bocad anniversary – innovation is in it's DNA
November 2023
40 years of bocad software: German-based with projects built by customers around the world, from the North Pole to the South Pole
Bochum, Germany, November 2023. bocad, detailed design and fabrication software for structural engineering has been a pioneer in the construction software industry, setting standards in steel construction since its founding in 1983. The 40th anniversary of the first 3D CAD/CAM software for structural highlights an extraordinary success story based on commitment to perfection, customer orientation, dedication, and cohesive teamwork.
The acquisition by SCHULLER&Company in 2022 has led to a surge of innovation in BIM capability, and S&C bocad is expanding in Europe, Asia and Australia.
For 40 years, bocad has shaped and transformed structural engineering. Through depth of detail and error-free processes, it has opened up new fabrication possibilities in construction. bocad is an integrated solution used for conceptual design, fabrication, assembly and construction; and, interoperate with other disciplines software. Success factors for durable software include vision or purpose, an expandable software architecture, industry knowledge, continual innovation, function extensions, and performance improvements. Innovation is in bocad’s DNA.
"Our future depends on software, no matter what future we envision. With bocad, we aim to contribute to advancing the efficiency, accuracy, sustainability, and cradle-to-cradle approach in the construction industry. To achieve this, we employ new technologies and methods such as BIM. We will also engage in partnerships with key players because the industry thrives on collaboration. bocad is the best software for detailing – and we will continue to enhance our market position," explains Helmut Schuller, owner of S&C bocad, on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.
The initial vision for bocad was to create a tool for the steel industry to construct and fabricate individual structures efficiently, flawlessly, and rapidly. Continuity is one of bocad’s requirements, allowing its functionalities to rapidly expand into areas such as timber, roof and wall, facades, offshore platforms, and transmission towers. A prerequisite for this is the foresight of developers for a software architecture that is expandable, scalable, and will remain stable while constantly adapting to new requirements. In the complex world of construction IT, bocad models can be reliably synchronized with other systems and integrated into digital models. The high quality of bocad is evident in how it adapts to technological developments and interoperability. This is made possible by the expertise of a team that includes experienced structural engineers specializing in fields who understand consultants and fabricators’ work and requirements and growing demands for BIM (Building Information Modeling), accuracy, efficiency, cost optimization, and sustainability. Moreover, a committed team striving for perfection contributes to customer satisfaction. bocad is capable of meeting any requirement and enabling complex constructions.
Origin at the Ruhr University Bochum, Chair of Steel ConstructionIn 1983, bocad GmbH was founded as a result of a research project at the Ruhr University Bochum. The idea and origins go back to the 1970s at the Department of Steel Construction. Professor Dr.-Ing. Georg Pegels, as one of the first researchers, laid the foundations for computer-aided design/fabrication (CAD/CAM) in construction. His doctoral advisor, Professor Dr.-Ing. Karlheinz Roik, had the courage and foresight to embark on a completely new, innovative project at the board of Steel Construction at the Ruhr University Bochum. "The research approach was quite bold, but it still holds," recalls Prof. Pegels in August 2023 during a conversation with bocad owner Helmut Schuller. "The basis was to use an internal 3D model of the planned structure, from which all types of drawings, lists, and manufacturing information would be automatically derived using CAD methods."
Success factor team: unity, consistency, and innovationThe core team at bocad has been dedicated to the company for decades. During uncertain times, the 50-member team has stood firm, demonstrating responsibility towards customers and belief in bocad’s potential. The strength of software is not only in its structure, but also in the people and their unity. The team stands by bocad, shaping the software with consistency and a drive for innovation. Several releases are published each year, with developers taking great care to ensure practicality remains guaranteed.
Buildings and icons worldwideThe result is satisfied customers who use bocad to realize all kinds of structures: bridges, energy masts, schools, sports arenas, museums, residential houses, hotels, office buildings, skyscrapers, industrial buildings, and even research stations at both the North and South Poles. Icons such as the Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, Burj Al Arab in Dubai, The Oculus in New York, and EUROPA in Brussels are shaping cities worldwide.
About bocadbocad is detailed design and fabrication software for structural engineering. The software supports designers and engineers with the creation of digital models, integration into BIM projects, automatic reports, fabrication and assembly drawings, as well as nc files. bocad covers areas such as steel, timber, roof and wall, offshore platforms, and transmission towers. The strength of bocad lies in detailed elaboration, from initial planning to the last bolt in variously complex structures, from warehouses to intricate buildings. The software accurately represents the connection of individual components, controls planning, and provides raw materials purchasing lists. This enables the production, delivery, and timely assembly of individual components on site. bocad is used by renowned national and international companies. Prominent buildings include the Ferrari Arena in Abu Dhabi, the railway station building in Liège (Belgium), the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, The Oculus shopping center in New York, and Roots in Hamburg’s HafenCity district, Germany's largest wooden residential building following the cradle-to-cradle principle.
About SCHULLER&CompanySCHULLER&Company GmbH supports companies from various industries in their path to digititalization, focusing on data and document management and their visualization. For this purpose, SCHULLER&Company offers a portfolio for Digital Twins in both construction and industrial plant engineering. The company, based in Eschborn near Frankfurt am Main, was founded in 2018 by Helmut Schuller. In May 2022, SCHULLER&Company acquired the bocad area from AVEVA and integrated the software into the Digital Twins portfolio. The team comprises highly experienced engineers with extensive professional expertise from engineering and software companies. They significantly enhance clients' business processes, project execution methods, data utilization, and data migrations through a deep understanding of processes and technologies.
Website bocad.com
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SCHULLER&Company GmbH, Mergenthalerallee 15 – 21 | 65760 Eschborn |
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Imme Wöhrmann
SCHULLER&Company GmbH, Mergenthalerallee 15 – 21 | 65760 Eschborn |