Limitations in Unitechnik export

Tekla Structures
2019
Tekla Structures

Limitations in Unitechnik export

The Unitechnik format is for flat panels and slabs for production in pallet circulation plants. It is an open format used by many different production system master computers, and therefore the specifications are quite strict, and field character lengths are limited, for example. The different master computers from different solution providers also have different interpretations of the Unitechnik data. The original format is from early 2000's, and it is a bit outdated in many aspects. As a result, the Unitechnik format has certain limitations:

  • All Unitechnik fields have a maximum character length, both for geometry and attribute information.

    • While Tekla Structures supports input of longer strings, the data has to be cut and simplified, or the export may be prevented completely. The log will notify if this happens.

    • Negative values in certain geometry fields (negative pallet X, Y, and Z coordinates, for example) will cause errors in production systems, even though the geometry comes correctly from the model.

    • Also the number of fields per hierarchy object is limited, although each has also unspecified reserve fields for customer-specific cases.

  • 3D shapes are not supported.

    • 3D concrete shapes are not supported (except for edge shapes in line attributes)
    • 3D embed shapes are not supported
    • 3D bent rebar shapes are not supported
  • When using terminal hook flection forms, the rebars and meshes can be bent only in one direction (hooks up or hooks down, for example).

  • One Unitechnik file may only have one HEADER block, but it may have several SLABDATE blocks.

    • Double wall elements are an exception. They should be exported in one file, with each shell having its own HEADER information.

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