this version. Firstly you can import predefined View Templates for a better control of the openings. Secondly it is possible to create a schedule with all the information about your openings. The last functionality is the Shared Parameter file which opens the location of the Shared Parameter file from the Stabiplan Openings for MEP app. The parameters of this file can be used in View Templates, Schedules or Tags.

Watch the video to see these new functionalities working for yourself.

Not working with this app yet? Download the free trial from our store and find out how easy it is to create and manage MEP openings within your projects.

Extensive update for ABB Detectors

25 July 2018

Now available for download as Revit families: ABB Busch-Watchdog detectors. These high-quality detection systems guarantee uninterrupted surveillance in all areas.

Motion detectors (MasterLINE, ProfessionalLINE, BasicLINE)

Electronic motion detectors for detecting e.g. persons or cars by thermal motion.

Occupancy detectors (Presence tech BasicLINE / DualLINE)

For switching lighting systems that depend on brightness and movement. Circular detection range from 6m up to 24m in diameter.

Ceiling/corner adapter for MasterLINE series

Used to increase the inclination of the Busch-Watchdog 220/280. It is mounted at the corner of the house, on the wall or under the ceiling. For flush or surface wiring.

Junction boxes and protective basket

For surface mounting and increase of the protection type.

Download the Revit families now!

How to Win with BIM: What We Learned from This Year's World Cup

25 July 2018

There are a few things every BIM modeler from around the world can learn from this year’s World Cup:

1. Don’t forget your training

Without training a team doesn't get far in the World Cup. This became clear during the game between England and Colombia, where the English had clearly practiced their penalties and won gloriously. Participating in training will make a huge difference in BIM projects as well. Look for appropriate BIM or CAD training to make sure you are winning with BIM!

2. Designate a captain

Soccer teams have a captain, BIM project teams have a coordinator. Just like a captain, the BIM coordinator or manager gives guidance and leads the team to success. Make sure that there’s someone on your team who keeps an overview and ensures that the communication within the project runs smoothly.

3. Adapt to the phase

Different phases of the game require different ways of playing and working together. Your team needs to adapt, and different team members need to take the lead in different situations. A BIM project also has different phases that require different information and ways of working.

There are 8 more lessons from football that can be applied to BIM. Find out which ones and check out the full article on Constructible.

ABB Solar Inverters for commercial, utility and residential applications

24 July 2018

Design at a high level of detail

You can now add ABB solar inverters to your ABB collection of Revit families and AutoCAD and .IFC files. Download now the new string inverters recently published on MEPcontent and use them to design your installations at a high level of detail!

UNO-DM-PLUS - Single phase string inverter

The new UNO-DM-PLUS single-phase inverter family, with power ratings from 1.2 to 5.0 kW, is the optimal solution for residential installations. The presence of Plug and Play connectors, both on the DC and AC side, as well as the wireless communication, enable a simple, fast and safe installation without the need of opening the front cover of the inverter. The featured easy commissioning routine removes the need for a long configuration process, resulting in lower installation time and costs.

TRIO-20.0/27.6 - Three-phase string inverter

The TRIO 20.0/27.6 commercial inverter offers more flexibility and control to installers who have large installations with varying aspects or orientations. The dual input section containing two independent Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), allows optimal energy harvesting from two sub-arrays oriented in different directions.

TRIO-50.0 - Three-phase string inverter

The TRIO-50.0/60.0 inverter is ABB’s three-phase string solution for cost-efficient large decentralized photovoltaic systems for both commercial and utility applications. The TRIO-50.0/60.0 inverter has been designed with the objective to maximize the ROI in large systems with all the advantages of a decentralized configuration for both rooftop and ground-mounted installations. Modular design TRIO-50.0/60.0 has a landscape modular design to guarantee maximum flexibility.

REACT - PV + Storage, Residential application

REACT stores and allows to make the most of the energy produced by a residential photovoltaic system. The single phase grid-connected inverter is equipped with a built-in 2 kWh battery that allows storage of unused energy generated during the day for later use. REACT also features two independent MPPT inputs.

ABB TwinLine N 44 Cabinet System

19 July 2018

The ABB content library continues to grow. You can now download Revit families, AutoCAD files and .IFC files for the ABB TwinLine N 44 cabinet system. You can then use this ABB distribution panel in your projects right away!

