1. Formula Driven Materials Overview

Key Benefits

1. Automation: Material names, thicknesses, and codes are generated automatically.
2. Consistency: All data references centralized lookup tables for uniform results.
3. Flexibility: Customize any material by overriding formula-driven values when needed.
4. Efficiency: Reduce setup time while maintaining accurate costing and manufacturing data.
5. Simplicity: Avoid maintaining large material libraries by letting the system build materials dynamically.

2.1 Core Material Lookup Table [LookupTableCoreMaterial]

1. Core name description
2. Thickness (nominal and actual)
3. Grain direction (if applicable)
4. Core code [Name that is used to create the name string]
5. Core attributes [FSC | NAF | MR]
6. Price per sheet
7. Handling code and material code references
8. Comments
9. Labor
10. Waste Factor
11. Markup
12. Material Label

2.2 Surface Material Lookup Table [LookupTableSurfaceMaterial]

1. Surface name and shorthand code (e.g., VGS1, TFM1, LIN1)
2. Material type (HPL, veneer, paint, liner, etc.)
3. Individual face thickness
4. Unit cost or price
5. Material code
6. Handling code
7. Comments
8. Labor
9. Waste Factor
10. Markup
11. Material Label

1. Sheet size name (e.g., 48x96 or 1220x2440)
2. Actual width and length
3. Trim allowances for each side
   

1. 19 → Nominal thickness (in mm)
2. PBD → Core code (Particleboard)
3. .0N0 → FSC, NAF, or Moisture-Resistant status (If these fields are left blank it does not add to name)
4. VGS1 _ TFM1 → Exterior and Interior surface codes
   

2.5 Material Customization

3. Setting Up the Materials in the Project Wizard

3.1 Selecting a Material to Edit

1. In the Material Selection Options group, choose a material number (e.g., Material 1).
2. When a material is selected, its configuration prompts become visible.
3. Each material can be customized individually - ideal for setting up different materials for carcases, open carcases, finished faces, shelves, drawers, and more.

Only one material’s setup prompts are visible at a time to keep the interface clean and easy to navigate.

3.2 Choosing the Material Type

1. SheetStock → Used for flat-panel materials such as MDF, Plywood, or Particleboard.
2. SolidStock → Used for solid-wood or lumber components (e.g., face frames, posts).
3. Buyout → Used for externally purchased or pre-finished materials such as glass, laminate, or specialty panels.

Selecting the correct type ensures that parts are cut, optimized, and costed correctly.

3.3 Selecting Core and Surface Materials

1. Material Core Prompt: Choose the base material used to create the material (e.g., 18mm PBD Core, 19mm MDF Core).
2. Material Exterior Surface Prompt: Select the outer finish or face used for the material (e.g., White HPL, Birch Veneer, Paint). Selecting “None” will apply no liner to the exterior surface, resulting in a raw finish.
3. Material Interior Surface Prompt: Select the inside liner or secondary face used to create the material (e.g., White HPL, Backer, Raw). Selecting “None” will apply no liner to the interior surface, resulting in a raw finish.

If a particular surface or core is not available, you can add it to the lookup tables or use “Custom Mode” to override values manually.

3.4 Calculated Thickness

3.5 Setting Sheet Size and Grain

1. Material Sheet Size Prompt: Select the size of the sheet material (e.g., 48x96, 1220x2440). This is used for part optimization, costing, and yield calculations.
2. Material Grain Prompt: Select None, Width, or Length depending on whether the material has a visible grain. Choosing the correct grain direction ensures that parts are rotated correctly during nesting and machining.
3. Material Sheet Sizes Qty: Only available on materials 1 and 2.

Materials 1 and 2 have the option to have two sheet sizes. If the option is set to one the second sheet in the FDM will have its qty available set to 0 so its not used. Also sheet 1 will always be optimization priority 1.

