INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS: TOPCON AND AUTODESK AT BIM SHOW LIVE

Topcon GB & Ireland recently joined Autodesk on its stand at BIM Show Live 2018. In our latest blog, Andy Clifton, Geospatial Application Engineer at Topcon, talks about helping students understand how digital technologies are revolutionising the way we build. 

BIM Show Live brings together the latest developments in digital technology, and offers two full days of seminar sessions and interactive workshops from BIM and digital construction experts from across the globe. As part of the programme for 2018, more than 200 young people from schools and colleges attended a BIMspiration event, where they were shown the true power of digital construction.

The students took part in various workshops, each lasting half an hour and focused on a different digital aspect within the built environment, such as virtual reality and computer-aided design (CAD).

I showcased a variety of Topcon and Autodesk technology to the students, including the  Topcon LN-100 Layout Navigator and the Autodesk BIM 360 app. Topcon’s partnership with Autodesk and our combined technologies allow us to provide users with an integrated approach, connecting software with hardware to create a more accurate and efficient construction workflow for setting out tasks.

We showed the students how the Topcon LN-100 Layout Navigator makes site management and setting out easier by connecting wirelessly to a hand-held tablet, to stake out points. This data can then be communicated to the team via cloud-based software and used in the Autodesk BIM 360 app, to create a 3D image. By the end of our session, the students had mapped out the outline of a house and designed it up using CAD software.

Each student also took part in sessions with other suppliers and exhibitors, with practical activities including laser scanning, CAD design and utilities surveying. They were also given the chance to experience virtual reality within the construction sector, thanks to the latest Samsung Goggles and technologies.

Click here to see all the highlights from the BIM Show Live 2018.