ABB TwinLine N 44 cabinet system

The TwinLine N 44 cabinet system marks the entry into the world of the TwinLine cabinet range. Optimized for flexible use as an energy distribution up to protection class IP44 as well as in double insulated or earthed versions available. The cabinets are prepared for the internal configuration with CombiLine N modules assembled on EDF mounting frame. TwinLine N 44 is available as a floor-standing cabinet in up to 5 panel widths

Why you should download the TwinLine N 44 cabinet system right away

Innovative flange technology with tool-free installation and more usable area for cable entry
Optimal accessibility and ease of installation
Time-saving plinth assembly and safe transport

Magnetic dirt separator, equimeter metering module and manifolds from IVAR

18 July 2018

Magnetic dirt separator

Swivelling magnetic dirt separator with double filtering action from IVAR is compact, and features a connection kit for the installation under the boiler.

The evacuation of impurities is possible without emptying the system and disassembling the dirt separator, thanks to the removable magnet and to the opening of a 360° swivelling shut-off ball valve.

Equimeter metering module

The equimeter metering module with unit for heat only can withstand a maximum static operating pressure of 10 bar and a maximum fluid temperature of 90 °C.

Brass-Rod manifolds

Manifolds have the purpose of distributing the heat transfer fluid to the various heating and/or cooling take-off points. The IVAR brass bar manifolds can be used for applications in high and low temperature and cooling.

PLS updates

5 PLS have been updated for IVAR Pipes and fittings: 1285 articles in total. Choose between pipes and fittings from IVAR PRESS-Line, IVAR MPC-Line, IVAR MPL-Line, IVAR MPC-Line or IVAR MP-Line.

You can import Product Line Sheets (PLS) in your project through Stabicad and have your articles available both in Stabicad for Revit and Stabicad for AutoCAD. After importing, the articles will include properties and dimensions such as type or diameter, which makes it easy to place them in your project.

A MEPcontent subscription for Stabicad is required for working with the PLS. Read more about the MEPcontent subscription.

What can we learn from the Dutch when it comes to BIM?

17 July 2018

The Netherlands are amongst the leading countries when it comes to BIM: nearly 60% of construction projects are carried out using a digital model. Charles Lekx, senior sales engineer at MEPcontent, talks about BIM standards in the Netherlands and what can we learn from the Dutch when it comes to BIM.

How do you think the Netherlands compares to other countries?

“I do think the BIM awareness in the Netherlands is very high compared to many other countries. It is very important that everyone is talking about it and sharing their experiences. I also think that in other countries people might be more hesitant when it comes to new technologies. It’s great to see that Dutch contractors have not been afraid to simply start experimenting with BIM and learn from their mistakes.”

Are there any standards or governmental regulations in place in the Netherlands?

“Not really. However, the fact that there is no official BIM mandate hasn’t prevented companies here from starting with BIM and come up with their own definitions, which is very good.”

Read the full interview on the Constructible platform.

New App updates: Drawing bendable pipes in Revit

13 July 2018

A much requested feature has been added to our Revit Apps for piping systems: drawing bendable piping systems. This new feature allows MEP engineers to design flexible piping systems much faster than with native Revit functionality. The MEPcontent Product Line Placer for Piping, the SANHA Product Line Placer and the Henco Product Line Placer have been equipped with the new feature.

Using the Apps, you can now draw flexible pipe systems with special bends that allow you to draw in every direction and report the total length of the pipes with a schedule. It is not needed to configure this; it will work directly when selecting a flexible pipe type. You can simply form the pipe by clicking the next point for the bendable path to follow.

Create schedules
Creating a schedule with the total pipe length, which is required for ordering flexible pipe systems, is very easy. The Apps all provide a schedule for bendable pipe systems with the total pipe length. When showing the total pipe length within your project, you can make use of the included tag.

Easily add Tags
Tag functionality has also been extended, now allowing Revit users to add tags with information on bendable pipes such as measurements, lengths and diameters of the pipe. The 'Create schedule' and 'Tags' options can be found under the Create button in the Apps.

Improve your design workflow
Combining all of the App functionalities, you can now complete the design workflow for your entire piping systems within Revit: easily design the required flexible systems, add the relevant tags, and finally create schedules with all relevant data such as measurements, manufacturer data and article numbers. So your piping system can be ordered and fabricated right from within Revit.

