Manufacturing methods
Manufacturing methods speed up the design and build process, and minimise the risk of human error. These methods contain pre-configured assembly preferences for many aspects of your stair projects.
You can use the configurations we supply or customise them to your exact needs. Then apply your preferred set up with the click of a button to each new project.
We provide example Manufacturing methods bundled within the Quick Design libraries download. When you install the libraries, you will not only get the libraries, you’ll also get these Manufacturing methods.
Manufacturing methods vs sub-methods
A manufacturing sub-method defines one particular aspect of your construction preferences, for example the materials, the step construction or the assembly details between the parts.
A Manufacturing method on the other hand is a collection of all sub-methods combined into one overarching method which can then be applied to your design easily and quickly.
To view the available Manufacturing methods, go to Libraries menu > Manufacturing methods:
Here is the Manufacturing methods window:
We have clicked on and selected a wooden stair related method. In the window on the right we can see that every sub-methods is listed, and for each a specific set up has been chosen.
The usual icons are present at the top of the window. These allow you to:
- Add a new Manufacturing method
- Delete a selected method
- Duplicate a method
- Rename a method
Below we have added a new method by clicking on the green + icon. Then open up the drop down menu for each associated sub-method and select your preferred set up. Click OK and your new Manufacturing method is ready to use.
A note on naming
We have generated a simple naming system that is included in our Quick Design libraries. This is useful if you have a number of different setups.
The coding references a selection of major elements contained within the method, the example below is a Manufacturing method name:
ws_str-40/step-30/newel-90
This is broken down as follows:
- ws = wooden stair configuration
- str-40 = stringboard thickness 40mm
- step-30 = step thickness 30mm
- newel-90 = newel post cross section width 90mm
Any naming can be used, there is no need to follow our naming conventions.
Manufacturing sub-methods
To access, apply and edit individual sub-methods, go to Libraries menu > Sub-methods:
Let’s take a look now at each sub-method in turn.
Materials styles
First we have the Material styles sub-method.
This defines the material for each part of the stair. To create or modify the sub-method, simply choose your preferred material for each part as shown below.
This sub-method is unique in being itself associated with the materials stocked within the Materials library.
More information:
Essentials: Quick Design libraries
Steps
Here is the Steps sub-method window:
This sub-method, like all other part related sub-methods, allows us to instantly apply a range of part parameters. For further information on each parameter, click on the link below:
More information:
Options include:
- Step thickness
- Nosing
- Inclusion of riser
- Riser thickness
- Priority to riser
- Step penetration
- Upper and lower offset
Let’s explain the naming we’ve used in the example selected above:
-pr_t35-n50/rt-15/off u-10 l-0
- pr = priority to riser
- t35 = step thickness 35mm
- n-50 = nosing 50mm
- rt-15 = riser thickness 15mm
- off u-10 l-0 = upper offset 10mm, lower offset 0mm
Stringboards
In the example selected we have a configuration suitable for wooden stringboards:
ws_w-280/t-40/bf-20/bl-0
- ws = wooden stringboards
- w-280 = width 280mm
- t-40 = thickness 40mm
- bf-20 = length beyond first step 20mm
- bl-20 = length beyond last step 0mm
Note that we haven’t included every parameter in the naming, only ones we deemed more useful and relevant. You could expand or simplify the naming as preferred.
Handrails
With the naming here, we’ve focused on a limited number of key elements, but you can see that a large range of parameters are defined. This highlights the usefulness of these sub-methods, set up once then apply error free every time.
Again, please refer to the Part properties page for details.
wh_40x40/ban-sq 30
- wh = wooden handrails
- 40×40 = handrail thickness 40mm x width 40mm
- ban-sq = square banisters
- 30 = banister width 30mm
Cut strings / soffit
Here we’ve focused on the specifications for lateral cut strings:
wc_w-200/t40/off-0
- wc = wooden cut string
- w-200 = width 200mm
- t-40 = thickness 40mm
- off-0 = offset 0mm
Newel posts
cn_dia-50
- cn = circular newels
- dia = diameter 50mm
Links
This contains in a single sub-method all global link parameters:
Example:
ws_SP-13/RP-13/S&C-tenon/HD-0
- ws = wooden stairs
- SP-13 = step penetration 13mm
- RP-13 = riser penetration 13mm
- S&C-tenon = stringboard/newel and cut string/newel using a mortise joint
- HD-0 = handrail penetration into newels 0mm
More information:
Application
Manufacturing methods
Open the Manufacturing methods window, click on the required method, then select the Apply icon shown below followed by OK.
This Manufacturing method, so all its sub-methods, will instantly be applied to your stair design.
Alternatively, with the whole stair selected, use the drop down menu in the Properties window.
When changing method, you may see this window pop up:
The options are:
- Apply to all the stair: all parameters are updated
- Apply to the stair default parameters: default parameters are defined as all parameters that were not changed or edited manually in the previous method; this avoids losing any edits made during the design process
Choice of Manufacturing method is of course also an available parameter when starting a new stair using a model or the Multi-flight feature.
Note also, if any parameters within your method have been changed after application of the method, it will show as red and state Modified, see below:
The same applies to sub-methods.
Sub-methods
It’s possible to use a Manufacturing method, but change one or more sub-methods within that overall method, just for the purposes of the design you’re working on.
Change an individual sub-method just as you would a Manufacturing method, with the Apply icon option:
Alternatively, with the whole stair selected, make the change in the Properties menu:
