Top 10 Construction Apps

Did you know your smartphone can double as a construction calculator, a construction management solution, or for sharing blueprints? All of these activities and more are now available as mobile applications. There are specialized apps for everything else, construction included. Using mobile apps gives you the ability to use tools you may have only had at your office anytime and anywhere.
Fieldwire from Fieldwire
www.fieldwire.com/
Application: Construction Management and Blueprint Sharing
Operating System: Android, iOS
Fieldwire provides users the ability to view blueprints, track inspections, track issues, and perform tasking on a smartphone.

• It has the capacity for agile project management.
• The free version includes 10 users and 5 projects. All versions include unlimited sheets.
• Business and Enterprise plans have API integration, email support, and phone support.

PlanGrid from PlanGrid
www.plangrid.com/en
Application: Construction Software
Operating System: Android, iOS
PlanGrid is a collaborative software solution that allows everyone on a construction project to share plans and markups in real time. Contractors and architects can share and collaborate from a desktop or mobile device on all project plans, photos, specifications, RFIs, and punchlists. The app also includes:

• Automatic master set version control
• Issue tracking
• Hyperlinks created from detail call-outs
• Cloud backup
• Simple export to .zip files

BIMx from GRAPHISOFT
http://www.graphisoft.com/bimx/
Application: Building Information Modeling (BIM) Project Presentation
Operating System: iOS
BIMx allows contractors to share 3D models with clients. The free version, available in both iOS and Android, provides an unlimited number of 3D models on any device. On the PRO plan, contractors and architects can view 2D and 3D models and access hyperlinked 2D documentation. Other features include:

• View 3D cut-aways
• Custom element information sets
• Zone stamps on floor plans and zone labels in 3D model
• Print from iOS device to AirPrint capable printers

Control Center 8 from EarthCam.net
https://www.earthcam.net/
Application: Remote webcam control with image and video sharing
Operating System: Android, iOS
Control Center 8 Mobile Support provides real-time control and access of jobsite webcams with the capability to share images and videos on social sites or through email. This application is excellent for keeping track of progress and security on any jobsite.

• Live streaming video
• Swipe, pinch, pan, tilt, and zoom controls
• 360-degree panoramic views
• Time lapse
• Historical archiving

LEED Construction Software by Green Badger
http://getgreenbadger.com/
Application: LEED documentation software
Operating System: Android, iOS
LEED Construction software provides a convenient way to document and verify LEED construction credits at the jobsite or the office. It verifies VOC content, provides the team with real-time updates, and offers reporting and documentation for LEED certification.

• General contractors
• Sustainability professionals
• Owners
• Developers
• Tenants

Buzzsaw by Autodesk
www.autodesk.com
Application: Document and data management software
Operating System: Android, iOS
Buzzsaw enables BIM workflows through a mobile device. The software also provides centralized access to project information and team collaboration. Users can exchange models, markup in design and review, and notify team members of changes to drawings.

Sun Seeker by ozPDA
www.ozpda.com
Application: Augmented reality camera 3D view showing solar path
Operating System: Android, iOS
Sun Seeker uses GPS to display the position of the sun and the light path to the user’s current position. Excellent for envisioning where and at what angle sunlight enters a room in order to plan window layouts.

• 3D augmented camera overlay view showing the sun’s current position and path
• Map view with hourly solar direction
• Ability to select location or date to view solar path for that day and place
• Includes maximum solar elevation, rise, and set

Handyman Construction Calculators by Kalyani
Application: Complete construction calculator
Operating System: Android
The Handyman Construction Calculator app contains multiple calculators, time tracking tools, and measurement converters.

• Concrete
• Lumber
• Brick
• Square footage
• Asphalt
• Job estimate
• …and many more

BulldozAIR by BulldozAIR
http://www.bulldozair.com/
Application: Visual task management and collaboration
Operating System: Android, iOS, Windows

BulldozAIR provides the means for teams to collaborate with the office and each other from the jobsite by exchanging visual information. Collaborate through visualization, traceability, reports, and notifications.

• Centralizes project documentation
• Provides offline access to key documents
• Captures and edits pictures and notes
• Assigns tasks to workers and clients

Construction Master Pro by Calculated Industries
www.calculated.com
Application: Advanced construction-math calculator
Operating System: Android, iOS, Windows
Construction Master Pro began as handheld construction calculator. Now the same functions are available on a mobile application.

• Solves difficult construction-math problems with a smartphone
• Reduces errors
• Saves time on estimating, bidding, and building
• Built in help

Mobile applications have proliferated along with the smartphone. Most of these applications are available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. They can take the place of multiple pieces of hardware from your computer to a hand calculator and you can carry it all on your mobile device.
Having these tools can save you time, eliminate errors, and help you get the bid back to the client before your competitors. You can check the angle of the sun from anywhere on the globe or monitor your LEED certification points, plus calculate, manage, and view almost any phase of your project.