How to use Revit like a pro

11 July 2018

What are the challenges MEP engineers face when they start with Revit?

“In addition to giving MEP engineers more control over their design, Revit offers great basic functionalities. Functionalities like: sectioning, viewing, (auto)routing and connecting elements. But at the same time, working in the platform can be very complex. For example, it can be quite time consuming to connect elements or to create a realistic representation of two pipes and flanges in plain Revit. Or to connect a ball valve to a pipe, you’d need to know all specific sub-parts in order to create a solid connection. It can be challenging to achieve the desired level of detail in Revit because of the more generic working environment. Detailed technical situations are complicated to achieve within Revit.”

What can engineers do to overcome these complications?

“There are several custom add ins developed by Revit specialists that you can use to overcome these challenges. There are different Apps available that enhance existing Revit functionalities. Apps is the way we call them, others also talk about add ins, plugins or Revit add-ons. These Apps are more user-centered and allow you as a user to take control. With these Apps, you can easily create the model that you need, based on your preferred specifications instead of default autorouting functionalities in Revit. Take for example the Productivity Tools App, Excel Import and Excel App and the MEP openings App.

Manufacturer specific jobs are hard to achieve with plain Revit if you’re not sure whether you can trust the source of your content. There are Apps available that allow users to work more flexible with content without having to search all kinds of content from all over the internet, allowing for a more consistent level of quality. The free MEPcontent browser and our Product Line Placers are great examples of this.”

How to make sure you have the right content in your project?

“Depending on the goal of your model, you’ll need to work with manufacturer specific content. Sometimes it is enough to work with generic content to make estimates about what products are needed and their associated dimensions. It’s not always necessary to have the exact product data available in order to calculate and estimate. But if you want to avoid failure costs and have full confidence in your project, you’ll need an accurate digital representation of the building project before actual construction takes off. A digital model that accurately represents the real deal, allows you to understand the complexity and potential conflicts in your project. Therefore, you need manufacturer specific content. This way you can create an exact copy of the building you want to realize in the real world. If done properly, you can use your Revit model to work with prefab, connect it to pricing information, coordinate tasks and much more. Manufacturer specific content allows you to get the most out of your investment in BIM.”

Who should you take into account in your Revit project?

“There are different stakeholders to take into account. First, there is the construction engineer. He’s the primary stakeholder. Second, there is the facility manager, who needs to understand the maintenance costs that will be involved. Third, there is the wholesaler/distributor who needs to know which materials must be delivered for the project. Key here is to only involve the information that is relevant for the stakeholders. Make sure that you agree with your partners what information is needed and what information will be left out of the model. This can differ per project.”

How can you share your Revit project with partners not using Revit?

“IFC based solutions and Revit based solutions are most commonly used. The downside of using IFC is that you risk data being lost when exporting your Revit model to IFC, which is not desirable when it comes to sharing information. However, the benefit of IFC is that the entire BIM model can be shared among different software. Which solution you use, depends on the partners you are working with and which platforms they use. However, it can also work the other way around: the way you’d wish to share your project can influence which teams you decide to partner up with. In some cases, one party will deliver the model and define what software needs to be used.

But it’s not just external parties you need to exchange information with. Also within your own organization you may need to share information from your model with people not using Revit. For example, when creating bill of materials for the purchasing department. In that case, you can use Apps that allow you to quickly export the information, such as the Stabiplan Export and Import Excel App. With this App, you can easily export Revit data to Excel to share information quickly with those not using Revit. This way, you can collaborate successfully in BIM, while working with the tools that each party is comfortable with.”

Essential update for the Electrical Schematics App for Revit

10 July 2018

You can now generate a block schematic of your Revit electrical system

A new schematic has been added to the Electrical Schematics App: the block schematic. This schematic will show an overview of all of the panels in the Revit electrical system and has 2 variations: one with the level information included with the panel and one with the levels represented using horizontal lines and placing the panels on the correct level.

For Revit power systems, the panels will include information about the total connected load, the total estimated demand and the apparent load per phase. Great to get a nice overview!

Choose which levels to include in your system structure schematic

When generating the system structure schematic, you can now choose which levels to include in your schematic. This enables you to create system structure schematics that are more compact and easier to print. Offering you more flexibility!

