Safran Uses Integrated Factory Modeling to Supercharge Manufacturing Facilities

Customer Success Story

Challenges

Safran launched an initiative to digitize their factories in 2019.

Before adopting a 3D Digital Twin factory model, refitting and

reconfiguring industrial facilities required extensive time on

site. 2D models were incomplete, not accounting for utilities or

proper sizing of equipment, causing re-work and excess cost.

Building design teams were not able to effectively place

machines with workstation ergonomics, production flow,

and manufacturing efficiency in mind.

Facilities teams did not have access to a connected Factory

Model to plan and execute scheduled maintenance

to production lines, and any changes to equipment were not

captured in legacy building system schematics.

Improved production flow

Results

Safran adopted 3D BIM tools to retrofit existing manufacturing facilities. Using

Inventor for equipment modeling and factory layout alongside Revit and Architecture

Engineering Construction tools for the building model, they were able to create

a representative Digital Twin in several business units.

The more detailed 3D environment allowed Safran building design teams to quickly

visualize different layouts concepts and evaluate each for ergonomics, safety,

serviceability, and production flow. The BIM environment also allowed teams to bring

in models from multiple trades to eliminate clashes of different systems in the field,

reducing delays and keeping the retrofit projects on budget.

Solution

The BIM environment actually saves us time and money in production layout and operations

Customer quote

Fewer project delays

during retrofit

Frederic Joignant, BIM Manager, Safran Helicopter Engines

“ ”

Improved workstation

ergonomics

Fewer clashes between

systems during construction

Better understanding of

factory systems through

increased model data