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Machinery
at the shop also includes computer-controlled machinery from CMS/Brembana such
as a four-axis Speed CNC stoneworking center.
Dream Stone Inc. currently operates out of a 12,000-square-foot shop in Frederick, CO, which includes a fabrication facility, offices and a showroom. According to owner Scott Murphy, he was inspired to open his own shop shortly after his parents sold theirs. “My parents started in the granite business in the late 80s, and of course went on to sell in the late 90s,” he said. “When they sold their company, I decided to open my own in 2001.”
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Additionally,
a five-axis Maxima CNC stoneworking center is in place at the company’s
facility.
“The CNCs have allowed us to do a lot of different things,” said Murphy. “We can carve on our five-axis Maxima and also do a lot of intricate work that I would have never dreamed of being able to produce. Also, the machines have allowed us to do some high-production work that we ship all over the country, which wasn’t possible when we were hand fabricating.”
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When
it comes to digital templating, workers at Dream Stone rely on a system from
ETemplate System of Raleigh, NC.
“The biggest obstacle with the machine was getting a program together to allow the work to flow,” he continued. “When we first went automated, we were able to produce a lot of material in one day with a lot less effort, so our biggest problem was keeping the machines running all day everyday.”
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“Of
the photogrammertic templating options available, we felt that ETemplate best
suited our needs because of its accuracy, ease of use and excellent customer
support,” explained the company’s programmer, Craig Buckley.
Workers at Dream Stone also rely on a digital templating system from ETemplate System of Raleigh, NC. “We had previously been using a laser templating system and found that a significant amount of the programmer’s time was spent on the phone verifying details and dimensions with the templator,” explained the company’s programmer, Craig Buckley. “Intricate field drawings were also necessary to ensure accuracy. Of the photogrammetric templating options available, we felt that ETemplate best suited our needs because of its accuracy, ease of use and excellent customer support.”
According to Buckley, the company’s efficiency and accuracy have greatly improved with the use of the ETemplate System, as well as the ability to add artistic elements to designs and make modifications on the fly. “In addition to countertop dimensions, ETemplate allows us to verify cabinet level/flatness, and acurrately scribe to walls,” the programmer explained. “We frequently use ETemplate to produce sink templates, design furniture tops and measure floor installations.”
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Dream
Stone Inc. relies on the the ETemplate System to template increasingly diverse
installations, according to Buckley. For this residence, the company utlized
the machine to template an island top for the kitchen area.
“There is a learning curve to the system; however, individuals experienced in any of the CAD programs, or those who have some general photo editing experience, should have little difficulty adapting,” Buckley continued, adding that his staff was fully utilizing the system within three weeks of leaving ETemplate’s training facility. “We have continued to manipulate the ETemplate System to template increasingly diverse installations. Resistance to trying something new is the biggest obstacle, as pointed out in the ETemplate literature. An open mind and willingness to experiment are key to successful use of the system.”
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According to Murphy, Dream Stone works in various markets, mostly covering Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming and areas of Las Vegas. “We do everything from small vanities to high-end residential and commercial projects,” he said. “We produce an average of 10 to 12 slabs worth of material a day. In our busier times, we can produce as much as 20 slabs a day. We purchase a lot of material locally, then if we need to, we will outsource to other states or bring the material in ourselves.”
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For
unique carvings, such as this island top, the company relies on the five-axis
CMS/Brembana Maxima, which can handle intricate work, according to Murphy.
Dream Stone Inc.
Frederick, CO
Type of work: high-end residential, commercial work
Machinery:a five-axis Sprint bridge saw, a five-axis Maxima CNC stoneworking center and a four-axis Speed CNC stoneworking center from CMS/Brembana of Caledonia, MI; a digital templating system from ETemplate System of Raleigh, NC; ADI/UHS tooling from GranQuartz of Tucker, GA
Number of Employees:20
Production Rate: 10 to 12 slabs worth of material a day