3.6 Enabling Advanced Material Options

1. Price: Sheet cost used for project estimates.
2. Material Code: Used to specify an inventory code or additional information about a material. This parameter can also be used for communication with optimizers or tooling. 
3. Handling Code: Defines how the material is machined or processed.
4. Sheet Width: Displays the actual sheet width, can be overridden when selecting Material Custom.
5. Sheet Length: Displays the actual sheet length, can be overridden when selecting Material Custom.
6. Comments: Enter any notes or remarks related to this material. You can include the material label before a pipe ( | ) and comments after. The label will be what comes out on the elevation drawings.
7. Labor: Enter the time, calculated as Minutes Per Unit (MPU), that it would take to finish a square foot or meter of material with sanding, staining, painting, or lacquering. 
8. Waste Factor: Enter a value to represent a percentage to add to the base price you pay for that item. For example, enter 0.1 in the Waste Factor box to add a value representing an average waste of 10%.
9. Markup: Adds profit percentage to cost calculations.

3.7 Customizing a Material

1. Check the box Material [#] Custom.
2. Once enabled, all calculated fields (such as name, code, thickness, etc.) become editable.
3. Enter your own data as needed.

1. Special order materials
2. Custom laminates or colors
3. Temporary project-specific materials

Note when a material is set to “Custom,” any automatic formula generation is overridden when entering a value into the prompt for that material.

It is important to remember that the “Custom” option is intended for Project Level setup only.

3.8 Reviewing the Final Material Name

Once all material options have been entered the material name will be created for that material. This will now be available for the next stage assigning the materials to the material groups.

What Material Groups Do

1. Base Carcase might use Material 1 (e.g., White HPL on PBD Core)
2. Base Finished Faces might use Material 2 (e.g., Birch Veneer)
3. Upper Thin Backs might use Material 4 (e.g., 3mm MDF Backer)

Where to Find Material Groups

1. Base Cabinet Group
2. Tall Cabinet Group
3. Upper Cabinet Group
4. Miscellaneous Group
5. Staircase Group
6. Partition Group

1. Base Carcase
2. Base Finished Faces
3. Tall Open Carcase
4. Upper Thin Backs
5. Wood Drawers
6. Countertops
   

Assigning FDM Materials to Groups

1. For each group or subcategory, open the corresponding dropdown.
2. Select the FDM material name that should be applied to that part type.
   
1. For example:
   
1. Base Carcase → 19PBD.0N0_VGS1_TFM1
   
2. Tall Finished Faces → 19PBD_G_VEN-BIRCH_VEN-BIRCH
   
3. Once selected, the system will automatically apply that material to all parts belonging to that category to the material pointers in the material file.
   

Tip: Only one category group subset of prompts are visible at a time to keep the interface clean and easy to navigate.

4. Understanding Material Naming Structure

4.1 Standard Naming Format

4.3 Status Code Details

The three-character Status Code section identifies environmental and material certifications.

Position	Value	Meaning
1st	F or 0	FSC Certified (F) or Not FSC (0)
2nd	N or 0	NAF (No Added Formaldehyde) Compliant (N) or Standard (0)
3rd	M or 0	Moisture Resistant (M) or Standard (0)

Example:

FNM = FSC Certified, NAF Compliant, Moisture Resistant

0N0 = Non-FSC, NAF Compliant, Standard Moisture Rating

Status codes are automatically pulled from the Core Lookup Table based on your core material selection.  If you do not use these codes in your naming convention they are left blank by default and will not be included in naming convention.

4.4 Surface Code Details

Code	Material Type	Typical Use
VGS	Vertical Grade Laminate	High-quality decorative face for doors and exposed panels.
HGS	Horizontal Grade Laminate	Durable surface for counters and high-use areas.
TFM	Thermally Fused Melamine	Common liner or interior face for cabinet boxes.
CHM	Chemical Resistant Laminate	Used in laboratory or industrial settings.
VEN	Veneer	Real wood veneer for natural wood finishes.
LIN	Liner or Backer	Economical balance sheet for concealed surfaces.
RAW	Raw Core	No applied surface material.

4.5 Example Breakdown

Here’s a full example showing how the naming structure works:

Example Material: 19PBD_0N0_VGS1_TFM1

Breakdown:

1. 19 → Nominal thickness in mm
2. PBD → Particleboard core
3. 0N0 → Not FSC, NAF compliant, non-moisture resistant
4. VGS1 → Vertical Grade Laminate (white or specified color #1) on the face
5. TFM1 → Thermally Fused Melamine liner on the back

This material would typically represent a white particleboard laminated panel with a decorative face and a melamine backer.

4.6 Why This Matters

1. Accuracy - Names always match the materials’ real-world specifications.
2. Consistency - Everyone in your company uses the same naming system.
3. Automation - Reports, cut lists, and purchasing lists automatically show correct materials.
4. Scalability - You can add new materials without building massive static libraries.
   