Submitted by:
Steve Wright

Steve Wright works for Whirlwind Steel Buildings, a manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings and components. Whirlwind Steel metal buildings are manufactured and designed to meet the highest quality standards. To learn more, visit http://www.whirlwindsteel.com.

Product of the Week - PREMIUM SOLDERING KIT

Our Tool of the Week for the first week of February 2016 is not just a tool, it’s a kit:

One of our most popular products for the metal craftsman, the Premium Soldering Kit by Freund is perfect for the pro or do-it-yourselfer. These kits contain everything you need to successfully solder copper and zinc sheet. The only thing you need to supply is solder and a propane cylinder.
What the kit includes:

• Express 367/8E Self Igniting Premium Soldering Iron
• Medium Express soldering Iron Tip (9 oz - 3-3/4" Long)
• Pressure Regulator. UL Classified, compact design allows adjustment from 30-60 psi
• Solid Brass LP Gas Quick Connects
• 12'0" UL Listed Hose
• Freund Soldering Block Holder with ammonia stone, brush holder & flux canister
• Express Gel Soldering Flux for New Metals (zinc and copper). Easy to handle and easy to use
• Soldering fluid bottle with screw cap for soldering fluid, acids, etc.
• 25 pack of soldering fluid brushes for flux, oil, acids
• Stack-On Pro-Tough Tool Box/Carrying Case

The Express 367/8E features a push button Piezo electric ignitor (up to 50,000 ignitions), a patented CERCO burner that heats the iron to working temperatures in about 70 seconds and won’t blow out (great for windy environments), an ergonomic handle and an easy to use flame (temperature) control knob. The most commonly used soldering tip is included. The medium copper tip must be tinned prior to use, but its solid copper construction allows it to be reshaped if needed and can be used hundreds of times when well cared for. Replacement tips are readily available.

Freund has added a Quick-Connect fitting to make tool changes and removal fast and easy.

A 12 foot hose and UL listed pressure regulator connects directly to your LP (propane) cylinder and allows perfect gas regulation.
 
What kind of propane cylinder you ask? The regulator Freund supplies fits any US made propane cylinder. The one under your gas grill. No special gas or cylinders to purchase!
Also included are a bottle of Express Solder Flux (10.8oz bottle), flux brushes and a soldering block including an ammonia stone (for cleaning and tinning your copper tip).


All of this comes in a compact Stack-On brand tool case.
To view this set, get a current price or place your order, go to our Premium Soldering Kits web page.

Product of the Week - 49.2" Wide Zinc Sheets

49.2" Wide Natural Zinc Sheets are now available exclusively from Rapid Materials!

Custom counter tops, kitchen islands and tables are often wider than standard zinc sheets offered in North America. Manufactured by VM Zinc in France per our specifications, these 0.8mm x 49.2" wide sheets offer the best coverage available in North America. Fewer joints, less soldering and cleaner, faster installations!
Our 49.2" wide sheets come in standard lengths of 120" (10'0") but can also be cut to custom lengths to suit most any project.   (email us at info@rapidmaterials.com or call 770-405-1060 M-F 8am -5pm eastern for more info).
At .8mm (.031" or 20ga) thick, this natural zinc material is the most specified thickness for countertops, bar tops, wall coverings and more.
To price and order our 49.2" wide zinc sheets, visit our 49.2" Natural Zinc Page or go to our Zinc Sheets Page to see all of our zinc sheet products.

Rapid Materials Product of the Week

SFS Standing Seam Metal Roof Panel Clips

SFS metal roofing panel clips are the standard by which all others are judged. Manufactured to exacting standards at an ISO-9001 certified facility in Pennsylvania guaranteeing that the materials and manufacturing processes are first quality.

With SFS clips you get accurately produced American made standing seam clips for a wide variety of panel profiles, including snaplock, mechanical seam (both fixed and floating) and a variety of quality bearing plates.

And the best thing about using SFS clips? No more worries about where the material was sourced and inconsistent production standards. These are the clips used by professional roofers and OEM roof panel system manufacturers across the country when they need to know that they are using the best attachment system available to ensure a safe, permanent metal roof installation.

http://www.rapidmaterials.com/pages/standing-seam-metal-roof-panel-clips-by-sfs-intec
Want more information about standing seam metal roof panel clips? With almost twenty years in the industry, David Trefzger at RapidMaterials has the answers to your questions.

