Precision and speed in connection design: Brazilian engineers reshape their workflow

As CODEME’s projects expanded, engineers faced growing pressure to deliver precise designs within shorter timelines. Working closely with BIM WORKS Brasil, the team often tackled complex steel and concrete structures requiring reliable verification of forces and details.

To keep up with increasing demands, they needed a way to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and ensure every project stayed on schedule. Traditional spreadsheets had served well for years, but they were no longer enough to meet the complexity and pace of modern engineering.

The challenge: accuracy under pressure

Each complex steel connection required hours of manual input and force calculations. One connection could take up to six hours to finalize. In addition, integrating results from different design platforms into downstream BIM workflows created extra friction and increased the risk of inconsistency.

With more international projects on the horizon, another challenge emerged: the need to communicate results clearly across multiple languages. Engineers had to deliver accurate documentation that clients abroad could easily understand and verify.

CODEME’s team realized that improving accuracy, clarity, and speed would require a change in both process and tools.

The approach: connecting tools and teams

To overcome these challenges, CODEME implemented IDEA StatiCa, integrating it directly into their existing workflow with Autodesk Robot and Tekla Structures. This allowed engineers to import all acting forces at a node directly into the IDEA StatiCa Connection app and perform complete verification of all components in one environment.

This interoperability eliminated manual data transfer and simplified verification. Engineers could now model, calculate, and document connections with full accuracy, saving valuable hours and reducing the risk of human error.

“Before, our connection design process was tedious and slow. Now it’s accurate and efficient.”

What changed: clarity, confidence, and collaboration

The impact was immediate: what once took six hours could now be completed in just a few minutes, saving over 90% of engineering time.

Beyond speed, IDEA StatiCa gave CODEME new levels of transparency. Every calculation step was stored and traceable, allowing engineers to review results, validate assumptions, and make better-informed decisions.

Multilingual reporting also made a real difference. By generating reports in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, the team bridged communication gaps with international clients and avoided misunderstandings during design approvals.

“It helped us communicate more clearly with clients and made technical discussions much easier.”

Lessons learned: people and support matter

Behind every successful change is great support. CODEME engineers appreciated the fast and knowledgeable technical assistance they received from the IDEA StatiCa support team during implementation. It gave them confidence to adopt the new process without interrupting ongoing projects.

“Technical support has always been prompt and knowledgeable. We really value that.”

By combining interoperability, automation, and strong communication, CODEME not only improved efficiency but also strengthened collaboration with partners and clients. Their workflow became more predictable, their documentation clearer, and their outcomes safer and more cost-effective.

Key takeaways

• 90% time savings per complex connection
• Fully traceable workflow for greater confidence
• Multilingual reports supporting international collaboration
• Faster delivery and clearer communication across teams
  

CODEME’s experience shows that progress in engineering isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing things smarter, with precision, clarity, and confidence.