September 23, 2026 — FRAMECAD, an SFIA member, has launched the Steelform Core, a lower-cost steel framing machine. FRAMECAD says Steelform Core gives builders and fabricators a lower-cost entry point into cold-formed steel (CFS) construction.
The launch responds to a broader shift in construction, a FRAMEDCAD news release says. “Builders are under mounting pressure to deliver projects quicker, reduce material waste and rely less on scarce on-site labor,” says the release. “FRAMECAD says its answer to that pressure starts with speed.”
The company’s prefabricated steel framing process delivers build times up to 50% faster than traditional timber framing, the release says. The process generates about 2% material waste and that waste is recycled, it adds.
Offsite manufacturing is also becoming a larger part of that shift in construction. For many businesses, however, prefabricated steel framing required more investment than their production needs justified. The Steelform Core is designed to remove that barrier. It uses the same end-to-end approach as FRAMECAD’s higher-volume machines, in a format aimed at businesses entering steel framing or expanding their offsite capability in stages.
Images provided by FRAMECAD.
FRAMECAD’s new Steelform Core produces CFS framing components and is available in the United States.
Lowering the Barrier to Steel Framing
“Builders are looking for ways to build with more certainty, less waste and less dependence on site-based labor,” said, Aaron Wright, CEO of FRAMECAD. “The Steelform Core gives them access to quality steel framing equipment that fits their business today, with the same connected workflow that can scale as they grow. Start with Steelform Core, and scale with FRAMECAD as you grow.”
The Steelform Core machine produces cold-formed steel trusses, wall frames and floor joists for structures up to three levels, including housing, schools, commercial and institutional buildings.
Every Steelform Core comes with FRAMECAD Nexa, the company’s own software for scheduling and tracking production on the factory floor. It also connects directly to Steelwise, FRAMECAD’s design and engineering software. Because FRAMECAD develops both machines and software together, builders get one connected workflow from design through manufacture to build, rather than piecing together tools from different vendors.
A worker assembles cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. FRAMECAD’s new Steelform Core targets builders and fabricators entering or expanding off-site steel framing production.
Prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing components await installation at a construction site. FRAMECAD’s new Steelform Core produces wall frames, floor joists and trusses.
Focusing on Finished-Frame Production
Rather than focusing on line speed alone, FRAMECAD designed the Steelform Core to maximize finished-frame production during machine uptime. Machine learning continuously optimizes hydraulic performance, delivering output that compares favorably with other roll-formers in its category.
FRAMECAD says the machine is about 50% more energy efficient and includes Wi-Fi connectivity for over-the-air updates.
“When people compare steel framing machines they tend to read line speed alone, but real productivity is finished frames and trusses per day,” said Mario Tschopp, FRAMECAD product manager.
“We optimized the Steelform Core across punching and assembly,” he added. “Customers get more finished frames from every minute of uptime.”
FRAMECAD says demand for steel framing is growing in several key construction markets. About 1 in 10 new homes built in Australia have used the company’s technology. The company developed the Steelform Core to support broader use in residential and commercial construction, including in the United States, Brazil and India.
Read the original FRAMECAD news release.
About FRAMECAD
FRAMECAD is an advanced, end-to-end design and build system enabling the rapid construction of quality buildings for businesses, governments and communities worldwide. FRAMECAD offers all the design expertise, intelligent software, steel framing manufacturing solutions, building products and support needed to produce rapid, durable, cost-effective quality buildings. For more information, visit framecad.com
Additional Resources
- FRAMECAD Podcast: Don Allen Explains How SFIA Is Unifying the Steel Framing Industry
- SFIA Releases New Industry-Average Environmental Product Declaration for Cold-Formed Steel Framing
- CFS 101 In Practice: Real-World Examples of Project Teams Using Cold-Formed Steel