Instantly Digitize Timber Photographed with a Smartphone: Alpha Version of “EMARF scan,” Set to Revolutionize Timber Distribution, Released

Ahead of the launch of its new digital platform “EMARF scan,” the cloud timber pre-cutting service “EMARF” (https://emarf.co/) has begun operating an alpha version of the service for more than 150 ShopBot owners across Japan.

By instantly digitizing timber that is difficult to sell through ordinary markets, and offering within the service a database that makes it possible to manage and sell it, we aim to realize a circular society in which no timber goes to waste.
EMARF scan: https://scan.emarf.co

“EMARF scan” is a service that instantly converts timber into DXF data simply by photographing it with a smartphone, enabling centralized management and sale*(1) of timber on the service.

By accurately capturing and digitizing the sizes and shapes of non-standard timber that has been considered difficult to distribute, and making it possible to manage and sell it on the web, the service not only opens up new distribution channels for timber producers but also expands the possibilities of using wood for consumers, including designers and architects.

With this alpha release, the service has begun operating for more than 150 ShopBot*(2) owners across Japan and forestry workers nationwide. By scanning and digitizing non-standard timber that cannot be distributed, generated during timber production, and irregular offcuts produced during wood processing, these businesses can now make use of timber that would otherwise have had to be discarded.

Following the alpha operation starting April 13, 2023, we plan to continue developing “EMARF scan” so that general EMARF*(3) users can browse and select timber registered on “EMARF scan” within EMARF and use it for their projects.

*(1) The alpha version has no payment function, so transactions must be arranged directly between the parties.
*(2) ShopBot is a 3D wood-processing machine (NC router) that VUILD Inc., the provider of EMARF, has been installing across Japan. It can cut timber exactly according to data, whether in straight lines or curves.
*(3) EMARF is a cloud service that lets you complete the entire process of wooden fabrication online, from design to cutting the parts. Simply upload Illustrator or CAD data to the EMARF website to obtain wooden parts. Since its launch in May 2020, it has been used in a wide range of settings, not only for making furniture and products but also for artworks, interiors and temporary architecture.

■ Service overview
Simply photograph timber with a smartphone to instantly digitize even irregular, non-standard pieces. Linked to the data, you can specify detailed information such as size, species, grade, moisture condition and storage location, and register and sell a wide variety of timber in the database.

Registered timber data can also be exported in DXF, a file format compatible with virtually any design software, so buyers can bring timber directly into their design process.

■ Key features
(1) Shorter, more efficient timber distribution
– Producers can connect and trade directly with buyers
– Timber consumers can choose and buy timber with their own eyes

(2) Lower timber prices
– By skipping the conventional distribution process and connecting producers directly with buyers, timber prices can be lowered
– By enabling the distribution of timber that is of high quality but was discarded without reaching the market for various reasons, it can be traded at low prices

(3) A wider range of design possibilities
– Rare, distinctive timber can be used in making things
– Because even timber of complex shapes and sizes can be digitized instantly and brought into the design process, consumers can create rare, one-of-a-kind products

(4) Contributing to regions
– Timber distributed through EMARF scan has strong ties to its region, so users can contribute to regions, such as their hometowns or places they are connected with, by using their timber

(5) Realizing a circular society
– By enabling the distribution of timber that used to be discarded, it reduces the amount of wood waste and contributes to a circular society

■ “EMARF scan” creates a new structure for timber distribution
“EMARF scan” started from a desire to change the structure of timber distribution, in which little profit remains with forest owners. By digitizing non-standard timber, which for various reasons often went unsold and was discarded, as well as irregular offcuts produced during processing, and enabling centralized management and sale on the platform, it creates a timber distribution system that connects consumers such as designers, builders and clients directly with timber producers, expanding the possibilities of using wood.

■ EMARF scan in use
During development, we held a workshop to demonstrate the service.
It was attended by designers who had previously found it hard to connect directly with producers. They visited actual forestry sites and went all the way through to fabrication, using locally produced timber and ShopBot.

■ Features planned for development: toward the official release
(1) Enable fabrication requests on EMARF.
By making timber registered on “EMARF scan” viewable and selectable on EMARF, we will integrate the process from material procurement to manufacturing.

(2) Enable direct communication with timber-producing regions across Japan.
We will connect the fragmented industry of producers, builders and designers to create a new creative scene.

(3) Enable the distribution of waste and undistributed timber.
We will create a market structure in which materials that used to be thrown away without entering distribution can be traded.

(4) Add a scanning function to the CNC machine “ShopBot.”
By mounting a scanning camera on the ShopBot itself, we will streamline the process from scanning timber to machining it.

(5) Become a marketplace where anyone can register and sell materials.
Aiming for a circular society, we will build a new system for putting existing materials into circulation.

■ Inquiries
○ ShopBot owners
This service is available to owners enrolled in the ShopBot Support Plan.
If you would like an account, please apply by Monday, April 24, 2023.
A service briefing for ShopBot Support Plan members will also be held on Tuesday, April 25.
For details, please see the ShopBot support page or our email newsletter.

○ Businesses considering adopting this service
Businesses considering new ventures or collaborations using this service, please contact us at the address below.
emarf.info@vuild.co.jp

○ Businesses considering introducing ShopBot
Businesses considering new ventures using this service or introducing the machine, please contact us at the address below.
sales@vuild.co.jp
https://shopbot.vuild.co.jp/

[VUILD Inc. (https://vuild.co.jp/)]
Representative: Koki Akiyoshi (CEO)
Founded: November 21, 2017
Head office: unico 1F-A, 3-4 Nisshincho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa
Business: Architectural design; development and manufacture of wood products; sales of CNC routers; digital talent development; business development support; IT service development
Twitter: @VUILDinc (https://twitter.com/vuildinc)
note: https://note.com/vuild
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VUILD.co.jp/
Instagram: @vuild_official (https://www.instagram.com/vuild_official/)

The latest information will be announced on EMARF (https://emarf.co/) and the official EMARF Twitter account (https://twitter.com/emarfco).