furniture journal
january 2016
On the cover: SCM’s L’Invincibile SI X SICAM: review from Italy Interprint’s Furniture Days Kleiberit: technology on test Interviews: Vauth-Sagel, Surteco UK, Panelco, Weinig, Leitz...
january 2016
contents 2 SICAM 2015: OUT OF THIS WORLD The rain might have poured in Pordenone but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of exhibitors or visitors at Sicam.
cover photo SCM is offering a 10-year guarantee on its saw carriages - even the newly launched L’Invincible SI X sliding table panel saw. Story: page 48. Get more from your Furniture Journal download CP Clicker and scan page 27!
6 GLOSS 7 MATT Excellent Gloss to match Krono and Senosan and 65 different Supermatt edgings.
Furniture Journal visits Erkeln to find out from General Manager, Claus Sagel, what makes Vauth-Sagel’s products special.
A day condensed into an hour was the theme of Interprint’s morning, midday and matinee ‘Furniture Days’ décor presentations.
circulation: Marie Earle email: Circ@FurnitureJournal.co.uk www.furniturejournal.co.uk
CBP0210159297
By using Carbon Balanced Paper through the World Land Trust on this publication we have offset 1218kg of Carbon & preserved 102sqm of critically threatened tropical forests.
Please note: points of view expressed in articles by contributing writers and in advertisements included in Furniture Journal do not necessarily represent those of the publishers. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in Furniture Journal, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for incidents arising from use of information published. All rights, including moral rights, reserved. COPYRIGHT: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publishers. Copyright CPC Ltd, 2016.
ISSN 13653-8969 Readers should note that a charge may have been made by the publishers to cover the cost of reproducing some colour photographs in this publication.
origination: CPC Ltd printing: Barnwell Print published by: Craftsman Publishing Company Ltd, Landings House, Lound Road, Blundeston, Suffolk, NR32 5AT, England. www.craftsmanpublishing.co.uk
Videos, specifications, demonstrations - they’re all Interactive on page 27.
28 A FEAST FOR THE SENSES Spanish décor specialist Finsa and Surface Styling from IDS, showcased the latest trends in materials at the Saint Gobain Innovation Centre in London.
30 PANELS - JUST IN TIME 7 A QUESTION OF QUALITY
10 A DAY IN THE LIFE OF DÉCORS
editor: Melvyn Earle email: Melvyn@FurnitureJournal.co.uk Direct Tel: 01502 733438
27 QUIN GLOBAL
15 RINGING THE CHANGES Kim Hughes talks to Furniture Journal as he takes up his new position as MD of Surteco UK.
18 GLOSS WITH A SPARKLE A subtle hint of sparkle, a flawless glass-like gloss - David Clouting’s Metallic Gloss collection is now available in two new colours.
20 TECHNOLOGY ON TEST Kleiberit’s Technical Centre doesn’t just provide solutions to adhesive problems, it provides customers with the opportunity to trial the materials they want to use on full-size machines.
24 NO MOULDS Veneers formed, panels curved, solid surfacing moulded into shape the easy way.
25 BOND WITH QUIN Quin Global’s Tensor range of adhesives: world class superfast products in unique zero waste packages.
Melvyn Earle takes a trip to Panelco in Stoke on Trent to find out what lies behind the company’s “order by 5pm, deliver next day” promise.
34 IMA NOVIMAT FOR PANELCO With “sustained quality” in mind, Panelco turned to the edgebander specialist IMA for a machine that would “up the quality” of its specials.
38 HARD-WORKING SOFTWARE Biesse’s bCabinet software is designed to help you make better quality furniture faster and for less money. It’s all about making cabinets more easily.
41 ILLUMINATING LUMINA Holz-Her’s flagship Lumina edgebander series has a lot to offer - and some very advantageous and quite unique features.
44 MOULDING MADE EASY Jack Bowers points out the highlights of Weinig’s newest entry level moulding and planing machine, the Powermat 700.
46 THE BIRTH OF A BLADE On a tour of the Leitz factory, Ansgar Uhl explains the meticulous manufacturing and checking processes that every Leitz circular saw blade goes through.
48 GUARANTEE FROM SCM SCM is offering a ten year guarantee on its saw carriages - and the company’s confidence comes at least in part from its unique design.
