Month: May 2023

Exploring a New Approach to Copying Objects in Tekla
copy to another Object in Tekla

Normally in Tekla, if we want to copy objects or components from one object to another, we have to follow these steps :
- Select the objects and components you want to copy.
- Execute the “Copy to Another Object” command.
- Choose the source object.
- Select the destination object.
- The objects will be copied by reference, aligning their coordination system with that of the source object to the destination object’s coordination system.
Please note that the coordination system is used to ensure the accurate positioning of the copied objects in relation to the source and destination objects.

Macro: Copy to another object multiple

The command “Copy to Another Object” poses an issue when used in Tekla. It does not allow the selection of multiple destination objects at once; instead, we can only choose them one by one. This limitation can be time-consuming, particularly when working on large projects.

Tekla offers a macro called “Copy to Another Object Multiple” that fulfills the requirement of selecting multiple destination objects. This macro functions similarly to the command mentioned earlier. First, we need to select the objects before running the macro. Once the macro is executed, it prompts us to select an object. Then, we select one source part, after which we can conveniently use drag selection to choose multiple destination objects. Finally, press the mouse middle button.

the snapshot was taken on Tekla version 2022

You can find this macro in the Applications & Components catalog of Tekla Structures.

Introducing a New Approach: The Modified Implementation for Copying Objects in Tekla

The ‘Copy to Another Object‘ command works by copying objects in relation to the source object and pasting them according to the destination objects
- The coordination system plays a crucial role in defining the position and rotation of a part in Tekla
- It is primarily based on the start handle of the part
- Altering the coordination system of a part is not possible
If the destination object’s lengths differ from the source object, a problem arises where the objects are positioned based on the start point

After copying the small beam to other destination objects of varying lengths

In many situations, we often find ourselves having to manually utilize the ‘Copy Linear’ or ‘Move Linear’ commands to perform copying tasks.

We utilized the Tekla API to Create a new macro that helps to copy objects in relation to the end handle of the part. When executing this macro, it prompts the user to select the desired handling method for copying objects

This is the dialog box that appears while running the modified “Copy Multiple Tek1” macro.

When the “End Handle to End Handle Copy” option is selected, the operation produces an outcome that is similar to the image shown.

members of the Tek1 organization can download the tsep installer file of the above macro by clicking the download button

Download

Here is the code of the macro. if anyone wants to have a look around and find out how things work, just go through the code:

https://gist.github.com/ansonsuhesh/582062d65e83fad2a74540e2fddd795c

Here is the video to explain the process of the newly created macro. Check this out:

GitHub/ansonsuhesh

LinkedIn/ansonsuhesh
May 30, 2023
Memo #23 – How to write blog posts
I wish to move this firm towards a more decentralised model: where our success, your success, and your team’s success will ultimately be decided by the client.

The client will be your God. Serve him well.

Build your own brand!

Going forward, you will be responsible for your own marketing, not myself. If you market yourself well – then your name / reputation will correspondingly increase. With that comes opportunity for yourself and this firm:
- Clients will specifically ask for you to be on their job, and the firm will have no choice but to oblige them.
- However, I do not want to force anyone to do anything they do not want to. I do not want to nag anyone. If you don’t want to do it: fine, don’t do it. Those who do, will suffer the benefits and the costs of doing so.
This firm gives you an opportunity unlike any other in the world: you can market your own name within this firm. Yes, there is a risk of poaching, but I am relying on staff satisfaction, competitive remuneration, and most importantly: the freedom and opportunity for your own self advancement, that I would argue, is unlike any other firm in the world. If something is broken: you have the opportunity to fix it, without fighting through 10 layers of bureaucracy.

How to write a blog post:
You will need to tell me your username / email so I can register you.

Follow these instructions as on youtube.

(A) What type of things to blog?

(1) Project Related Blog Posts

Add photos:
1. Model photos.
2. Site photos – this will provide more definitive proof that you actually did the job.

Include on the photos:
1. Your name
2. Firm logo
3. Project name
4. Project reference number.
5. A link to the project from our app.
6. If possible a link to the IFC viewer.

Explain:

(a) Problems you faced on the project and

(b) how you solved them, in particular: how you save your clients time / money.

In doing so, you will prove to clients that you know what you are talking about, which gives a lot of confidence in them giving you work.

(2) Tuition Related Blog Posts

These blog posts are used to TEACH our internal staff and also external detailers. The general idea is what Tek1 will build a brand over time to be THE HUB and LEARNING centre on steel detailing across the world.

Lastly: NO AI SLOP and no AI BLOG POSTS. If it’s not unique or original, I don’t want it here. If you get caught doing this this will be a PERMANENT BAN.

How to Embed Videos

Do not upload videos directly – I will remove them. You will need to send them to me (or upload them yourselves) and then EMBED those videos on the site.

