Cranked and crimped panels are curved metal roofing panels that require special fabrication. These panels are commonly used for bullnose roofs, curved eaves, and other architectural features where standard flat panels cannot be used.
🧾 What this feature does
Roof Wizard automatically recognises standard curved panel shapes and generates complete fabrication tables with dimensions. For custom profiles, you can create any shape, though dimension placement may need manual adjustment.
📋 Prerequisites
Before creating cranked panels, ensure you have:
Curved quality material defined in your material library
Regular flat roof metal material selected as backup
Basic familiarity with CAD drawing commands
🔧 Standard recognised shapes
The software automatically handles fabrication for these common profiles:
🛠 How to create cranked panels
Step 1: Create the roof profile
First, draw the curved section profile using CAD commands. This example creates a simple bullnose shape.
Use Construct Roof > More > Track Line or CAD functions to start drawing
Insert a vertical line: length 900mm
Add another line at 80 degrees, length 2750mm
Select CAD > Arc > Fillet
Enter radius of 350mm
Select the ends of each line where the fillet will be constructed
The fillet command adds a filleting arc between the lines using your defined radius and automatically trims the lines to be tangent to the arc.
Step 2: Construct the roof
Menu path
Construct-Roof > Section
Select Construct-Roof > Section from the main menu
When prompted, select the entities that define your section (line, arc, line)
Configure the roof Section Defaults:
Select metal material
Choose appropriate storey (for correct pay scale)
Enter the roof length
The section is then projected along the specified length. Use ISO (isometric) view or View > Select > Perspective to see the 3D result clearly.
Step 3: Select curved materials
Menu path
Cover > Select Metal
Roll-formed curved roofing material typically requires heavier gauge or higher tensile strength than flat panels.
Select Cover > Select Metal
Choose your regular/straight material
Select the corresponding curved quality material
Important: You must have curved quality panel/sheet profiles defined in setup for them to appear in the selection list.
Step 4: Generate panel quantities
Menu path
Estimate > Tally Panels
Select Estimate > Tally Panels
Answer "Yes" when asked if you wish to tally panels
The software displays a panel list with quantities and specifications.
Step 5: Create quotation and fabrication reports
Complete the quotation by selecting either:
Reporting > Supply Only, or
Reporting > Supply and Install
Generate fabrication details: Reporting > Drawings and Arc Roof Production Dwgs
Enter the panel depth (outside dimension, not inside shape)
Specify notional pitch for reference
📊 Fabrication report templates
Two templates handle different curved panel types:
Template Type | File Location | Used For |
Standard shapes | CRANKING.Dab in User folder | Recognised curved profiles |
Custom shapes | CRANKING.Dab in User folder | Non-standard curved profiles |
Both templates are CAD templates and can be edited like regular templates to match your business requirements.
💡 Design flexibility
There are virtually no constraints on curved panel shapes. The software can handle complex custom profiles and will automatically determine the number of sheets required and formation details.
⚠️ Important notes
Curved quality materials must be pre-defined in your material setup
Panel depth measurement is critical - always use outside dimensions
For non-standard shapes, dimension placement may require manual adjustment
The fabrication report provides essential workshop details - review before production