2 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016
Emphasising its expertise in space-efficiency, Vauth-Sagel’s space girls were on stand and on hand to show visitors the very latest pull-outs, larders and bins. To find out more about VauthSagel, see pages 7-8.
out of thi T
The rain might have poured in Pordenone but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of exhibitors at Sicam, several of whom reported their best results ever from a show that grows in importance with every year that passes.
he skies greyed over, the rain poured almost continuously but nothing deterred the exhibitors at Sicam, nor the visitors who flocked to the growing international components, semi-finished products and accessories exhibition held in Pordenone. If Sicam isn’t on your ‘must go’ list, it should be. With 522 exhibitors this year, Sicam provided a lot to see in its easy-toaccess 29,000 square metre format. It’s a show that has risen significantly in importance in the seven years since it launched, both on the home market but also, importantly, in the eyes of overseas buyers and visitors. The number of nonItalian exhibitors and visitors means Sicam consistently punches above its weight and this year more than in previous years there were some real surprises. Visitors came from 96 countries. 35% of the
17,000 visitors travelled from outside Italy - mostly from European countries (UK, Spain and France particularly) but also, Asia, Iran and Saudi Arabia. This year, German buyers were outnumbered by Russians, while the country lying in third place was the Ukraine. Some exhibitors were even describing the increase in Soviet and Ukrainian visitors as a mini trend. I’m not sure I’d go that far but it’s certainly something for those with a finger on the pulse of potential export markets to be aware of. We didn’t notice any exhibitors showing products from Russia or the Ukraine, other than magazines, but the organisers confirmed around 28% of the exhibitors (almost 150) were from 33 countries other than Italy and, as usual, there were many well-known names: décor specialists Schattdecor, Kröning,
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 3
Salice’s new Linea Box made its debut at Sicam. Designed to work with the Futura full extension soft close door system, it comes in three heights (77, 104 and 180mm high) and has a wall thickness of just 12mm. Salice also showed a range of drawer inserts to go with the Linea Box but these were still in the prototype stage at Sicam. Enquiries: 01480 413831.
Isn’t this simply the neatest concealed hinge you’ve ever seen? Not only is it neat, Salice’s brand new AER, which is cut into the door and the cabinet, has a revolutionary three-way adjustment as well as integrated soft closing. In fact, it has all the functionality of a true concealed hinge without the intrusive bulk. A brilliant piece of design, deserving of Furniture Journal’s ‘Star of Sicam’ award! Call Salice UK for details on 01480 413831.
his world Fundermax and Rehau; edging specialists Ostermann and Hranipex; hardware specialists Vauth-Sagel, Grass, Samet, Titus, Union Knopf and others - these are regular exhibitors who have already seen the benefits of a presence at Sicam. For some time now, the parameters that have been used to assess professional trade fairs have been shifting away from generalised visitor numbers and much more towards the number of companies that have sent representatives to see the show because these are what bring solid results for exhibitors. The 17,000 visitors at Sicam 2015 came from 6,736 companies. “The professional profile of the visitors includes decision-makers of the highest level,” commented the event organiser, Carlo Giobbi during the press conference. “Companies look for quality relationships at a trade fair and we
provided it this year with operators from over 6,700 companies, with 29% from abroad.” He added, “If we count just companies visiting Sicam, more than 1,000 attended the fair before 1pm on the first day and 45% of those were foreign companies from outside Italy.” Undoubtedly, visitor numbers will have been helped by the change in parking arrangements. Gone were the traffic jams of previous years and the whole event from beginning to end seemed to run like a well oiled machine. The next edition of Sicam will be from 18th21st October 2016.
STAR OF SICAM
Above. The new ‘Wind’ lift from Salice will lift a door weighing 14kg. Below. Perfect as a splashback or a whiteboard, Rehau’s new glass (Rauvisio Crystal) is available with a magnetic surface. Call: 01989 762600.
4 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016
Left. The all new Quatris L is a cost-effective corner solution from Grass. Launched on the Grass stand at Sicam (above), Quatris L is unhanded and is being offered with grey, white, or wood shelves. The bottom shelf is attached to the door but both soft close together. The shelves stay within the cabinet door area when the door is opened. Call Grass on 0121 453 7623. Below. Titus used Sicam to launch its new T-type ‘Glissando’ hinge. The Glissando offers a 170 degree opening angle but uses the same mounting plate as the 110 degree hinge. The soft closing function is by means of an add-on damper (on the 170 degree version). The soft close on the 110 degree hinge is integrated. For details call 01977 682582.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall... Who’s got the most perfect reflection of them all? Take a look at the reflection of the cup and saucer in Rehau’s Rauvisio with Mirror Surface used as a back panel in this display unit at Sicam. A more cost-effective and much easier to fit solution than glass, the new Mirror Surface is almost indiscernible from a real mirror. More details: 01989 762600.
