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R-09In trainingProfiles & facades

Stick Facade Robot

From a simple sketch of grids and levels it builds a 3D facade model with the chosen stick system's real catalogue sections, and produces shop drawings, profile fabrication sheets and the order list.

In training: the robot is being tested on approved past jobs. Files in this field are processed together with an engineer for now; you can still send one for a demo.

Send your file Sample output
Input
Sketch DWG + catalogue
Output
STEP · PDF · DWG · XLSX
Example
158 solids ≈ 2 s
Status
In training
Grid-and-level sketch on the left, and the same facade built as a 3D model with mullions and transoms on the right.
R-09 · 01From sketch to 3D model

From a few lines to an orderable facade

On small and mid-size stick curtain wall jobs, most of the time goes into translating architectural lines into the system's language: mullion and transom sections, glass and gasket choice, cut lengths, accessories and the order.

The Stick Facade Robot reads grids, levels and cell types from a sketch. It takes the chosen system's profile sections from the supplier's own drawings and applies cut formulae, gasket and setting-block tables from the catalogue. The result is a 3D model with real sections, shop drawings and profile fabrication sheets.

It checks glass weight with the supplier's calculation tool and optimises profiles over stock bar lengths; gaskets come in metres, accessories in pieces, glass in m². For larger facades, a set-out module produces the layout sheet of elevation, sections and plans.

What you send, what you get back

Your files come in as they are; the output goes out in the form the workshop, purchasing and site teams use directly.

You send

  • DWG
    Facade sketchMullion grids, transom levels and cell types (vision / spandrel / door).
  • PDF
    System catalogueCut formulae, gasket and setting-block tables, hole positions.
  • DWG
    Profile sectionsThe supplier's mullion and transom section drawings.

You get

  • STEP
    3D facade modelSolids with real sections, plus a DWG preview.
  • PDF
    Shop drawings + fabricationElevation, section, plan and nodes; mullion and transom fabrication sheets.
  • XLSX
    Order listProfiles (bar-optimised), gaskets, accessories, glass, spandrel, workshop cutting list.
  • XLSX
    FormsInternal work order and external material order, with PDFs.

What the robot does, step by step

Blue steps are run by the robot. The red step is a facade engineer's check, and no set is delivered without it.

  1. Reads the sketchrobot

    Grid x values, level z values and cell labels go into one system-constants file.

  2. Sets up the systemrobot

    The catalogue is searched by article number; pressure plate, setting block and gasket set follow the glass thickness.

  3. Checks glass weightrobot

    The supplier's calculation tool runs on a copy; exceeding the limit raises a warning.

  4. Takes the real sectionrobot

    Outline and voids of the section drawing are read and simplified; derived dimensions are cross-checked with the drawing.

  5. Builds the 3D modelrobot

    Sections are extruded, the STEP written and read back for verification; kg/m comes from the section area.

  6. Produces lengths and sheetsrobot

    Cut lengths from catalogue formulae; sheets in your layer standard with an A3 title block.

  7. Optimises the orderrobot

    Profiles nested on stock bars; gaskets in m, accessories in pcs, glass in m²; forms in your template.

  8. An engineer checksengineer

    Assumptions and "needs checking" items (glass weight, anchor type, colour) are confirmed with you.

This is what the output looks like

The drawings below come from a fictional demo project. Real client drawings and codes are never shown here.

Grid-and-level sketch on the left, and the same facade built as a 3D model with mullions and transoms on the right.
R-09 · 01From sketch to 3D model
Plan section of a stick mullion: double glazing, gaskets, thermal break and pressure plate.
R-09 · 02Mullion section 1:2
Five-storey set-out elevation with grid bubbles, level symbols and panel codes.
R-09 · 03Set-out elevation 1:50
Mullion and transom cuts on 7000 mm stock bars.
R-09 · 04Order · stock bar optimisation

Forms and lists come ready too

A seven-tab order: bar-optimised profiles, with gaskets in metres, accessories in pieces, glass in m².

ORDER_LIST_DMO-ST.xlsxSample · fictional project
ItemDescriptionUnitQtyNote
PR-D50Mullion 50 × 150cuts43 bars · 7000
PR-K50Transom and pressure platecuts132 bars · 7000
FT-01Glazing gasket, inner + outerm64Vulcanised corners
AK-12Transom connector setset16
CM-28IGU 6 + 16 + 6m²6.52 pcs
SP-01Spandrel: enamelled glass + stone wool + galvanised traym²2.6Confirm colour

Rules applied to every set

The rules come from 19 years of facade fabrication and from approved sets. Each rule is numbered and linked to the code and to the check report.

  • Sections from the supplier's own drawings; no schematic or box profiles; nodes include gaskets, silicone, blocks and screws.
  • Glass line by line; a thermally broken profile is one composite item.
  • Frame 45° mitred; transoms butt-jointed + notched + screwed; setting blocks 100 / 150 mm.
  • Stone wool drawn with the quilt symbol.
  • Readable scales: nodes at 1:2, at most two per sheet; full sections at 1:5 with break lines.
  • Anchors drawn with real geometry: slots, serrated washer, fixed and sliding points, separator; a separate detail sheet.
  • Unverified sections are flagged and stay on the "needs checking" list until confirmed against the catalogue.
  • Set-out sheet at 1:50; plans carry three dimension rows: module, panel width and panel code.

From sketch to order in a day

Once the system data is set up, all outputs for a new sketch take minutes. The first system set-up (catalogue map, section extraction) takes 1–2 days.

Manual model + sheets + order≈ 1 week*
Robot + engineer check≈ 1 working day*

* Times are estimates. This robot keeps growing with new jobs; first jobs are run together with an engineer.

158solids · STEP ≈ 2 s
6A3 sheets
7tab order list
≈ 340panels · 47-type set-out trial

Whose work this robot makes easier

  • 01

    Estimating and engineering teams

    A fast system model with real sections from a sketch.

  • 02

    Small and mid-size stick jobs

    Shop drawings, fabrication and ordering in one go.

  • 03

    Purchasing and workshop

    An optimised bar order and a workshop cutting list.

  • 04

    Presentations to facade consultants

    Readable sheets with real nodes.

Free demo

Send your first file to the robot

Send one assembly, one sheet type or one bid package. We send back the sample output and a quote for the full job.

  • 01Your first file is processed free of charge as a sample.
  • 02After reviewing the output you get a quote for the full job.
  • 03Your files stay confidential and are used for your job only.
  • 04We can work with your own title block and layer standard.
Files
Pricing follows the size of the job, after you have seen the output.

Frequently asked questions

I only have a grid-and-level sketch. Is that enough?

Yes, together with the system choice and glass/spandrel assumptions. For real sections we need the supplier's profile section drawings.

Are the profile sections real?

Mullion and transom are taken one-to-one from the supplier's section drawing. Other sections are flagged "needs checking" until verified.

Does it check glass weight?

Yes. It runs the supplier's setting-block calculation tool on a copy; if the limit is exceeded it proposes a different block or a detailed calculation.

How is ordering waste handled?

Profiles are optimised over the stock bar length; gaskets are computed in metres, accessories in pieces and glass in m².

Are doors and leaves included?

Doors are drawn as an opening with a frame outline; the leaf is a separate system and stays out of scope, stated clearly in the list.

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