Digital fabrication refers to the process of turning digital design files into physical objects using computer-controlled tools. In construction, this includes technologies like CNC milling, laser cutting, and robotic assembly to produce building components directly from digital models.
Digital fabrication bridges the gap between design and construction. It enables high precision, mass customization, and complex geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods. It also reduces material waste and improves speed and repeatability in off-site construction workflows.
A design-build firm uses digital fabrication to create custom timber joints using CNC routers. The components are pre-assembled off-site, transported, and installed in days—dramatically reducing labor and error on the job site.
Think of digital fabrication as sending a building part to a 3D printer or robotic cutter. You design it digitally, hit “go,” and a machine builds it with precision—no manual measuring, cutting, or guesswork.
