Using Photography and Laser Digital Templating Systems Wangaratta VIC

Q 1.) If you were speaking to a perspective customer who knows very little about digital templating, how would you describe this technology?

Nick Nichols, director of sales and marketing, ETemplate Systems: ETemplate digital templating is a very simple means to collect as-built measurements at a jobsite using digital photography. It eliminates the need to make a physical template from wood, cardboard or any other material. The system automatically creates CAD data in 2-D or 3-D for any straight, angled or curved surfaces. It measures the physical space using GPS proven triangulation technology, accurate up to 1/64 in. The measurements are digitally recorded and readily available to be accessed.

Dan Louis, CEO, Laser Products, Inc.: Digital templating allows the creation of a file that can be used on any CNC and any plotter that is used to cut vinyl or paper to the exact size including curves. Unlike hard templates the laser will travel up to 600 ft. in any direction to capture points, lines, arcs, circles and any irregular shape; this would include arched casings, curved walls and serpentine soffits. These files can be sent directly to the CNC or the plotter for precise duplication of an existing object; some systems even allow for modification of that drawing on the jobsite (for radii, offsets and insertion DXF files).

In a nutshell, what used to take many hours to do can now be accomplished in only minutes.

Q 2.) What advantages does digital templating technology bring to the end user in comparison to other methods?

Nichols, ETemplate Systems: In general, it eliminates having to make a physical template at the jobsite. Better accuracy and less time to make a template are usually realized and there is a significant reduction in the cost. The CAD data provided will streamline production. If a shop is using a CNC router, the CAD file can be sent to the router for cutting. If the shop is manual, there are methods for cutting a precision template in the shop from the CAD file.

More specifically, the photography system's accuracy and visual verification tools eliminate site drive-backs, field adjustments at install and rework. Photography gives you the option of verification and completion of the template at the jobsite or in the shop. Verification of accuracy and design is done by integrating the CAD template back into the photos that are taken for the measurements to actually see the design and fit before fabrication. Everything is exactly to scale, and adjustments can be made on the spot.

If you later discover that you missed a measurement at the jobsite, it can easily be extracted from the photos. The system is extremely portable and eliminates the bulky mess of physical templates, tripods, etc.; there is no templating material to transport to and from a jobsite. The fully featured software and camera gives a user complete control of environmental conditions that may present themselves at the jobsite such as glare or low lighting. The system will fit into the backseat of a compact car.

Louis, Laser Products: There are some obvious advantages of digital templating over manual methods. First, a 10-ft. radius arched or elliptical casing can require multiple people on scaffolds and can take hours; however, one person in five minutes can digitize the same casing. Can you imagine trying to template 22 boat-shaped cathedral windows that are 30 ft. high and none of them the same size? I've seen this accomplished in less than two minutes per window using the digital templating system. Also, imagine templating an elliptical bulkhead on the inside of a yacht that can be done in a matter of minutes.

The laser also could be used to digitize an existing cabinet or custom-made curved piece to be duplicated for multiple unit manufacturing. In other words, you make the first one by hand and all the others are duplicated on the CNC.

Q 3.) What advice would you give to someone shopping for a digital field templating system?

Nichols, ETemplate Systems: Don't make an impulse buy, and don't rely on one vendor to give you the "facts" about his competitors — thoroughly check it out for yourself. Shoppers should consider the full capabilities of a system relative to what their current and future growth plans may require — invest in the system that gives you the most flexibility and versatility. Is the system a 2-D or 3-D system? How does it physically collect the data — is there a range, reach or line-of-sight issue that may limit its versatility for measuring and reliability for accuracy? Can it measure a complex job in a single setup? What are the value-added benefits of one system vs. another? What is the average investment per templater? How many steps are in the process, and what are the user requirements with regard to processing the collected data to a finished CAD DXF template? What level of training is offered — is it really as easy to use as you may be told? Is it a well-known stable company with the core competency for continued product development? Is the vendor properly and professionally staffed with well-trained personnel to provide training and technical support when you need it — are they easily accessible by phone?

Don't base a buying decision on how fast you may be convinced that you can template with one system vs. another. Accuracy is the key component, versatility and flexibility is another; speed is a byproduct. The speed, in the final analysis, is determined by the time needed for the end-to-end process. Be sure the system you select will efficiently produce an accurate and complete template to ensure good results on the backend. Problem installs and reworks due to sloppy or inaccurate templates will quickly consume and exceed any savings gained in templating and quickly erodes profit and customer goodwill.

Louis, Laser Products: First, make sure to see the unit operating completely before you buy it. Second, ask to operate the unit yourself before you purchase any digital templating system. Compare this to purchasing an automobile where you would definitely want to test drive the car before you buy it. You might find that not only will they not let you test drive the car before, but you may not even be able to watch the salesman drive the car.

Finally, only a few digitizing manufacturers will offer your money back after trying their unit, which is especially important if you were not able to operate the unit prior to purchasing it.

Q 4.) Where do you see digital field templating technology going in the future?

Nichols, ETemplate Systems: Digital templating and measuring will be seen as more of a necessity for competitive reasons. Automation lends itself to a higher quality and more efficient operation. Digital field templating is a critical part of the complete process because it measures digitally to give you the blueprint for your project and eliminates the manual steps that lend themselves to human error.

ETemplate digital templating is continuing to expand its use in many markets. As more and more companies embrace technology, they are seeing the significant benefits of digital measuring/templating with the added benefit of visual capabilities. As companies reach a better understanding of the complete benefits of our technology, it will play a bigger and bigger role in their everyday management.

Digital photography has potential that has not yet been discovered. Our core competency is digital measuring. As a developer of digital solutions and the pioneer of digital field templating for the construction industry, we will continue to explore ways to enhance and expand the capabilities of our system to more completely meet the need of the industry. It is without question that a picture is worth a thousand words. We believe that the benefits of digital photography for as-built construction go far beyond measuring, and we will continue to explore its capabilities.

Louis, Laser Products: The future for digital templating mainly would consist of the acceptance of the woodworking industry much as it has for the countertop fabricators, who embraced the technology quickly. Other advances in the future would include smaller size units (currently units weighing about 15 lbs.) and better accuracy (currently lasers vary .015 to .025 in. per point).

In closing, thousands of fabricators around the country are already completing the digital loop for information from the CNC all the way to the original measurement on the job. In terms of efficiency, most fabricators have seen roughly 50 percent of reduction in scrap because only one person is involved and capable of making an error as opposed to two, and regardless of their competency level, there is 50 percent less opportunity to make that error.