Generate schematics for each panel individually

We are not only showing the main panels, but also all of the sub panels in your Revit electrical system. This enables you to generate a schematic for each main and sub panel individually.

ABB System pro E power main distribution switchboard

10 July 2018

Why ABB System pro E power main distribution switchboard?

The ABB System pro E power main distribution switchboard, ABB’s new solution for main distribution switchboards with rated current up to 6300A and short-circuit current up to 120kV, meets all plant requirements depending on the type of installation, required degree of protection and electrical and mechanical specifications.

Flexibility
The structure can be assembled to suit different logic sequences. Just a few part numbers for 120 enclosure sizes.

Velocity
New mounting plates with rapid click-in system. Panels with 1/4-turn screws.

Simplicity
Error-free assembly of the structure, which is perfectly symmetrical. Modular uprights and cross-pieces joined together by means of a patented new system with axial screws.

Want to use ABB distribution switchboard in your Revit or AutoCAD project?

Download Revit families, AutoCAD files and IFC files for free and start designing right away!

New items for Brink Climate Systems heat recovery units

10 July 2018

New articles available for download

New Brink Climate Systems heat recovery units are, as of this week, available for download from MEPcontent as Revit families, AutoCAD files or .IFC files. Download now the Flair 300 (NL localization) and the Flair 325 (INT, DE, CH and FR localizations) and start using them in your projects!

Several other localizations have been added and updated for CH, DE, FR, NL and INT for the Renovent Excellent and Renovent Sky families.

Brink Climate Systems heat recovery units

The Flair 300 is more efficient, quieter and consumes considerably less energy than other comparable products. According to calculations, energy consumption is about 30% lower. The new designed fans with integrated controls ensure a constant flow of fresh ventilation air.

The convenient installation wizard of the Flair 325 makes installation quicker. This tool guides you step-by-step through the installation process and makes it impossible to overlook anything. The appliance itself also offers you smart help through the maintenance wizard when maintaining and replacing filters.

DYKA AIR family pack updated

09 July 2018

DYKA AIR has updated a number of products with dimensions and article numbers. The family pack has been updated with old article numbers removed and new ones added.

The following products have been updated:

DYKA AIR T oval 3LV 90gr, article number 20049724 (former article number 20042269)
DYKA AIR reducer-T oval - 80 3LV 90gr, article number 20049725 (old article number 20042275)
DYKA AIR T-piece ov. 195 + end-piece 125, article number 20049726 (former article number 20048403)
The product DYKA AIR reducer-T oval - 80 3LV 45gr, article number 20042274 has been deleted.

Download the DYKA AIR family pack from MEPcontent to work directly with this updated Revit library. The DYKA AIR PLS (Product Line Sheet), which can be used in Stabicad, has also been updated accordingly. The PLS can be imported into Stabicad using the PLI (Product Line Importer) in StabiBASE.

Design POLOPLAST above-ground sanitary systems in Revit

07 July 2018

The MEPcontent POLOPLAST Product Line Placer for Revit plugin helps BIM experts to get access to the POLO-KAL XS, POLO-KAL NG and POLO-KAL 3S series, made available in this App. Visit the MEPcontent store and watch the video to see the App in action and get a quick impression of what it can do for you. Try the App yourself for free by downloading it from the MEPcontent store and install it for Revit. Create accurate schedules and select the product line, product group or system type of choice from within the POLOPLAST product range. Get the right POLOPLAST coupling or end piece when working with the split elements and cap open ends Revit functionalities. Draw your system and zoom in on the pipe socket, while connecting multiple fittings, bends, tees, reducers and couplings from the POLOPLAST series available in the App.

Optimizer included

Next to autorouting, composites and schedules, this App includes an optimizer which optimizes your system according to your set preferences. Simply specify which solution you want to see in which scenario and the optimizer will adjust all your auto routing fittings to the desired solution.

Free Manufacturer App

The MEPcontent POLOPLAST Product Line Placer App can be downloaded for free on store.mepcontent.com. You can also find this handy plugin on the POLOPLAST website.

What is Revit?

05 July 2018

With BIM on the rise, MEP engineers around the world are taking the step from AutoCAD to Revit to work alongside their construction partners. But what is the difference between these two design platforms? Is Revit better? We talked with Revit specialist and product manager Coert de Jong to get all the ins and outs on Revit.

What is the difference between Revit and AutoCAD?