May 30, 2023

Memo #22: How to update clients on quote requests

It is a material advantage to quote early, and accurately.
Clients will then have an option of: (a) committing early and locking in a quote, or (b) to continue searching. If you deliver a quote late, then you may lose the opportunity to secure an earlier tender – perhaps someone who did quote early, won the job.
Clients need to know when the quote is coming. I also need to know. They are anxious about completing their tender. You must constantly update them. Here is the perfect example.

(1) ETA for the member count: e.g.

Material Take off report – ETA: Tuesday 21st March close of business AEST.
Member Count off report – ETA: Tuesday 21st March close of business AEST.

(2) A note for when it was started:

Material Takeoff Started on Friday 17th March, 9:00 PM AEST

(3) A note for when it was finished:

Preliminary Drafting for Material Takeoff Completed on 20th March 1:35AM AEST

And then Sushil will add in when it was finally delivered.

Memo #21 – DWG to be included with PDFs for drilling, column, erection layouts

For “Structural Steel Shop Drawings”, This is a client requirement. The clients would like to have the “steel erection drawings” in DWG format as well.

Why do they need them? Surveyors require the DWG format for the erection drawings because they use them to mark the locations for anchors and determine the precise placement of columns, among other purposes. How do they do this?:

The more sophisticated surveyors use Total Station Surveys. Look through some videos on this:

How to level a total station?
How to import dxf into total station software?
How to mark out points via total station.

Be warned: there is a risk that surveyors may use outdated or obsolete files in order to mark out column locations, drilling points. (I have a software solution for this problem, which will come shortly). Till that time, remain vigilant in ensuring your clients have the latest Anchor bolt and Steel shop drawings. drawings.

On a related point: it is critical that we do not miss any dimensions. If we miss a dimension, we will get a call from the construction site, or the factory floor: the time wasted, and the costs are astronomical.

TeklaStructures do a good job on producing the model and the shop drawings. As steel detailers, it is our job to make use of the tool properly

Memo #20 – A Stable Foundation

Most things worth doing take time. It takes investment, and patience, and hard work. Things don’t come from thin-air, like magic. It is much the same when building a firm: it takes time. I will document in which direction I intend to push this firm re:remuneration model, and why our remuneration model is superior to that of other firms:

Our remuneration is not guaranteed – here’s why:

We are a service firm, bidding on projects from week to week; month to month. Head office wins work: it does marketing, billing, taxes, PF, wages, software, licensing, and provides the capital to make it happen, provides a platform for you, provides training.
We are not a government department. We win work from clients, who come to us voluntarily in private markets. And it is the client who pays your wages and bonuses. Sorry guys, but I don’t have a pot of gold at my feet. If we don’t provide EXCEPTIONAL quality work to clients, then clients will not come back to us. If we do good work, then clients will return, and will pay premium for our services. I have always been a proponent of sharing success and promoting on merit. Unfortunately, the corollary also applies. That’s just how the world works.
I am going to push this firm towards a model where client satisfaction will determine the quality of our remuneration. This will push us all towards working out how to DELIGHT OUR CLIENTS. This is our job! Call your clients, listen to their complaints, cater to their whims.
While FryingPanGulf may have a different remuneration policy: super high guaranteed wages, high increments etc – this is not the direction which will work for us in the long term. If guarnteed money today is the only thing that matters, then absolutely, FryingPanGulf might be a great option for you. But if you can see tomorrow’s vision, I believe our remuneration strategy, and our innovation (I need your help with this), our own satisfaction, and the reputation which comes with our brand will inevitably follow. Have faith, but it will take time, and your own hard work as well as mine.

The way forward:

Delight your customers.
Innovate for your customer. Help me do this!
Let our remuneration be tied to customer satisfaction.

By doing this above, far from having an uncertain remuneration, you will have guaranteed it, and that of your client’s as well. Have faith and stay focused.

Memo #19 – As soon as IFA review drawings are received, update client with ETA – Steel detailing documentation requirements

We have written before the clients who are Steel Fabricators, Builders, Precast Panel Manufacturers are frenetic about the delivery of their drawings. They want to know WHEN the drawings are coming. If you have received some IFA (Issued For Approval) review drawings 1 hour ago, they will often call within 1-3 hours to ask for an ETA on their drawings.

Why are steel fabricators always asking delivery dates

To be on a construction site is expensive for every one. The builder has expensive rental on site. They deploy good number of supervisors, engineers, riggers, on site.

For the steel or precast fabricator, there are mulitple costs.
Costs at their own facility
Erection costs.
Costs of delay the builer will charge them.

Without knowing expected time of arrival of shop drawings, They are not able to plan properly

As steel detailer and precast detailer, it is our job to make sure that all parties are aware about when the drawings will arrive

You must be vigilant and proactive to their needs:

Memo – as soon as IFA review drawings with reviews are received – please make a status update.

Preston tram shed – Stair & handrail

Tek1 has successfully completed the commercial project for the reputed organisation in Australia.

Initially, the scope of work involved the main steel for the shed, which we have successfully completed. (Preston tram shed). Subsequently, the client assigned us an additional scope, which includes the handrails for the mezzanine level, as well as stair 1 and stair 2.

Stair 1