Cortona3D Delivers 3D Documentation Power to Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam

The Itaipu Dam is a hydroelectric dam located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. Opened in 1984, the dam is the second largest in the world in generating capacity. In 2008 the plant generated a record 94.68 billion kWh, supplying 90% of the energy consumed by Paraguay and 19% of that consumed by Brazil.

The plant is operated by Itaipu Binacional, who – as part of their social responsibility program - opened the Itaipu Technological Park (ITP) in 2003. This Park brings together projects aimed at technological and scientific development, entrepreneurialism, and job and income generation. It operates from the refurbished barracks that originally lodged the workers who built the dam.

As such a large producer of a nation’s electricity the plant has a huge responsibility for reliable delivery of service. They began research in 2009 seeking a system that would enable them to produce maintenance manuals for the electrical / mechanical installation and to train operators to service the equipment.

Cortona3D Rapid tools are to support both the plant and the educational facility with RapidCatalog, RapidLearning and RapidManual software. These tools will be used to produce 3D interactive documentation in the form of catalogs, manuals and learning and training materials. These will not only support the operation of the facility, but train future generations of engineers on Cortona3D technology before they graduate.

Itaipu were seeking a family of tools that could produce both maintenance and training materials - Cortona3D tools re-use engineering 3D CAD data in differing documentation types. Sharing materials between the different tools without the recreation/re-input of data, results in a quicker production process and the avoidance of costly re-work and updates. Cortona3D’s educational program was applied to support the Technology Park requirements and provide support and training for young engineers on the latest 3D technology.