DuctMaker

DuctMaker is EastCoast’s next generation computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for streamlined sheet metal design fabrication. With DuctMaker you have total control over shop settings. The software provides a highly flexible approach to design, CAD interoperability, and a networked database implementation, ensuring that your shop is prepared for any collaborative fitting design and manufacturing project. It has an easy-to-use interface that improves design productivity and streamlines the fabrication process.

New Features in Version 4:

•     Specify or import double-walled duct fittings.

Watch Video >

•     For round and oval fittings, specify under-sizing for connectors that is fully compatible with imported AutoCAD MEP drawings.

Watch Video >

•     Coil line driver support and integrated functionality.

Watch Video >

Shop Setup

Industry standard specifications, allowances, and manufacturer default dimensions for gauges, metal types, connectors, and other details are provided out of the box with DuctMaker. These can be adjusted to any shop’s standards to fit the desired requirements for fabrication.

Apply your shop standards so every fitting is designed with accuracy.

Add your preferred design rules, fittings settings, shop policies, special instructions, sheet parameters, undersize equivalences and liner sizes to DuctMaker. Once the setup of your shop standards is complete, the system is fully automated, drastically reducing input time.

Compatibility

Fittings can be added to jobs directly, or loaded from AutoCAD MEP drawings or Fabrication for AutoCAD MEP pickoffs. Once you select a fitting, the Fitting Editor displays its details and allows precision editing.  When DuctMaker is used in conjunction with Fabrication for AutoCAD MEP, both applications share the same library of fittings, with the same rule sets and dimensioning behavior, which enables each project team to move quickly from design to fabrication. Pickoffs can be shared as well.

Fitting Editing

Refinements to the parameters of the fitting can be applied in the editor, adding holes, taps, tie rods, and other elements, as needed.

DuctMaker makes it easy to see exactly what you plan to fabricate before you do any cutting.

A 3D model of the fitting can be rotated in all viewpoints. This viewing capability, coupled with multiple 2D views and exploded view of the fitting, allows for unsurpassed visualization of the fitting’s constructability. Informative error messages help to pinpoint any incorrect dimensions that would cause the fitting to fail.

You determine the optimal layout and appearance of tickets, labels, and reports.

DuctMaker comes with extensive reporting functions to give you accurate job information whenever needed. View your reports within DuctMaker, export them to XLS spreadsheet format, or to PDF format. To keep your reports together, you can export a selection of reports to a single PDF file.

Create sheet, face and assembled fitting ticket labels for your project.

DuctMaker’s prefabrication layouts ensure that the least amount of waste and the best cutting route is used to produce quality results. Review the recommended layout in the Layout Editor, and zoom in and drag and drop and rotate fittings to refine it. Collision checking prevents overlaps to occur. Lock the sheet to prevent further movement of these fittings. Measuring tools are available to verify sizing of fittings.

Nesting layouts show the inlet of each fitting face, to assist with label placement.

Using a simple menu-driven configuration process, your cutting machines and coil line are added to DuctMaker once, and then are ready for direct communication from that moment onwards. DuctMaker works with most Plasma CNC and Coil Line cutting machines, and provides direct access to their hardware settings.

Follow these links to read more about the benefits and workflow of DuctMaker within EastCoast’s complete Design to Fabrication system. If you’re interested in arranging a live demonstration, contact us today or visit our web demo page.