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 5
sparkling surteco So soon after Christmas, you might have had enough sparkle for a while - but take a closer look at these beautiful on-trend décors from Surteco Group member, Kröning. Available in copper, aluminium and stainless steel, these brand new printed paper and PVC décors were causing quite a stir among visitors to the stand at Sicam 2015. Real metal is used in the manufacturing process - the aluminium uses nine micron aluminium - to create the lustrous sparkle. Kröning’s speciality is small production runs of specialised products and a choice of colours and structures is available. For more details call Surteco on 01282 686850.
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Excellent Gloss to match Krono and Senosan and 65 different Supermatt edgings available in lengths of just one metre.
gloss & matt H
igh gloss or supermatt, whichever you prefer, Ostermann has an edging solution to match the boards of most major décor specialists. With its new Excellent Gloss surface, Ostermann has added a lustrous new product to its portfolio. Excellent Gloss edgings have a deep, mirror-like gloss and, commented a company spokes man, they are perfectly matched to the extreme high gloss finishes of Krono and Senosan products. These new edgings are immediately available in the ontrend high gloss colours of white, beige and black. To distinguish the new Excellent Gloss variants from the many existing high gloss edgings in Ostermann’s Online Shop and catalogue, there is a special new gloss symbol to look out for: the existing high-gloss symbol but with an additional star representing the higher gloss level.
There’s also a new Supermatt symbol that has been developed for the Fenix NTM Collection from Arpa. The range of colours includes the classics - white, beige, grey and black - though there are several shades to each colour group. For the latest trend colour, Grey, there are over 25 different shades of supermatt edgings in the range. In addition, Ostermann offers a range of supermatt edgings in bright accent colours such as red, blue, yellow, green, purple and orange. Appreciating not all furniture manufacturers work with large production runs and many don’t want to keep rolls of supermatt surfaces, or accent colours, in stock, the Ostermann service includes the supply of small quantities of edging from just one metre up - and it’s available in 24 hours. To order your Excellent Gloss or Supermatt call 01905 793550 pr visit the Online Shop: www.Ostermann.eu
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 7
a question of
quality
W
hat is Vauth-Sagel best known for?
“In short, we move and organise storage spaces in modern kitchen designs. We are the specialists when it comes to the convenient use of special storage spaces. Good examples of this are our innovative corner cabinet solutions, the narrow pull-outs for base units, or our oldest product group, the pull-outs for tall cabinets. We have also continuously expanded our range of waste bin systems in recent years, and today we offer one of the most extensive offers.” What makes Vauth-Sagel products different from its competitors? “It is the sum of the many details that sets us apart from the competition. "Made in Germany" is a decisive factor, because all our system components are designed, engineered and manufactured in Germany. Every day we strive for improvements and look for new solutions to that create or optimise convenience and the organisation of stored items in the kitchen. This makes us a key partner to the international kitchen furniture industry. In the UK, for instance, we provide support to the industry daily with a sales team of our own.”
Can you briefly talk us through the various stages of manufacture of a typical Vauth-Sagel product? “At our Brakel-Erkeln site we produce the system components for our domestic and international customers in the kitchen furniture industry. It all starts with the delivery of the raw materials, like the rolls of wire for our five basket variants. In the first stage of the process, the coils aren't just unwound, they're also aligned ready for their final shape. In the various stages that follow, the basket variants are completed and powder-coated in our on-site facility. A chrome finish is also possible. Once final assembly is complete, the production process is finished and the product can leave the factory as soon as it's passed the final inspection.” Which aspects of their manufacture contribute most to the longevity and quality of Vauth-Sagel products? “Our entire business processes are oriented around longevity. Broken down to the individual system components, this means that even at the development stage, we set ourselves the goal of a very long service life and craft system components with this in mind. In our own testing
Claus Sagel
Furniture Journal visits Erkeln to find out from General Manager, Claus Sagel, what makes Vauth-Sagel’s products special.
8 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 The VSA 300 - basket.
In addition to their own quality controls, Vauth-Sagel also has its operations certified by other, well-known organisations. The company is not only ISO 9001certified (quality management system) but also certified under EN ISO 14001 (environmental management system) and DIN EN ISO 50001 (energy management system). All of its wood products have an FSC certificate and many are provided with additional LGS or TÜV labels. Below. The Cornerstone Maxx and (above) the VSA 300 are central to Vauth-Sagel’s UK product offer.
