Hexagon Cuts Woodworking Production Time by 50% with new ALPHACAM Automation Capabilities

New Multi-Head Nesting Technology Boosts Manufacturing Efficiency, Reducing Cycle Times and Maximizing Material Utilization

North Kingstown, RI– Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division is redefining automation and efficiency in woodworking and fabrication with new advancements now available in its leading CAD CAM software, ALPHACAM. The newest release of ALPHACAM introduces multi-head nesting capabilities, expanded machining automation, and streamlined workflows designed to help manufacturers maximize productivity and material utilization across industries. The upgraded automation features enable manufacturers to cut their production time in half compared to manual methods, in some cases speeding up machining and programming tasks that would manually take an hour to just seven minutes. Updates also include the ability to import Solid and CAD files for simulation, aligned with increasing utilization of solid models in the woodworking industry.

Multi-head nesting enables shops to optimize machine capacity by leveraging multiple router heads simultaneously. The software intelligently adjusts nesting strategies based on sheet size, head spacing, and production requirements—enabling significant reductions in cycle times without compromising precision. These improvements are particularly impactful for high-volume industries such as cabinetry, furniture manufacturing, and aerospace, where efficiency translates directly into cost savings and increased throughput.

“With the latest ALPHACAM, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in automated wood and stone manufacturing,” said Perry Boyett, Sales & Services Director NAFTA - ALPHACAM at Hexagon. “Manufacturers can now leverage twin-head and multi-head nesting strategies that dynamically adjust based on sheet size, head spacing, and production needs, all while maintaining optimal material yield.” ALPHACAM introduces new advanced automation tools that simplify programming and streamline processes, helping manufacturers improve operational efficiency. Key updates include:

• Enhanced Solid Model Importing – Expanding ALPHACAM’s ability to ingest solid models and work seamlessly with 3D solid modeling tools such as SolidWorks and Autodesk Inventor, allowing for faster transition from design to production.
• Automated Feature Recognition – New capabilities automatically detect machining features from vendor-supplied models, reducing manual intervention and accelerating production planning.
• Optimized Toolpath Strategies – Advanced algorithms improve material yield and reduce machining time by refining toolpath sequencing and cutting parameters.

Manufacturers using the new ALPHACAM are already reporting substantial efficiency gains. A leading boat manufacturer has reduced production planning time by 50%, while a major aerospace company found that their manual nesting process—previously taking four hours—can now be completed in just 10 minutes using ALPHACAM’s automation features.

In addition to time savings, ALPHACAM delivers on programming standardization, capturing legacy knowledge within the software. This supports upskilling more entry-level workers who now just need to select the outline style and the software will determine the proper speed, what cutter to use, settings and more. This allows manufacturers to improve worker productivity, while reducing errors and waste and increasing repeatability.

For small and mid-sized businesses, ALPHACAM offers a scalable and cost-effective solution tailored to their specific machining needs. The flexible licensing model ensures that companies only pay for the features they require, making high-end automation accessible to more manufacturers than ever before. ALPHACAM is also making waves in public sector manufacturing, with installations at U.S. military bases and government facilities. The software has been instrumental in fabricating everything from security signage to custom architectural elements for government buildings.

To learn more about ALPHACAM 2024.4 and its new features for woodworking and stone-cutting industries, check out the ALPHACAM webpage.