Achieving speed and accuracy in the design phase of construction is no longer a competitive advantage — it’s a necessity. The growth of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has improved teamwork and visibility throughout the project. However, one challenge still exists: support system layout.
Despite significant advances in BIM workflows, contractors lose time and productivity because of inefficient manual processes in placing and coordinating hangers and supports. Time for a more innovative approach. Enter MSUITE Hangers, a solution to accelerate BIM modeling efficiency and transform MEP coordination through automation.
Why Support System Layouts Still Cause Problems
Support systems are important for every MEP installation. These include pipe hangers, conduit supports, cable trays, and multi-tier trapeze racks. However, laying them out in the BIM model often becomes a bottleneck. Why?
- Repetitive and time-consuming.
- Manual placements are prone to errors
- Every model update forces rework
- Coordination between trades becomes fragmented
These issues disrupt project flow, increase the likelihood of rework, and reduce overall construction productivity. While these supports may be a small visual element in the model, they disproportionately impact time and labor.
BIM Automation as the Solution
BIM automation means using software to manage predictable tasks. This allows your team to focus on what matters most: creating a high-performing model that installs smoothly in the field. Improve your BIM workflows.
MSUITE Hangers embodies this principle by bringing automation directly into the support layout workflow. It enables users to:
- Automatically place supports based on system type, pipe size, and material
- Dynamically adjust placements when the model changes
- Generate accurate field layout points for installation
- Share placement rules across project teams for consistency
By automating this process, MSUITE removes the manual labor from support system layout, dramatically improving efficiency and accuracy. Request a demo of MSUITE Hangers today.
Accelerating BIM Automation and Modeling Efficiency
Speed without quality is useless. But with MSUITE Hangers, contractors get both. Teams can model faster while reducing the chance of errors that cause delays in the field.
Users can apply rules instead of manually choosing hanger types, spacing, and drawing connections. The software will then generate the placement automatically. Even for complex configurations like multi-tier trapeze supports, MSUITE automates the process.
This simple workflow helps teams design hangers while placing pipe or duct. It saves time when working under tight deadlines.
Improving Construction Productivity Across the Lifecycle
Automating hanger placement has a significant impact. Contractors who use this method see better results in field work, fabrication, and project coordination.
When the team’s model is supported correctly, they can work faster during installation. They also make fewer mistakes when they link these supports to digital layout tools. Fabrication shops benefit from clearer output and faster spool creation. Project managers also gain more predictable schedules and cleaner installs.
A 2024 Dodge Construction Network study revealed that 66% of digital workflows’ owners report improved decision-making. Meanwhile, 60% have implemented digital data exchanges across half or more of their internal project processes.
These findings show that digitizing construction workflows helps teams work better. This is especially true for BIM coordination and layout. It leads to more informed teams and better project results. Source
A New Era of MEP Coordination
MEP coordination is all about trade alignment. In dense mechanical spaces, hanger layout decisions affect clearances, access, and code compliance. That’s why it’s essential to standardize and automate support system layout across disciplines.
MSUITE Hangers promotes better MEP coordination by letting all trades operate from a shared rulebook. Instead of each team working on their supports alone or repeating tasks later, MSUITE uses consistent logic. It updates automatically as systems change.
This reduces clashes, streamlines coordination meetings, and keeps the model installation-ready from day one.
The Power of Custom Placement Rules
One standout feature in MSUITE Hangers is its Placement Rules Engine. This lets VDC managers set rules for specific systems. They can define minimum distances between hangers. They can also set support spacing based on pipe diameter. Additionally, they can choose attachment methods for structural steel, slabs, or struts.
You can save, reuse, and share these rules across projects and teams. This ensures that you include your best practices in every model.
This is a significant breakthrough for companies scaling across multiple job sites. It makes training new detailers easier, standardizes outputs, and reduces dependency on tribal knowledge.
End-to-End Automation: From Model to Field
MSUITE Hangers isn’t just about what happens in the office. It directly connects to the field by automatically generating layout points tied to hanger locations. You can export these points directly to robotic total stations, saving layout crews time and improving accuracy.
When design and field teams work together better, installation delays decrease. Teams spend less time looking for answers or fixing mistakes. Streamline fabrication and field output.
Why Contractors Are Making the Switch
Contractors like Midwestern Mechanical have already made the shift. After deploying MSUITE Hangers, their VDC team reported cutting layout time in half and virtually eliminating field layout errors.
“What used to take 10 steps now takes one. It’s like night and day.” — Josh Olberding, VDC Director at Midwestern Mechanical.
A Smarter Way to Build
In the drive for construction productivity, every gain matters. Automating a slow and error-prone process like hanger placement saves time and improves teamwork. It also reduces mistakes, allowing your best people to focus on more important tasks.
Imagine you want to make your BIM modeling faster. You also want to improve MEP coordination. Plus, you want to simplify your support system layout from the model to installation. In that case, it’s time to look closely at MSUITE and automating your workflows.
