PolyBoard has the option of importing walls into its Project mode via 2D DXF files. Through experience, we have seen this feature utilised in a way that has led to big benefits across costs, labour, time, waste material and overall job accuracy.
This article showcases the utilisation of measuring technology in conjunction with the import feature in PolyBoard and highlights some nice benefits of its implementation.
Please note, this is not a requirement for using PolyBoard, accurate room layouts including irregular angles can be configured with the software’s coordinate based system.
Isaac, a member of the Wood Designer Technical Team, had this to say about the the configuration:
This was a technology we implemented in a company I previously worked for. Beforehand we always cut rectangles for shelves, benchtops, and panels, and then we had to use power tools to fit each piece individually on site.
After implementing this point-to-point solution alongside PolyBoard we saw accuracy and efficiency dramatically improve. Installation times were cut in some cases by two or more hours.
Leica supplies a range of lasers compatible with point-to-point measuring. Included in this range is the X3 device alongside the DST 360 adaptor shown in the image above.
Through mobile connectivity to the Leica Geosystems Disto Plan application, recording measurements can be electronically stored, recorded, viewed, and shared via a 2D DXF format on most mobile devices.
This application alone improves the precision and efficiency of storing and sharing site measures. Through using the point-to-point measuring system, accurate representations of a space can be electronically created.
The images below highlight Leica’s Disto Plan application.
After using the point-to-point measuring system, the exported DXF 2D file can be uploaded into a CAD/CAM software and vectors can be merged/joined for a smoother import into PolyBoard.
The image below demonstrates completing this step using VCarve Pro. We selected the layer of the measured line through the points, then joined the vectors using the tool ‘Join – join open vectors’.
Now, the file is ready to be imported into PolyBoard as a DXF file. When importing a wall, all features remain the same; the points of the wall are able to be edited, textures can be applied, the wall thickness can be changed, and the room height can be specified.
Windows and doors can still be created within the imported walls as generally completed. Here’s the DXF import window in PolyBoard.
And the wall available in PolyBoard’s Edit surfaces window is ready for further manipulation if required.
When using the measuring tool on the horizontal or vertical axis, points taken with the laser can be selected in PolyBoard. When fitting a countertop in Project mode, these points also snap to the countertop components in countertop generation, allowing the countertop to fit the actual space as measured. Grid points in the following image have snapped to the laser points in the measure.
All components on a horizontal plane can be precisely cut to size and fitted in the workshop eliminating the need to do so on site installation. Reduction in panel sizes (nil additional material to allow for site fitting), installation time and increased accuracy all contribute to a reduction in output costs.
The irregular alcove dimensions of the following project, shown in PolyBoard, have been easily accommodated using this method.
Here’s a 3D render of a bedroom wardrobe set in the same alcove:
And here’s a similar example highlighted by this desk project:
Walls that run on angles can be very hard to measure and recreate accurately on any modelling program. Importing a wall that has been measured using the Leica point-to-point system can more efficiently and accurately create these project environments.
This allows for less ‘guess work’ and more ‘accurate work’. With this system you can truly ‘measure once, cut once’. Below is an example of a kitchen on a wall that runs on an angle.
Here’s the room layout in PolyBoard.
With technology constantly improving in the woodwork setting, this affordable addition to project creation offers a wonderful synergy in the measurement, modelling and CNC stages of production.
Please get in touch if you would like to a demonstration of PolyBoard with a member of our technical team.
You can also click here to download and test PolyBoard.
