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How to switch Stud and Plate connections/cuts?

In Arkitech, Howick and Pinnacle CNC machines, vertical Studs are punched with a SWAGE tool and horizontal Plates are punched with LIP CUT and NOTCH tools.

This is a default logic between the stud and plate cuts. How can we reverse the logic and use the inverse cuts instead?

This guide explains the steps of how the vertical Studs can be punched with LIP CUT and NOTCH whereas horizontal plates - with SWAGE.

Note: SWAGES are not visible in the Revit framing elements. However, the CNC exporter will still export the SWAGE punch command. Learn more.

1. Modify Settings

  1. Go to Framing Configurations > Modify Settings

  2. Scroll down and check the box Automatically Switch Cuts

  3. Click Save to close the dialogue

Note: this guide applies to Wall+M, Floor+M and Roof+M Framing Configurations.

Make sure to use the correct Structural Framing families.

Metric:

  • M_MF C+C_CH Stud - for vertical elements (studs, king studs, cripples, trimmers, etc.)

  • M_MF C+C_CH Plate - for horizontal elements (plates, bridging/blocking, headers, sills, etc.)

Imperial:

  • I_MF C+C_CH Stud - for vertical elements (studs, king studs, cripples, trimmers, etc)

  • I_MF C+C_CH Plate - for horizontal elements (plates, bridging/blocking, headers, sills, etc.)

Learn more about the Metal Framing families.

2. Switch cuts for chosen element connections

Go back to the Framing Configurations dialogue.

Now, you will be able to turn on the inverse cuts between element connections.

Top / Bottom Plates

  1. Go to Wall Framing

  2. Choose the tab Top Plate and/or Bottom Plate

  3. Go to Cut Type and choose the option:

  • Stud Cuts Plate - default connection

  • Plate Cuts Stud - inversed connection

Plate Cuts Stud

Choosing Stud Cuts Plate and Don't Cut will create default cuts.

If you use Don't Cut, the connections in Revit will not be visible. This doesn't affect the CNC export output.

Blocking / Nogging

Blocking/Nogging - end connections

  1. Go to Blocking/Nogging settings

  2. Find Cut Start* Type and Cut End Type and choose the option:

  • Cut Bridging/Nogging - default connection

  • Cut Studs - inversed connection

*start is always on the left when facing the front of the wall

Cut Studs

Choosing Cut Bridging/Nogging and Don't Cut will create default cuts.

If you use Don't Cut, the connections in Revit will not be visible. This doesn't affect the CNC export output.

Blocking/Nogging - core connections

  1. Go to Blocking/Nogging settings

  2. Find Cut and choose the option:

  • Cut Bridging/Nogging - default connection

  • Cut Studs - inversed connection

Cut Studs

Choosing Cut Bridging/Nogging and Don't Cut will create default cuts.

If you use Don't Cut, the connections in Revit will not be visible. This doesn't affect the CNC export output.

Doors, Windows and Generic/System Openings

  1. Go to Opening Framing settings

  2. Choose Edit Configurations*:

Learn more about the differences between the configurations for *Non-structural and *Structural Walls.

King Studs / Trimmers / Cripples

Find Cut Start* Type and Cut End Type and choose the option:

  • Cut Other - default connection

  • Cut - inversed connection

*start is always on the left when facing the front of the wall

Choosing Cut Other and Don't Cut will create default cuts.

If you use Don't Cut, the connections in Revit will not be visible. This doesn't affect the CNC export output.

Headers / Sills

Find Cut Start* Type and Cut End Type and choose the option:

  • Cut - default connection

  • Cut Other - inversed connection

Choosing Cut and Don't Cut will create default cuts.

If you use Don't Cut, the connections in Revit will not be visible. This doesn't affect the CNC export output.

Individual Switches

You can also pick which particular Stud and Plate connections should have default/inverse cuts.

  1. Go to Edit Elements > Switch Cuts

  2. Click on the selected connection(s)

  3. Press Esc when finished

Switch Cuts

Note: the middle cuts in the Bridging/Blocking cannot be switched.

3. Modify the Export Settings

When exporting CNC files for Arkitech, Howick and Pinnacle machines, the CNC Metal Exporter doesn't look at the geometries of stud and plate connections. By default, the Export Settings are not configured to Analyze Cuts.

With the default export settings, the CNC Metal Exporter is looking at the Structural Framing family projection line intersection points between vertical studs and horizontal plates/service holes, not the geometry of framing families. Learn more.

Set the Default CNC Type

First, you need to select the CNC export configuration for your CNC machine brand:

  1. Go to the CNC Metal Exporter

  2. Click on Set the Default CNC Type

  3. Choose one of four configurations (for Arkitech, Howick or Pinnacle machine)

  4. Click OK

Turn on the cut analysis

  1. Go to the CNC Metal Exporter

  2. Export Setup

  3. Tick the box Analyze Cuts for Inverse Connections

  4. Click Save & Close

Learn more about the Export Setup.

4. Export CNC Files

  1. Open the menu in the CNC Metal Exporter

  2. Select walls/floors/roofs

  3. Click Export Frames

Note: CNC Metal Exporter is not included in the Metal Collection.

Learn more about the features of CNC Metal Exporter.

If you can't find the answers you're looking for, please contact our support team.

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