Key Benefits

1. Automation: Material names, thicknesses, and codes are generated automatically.
2. Consistency: All data references centralized lookup tables for uniform results.
3. Flexibility: Customize any material by overriding formula-driven values when needed.
4. Efficiency: Reduce setup time while maintaining accurate costing and manufacturing data.
5. Simplicity: Eliminate the need for large, manually maintained material libraries — the system builds materials dynamically.

2.1 Edge band Materials Lookup Table [LookupTableEBMaterial]

1. Material name and description
2. Nominal and actual thickness
3. Core code (used to generate the material name string)
4. Price per unit
5. Material and handling codes
6. Comments or notes
7. Labor factor
8. Markup percentage
9. Waste factor
   

3. Accessing the Formula Driven Edge banding Section

3.1 Selecting a Material to Edit

1. In the Edge band Material Selection Options group, choose an edge band material number (e.g., Edgeband Material 1).
2. When a material is selected, its configuration prompts become visible.
3. Each material can be customized individually — ideal for setting up different materials for carcases, finished faces, drawers, and other components.

Only one material’s prompts are visible at a time to keep the interface clean and easy to navigate.

3.2 Editing the Material

1. The thickness and width based on lookup tables.
2. The edge band name, generated dynamically from your selections.

These advanced fields provide greater flexibility when managing pricing, quoting, and production control.

3.4 Customizing an Edge band Material

To override formula-driven values:

1. Check the box EB Material [#] Custom.
2. Once enabled, all calculated fields (name, code, thickness, etc.) become editable.
3. Enter your own data as needed.

This option is especially useful for:

1. Special order or imported materials
2. Project-specific or temporary materials

When an edge band material is set to Custom, automatic formula generation is disabled for that material’s prompts.

4. Assigning Formula Driven Edge band Materials to Material Groups

4.1 What Material Groups Do

1. Base Carcase → EB Material 1 (e.g., 1x23mm ABS White)
2. Base Finished Faces → EB Material 2 (e.g., 2x23mm ABS Colour)

By assigning the correct materials to these groups, Microvellum automatically applies the correct edge band material to the edge band pointers in the project file.

4.2 Where to Find Material Groups

In the Project Wizard, navigate to the Formula Driven EB Material [FDM] Groups tab.

Here you’ll see group categories displayed as radio buttons, such as:

1. Base Cabinet Group EB
2. Tall Cabinet Group EB
3. Upper Cabinet Group EB
4. Miscellaneous Group EB

Each group contains subcategories representing different part types, for example:

1. Base Carcase EB
2. Base Finished Faces EB
3. Tall Open Carcase EB
4. Wood Drawers EB
5. Countertops EB
   

4.3 Assigning FDM-EB Materials to Groups

For each group or subcategory, open the corresponding dropdown list.

Select the FDM-EB material name to apply to that part type.

Examples:

1. Base Carcase → 1x23mm ABS White
2. Tall Finished Faces → 2x23mm ABS Colour

Once selected, the system automatically applies the assigned material to all parts within that category, linking it to the corresponding material pointers in the project’s material file.

Only one group subset of prompts is visible at a time to keep the interface clean and user-friendly.

Deep Dive Relationship Between Wizard [PWVX] and Material File [CTPX]

1. Overview

2. Core Components

1. LookupTableFDM: Stores calculated and user-defined material data for Material_1 through Material_22. The FDM in the Material File [CTPX] get populated from this table.
2. LookupTableMaterialPointerRow: Determines the exact row position of each material within the Material File using MATCH() logic.
3. CutParts Tab (Material File): Reads data from both lookup tables to populate the Formula Driven Material in the material file and the material type.

3. Data Flow Sequence

1. The user selects material properties in the Wizard Prompts tab.
2. These selections populate LookupTableFDM with calculated data (core, surfaces, pricing, etc.).
3. The Material File references LookupTableFDM via VLOOKUP and MATCH formulas to pull the corresponding material data.
4. LookupTableMaterialPointerRow determines each material’s row position within the Material File and the material type tab to look for the material.
5. Column H in the Material File is updated with the correct row pointer value.
6. Column G stores the Material Type — Sheet Stock, Solid Stock, or Buyout.