Lättelement transitions to 3D with ARKANCE Be.Smart for efficient prefabrication

Swedish prefab manufacturer embraces digital design for efficiency and accuracy by embracing 3D modeling with ARKANCE Be.Smart solutions for wood framing.

Company: Lättelement AB
Location: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
Industry: Prefabrication & Construction of wooden building elements
Products used: ARKANCE Be.Smart Timber Collection, CNC Exporter for Hundegger (BVX)

OVERVIEW:

Lättelement AB is the Nordic region’s leading manufacturer of prefabricated light wood-framed roof panels, offering high-performance, self-supporting building elements not only for roofs but also for floors and walls. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, the company’s products combine wood-based materials with innovative design to minimize environmental impact while ensuring quick assembly.

CHALLENGES: The shift from 2D to 3D

For nearly 50 years, Lättelement has relied on a highly optimized 2D workflow. However, with increasing project complexity and client expectations, transitioning to 3D modeling became essential.

“Until now, we have done everything in 2D, with a very rational and customized workflow,” explains Hampus Wikner, CAD Developer / Designer at Lättelement. “But transitioning to 3D was inevitable. We design and manufacture prefabricated panels of all shapes—rectangular, triangular, rhombus, and even curved—so every detail, down to the smallest screw, must be accurately placed and communicated for production.”

The move to 3D-based workflow presented key challenges:

Ensuring a seamless transition from 2D to 3D without disrupting workflow.
Accurately modeling complex panel designs for seamless production.
Minimizing errors by improving communication between design, production, and clients.
Integrating a scalable, future-proof solution that connects with CNC machinery

SOLUTIONS: Choosing the right digital tools

To tackle these challenges, Lättelement implemented ARKANCE Be.Smart solutions, incorporating advanced parametric wood framing and CNC automation into its processes.

“There aren’t many options when it comes to parametric light wood framing,” says Wikner. “We explored various Revit add-ins and stand-alone software, but Be.Smart stood out, especially Smart Connections, which had little competition in terms of functionality.”

Lättelement selected:

Be.Smart Timber Collection – Enabling precise structural modeling and automated connection placement with included Wood Framing Roof, Smart Connections, and more toolsets
CNC Exporter for Hundegger (BVX) – Automating the design-to-fabrication process, reducing manual input and errors.

“The parametric capabilities for both structural framing and connection placement have been invaluable in improving our design process,” adds Wikner.

BENEFITS & OUTCOMES: Greater efficiency, accuracy & trust

By implementing Be.Smart solutions, Lättelement has significantly enhanced its design-to-production workflow. The ability to create a detailed 3D model of panels provides multiple benefits:

Enhanced collaboration, design accuracy, and visualization:
o Transitioning to 3D modeling allows for better problem detection early in the design phase.
o The ability to import .ifc structures ensures seamless design process.
Increased efficiency & error reduction:
o Providing 3D models alongside 2D drawings to production teams has minimized fabrication errors and improved production clarity.
o Integration with CNC machinery ensures a direct workflow from design to manufacturing.
Stronger client trust & engagement:
o Customers can now visualize 3D models instead of interpreting complex 2D drawings.

“Being able to show our customers a complete 3D model instead of a 2D drawing inspires trust compared to showing them a drawing with a bunch of lines. It’s much easier for them to visualize and understand the structure,” notes Wikner.

LOOKING AHEAD: Continued development and innovation

While 3D modeling has already transformed Lättelement’s workflow, continuous development remains a priority.

“The support team does their best, but sometimes we push boundaries that require additional development,” says Wikner. “Many roof panel manufacturers would benefit from the same improvements.”

As Lättelement continues to refine its processes with Be.Smart Timber Collection and CNC Exporter, the company remains committed to leading the prefabrication industry with innovative, high-performance, and sustainable solutions

SUSTAINABILITY and scalable production

Prefabrication and sustainable design are core principles at Lättelement. Their composite roof panels combine I-joists, glued plywood, and steel sheets, increasing the possible spans by 70% while maintaining strength and efficiency. The environmental impact of these prefabricated elements is 32.4 kg CO₂eq/m², far lower than equivalent CLT solutions (52.7 kg CO₂eq/m²) or hollow core concrete slabs (124.2 kg CO₂eq/m²).

By leveraging BIM-driven prefabrication, Lättelement is set for future growth, with the potential to scale production from 120,000 m² to 300,000 m² per year, ensuring efficiency, quality, and innovation in the construction industry.

For more information, visit Lättelement AB.