CNC Machine Interfaces

The cadwork CNC modules are the insurance machines will perform at their best. Indeed, since the 1st CNC machines have been available, cadwork has been a partner with its clients and machine suppliers to provide the best solution to feed relevant data from a 3D model.

Whether it’s a beam, a panel cutting machine or a complete line for light frame constructions cadwork has a robust solution. Our pattern recognition algorithm is the best on the market and has been evolving since the early ’90s. It allows users to model freely and even import 3D models from different software to move to fabrication in an unbeatable time.

Beam Cutting Export Modules

From a CNC docking saw to a large 5 axis machines with tool changer, the cadwork CNC export for beams covers it all. Machines cutting lumber, joists and various engineered wood products for light frame construction are supported. Exporting marking, drilling and milling that can be required in a light frame panel assembly is obviously feasible. Timbers and logs can be cut with mortise/tenon, scarf, shoulder as well as dovetail joinery. Hips and valleys with pockets for jack rafters can be modelled and processed easily. Feeding a 5-axis CNC with straight and curved glulam beams with slots for knife plates and drilling for bolts or tight fit pins is a daily task for thousands of users relying on the cadwork CNC module. Our long experience and close relationship with machine suppliers make the cadwork CNC modules stand out from the competition.

CNC Beam
CNC Panel

Panel Cutting Export Modules

CLT, Mass Ply, SIP, sheathing material and any other panels can be modelled and exported to be processed on a panel cutting machine. Same as for beams, sawing, marking, drilling, millings are supported, and we make sure cadwork takes full advantage of the machine capabilities. Models including beam pockets, rabbets for splines, dados to accommodate wiring or conduit and even complex geometry 5 axes milling can be transferred to machines at speed which defies all competition. Panels can be nested thanks to cadwork nesting module directly within the 3D model for early material optimization instead of doing it in the machine CAM software. This information will be exported and transferred to the machine, streamlining the whole process. Again, our long experience and close relationship with machine suppliers make the cadwork CNC modules stand out from the competition.

Light Frame and Composite Export Modules

The cadwork export for panelized construction allows feeding complete lines including framing stations and multifunction bridges. Whether doing open panels with one layer of sheathing or passive constructions with complex build-ups including MEP, cadwork has all the features to define nailing, stapling, routing, drilling, marking, glueing, insulation blowing... cadwork clear user interface as well as multiple tools support make it easy to set up and ensure machines are used at full potential. A new breed of large gantry machines capable of processing light frames but also composite assemblies are now more common. As an example, a composite can be a CLT panel covered with wood fibre insulation, strapping and a glulam beam capable of supporting joists connected with a dovetail. The whole assembly takes place 1st and then the machine processes the outside perimeter using a large circular saw, routes pockets for electrical, mills a rabbet on the glulam and insulation layer for conduits, pre-drills for lag screws used on building sites and finally routs dovetail mortises on the glulam. This brings prefabrication to the next level and cadwork is at the forefront of this development.

composite
Steel 2

Steel Cutting CNC Exports

Even if cadwork 3D is a wood construction specialist, welded assemblies using steel plates or shapes are modelled daily in cadwork. Therefore, cadwork can also feed laser and plasma cutters by exporting DXF and DSTV NC1 files. No need to use a different platform to complete a project.

Some machines cadwork’s clients are using:

ASI, B&Z, Biesse/Uniteam, Depaw, Easy-Frame, Essetre, Hundegger, Kruesi, Maka, Mango, MBA, Randek, Reichenbacher, SCM, Stromab, Kuka, ABB, Soukup, TechnoWood, Weinmann…