“Revit and AutoCAD are both flagship products of Autodesk. AutoCAD is primarily a drafting tool to create basic geometry that represents the real world, whereas Revit is known as the BIM software that can be used by architects, engineers, contractors and designers. There is actually a comparison between Revit and AutoCAD available online so you can check it to see exactly what the differences are.”

What is the difference between Revit and Revit MEP?

“Revit has a history in architecture, which means that the needs of MEP engineers weren’t fully satisfied with the original offering of Revit. Therefore Revit MEP was developed, which is geared towards mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors and design firms. Revit MEP gives users access to additional content libraries and functionalities that are relevant for MEP engineers.”

Why do MEP engineers work with Revit?

“Revit is the best platform for designing technical installations in 3D. This is not only because of the functionalities in Revit, but also because of the large content libraries available. It’s the combination of content and functionalities that make the platform so valuable. The good thing about Revit is that for all points in your model, everything is interrelated. When one thing is changed, the rest of the model will change accordingly. You cannot change something in your model without seeing an adjustment in your material list. The multiple views in Revit give you a sense of control in a way that’s not possible in AutoCAD. You can directly see what you are doing and check if it makes sense or not. A content platform such as MEPcontent makes this sense of control even stronger, because of the realistic models provided by manufacturers who partner with MEPcontent.”

More about the Revit topic next week in a new news article which you can read on this site. Stay in touch!

Welcome to manufacturer Attema on MEPcontent! Junction boxes published

04 July 2018

Welcome, Attema!

We welcome manufcturer Attema on MEPcontent. Numerous Revit families for Attema ceiling / wall junction boxes, transition boxes, expansion boxes and recess cones have been published today on the MEPcontent platform where they can be downloaded for free by MEP engineers and used in their projects.

Marcel Herssevoort, Marketing Manager at Attema B.V., explains why MEPcontent was chosen: "Attema has been active in the field of BIM for years. We offered our relations Revit files via our website. However, the market asked us whether we could also provide access to these files via MEPcontent. We would like to listen to this and have therefore opted for MEPcontent. We can offer the first part of our range from now on, the rest will follow soon."

Junction boxes for different uses

The complete series of Attema junction boxes can be roughly divided into square, universal junction boxes and round, traditional junction boxes.

The Attema assortment of round, traditional junction boxes includes numerous combinations and positions of the conduit lead-ins. They are especially well suited for surface-mount installations for conduit and conduit clips.

The hollow wall boxes are suitable for installation in “open” and/or “closed” hollow walls.
The (Duo-)UHW50(-BW) and UHW40 can be used in both “open” and “closed” hollow walls. The HWD40 is especially well suited for use in a “closed” hollow wall. The HWD50, HWD50S and HWD50L(-BW) can only be used in an “open” hollow wall.

About Attema

Attema is an ambitious developer and producer of innovative solutions. These are applicable to different areas in the market: Installation, Building, Infra and Special Products. Attema employees always listen closely to their customers so they know better than anyone else what’s happening in the market. This results in the creation of continually surprising products with clearly added specific value for each customer.

Henco Vision and Henco Super Sizes series available in the Henco BIM App

03 July 2018

3D modelling changes the way we design systems. Engineers integrate more and more information to build better, more efficient and more durable models and ultimately buildings. That is something that we want to support at Henco. With that in mind, we developed a BIM app in association with MEPcontent. We have integrated Henco products into a BIM tool, making them available to engineers, always with the latest information.

The following articles are currently available:

Henco multilayer pipe
Henco PVDF Press
Henco PVDF Press Gas

Recently launched (available since 29th of June 2018)

Henco Vision
Henco Super Sizes

Advantages of the Henco app

Always work with completely up-to-date, Henco specific product lines for piping
The Henco pipes and bend families contain the relevant data to link with wholesale information and GTIN or article numbers
All Henco pipes and bends available in the App are 100% compatible and easy to use in your Revit designs
Light, data-based and localised content
Get rid of the hassle of having to place Henco fittings in your system manually; the nodesolver functionality will show you the best solutions available
Be sure your system stays up-to-date thanks to the auto routing functionality; when you adjust a dimension (e.g. diameter) of the system, the specific properties (e.g. article number) automatically change with it

Download the app for free from the MEPcontent store

This article is published by Henco. For more information go to: https://www.henco.live/en.

