Facit Homes is a multi award-winning design and build company dedicated to delivering contemporary, low carbon, beautiful homes. Established in 2007, and featured on Grand Designs as “the world’s first computer-cut house”, the Facit Homes’ team certainly build differently.
Facit Homes has a unique approach to house building. Using a CNC machine, the company cuts its advanced structural system on site. Its CNC machine lives in a shipping container so that it can be moved around the country from site to site. This saves on both shipping costs and time, manufacturing overheads and puts Facit in a position to create striking, bespoke homes.
We interviewed Bruce Bell, Founder and CEO, to find out more about how the company’s MultiCam CNC Router fits into the story ...
Why did you choose a MultiCam?
“There were several reasons why we chose to buy a MultiCam from CNC World,” explains Bruce. “They are nicely engineered, sturdy and solid but not too bulky with unnecessary weight. Other brands create over-complicated machines that don’t actually do more. There was also the simplicity side (of running the machine) – you don’t need a PHD to operate them.”
What did your new CNC machine replace?
“We had a different brand of CNC machine. It was low cost and slow, we learnt the basics on there but when we needed to scale things up the original machine just wasn’t good enough.
“The MultiCam machines are immaculate in how they are made. The rigidity and stability is so important to us as our machine is delivered from site to site.”
How easy was it to get started with your new CNC machine?
“Apart from the fact that we use our machine in an unusual environment, we haven’t had any problems with our machine. It was just plug and play!
“We’ve had the same machine since 2010 and it’s still working fantastically. We’ve just had a full refurbishment completed on it and it’s as good as new.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to purchase a CNC machine?
“Understand your expectations and what you require. Are you a small workshop designing things on the fly or is it a production machine where the design work is done elsewhere? Then do your research into what machines fit with your needs.
“The accuracy is really important. If you don’t have a stiff bed and a quality base when you put a heavy material on the bed it can move – the difference of a few millimetres can be the difference of whether something fits together. In furniture and joinery this is obviously essential!
“And lastly, additional extras can seem like a great idea but do you need them? Don’t over spec!”
For over 15 years, CNC World has been the sole UK partner for MultiCam CNC machines. Selling, servicing and upgrading hundreds of machines.
“It’s been great to see Facit Homes deliver such stand out homes with their MultiCam, and know that it is still working as well now as it did when we sold it to Bruce 10 years ago,” comments Jason Rowe, Managing Director. “It shows how a great CNC machine stands the test of time.”
As well as machines to order, CNC World keeps a range of routers in stock and often has ex-demonstration or refurbished machines immediately available.
Contact CNC World on 01953 668899 for more information.
