Modern manufacturing depends on software to streamline operations. Whether the communication is to the end-user or the manufacturing line, the software must be functional and user friendly.

Sometimes a manufacturer begins with a platform created by a dedicated software company and builds a system to fit their unique needs on top of it. Plain and Fancy Custom Cabinetry uses specialized software created by the The Kitchen Pond (TKP); an industry specific software company that offers fully-customizable packages. Other manufacturers create their own proprietary front-end software to fit their sales, design and production needs (see Windquest feature for information on their ORGdesign software).

When it comes to automated machining technology, software is fundamental. Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machines have brought unprecedented accuracy and capacity to panel processing. The machines in Plain and Fancy’s manufacturing line run WoodWOP software, which is widely recognized as the most powerful and user-friendly program for running CNC machines. This software makes it easy for operators to take an idea and run it “from screen to machine.” Based on a popular user interface, WoodWOP is designed to minimize the time it takes to learn and maximize productivity.

THE FRONT END
Plain and Fancy Custom Cabinetry dealers are required to use a specially tailored software package from The Kitchen Pond (TKP). “From the Customer to the Craftsman,” is TKP’s motto, and it offers several software bundles designed to ease the integration of information from catalog through production. The following are some of the features Plain and Fancy uses for their front-end software.

Catalog Creator is a central catalog building database tool. This comprehensive tool gathers all information pertaining to a company’s product catalog. All pricing, product specifications, bill of materials and graphics logic is stored within this exceptional feature. Incredible formula tools allow each manufacturer to design their catalogs to accurately represent exactly how they have chosen to price and build their products. In addition, Catalog Creator makes it easy for dealers to quickly and easily navigate the entire Plain and Fancy product offering.

Quick Order Entry is dealer software that creates price estimates for consumers and translates them into orders for production. Each manufacturer develops their product specific catalog as a database to use within Quick Order Entry. The manufacturer then has complete control over maintaining up-to-date price and product information. This unique software is designed to automatically check for updates, ensuring consistency in pricing among dealers and accuracy in ordering. It also electronically submits orders directly to the factory. The final customized version of this software is distributed to dealers and supported by the manufacturer.

Quick Order Detailer is an extremely powerful order processing application designed with the engineer in mind. This application uses the edited, confirmed order released by the Order Editor to detail each cabinet part through a 3QuiD CAD interface. It also creates an internal bill of sales to help maintain accurate records and manage materials. 

THE SHOP FLOOR Plain and Fancy is a leader in the custom cabinetry industry in part due to its ability to blend artisan craftsmanship with modern machining. On the shop floor the technological advantage for efficiently producing standard pieces comes from Stiles machinery running WoodWOP. WoodWOP “workshop-oriented programming” system (WOP) software was developed by a joint team of German software engineers from Homag and Weeke. It comes standard on every CNC machine manufactured by those companies. 

Built specifically for Windows, WoodWOP offers users the same conveniences of Windows applications including cut and paste functions, the insertion of processing operations and zooming. Another key feature that makes this software user-friendly is that operators do not have to interact with any code or have any background in programming. They simply click on easy- to- identify icons that correspond to machining processes and within minutes they are able to create programs. To ensure success with the machine, Stiles provides 3-5 day classroom training for new users at their nationally recognized training center in Grand Rapids Michigan.

With WoodWOP there is no need to program the machine, only to describe the workpiece. The workpiece geometry can be quickly generated using a variety of draw functions. There is a macro available for each processing sequence including: vertical routing, horizontal routing (if the machine purchased supports this function), horizontal drilling, grooving, recessed pockets, corner notching, edgebanding and more. Depending on the tool and the unit equipment of the machine, the machine post processor generates an optimized NC (numerical control) program for the programmed tool. Repeated part programs, such as processing operations for fittings or standard processing sequences, can be programmed as components and then conveniently reused at a later date. Each component is only programmed once and is then available for all future workpieces.

WoodWOP is also configured for variable part programming. This allows coordinates and technological parameters to be entered not only using values, but also variables and formulas. For example, the side of a cabinet is generated only once. When a change of measurement occurs, all processing sequences, such as the drilling of a series of holes or trimming recesses for fittings, adjust automatically. In addition, each macro and each value can be linked to a condition, e.g IF...THEN...ELSE. For workpieces that are composed on a modular basis from part programs (for example a work top processing program might = shape program +connectors program + recesses program...) WoodWOP permits the programs to be ideally collated. The system does not simply string the programs together, but also optimizes the processing sequence, ensuring minimal tool changes.

To maximize functionality, WoodWOP conveniently interfaces with many third party design software packages. Essentially WoodWOP can import and convert any software program that can export a correctly layered DXF file to its native programming language. Drag and drop technology makes it simple for operators to load, add and remove programs. As the number of programs stored in WoodWOP grows over long term use, the easy- to- navigate file preview and MPR browser functions simplify file selection. The MPR browser uses graphics of the workpiece produced by each program to easily identify and manage individual WoodWOP files and whole directories.

With its user-friendly format and vast program capabilities WoodWOP software helps users to machine more efficiently and expand product offerings, and that is good business.