[Video] How to use a generic manifold Revit family

21 June 2018

This manifold is created on a lot of user requests for sanitary systems. You can change all necessary sizes and dimensions to fit the family into your project. Valves are optional.

Watch the video and see how to easily configure the manifold to meet your system requirements. Download the manifold family here.

New App release for Revit - 6 Productivity Tools

19 June 2018

What if you can do repetitive tasks in Revit in less than half the time?

Designing MEP systems gets much easier with the Stabiplan Productivity Tools for Revit. Make use of the versatile and easy-to-use tools such as connecting, rotating, and reconnecting Revit families in routing systems to streamline your design workflow. A great help for everyone working in Revit in the MEP domain.

6 improved Revit functionalities in one Productivity Tools ribbon

Whether you want to connect a fitting to a pipe, rotate entire systems in 3D without leaving your current view, or reconnect a disconnected saddle to a pipe, you can now save considerable time by eliminating the redundant steps imposed by the native Revit commands.

To save a lot of time for MEP systems such as ventilation, sprinkler, cable ducts, heating and cooling, and sanitary systems. Sometimes more than 60% of the time can be saved compared to similar, repetitive tasks in Revit. You can find these 6 features under the Productivity Tools ribbon in the Stabiplan tab once you have downloaded the Productivity Tools from the MEPcontent store.

Features of the Productivity Tools in Revit

Connect elements
Connect & rotate elements
Connect & copy elements
Rotate elements around other elements
Rotate elements in free space
Reconnect elements

Connect elements
Select the connector of the element you want to connect or a point close to it.
Continue by selecting the connector of the reference element you want to connect into or a point close to it. The element will be moved and connected to the reference element.

Connect & rotate elements
Just like Connect elements but also rotate the connected element around the axis of the connector of the reference element within your specified angle.

Connect & copy elements
Select the connector of the element you want to move or a point close to it. Continue by selecting the connector of the reference element you want to connect into or a point close to it.
The element will be moved and placed to the desired reference element. Every next click, the selected element will be copied and connected to the point indicated by you.

Rotate elements around other element
Rotate elements according to your preferences in just a few clicks, regardless of the view you’re in. Specify the angle and click either Clockwise or Counterclockwise buttons to rotate the elements according to your preferences.

Rotate elements in free space
Easily rotate elements such as single Revit families, assemblies, and groups around X, Y and Z axis.
After starting the function, you can specify the desired direction and angle.

Reconnect elements
Select the pipe or duct where the disconnected element should be attached to.
Elements with connectors on top of each other will be connected. Also, disconnected saddles will be
reconnected to pipes or ducts.

Free Trial for the Stabiplan Productivity Tools for Revit
The Stabiplan Productivity Tools for Revit plugin can be downloaded on store.mepcontent.com.Try this Revit App for free for one week and you can also keep using one of six functionalities after the trial. Both to get the most out of it and save tremendous time and frustrations, please upgrade to the full paid version to make sure you can use it for all your Revit projects.

Reduce Time Consuming Revit Tasks to 4 Clicks or less: Live Webinar to share your own use cases

13 June 2018

[One App containing 6 new Revit Tools to improve your productivity: connect, rotate, copy and reconnect elements. In 4 clicks or less! Download a free trial of the Stabiplan Productivity Tools now and don't forget to join the free webinar. Learn how you can boost your productivity in Revit in our live Revit demo.]

When was the last time you found yourself struggling in Revit? Trying to beat that fast approaching deadline for your installation project? MEP design in Revit can sometimes be a pain and you know that better than anyone.

But it doesn’t have to be that hard.

What if you could cut the time for simple tasks in Revit in half? You’d be more relaxed about your work and have enough time to think of the best solutions to use.

6 key Revit functionalities

We took 6 Revit functionalities, improved them and offer them in an easy-to-use look-and-feel.

Here they are: “Connect Elements”, “Connect & Rotate Elements”, “Connect & Copy Elements”, “Rotate Elements around Other Element”, “Rotate Elements in Free Space” and “Reconnect Elements”.

What can you do with them?

Whether you want to connect a fitting to a pipe, rotate entire systems in 3D without leaving your current view, or reconnect a disconnected saddle to a pipe, you can now save considerable time by eliminating the redundant steps imposed by the native Revit commands. The tools are great if you’re working on designing MEP systems such as ventilation, sprinkler, cable ducts, heating & cooling and sanitary systems.

