Waywood is renowned for its award-winning bespoke furniture. Here, we explore the unique fusion of specialisms and techniques that set this Oxfordshire-based business apart and learn how an upgrade in its CNC machinery has enhanced Waywood’s capabilities ...
Founded in 1986, Waywood assimilates the varied skillsets of three furniture designers/makers, with backgrounds as diverse as fine art, cabinetmaking, boat building, computer-aided design and CAD/CAM manufacturing.
These highly experienced and time-served craftsmen have always shown a penchant for experimentation in their work and, sparked by an interest in CAD/CAM technology, have created a workshop with one foot firmly rooted in craft traditions, and one stepping out into the future.
“We often approach problem-solving from completely different directions,” comments Barnaby Scott, owner and founder of Waywood. “Our collaborative design process and approach to problem-solving allow a wealth of options for design and making solutions.
“As furniture designers, we are inevitably influenced by contemporary aesthetics, but we are not distracted by passing fashion. The warmth and infinitely variable nature of wood inspires us to treat it with respect, rather than design in a way that ignores the material we are working with.
“We think a blend of subtlety and character is key to enduring design.”
It was in 2007 that Waywood added CNC machining to its bow, with a significant part of the business now dedicated to CNC machining as a sub-contracting facility.
Today, the business provides machining solutions to artists, designers, furniture makers, interior specifiers and fabricators across a diverse range of design areas.
Everything from a stand-alone cutting service of 2D shapes to a full project-managed CAD design service, with 3D shaping and assembly, is offered.
“Our background as award-winning designers and makers of bespoke furniture means that we can offer a specialism in solid wood shaping and machining which few can equal, and have built a reputation as specialists in solid wood CNC machining,” says Barnaby.
“Complexity of work is viewed as a challenge which we enjoy, and we treat problem-solving in partnership with the client, as a standard approach to our work.”
The team was initially able to work around the limitations of its three-axis CNC machine, but began the lengthy process of adding five-axis capability to the business, not only with a view to expanding the capabilities for its own designs, but also to offer a greater range of options to its CNC customers.
Barnaby and CNC manager, Simon Smith, began researching different manufacturers in 2019 to gauge the various options available – these ranged from large format CNC machines to trying out robot arm technology.
“There were some specific criteria in choosing a new machine, ranging from what we could physically fit into the workshop, the limitations of the machines’ different axis and most importantly the accuracy of the machine over the size of the bed,” explains Barnaby.
“Another important factor was making sure the machine software would work with our existing CAD/CAM packages to minimise any further disruption.”
Barnaby and Simon both decided on a Maxicam five-axis CNC from Powell CNC, as this particular machine offered many of the required features and maximised the size of the machine they could fit into the space.
The upgrade to five-axis machining means Waywood can machine some of the most complex three-dimensional work, both in solid wood and a range of composite/sheet materials.
“We excel at working both on long-term projects where CAD design and project development are key, and large assemblies where integration of design and manufacture are essential to the job,” concludes Barnaby.
“In-house expertise in CAD modelling and specialist knowledge of working with solid wood means that we offer an excellent skillset to clients with complex projects.”
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