New Version of RapidMaterials.com offers 25+ construction supply brands and over 10,000 products

November 12, 2015

AUSTELL, GA – Rapid Materials, Inc. is very excited to announce the newest version of RapidMaterials.com. The newly revised site features over 10,000 construction materials, supplies and tools from more than 25 brands like S-5!, Trespa^®, Freund, Rodenhouse, SFS Intec and others which the construction pro, tradesman and even the savvy DIY-er would find quite useful.

Despite the vast breadth of products available at your fingertips 24/7, what Rapid Materials customers love most about the site is access to David Trefzger – our dedicated technological expert and resource available for your project and purchasing questions via Twitter (@rapidmaterials), e-mail and phone. “Having someone like David available to assist customers is phenomenal,” said Zane S. Miller, Vice President of Miller Clapperton and supervisor of Rapid Materials. “He’s known as a go-to in the construction industry and is a trusted expert that will actually take the time to talk to you on the phone and help you figure out what you really need. He’s not there to sell you something that won’t work, he’s there to help make sure your project is a success.”

The new RapidMaterials.com is divided into three easy sections: our Product Catalog, Wall Cladding Products (like Alucobond^®, larson^® and Reynobond^®) and Products by Brand. That way you can easily get to the information you want and quickly find what you need (especially with regards to items on sale). Ordering is equally easy. Just click the blue “buy” button on the product you want, enter the quantity and you’re on your way to checkout.

“It’s important to me that people know what they’re getting and it’s going to actually help them with their project. I’m not going to sell you anything I wouldn’t buy for myself if I were in your shoes,” says David, Rapid Materials Manager. “Construction supplies in particular are hard to shop for. No one’s ever available to take your question and knowledgeably talk to you about your problem. I wanted to fix that. RapidMaterials.com gives me a way to help you do your job better and I like that.”

There’s a complete list of brands available currently on rapidmaterials.com under the “Products by Brand” section. The blog section is also a great way to keep up to date on new materials, tools and supplies now available on the site. Additionally, customers can also sign-up for the Rapid Materials e-mail newsletter – just contact David Trefzger to get added to the mailing list.

 “We are adding more and more products by the day!” said David. “I’m excited to see how many more products and brands we’ll be able to offer our customers to accommodate any of their needs, for any of their products.”

About Rapid Materials: 

A division of Miller Clapperton, Rapid Materials, Inc. is an internationally recognized online retailer of construction tools, materials and supplies for the construction pro, tradesman and DIY-er. The website features over 29 top brands and over 10,000 products, including clips-metal roof panels by SFS Intec, gutter and roof products (including copper), fall protection – anchorage systems, fasteners-screws, leader heads/conductor heads, rooftop mounting and sealing, S-5! Clamps for metal roofing, Dow-Corning sealants, snow retention snow-guards, solar mounting kits, general construction tools, zinc sheets by VMZINC, stainless steel sheets and more. Rapid Materials also has an in-house technical expert available 24/7 for purchasing and project advice. For more information and a complete list of brands sold: www.RapidMaterials.com | Twitter: @rapidmaterials | Facebook | Blog

About Miller Clapperton: 

The Miller Clapperton Partnership, Inc. is one of the largest providers of engineered facade cladding in the United States and beyond. Since its inception in 1979, Miller Clapperton has successfully completed thousands of projects in five countries (Bermuda, China, Kuwait, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago) and 43 states utilizing Metal Composite Material, High Pressure Laminate Phenolic Resin, and other exterior wall cladding products. For more information: www.millerclapperton.com | Twitter & Instagram: @thepanelguys | LinkedIn | Facebook

ACM Sheets Now Available From Rapid Materials

ACM SHEETS

Rapid Materials now offers a huge selection of ACM (aluminum composite material) sheet goods from the best names in the business, including Alucobond® by 3A Composites®, Reynobond® by Alcoa® and Larson® by Alucoil®.
Through our special program, folks who wouldn't normally be able to purchase these products in smaller quantities, such as sign makers and glaziers, can purchase what they need from one sheet up to ten!
That's right. Our minimum order requirement is one (1) single sheet! No more buying the farm when you only need one cow!
We offer all standard 4mm colors from our manufacturers and factory direct lead times as short as one week.
(PS: look for more colors coming to Rapid Materials soon!)

GAS STATION ACM SHEETS

In conjunction with this new program, we also supply CAP Panel™ by 3A Composites®.
CAP Panel™ is a 3mm ACM product designed specifically for service station use, with a range of colors that match most common gas station brands.
Our CAP Panel™ program is just as exciting. The minimum order is one (1) sheet, and with CAP Panel™  there is no maximum order limit!

MetalCon 2015 Top 10 Takeaways

We walked MetalCon 2015 with our coworkers at Miller-Clapperton.

Good show and lots of people to talk with and products to see.

Want to read our take on Metalcon 2015?

Our Top 10 Takeaways from Metalcon 2015