Rigging, Assembly and BIM: Bridging the Gap

Prefabricated equipment and systems have become the standard for good reason. The more you can prefabricate, the faster, more cost-effective, and higher quality a project becomes. The goal is simple: manufacture a quality product off-site and deliver it just in time. When done right, it's like running multiple projects in parallel across different locations - far more efficient than traditional stick-built construction or field fabrication.

BIM and 3D Scanning: Essential Tools for Modern Construction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D scanning have naturally become critical tools in modern construction, and R. Baker & Son has fully embraced them. Manufactured equipment suppliers also rely on 3D modeling to design and connect their systems to other equipment and building utilities, making BIM an essential part of project coordination.

That said, BIM has its limitations, and understanding those limitations is just as important as knowing its strengths.

Where BIM Falls Short

BIM can pinpoint equipment locations, identify clashes, and illustrate general connections and system details. However, a BIM model is only as accurate as the information and knowledge the operator puts into it. Variables on the physical job site - real equipment tolerances, field conditions, and last-minute changes can't always be anticipated in a digital model.

When real equipment, tanks, piping, panels, and platforms arrive at the job site, that's the true test of how everything comes together. If you want field installation to be as efficient as the prefabrication process, you need experienced eyes to fill the gaps between what the model shows and what the field requires.

Providing the Critical Information BIM Can't

Identifying and addressing those gaps early is what saves time, money, and avoids unnecessary change orders and project delays. R. Baker & Son has assisted clients throughout the BIM modeling process by contributing rigging and assembly expertise during pre-construction planning and on-site execution.

Getting process and mechanical equipment into a building efficiently is only one part of the equation. We also support construction managers in coordinating across various equipment manufacturers and integrating systems that were fabricated in different locations. Over the years, we've helped clients avoid common and costly mistakes, including:

*Load cells at tank bases that can affect final tank elevations

*Vibration isolators that may alter equipment heights

*Shipped-loose components and panel placement that need to be accounted for in advance

*Shipping split locations optimized for both installation efficiency and future maintenance access

*Floor leveling requirements to keep equipment plumb, level, and properly pitched for drainage and functionality

*Anchoring needs not just to the floor, but to platforms, stairs, and walls

*Hardware and gasketing requirements needed to complete final assembly

Experience Meets Technology

R. Baker & Son brings more than 90 years of rigging, assembly, and millwright experience to every project. We've helped countless clients avoid costly mistakes simply by asking the right questions and sourcing the right information at the right time. When you combine that depth of hands-on experience with today's BIM technology, you create the strongest foundation for project success and maximum return on investment.