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CAD/CAM for robotic tufting
Robotuft Add-on — Frequently Asked Questions
Purpose-built CAD/CAM software for robotic carpet tufting. Explore how artwork becomes prepared tufting paths and production information.
26 questions in this category.
Purpose and design import
Robotuft Add-on is EFAB CAD/CAM software purpose-built for robotic carpet tufting. As an eDesigner add-on, it connects raster artwork with editable vectors and production preparation, bringing carpet design and tufting-path work into one environment.
Robotuft Add-on addresses the path geometry and production preparation required by robotic tufting. It combines vectorization, dedicated filling strategies, path editing, movement optimization and production estimates rather than stopping at the visual artwork.
Robotuft Add-on is integrated with eDesigner and supplied through dedicated software packages. You use eDesigner design tools alongside the Robotuft Add-on functions needed to prepare work for compatible robotic tufting equipment.
Robotuft Add-on provides graphical tools for design and tufting-path preparation. The machine workflow handles the relevant production instructions for the supported configuration. Knowledge of carpet construction and tufting remains useful, and training should cover your software, machine and production process.
Yes. The Vectorizer converts raster artwork into vector geometry and includes smoothing. Inspect the resulting contours and refine them as needed before generating or approving the tufting paths.
Yes. Robotuft Add-on features a professional Import Wizard specifically for DXF and SVG vector files, providing a dedicated workflow for bringing vector artwork into tufting preparation. It also supports raster formats such as BMP, TIFF and PNG. Review imported artwork before generating tufting paths, and send a representative file to EFAB if you need advice on a particular design workflow.
Path generation and optimization
Yes. Dedicated filling functions generate paths within design areas. Choose an appropriate fill strategy and inspect the resulting geometry, density and sequence before production. Automatic generation still requires design review.
Available strategies include Zigzag at different angles, Offset Polygon and Spiral. They provide different ways to fill an area or follow its contours. Select and compare the options according to the shape, desired appearance and intended tufting setup.
Yes. Gradient Wizard in Robotuft Add-on helps you create gradient designs for robotic tufting, including diffused, straight, circular, spiral and double-spiral effects. This dedicated tool lets you explore gradient patterns within the tufting workflow. Review the prepared design with your selected yarns and production settings, and assess a sample to confirm the desired tufted effect. See the Robotuft Add-on video demonstrations for examples.
Yes. Vector tools include moving, joining, splitting, reversing direction, extending and offsetting paths. They let you refine automatically generated geometry where a design needs local adjustment.
Yes. Robotuft Add-on can display raster and vector layers in the same design view. Color-coded vectors and viewing controls help you compare the prepared paths with the original artwork.
The Path Optimizer reduces unnecessary travel between tufting paths. This can improve the efficiency of the prepared job. The result depends on the design and production settings; evaluate the actual movement pattern and machine cycle for your work.
No fixed saving applies to every design. EFAB advertises optimization of up to 60% of non-tufting moves. That figure concerns non-tufting movement and should not be read as a promise of a 60% reduction in total production time or cost.
Production preparation and advanced structures
Yes. Production-time calculations help compare jobs and plan work before tufting. Treat them as estimates and compare them with results from your machine, materials and operating conditions.
Yes. Yarn and material calculations support preliminary planning and job evaluation. Actual consumption depends on factors such as yarn, pile height, density and machine settings, so confirm estimates against production samples.
Yes. A process preview helps you inspect the prepared paths and sequence before transferring the job. Use the preview as part of preparation, followed by the checks and sample runs required for the machine.
Robotuft Add-on vector editing and filling tools support shaped design areas. The achievable manufactured result also depends on the machine working area, backing, yarn and installed tufting head. Confirm unusual geometry with a representative sample.
Robotuft Add-on 3D+ includes the 3D Carpet Designing plug-in for pile-height design. Manufacturing those effects requires a compatible machine and tufting head with the relevant supported height control.
Smart Cut/Loop in Robotuft Add-on prepares designs combining cut-pile and loop-pile areas. It supports automatic cut/loop workflows, also called auto cut/loop, with non-stop, automatic transitions from cut to loop and vice versa on compatible equipment. The available transitions and pile structures depend on the installed tufting head and control system. Confirm your intended design and machine configuration with EFAB.
Robotuft Add-on 3D+ includes both 3D Carpet Designing and Smart Cut/Loop (auto cut/loop) functions. Ask EFAB to verify the desired combination against your machine, head and software version before committing a design to production.
Packages, sampling and integration
Robotuft Add-on Edition combines eDesigner Professional with the Robotuft Add-on. Robotuft Add-on 3D+ combines Professional Plus with Robotuft Add-on, 3D Carpet Designing and Smart Cut/Loop for automatic cut/loop designs. Confirm the current package names and included functions with EFAB.
Robotuft Add-on demonstrations show canvas sizing and vector cropping tools that can help prepare selected design areas. The treatment of paths depends on the operation and software version. Review the cropped result before sampling.
Robotuft Add-on includes production-oriented export functions for supported machine configurations. Confirm the required data format and handoff procedure with EFAB, including which instructions are prepared in the design software and which are generated by the machine controller.
Robotuft Add-on prepares the design and paths. eHMI loads the job, exposes the supported production controls and monitors progress. eTuft carries out the tufting. Matching the software, machine and tufting head is essential to the intended result.
Compatibility must be assessed for the particular machine, controller and production-data interface. Contact EFAB with the machine specification and a sample workflow before purchase. A generic file-format match alone does not confirm an operational integration.
A one-month, fully functional trial for Robotuft Add-on editions is available at EUR 350. Contact EFAB to confirm the edition, hardware and licensing arrangements, applicable taxes and evaluation terms for your intended workflow.
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