The Breton Fabcenter is a multi-function digital workcenter for fabricating countertops to completion, and it has been engineered to be easy to operate with minimal labor.

Employing new revolutionary software, Breton FabCAM, the operator can choose to design the various components of the project or import .dxf files created in the field or through digital templating systems. The resulting CAD files are simply dragged and dropped over automatically scaled photographs of the slabs selected for the job, which are taken using the industrial grade camera system provided.

Breton FabCAM employs common line cutting capabilities to ensure optimized material usage -- thus reducing the number of cuts made during sawing/routing operations. The software is intuitive of linear and radius cuts and applies the correct tool accordingly. With Breton FabCAM, the layout serves as the cutting program.

The results of the assembled project are displayed at the PC monitor in high resolution as a three-dimensional dynamic rendering, including edge detail of the finished pieces where adjacent pieces are recomposed as a unit. This system allows extremely precise vein matching and other layout customizing tools by automatically displaying material removal by the tools used during the process. In effect, the file becomes a true preview of the final project, including backsplash, recesses, cut-outs, tap holes and edge detail.

The three-dimensional image is capable of being zoomed and rotated for verification. The rendering may then be exported in a digital file format to be sent via E-mail or simply printed for customer approval prior to processing.

The entire cutting process is previewed using a three-dimensional simulator showing a model of the machine running and the material being processed as programmed. This allows for verification of the overall dimensions of the piece, suction cups and tools. The system will identify and alarm for points of collision and impact.

Once all verifications are completed the Breton Fabcenter will perform all cutting operations to separate the components according to the programmed layout. Once completed, the pieces are very simply shifted to new positions on the table with respect to the clearances required for the remaining shaping and edging operations, thus eliminating the risk of breakage between operations. A very simple vacuum action suction system is used for this process.

Piece shifting and repositioning is facilitated and guided by the Breton Spacelaser, which marks the new positions for the separated pieces on the worktable. The Breton Spacelaser is a new hardware/software system designed to project the positioning of the suction cups on the worktable, as well as the slab perimeter and the profile of the finished pieces.