ATHENA is the leading CAD Software for curtainwall and storefront design. It has been used successfully by curtain wall companies, fabricators and design offices involved in curtain-wall technology for over twenty years.

ATHENA is used for the drafting of plan views, elevations, sections, details and workshop drawings (2D) using the intelligence of the ARX objects (membranes, insulation, standard parts, panels, etc.) through to free 3D constructions (roofs, bays, pyramids, etc.) . Along with the computation of structural analysis, isothermals (thermal currents) and sound insulation, metal sheet processing (including developed surfaces) is available.

ATHENA is independent of the extruded-profile system, can be individually adapted and currently there are over 8,500 systems in 11 languages installed in 31 countries.

ATHENA is divided into four sections:

2D Design

The 2D design commands are used for quickly creating plan views, sectional drawings, details and elevations. In addition, production drawings can also be produced very simply. The most important commands: approx. 75,000 standard parts (variants, international), semi-finished product routines (with shapes O, F, L, U, T, Z, I, H, 8), metal sheet cross-sections including developed surfaces, membranes, thermal installation routines, levels and interrupted dimensions, window door and facade views, model glass panes or panels, welded seam symbols, layer and material managers, block manager, hidden objects, installation plans with parts lists (e.g. for sheets or panels, etc.), staircase computations, pipework and much more.

3D design

The 3D design is used for the free planning of complicated geometries, such as for example, sloping polygon facades, pyramids, glazed roofs, bays, etc. To achieve this, extruded profiles or extruded-profile groups are placed on the axes of a wire model. Cut parts can be automatically computed and the individual components (e.g. profiles) are output with the cut parts in a parts list or in a drawing. Dedicated master data can be created, containing the profile geometries, material properties, design rules or requirements from production. Based on this master data spatial elements as well as flat elements, such as windows and doors, can also be designed. The 3-D design takes profile groups, cut parts, processes, sheets, glazing and also small hardware like screws or shear blocks into account. It can be displayed as a 3D view, 2D view and through any section. The diagrams can be output as parts lists or as production drawings. An interface to calculation programs or PPC/ERP software is available.

Engineering (computational programs)

Structural analysis program: Ix-, Iy-, Wx-, Wy-, A- values, Ix required and bending moment, u-value calculation, glass dimensioning, sound insulation calculation, thermal calculation: A light version of flixo (technically leading isothermal computation) has been integrated. A section (detail) designed in ATHENA can therefore be easily computed during the design process.

Metal Sheet Processing (2D and 3D)

Metal Sheet processing is used to simplify and speed up the design of metal sheets and the generation of sheet developments (also composite sheets, e.g. Alucobond). Using 2D or 3D input, it finds the development with fold lines and notches. The types of joint and joint dimensions can be defined; other features such as holes, punch-outs, agraffes, etc. can be specified. A series of punch-outs is also possible. Outputs: 3D model, sections, development, DXF, XML and MS-Excel.

• Curtain wall companies
• Shop front companies
• Glaziers
• Fabricators