SOLIDWORKS and furniture engineering design

The WOODEXPERT furniture design software is perfectly complemented by SOLIDWORKS. More than once during presentations of our software, it turned out that selected SOLIDWORKS functionalities can become a very useful tool.

The WOODEXPERT furniture design software is integrated with SOLIDWORKS from the beginning. This means that beyond furniture engineering design, you can work on virtually any product. Some of the functionalities inherent in SOLIDWORKS are just a perfect match for the furniture industry. Given the enormity of the possibilities, I have prepared for you a list of the most relevant functions and the most useful modules.

1. CONFIGURATIONS

With “Configurations” you can quickly create several or dozen plus variants of a given model within a single file. In WOODEXPERT, the configurations can be used e.g. for fasteners and accessories. You can create configurations using several methods, such as manual setting and through a configuration table.

On the example of a dowel pin, I have created two configurations:

• Configuration 1: dowel pin diameter 6 mm, length 10 mm
• Configuration 2: dowel pin diameter 8 mm, length 35 mm

Remember to select the option: “This configuration” when you change dimensions and assign names corresponding to new dimensions.

To optimise work time in the event of a larger number of dimension variants of a component, use the configuration table.

2. MODELLING OF PARTS ASSEMBLY-WISE

Part modelling operations facilitate work and any operations required for a given piece of furniture. These functions are helpful in particular for milling fronts, rounding edges or making individual shapes. The most useful ones include:

• Reference geometry

Helpful when determining an additional reference. Auxiliary surfaces often allow height of a given template to be specified quickly.

• Sequences

If you use the sequences function, you can repeat the selected component in a specific number and in an assigned order.

• Rounding

It is used to round furniture edges in WOODEXPERT at a user-selected radius and rounding type.

• Extract addition/base

It is used to add thickness in the third dimension. This option is indispensable for editing and creating furniture fronts.

• Extract cut-out

It is used to create cut-outs and openings on the basis of a sketch. This function is very useful for designing individual pieces of customised furniture or non-standard designs.

3. CAM MODULE

In this case, the integration of WOODEXPERT with SOLIDWORKS allows for:

• fast generation of programs in CAM SOLIDWORKS;
• preparation of cutting plans in NESTINGWORKS;
• generation of NC codes for any machine.

Our team is able to develop post processors for any machine. We possess a base of post processors that can be tailored to the individual needs of our customers.

4. WELDED STRUCTURE MODULE

You can create structural units on the basis of 2D sketches. In the welded structure module you can add reinforcements or end caps. This module is most frequently used for creating frames for loft furniture, tables or legs. When a frame is exported to a part, the selected material can be added to the frame, and the designed components can be saved in the library and used in future designs.

The described functionalities enable you to design any piece of furniture and meet the requirements of all customer ideas. WOODEXPERT, a comprehensive design tool, expands your professional capabilities, gives you space for extending your production portfolio, and ensures expert support in day-to-day work on furniture modelling.

We encourage you to test these functionalities and our proprietary solution — WOODEXPERT, a specialized furniture design and production preparation software. Test it for 30 days for free with no obligations. Temporary licenses allowing 3 and 12-month use of the program, at a discounted price, have also been added to our offer.

Author: Ewa Gaczorek, WOODEXPERT specialist