Software from Planning to Manufacturing

Manufacturing is one of the central building blocks of our software.

Manufacturing is integrated into our stair building solution and seamlessly follows the CAD module. Manual production with templates is possible, as well as automated processing with CNC machines. Compass Software supports all machines from established manufacturers. This also includes special machinery and old machines.

Next to our CAD/CAM complete solution for stair manufacturing, Compass Software's CAM solution also offers connections to various CNC machines in other construction areas, e.g. timber construction. All established machines can be connected effortlessly. The general CAM solution is based on different interfaces with a neutral processor. This makes it possible to utilise the module for all CNC machines on the market. Furthermore, the software offers lucrative expansion options for plate optimisation, production management and control, as well as the connection of robots for the unmanned loading of CNC processing centers.

Manual Production for Stair Manufacturing

Control of All Established Machines

Barcode, Choice of Station, and Table Arrangement

Clamping Device Calculation

Plate Optimization - Optimal Cutting

Laser Measurement Systems for Stair Manufacturing

Robotic Loading

Manufacturing Execution System PROKON

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Manual Production for Stair Manufacturing

Once the design of the stair is completed in Compass Software, it is easy to process it further for manufacturing in the same software, export it as a DXF file for use in other systems, or print it on a 1:1 scale template for manual production.

For manual production we offer a complete 1:1 scale output for all staircase parts. The output is optimised on plotters. The designs are printed on 1:1 templates for manual production. This enables stair builders with no CNC machine to take full advantage of the CAD module.

Furthermore, the system puts out complete parts lists, which can be customised by the user and are available for all staircase parts and additional parts.

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CNC Connection and Processing

The connection and control of CNC machines is one of our core competencies. Control is managed fully automatically and directly from the software. We support small wood shops, as well as large-scale industrial manufacturers and have extensive experience in the programming of fully automatic production chains.

Control of All Established Machines

With over 30 years of experience in the area of CNC connections, we are able to program all established CNC-driven processing centers. This also includes old machines and special machinery.

It is possible to put machines with up to 5 axes in one tool head into operation. Because Compass Software utilises a complete parameterised system we are able to customise the software for different models on the market without special programming and directly at the customer's premises.

Ultimately, the software automatically generates complete executable CNC programs and transfers them to the control unit.

Control of Special Machinery

We are also well versed in the control of special machinery, such as wide belt sanding machines or edge, saw, and sanding lines. We are also proficient in the control of positioning lasers.

Thanks to our longstanding experiences in CNC processing, we are also able to connect old machines, which sometimes do not even have available descriptions anymore.

The possibility to connect old machines and special machinery enables wood shops to manage their entire machine park with only one software. That saves time, training costs, and specialised staff.

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Clamping Device Calculation

We also offer full management for automatic calculations of clamping device positions - these include vacuum cups or horizontal/vertical clamps. It is even possible to move or reclamp parts in between processing steps (given that the machine allows for this to happen).

We can connect all suitable processing centers on the market from all established manufacturers.
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Plate Optimisation

Our Plate Optimisation 2.0 module guarantees the best possible rate of material utilisation with minimal waste.

The system calculates the optimal arrangement of parts on any plate with the least amount of waste material possible. The plates are utilised to maximum capacity. The module also includes clear warehouse management options.

The user has the power to decide which individual parts are to be optimised. During this process the user also decides if only one type of part is to be combined on one plate, e.g. only treads for stair production, or if they want to mix different parts, e.g. treads, stringers, and risers, by employing different predefintions.

The module can be utilised effectively for the following parts:

For Stair Manufacturing:

Treads

Risers

Stringers

Run Parts

All Parts Mixed

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For Timber Processing:

Wall Plates

Flat Bar Plates

Mixed Plates for All Parts

BTL Parts in General

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The customer experiences with our Plate Optimisation 2.0 module are very convincing!

Our longstanding German customer Treppenbau Voß GmbH & Co. KG started utilising the new module in December 2018. Since then the stair builder has managed to increase the utilisation rate of their plates by more then 10 % compared to the previously used plate optimisation program from a competitor.

Before switching, the company achieved a plate utilisation rate of 72% by operating a competitor's software. Now the wood shop easily reaches 80-83%. This saves costs and inventory can be planned more precisely.

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Our optimisation has improved a lot since we have replaced our old software with the Compass Software module ... Once we had set up all the predefinitions to fit our individual needs, the calculation only takes one click. The process is fast and easy.

Production Manager Bastian Groth, Treppenbau Voß

Barcode, Choice of Station, and Table Arrangement

Professional manufacturing in the 21. century is supported by communication systems that are based on the utilisation of barcodes, RFID-chips, or similar marking systems.

Compass Software offers a system that is completely integrated into the manufacturing process for this method as well. The system is especially helpful for smaller companies, who use it to optimally manage data flow between job preparation and manufacturing.

Further possibilities to increase efficiency are barcodes in combination with choice of station or table arrangement via barcodes.

These methods make processes on all stations within the work shop significantly more effective and avoid errors.

Implementation for Stair Manufacturing

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Implementation for Timber Construction

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Laser Measurement Systems for Stair Manufacturing

The demands for modern stair builders are becoming more complex every day. Carpenters have to deal with the most complicated objects in some cases since modern architecture is breaking all the rules when it comes to creativity. A good stair manufacturing software is indispensable for the planning and manufacturing of such pieces of art.

The situation the carpenter is faced with at the construction site has to be measured precisely and oftentimes transferred painstakingly by hand into the CAD/CAM software. All relevant measurements, angles, roundings, and height differences have to be written down individually and entered into the design software in order to create the current construction site situation as a planning guide.

Modern 3D laser measurement systems make this process significantly easier, however, they still require manual transfer of data in most cases, since the automatic synchronisation of measurements does not always work smoothly with many processing software. And this is precisely the point where Compass Software comes into play and offers fully integrated interfaces to different systems.

Precise digital 3D measurements, a complete interface to the design software, and the seamless transfer of production data to the CNC, which includes nesting, makes the successful completion of every project possible.

Fully integrated interface to the 3D laser measurement system from Flexijet

Measurement data is transferred digitally in XML format from the measurement software by Flexijet into the stair manufacturing software Compass through this interface. The 3D transfer includes all relevant measurement data, such as well hole opening, story height, ceiling structure, and room information (walls, windows, doors, wall openings, cable ducts, etc.). Measurement data of staircases with railing, as well as complex geometries of in-situ concrete cores cause no problems.

This saves time and effort. The measurements are simply imported and are immediately available for further design work and production in the stair manufacturing software. Utilising the Flexijet laser measurement system gives stair builders the highest degree of security during all stages of the project. Time-consuming adjustments of the staircase on-site or even defective production of staircase elements is nearly impossible.

Fully integrated interface to the Bosch measurement tool GLM 100C

In addition to that we have also integrated the Bosch measurement tool GLM 100C into our stair manufacturing software. The measurement tool can be connected to any Windows computer via Bluetooth. Once the device has been connected, it is initialised in the software. Any distance can be measured and automatically transferred to the staircase construction software. For example, stair builders are able to import in-situ concrete cores directly from the construction site. They only have to highlight the 1. tread and the Compass Software program then follows as the concrete tread is measured. Afterwards the program automatically jumps to the next tread. This makes the effort of measuring structural conditions minimal for stair builders. The process is simple, fast, and fail-safe. Even small wood shops will be able to work precisely by using the inexpensive laser measurement technology from Bosch and Compass Software.

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Increased Efficiency with Robotic Loading

Processing centers with automated robotic loading can work around the clock, during all shifts, without showing any signs of noteworthy loss of precision and performance. Logistically organised material stacks enable the robot to work without interruptions and supervision. With today's lack of skilled labor it becomes more and more important to utilise existing staff optimally. As part of the upgrade to automated production, Compass Software does not only manage data flow to the machine, but also generates CNC programs, coordinates vacuum cup positioning, and creates job lists for the entire production unit. The upgraded machine is able to work more powerfully, longer, and more innovative, while customers save valuable skilled labor capacities at the same time.

Case Studies:

Verschaeve ATAB SBA3

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