I want to work faster in Revit, how do I get them?

All six tools are available within the Stabiplan Productivity Tools App for Revit. You can download the one week free trial here, no strings attached.

Let’s talk about it

On the 28th of June, we host a free webinar to discuss user experiences with the App. Please send us an email no later then the 26th of June, telling us what challenges you’re currently facing in your Revit project and whether the App helped solved these or not. We can discuss your situation and how to solve it during the live demo in the webinar (if you want to)!

Less work in Revit

I can tell you how many clicks it takes to get the job done with these tools:

           Connect Elements: 3 clicks
After clicking on the Connect Elements icon, select the connector of the element you want to connect. Continue by selecting the connector of the reference element you want to connect into. The 2 elements will be automatically connected.

           Connect & Rotate Elements: 4 clicks
After connecting the elements, simply choose the angle of your preference and click on “Clockwise” or “Counterclockwise” to rotate.

           Connect & Copy Elements: 3 clicks
This tools works just like “Connect Elements”, except that you can multiply the initial element you selected as many times as you want. Every next click, the selected element will be copied and connected to the point you indicate.

           Rotate Elements around Other Element: 3 clicks
Start up the tool, then select the element to be rotated. Specify the angle and click either the “Clockwise” or the “Counterclockwise” buttons to rotate the elements according to your preferences.

           Rotate Elements in Free Space: 2 clicks
Select the elements you want to rotate and specify the desired direction and angle.
You will be able to rotate elements such as single Revit families, assemblies and groups around the X, Y and Z axis.

           Reconnect Elements: 2 clicks
Select the pipe or duct where the disconnected element should be attached to. Elements with connectors on top of each other will be connected. Disconnected saddles can also be reconnected to pipes or ducts.

Enjoy using the Revit Productivity Tools!

Extensive update for PLS for Geberit, Henrad, Stelrad and IVAR

13 June 2018

In the past weeks, several PLS (Product Line Sheets) have been updated with new product information:

PLS for Henrad Radiators: 4099 articles

PLS for Stelrad Radiators: 6205 articles

5 PLS for IVAR Pipes and fittings: 1285 articles in total. Choose between pipes and fittings from IVAR PRESS-Line, IVAR MPC-Line, IVAR MPL-Line, IVAR MPC-Line or IVAR MP-Line.

PLS for Geberit Mapress pipes and fittings: 996 articles in total. You can choose between copper pipes and fittings, copper gas pipes and fittings, stainless steel fittings, CuNiFe pipes and fittings and Carbon-steel pipes and fittings by Geberit.

How do I use a PLS?

You can import Product Line Sheets (PLS) in your project through Stabicad and have your articles available both in Stabicad for Revit and Stabicad for AutoCAD. After importing, the articles will include properties and dimensions such as type or diameter, which makes it easy to place them in your project.

A MEPcontent subscription for Stabicad is required for working with the PLS. Read more about the MEPcontent subscription.

New Vaillant and Saunier Duval items available for download: Select your preferred localization

06 June 2018

3+ localizations for Saunier Duval heat pumps

RFA, IFC and DWG files are now available for free download for the GeniaAir HA, GeniaSetSplit and MEHsplit with the following localizations: Belgium, Poland, Italy, Spain and France.

The new air-to-water heat pump for heating, cooling and domestic hot water

The new GeniaAir Split system with refrigerant split technology is the natural extension of Saunier Duval heat pump portfolio and has been developed to make installation easier for you.

New Revit and AutoCAD files available for aroTHERM5, MEHsplit and uniTOWERsplit Vaillant heat pumps with 11 new localizations

If your project requires RFA and DWG files for Vaillant heat pumps with product information from Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Norway or Poland, you can download these for free from the MEPcontent library.

The new items are available for aroTHERM5 air and water heat pump, the MEHsplit and uniTOWERsplit.

High performance, low noise

The aroTHERM Split is an efficient, environment-friendly option for heating, cooling and hot water. You can enhance the system even further with a wide range of system components like ventilation or solar collectors (also on MEPcontent).

Vaillant heat pumps also extended with IFC files

IFC files for aroTHERM5, MEHsplit and uniTOWERsplit can now be downloaded and used with with localizations for France, the United Kingdom and Germany.