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Precision engineering is perhaps not what is usually associated with wood, we are working hard to change that. Our roots in high tolerance machining give us a unique ability to offer a standard of engineering uncommon amongst CNC wood providers. By keeping our engineering and manufacturing in-house, we are able to ensure that projects are fully optimised to take advantage of the powerful features of our CNC machine and CAD system. Why not call or email us to get a quote or find out more about how our engineering approach makes us the best choice in the industry for precision.

Precision

Our unparalleled expertise in engineering applications for wood allows Cambian to provide organic material solutions in high precision applications.
Our 5-axis servo-drive CNC machine means that positional tolerance of features is controlled to sub-millimetre level.
Self-jigging techniques embedded in our assembly design means components automatically centre themselves in the correct position, which not only increases overall accuracy but also speeds up construction.
The accuracy of our assemblies has been inspected and verified using a Faro 7-axis coordinate measurement arm

  • 5-Axis Machine
  • High tolerance
  • Precision assembly
  • Verified accuracy
Accuracy inspection of Cambian engineered wood cockpit being carried out using a 7-axis Faro coordinate measurement arm

Application engineering

We work across a variety of industries including the Aerospace, rail, marine and automotive sectors, bringing the sustainability, cost and performance benefits which are possible when wood is engineered to its full potential.

Existing designs in less sustainable materials can be re-imagined as wood construction by our engineering team, taking into account the structural and aesthetic requirements of the original concept.

  • Product optimisation
  • FEA analysis
  • Material specification
  • Design for manufacture
Wood lattice roof of aerospace cockpit constructed from engineered wood

Physical Modelling

As part of the development and testing phase of a project, CNC machining allows us to produce fully-functional, dimensionally accurate prototypes extremely rapidly, using the same materials and tolerances as the final product. This means that iteration can be accelerated, lowering development time and cost.

Applications in the past have included wind tunnel models, and scale models for hydrostatic testing. As part of a development process we are often able to carry out mechanical testing in-house to international standards.

  • Working prototypes
  • Production quality
  • Rapid production
  • Mechanical testing
Architectural model used for hydrostatic physical testing assembled from CNC machined sections

Patterns & moulds

In addition to being used as a stand-alone material, wood construction is well suited to constructing formers and moulds for other substrates.

Accurate tooling for composites, including plugs for GRP, and moulds for kevlar or carbon fibre reinforced parts are produced using a lightweight wooden lattice structure.

More traditional foundry patterns for metal sand casting can be produced much faster and at a higher accuracy than with non-automated processes. Machined wood also offers benefits in longevity and ease of replacement.

Bucks for sheet metal fabrication, such as automotive coachwork can be constructed directly from surface model data or 3D scans.

  • Composite layup moulds
  • Foundry patterns
  • Press tools
  • Automotive buck
3D machined architectural mould manufactured from high density epoxy tooling board used as a master for silicone moulding