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Inventor helps create ideal concert hall experience

Autodesk, Inc. has named Mark Richey Woodworking, a high-end architectural woodworking firm, as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for August for expert use of Autodesk Inventor software in developing and installing the precision millwork required for a new performing arts center.

Helzberg Hall is a 1 600-seat music hall that is part of the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. Without Inventor software, fabricating and installing the woodwork in Helzberg Hall would have taken two to three times longer-and cost three times as much-according to Greg Porfido, Mark Richey Woodworking chief operating officer.

When complete, Helzberg Hall will house the Kansas City Symphony and host other performance groups of all types and genres. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, the organically curved, open design of Helzberg Hall will allow members of the audience to interact with each other naturally and enjoy virtually perfect sound quality.

To develop the complex woodwork for the 24-metre-tall, domed Helzberg Hall, Mark Richey Woodworking needed to ensure that each wood part aligned perfectly with other parts to create smooth, polished surfaces. Additionally, designers had to meet specific density requirements dictated by the acoustical design developed by acclaimed acoustician Yasu Toyota, as finishes, surfaces and geometry play a crucial role in the acoustic performance of a room.

Digital Prototyping simplifies complex modelling
The interference-checking capabilities of Inventor software proved particularly valuable in ensuring all the parts fitted together correctly.

"Creating digital prototypes of the various wooden elements allowed us to identify and fix problems ahead of time, before we'd cut a single piece of wood," said Ritch Winokur, engineering manager at Mark Richey Woodworking. "If there were any interferences between the parts and the structural elements of the hall-or among the parts themselves-we would just remodel the part in Inventor software."

Inventor software enabled designers to digitally model the different curvatures and complex 3D geometry of each wooden part, while Autodesk Vault Manufacturing software helped them to effectively manage and keep track of the project's thousands of unique parts. This approach ensured that each wooden part aligned perfectly with other parts, letting the company achieve the organic, smooth surfaces needed for the concert hall.

Inventor software also greatly enhanced coordination among Mark Richey Woodworking's various partners on the project, such as the metal fabricator and the general contractor. Using Inventor to check geometry that the metal subcontractor had supplied for the hall's rail work, for example, enabled Mark Richey Woodworking to catch a potential error and resolve the issue virtually, rather than on-site.

"By reducing reliance on physical prototypes, Digital Prototyping saves companies time and money," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. "Mark Richey Woodworking's work on the Helzberg Hall project shows how Digital Prototyping can significantly streamline even the most complex and demanding assignments."

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