FastSHAPES® is the generic name for a complete suite of Plate development programs specifically designed for thick plate development where the main jointing technology is welding. The system covers common, complex and heavy construction shapes. There are cones, lobsterbacks, transitions, pipe branches, conical branches, power transmission components and sprockets etc. Shapes can be completed in a fraction of the time manually lofted patterns would allow and importantly, they are fabricated "right first time". This computer based system can handle thousands more computations which is reflected in the capacity and accuracy of the output. Particularly when compared to hand lofted pattern developments. With shapes covering most thick development needs, FastSHAPES® offers dramatic benefits to any heavy fabrication related business.

Simply choose your 'shape', input your dimensions and create an instant 'fabrication ready' pattern with 3D view. The software produces clean and precise geometry that you can export as a DXF (CAD) file or into your CAM system for editing and/or nesting if desired. FastSHAPES® will also produce both a plotted pattern output for optical tracing machines and a printed coordinate listing in X,Y, for manual lofting of the patterns in the workshop or on site. Highly accurate components offer a marked improvement in weld quality and consistency resulting in better fitup.

FastSHAPES® is extremely easy to use however it does presume a working knowledge of fabrication techniques and basic development skills (typically a tradesman or semi-skilled tradesman in a plate fabrication shop). The software is used extensively in estimating as it can rapidly produce the total material usage for a particular development.

FastSHAPES® can be used in conjunction with the FastCAM® System however FastSHAPES® is compatible with other CAM & CAD systems. Many design draftsmen and engineers use the software to prototype designs knowing that they can be easily fabricated from plate. 2D and 3D DXF CAD outputs are also very useful to bring the designs and patterns back into CAD systems for documentation and verification.