Working efficiently with automated quality assurance

Van Wijnen Smart Structures 1 has future-proofed the production site for prefab elements in Heerenveen. This is done with high-quality machines and systems, but above all with committed employees. At this production location, BIM4Production® acts as a catalyst between people and machines. The software promotes personal involvement in the elements produced. This leads to fewer quality deviations and therefore lower failure costs. Moreover, thanks to BIM4Production, Van Wijnen complies almost fully automatically with the Building Quality Assurance Act (Wkb).

Harm Stuiver, plant manager at the Van Wijnen Smart Structures 1 concrete plant, is proud of the strides that have been made. "In recent years we have focused strongly on quality. For me, that always starts with a sense of ownership among our people. They need to be able to do what they do best. To meet the requirements of the Quality Assurance Act and the KOMO seal of approval, we had to do a lot of extra paperwork. Thanks to BIM4Production, these quality checks are almost completely automated."

Flexible arrangement of production jobs

The factory in Heerenveen operates entirely on the basis of Engineering to Order (ETO): precast elements are made only to order. This practically means that the various production jobs are tailored to various prefab elements. The job planning program within BIM4Production offers a solution for this. Stuiver: "We load our IFC models and, thanks to the job plan program, we then know exactly what is needed: from the amount of concrete required to the capacity of our production jobs and the time to prepare the order for transport." 

Grip on quality 

At Van Wijnen Smart Structures 1, the control employee has his own tablet with the BIM4Production app on it. This app asks the user to record information at predetermined times. Stuiver: "An example of this is when a photo needs to be taken of the locking pin on the transport carriage on which elements leave our factory. If this picture is not in BIM4Production, the element cannot leave the factory. Thus, various checks are built into our process to ensure quality and safety at all times. Together with our people, we keep a grip on the quality of each individual element, even if they are produced in large numbers."

Internal engagement crucial

Stuiver sees the internal involvement in the topic of quality as an important pillar of the success of the optimizations in recent years. "QC Inspector Albert Stienstra, responsible for implementation at our company, made crucial steps in this. He ensured support on the shop floor and emphasized the importance of high-quality prefab elements. Because BIM4Production is user-friendly, we have seen that employees have quickly incorporated it into their daily routine."

Commitment, quality and efficiency

Stuiver defines the added value of BIM4Production in different ways. But invariably the assurance of quality through committed employees and quality support systems recurs. Of course, Stuiver is also happy with all the efficiency improvements. Think for example of faster work preparation of higher quality, smart freight planning and automatic saw lists. Stuiver: "For us, BIM4Production actually brings everything together: involvement, quality and efficiency. This is precisely why this is an important step toward the future for Van Wijnen Smart Structures 1."

YouTube

Stuiver and several colleagues share their experiences in the first episode of Inside FLOW. Marketing manager Maarten van der Boon: "Inside FLOW is a series of customer films on our YouTube channel, in which we take a look behind the scenes. Van Wijnen has the kickoff, in the course of this year other clients of ours will follow, from different prefabricated areas. What people share is the use of BIM4Production." 

Efficient flow
BIM4Production focuses on creating an optimal flow, from planning to logistics. Based on 3D BIM models (IFC), the software generates the most efficient flow for all connected in transport planning and works backwards from there. Precast elements must arrive at the construction site at the right time. The software cleverly controls the production of the elements based on the desired delivery time. This coordination between transport and production guarantees an optimal flow on the construction site and provides constant insight into all facets of the process.