TECHNICAL GUIDE · AUTOMATIC FEED
Automatic feed You’re in control
Automatic mode does not mean unattended work. On BigDog it automates the head's travel along the guide and its return. Measuring, positioning the material, supervision and checking the finished piece remain part of the job.
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That distinction matters more than the word “automatic”.
01 The travel is automatic
The current BigDog page describes a mode in which the head travels along the guide, makes the planned cut and returns to its starting position. The operator supervises the travel without manually guiding the head along the full slab.
The machine does not read the room drawing. It does not select the material, blade, line or retained side.
02 Before the head moves: the job data
Prepare the job information before comparing modes:
- material manufacturer, product, thickness and format;
- complete length and direction of every line;
- required orientation and retained side;
- applicable blade, support and method under the current instructions;
- number of different pieces, rather than only the total number of cuts;
- requirement for the finished edge: concealed, processed further or exposed.
Without this information, you cannot tell whether the passes are genuinely repetitive or whether each piece needs a different setup.
03 What the machine does, and what the operator does
| Stage | What automatic mode may perform | What still needs confirmation or supervision |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | — | correct piece, dimension, line and retained side |
| Prepare | — | material, blade, support and positioning under the instructions |
| Travel | head movement along the guide | setup alignment and supervision |
| Return | head returns to the starting position | completion of the cycle under the instructions |
| Check | — | dimension and condition of the finished edge |
| Next piece | — | remeasure or confirm that the setup remains applicable |
The map describes responsibilities. It is not a start-up, adjustment or operating procedure.
04 Manual or automatic: two different needs
BigDog also has a manual mode in which the operator guides the head at their own pace. A batch of tiles alone does not prove that automatic mode will be faster or produce a better edge.
Compare:
- whether the lines and setups genuinely repeat;
- how often the dimension, direction or retained side changes;
- what the material and blade require;
- how the result will be checked after every piece;
- whether the complete plan fits the selected configuration.
Do not enter a time saving in the comparison unless the same task has been measured with the same preparation and finishing included.
05 Batch-planning card
Fill it in once you have the job data, before you compare the modes and before you ask about a configuration.
| Field | Record |
|---|---|
| Material | manufacturer / product / thickness / format |
| Lines | longest line / directions / number of setups |
| Pieces | ID / quantity / retained side |
| Finish | concealed / processed further / exposed edge |
| Compatibility | material instructions / machine instructions / blade / support |
| Check | what will be inspected after each piece |
The card lets you discuss the working mode without pretending that one feature automates the whole process.
06 Compare the modes against a finished plan
Start with our guide to choosing a tile cutter and compare the material, method and longest line.
If the plan points to wet cutting, check the current BigDog range. Include the batch card and drawing with an enquiry. Do not base the choice on the word “automatic” alone.