CSA, Inc. - News/ Information

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4D CAD Goes Beyond Mere Representation

www.aecvision.com

For those who might think that 4D sounds akin to the Twilight Zone, consider the fact that 4D is simply
three dimensions with the addition of time. The sequence in which things are done, projects completed,
which tasks are accomplished and when, is essential to complex construction projects. In actuality, it
is a very down-to-earth process.

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CAD Plant Model

Nuclear Plant Journal

CSA, Inc. has created PM-Vision, a software tool providing common access to and integration between a
3D CAD Plant Model (database) and a typical Project Schedule 4D. A 3D CAD Model provides another
representation of the facility in terms of graphics and geometry. CSA's PM-Vision unifies these two project
representations in an integrated enviromment. The technology allows visual reprensentation of a project
schedule, as well as use of the database to support the presentation of the cost-effective schedule and analysis
of sequence and resources for implementation. PM-Vision is fully integrated with CSA's MasterModel tech-
nolgy, supporting the plant life cycle of complex facilities.

CSA Builds Virtual Nukes

www.construction.com

While Balfour and VirtualSTEP are aiming at broad markets, Construction Systems
Associates Inc. (CSA), Marietta, GA., like Intergraph and Bentley, has developed
a 4D simulation tool, PM-Vision, that is aimed mainly at power plants-in CSA's
case nuclear power plants, Unlike Intergraph's and Bentley's shrink-wrapped
solutions, PM-Vision is for now avaliable only on a consulting basis.

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HAWK Weapon System Database

CSA is developing, for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM),
Security Assistance Management (SAMD), System Management Office at Redstone
Arsenal, a prototype to integrate documentation for the HAWK Air Defense Missile
System, around a 3D configuration model of the system.

This facility will allow the user to review the 3D model of the system and access
drawings, documents, technical manuals, and database information related to the
system.

ENR Article About CSA's Services

Engineering News Record (ENR) magazine recently published an article ("3D Modeling To Go") describing
some of the services and technology available from CSA.

Specifically, the article mentions laser scanning as applicable to as-built documentation of a facility, and CSA's
4D application PM-Vision.

PM-Vision is used to provide effective support to create, analyze, review, visualize and communicate graphical
information for a complex construction schedule.

The link to this article is: http://www.enr.com/itnews/it31901e.asp

Ontario Power Generation Project

CSA is using an integrated plant configuration database to create a CBT computer-based training environment to support system training for Ontario Power, in Canada, at the Darlington and Pickering Plants.

The major benefits resulting from this project are:

- Very effective representation of systems in  3D, Schematic and Text formats. - Training material consistent with plant configuration. - This application provides a very effective tool  for difficult system training for a complex facility.

Integration Development Effort Funded by EPRI

CSA has recently completed a second phase of development of integration between a construction schedule and a comprehensive 3D plant database. This effort is funded by EPRI, with the objective of reducing construction time and cost of new generation nuclear power plants.

Submarine Design

CSA has recently completed a major several-million dollar effort to support the detailed design of a specialized submarine.

AUTOMATIC Creation of 3D CAD Model from Laser Scans

CSA is making available a new service to provide support for automatically creating a 3D CAD Model from a large number of laser scans.

This application can be used for both aerial scanning, as well as close-range scanning or a combination of both.

This service provides a very effective tool to automatically convert a large number of scans into a single 3D database which can be used to create MicroStation or AutoCAD models.

4D Application: PM-Vision
Integration between Construction Schedule and 3D Plant Database

CSA is making available a new tool to provide integration between a facility Construction Schedule and facility 3D Database. The 3D Model can exist in a variety of formats,  such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, etc.

CSA participates in CIFE

CSA recently participated in (CIFE) Center for Integrated Facility Engineering--an industry advisory board meeting organized by Stanford University.  
The objective of this meeting was to discuss and review future research plans for integrated construction.

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