Below. Basket variants are completed an powdercoated in Vauth-Sagel’s on-site facility.
laboratory, every new development is then put on the test bench and must complete several 10,000 cycles, representing more than the average life of a kitchen. Only if testing reveals no discernible changes are we satisfied enough to place a product in series production.” Which products are the bestsellers in the UK? “The UK is an important market for us as we sell our entire product spectrum there. Our range of pull-outs for tall cabinets is very popular there as well, and with the new generation of VSA pull-out storage units, we were able to convince existing customers and attract new ones. Corner cabinet pull-outs are a quite dominant area for us in the UK. With Cornerstone, we have reinvented the corner and already launched a product variant in 2015. Mid-year we launched Cornerstone Maxx, which will score with maximum features such as load-bearing capacity, tray area and ease of installation.” What are the points you would like people who sell Vauth-Sagel products in the UK to make sure their customers are aware of? “I've already mentioned many of the value-added factors that make us what we are. I'd like to add that we are an absolutely dependable, long-term partner for our customers. We reinforce this through decades of close co-operation with our partner, Häfele UK. Working as a team, we not only create a reliable stockpile of nearly all of our products and variants but can also deliver to our customers within 24 hours in most cases.”
Does Vauth-Sagel offer customised products to larger manufacturers? “Nearly all of our product families are engineered using a modular system. This gives us the ability to tailor individual system components to the individual needs of our customers. This tailoring may include special paint finishes for the components, special basket variants, or a customer's own packaging. With us, lots of things are possible, and they can be discussed and outlined in close dialogue with the customer. This is a service we offer not only our industrial customers but our retail partners as well. Both areas are very important to us, and we approach them both with the same intensity.” Is there anything else you would like UK manufacturers to know about Vauth-Sagel and its products? “We are an owner-run family company, and one of our virtues is steadfastness. Our successful corporate development in recent years is closely linked to England and to our partners and customers there. In Christofer Thöne, Product and Area Sales Manager Northern Europe, we have an experienced sales manager for this important country. He has the support of numerous other employees in the areas of product management, internal sales, logistics and production. We value the British market highly and intend to continue to grow there, gaining new customers and expanding our market share. With this objective in mind, our doors are wide open to all.” For more information on Vauth-Sagel products call Häfele UK on 01788 542020 or visit www.vauth-sagel.com
VSA TALL CABINET DRAWER: MOVING STORAGE SPACE.
With their clever use of space and easy access, larder units have become a must-have for any kitchen. But the VSA swing-out larder sets new standards in comfort and design. With its opening mechanism which automatically extends the contents of the cabinet towards the user and the option of the attractive Premea Artline basket style, the VSA swing-out larder is simply the most comfortable, most beautiful, most sought after storage solution for modern kitchens. Vauth-Sagel – since 1962. www.vauth-sagel.com
VISIT US AT KBB BIRMINGHAM HALL 17 BOOTH # O110/R138
AVA IL A BL E AT:
www.hafele.co.uk
10 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 The timeline is revealed step by step in a stagemanaged performance befitting West End theatre. It begins in the small hours...
a day in the A day condensed into an hour was the theme of Interprint’s morning, midday and matinee ‘Furniture Days’ décor presentations.
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 11
e life of décors D
rama, lighting, theatre, spectacle ...it was a real pleasure and privilege to take part as the invited audience wowed and applauded spontaneously at a presentation during Interprint’s Furniture Days 2015 that would not have been out of place in London’s West End. Staged on a specially constructed set in a newly acquired building adjacent to the Design Centre in Arnsberg, the Interprint Design Team unveiled their concepts for the next Six Pack of furniture décors in a series of professionally choreographed presentations beneath dramatic stage lighting. Experiencing a complete day in just an hour under the theme 'On Focus',
guests from more than 200 furniture and décor supply companies experienced time as a Meta Trend; a rapidly accelerated day consolidated into a search for the intensity of the moment in which the central topic was the design of home and life environments. Enter the first set and the concept is explained: what will follow is a series of imaginative sets representing night ‘dream’ time; early morning routine wakeup, bathroom and kitchen; the kiosk; the office; relaxing after work in the bar; and home time. At each stage, décors and unicolours were shown that reflected the mood of the moment.
Let the show begin...
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Six unusual time stories, six different stage settings - and with each new setting the Interprint team revealed combinations of new and exciting décors accompanied by visual and audio effects that enhanced the context. The contrast of complexity and simplicity symbolised there are always at least two ways to reach a goal and everyone should be free to choose his own individual route to the product-service package that best suits his customer. The large range of décors presented at the Furniture Days illustrated clearly that trends have never been more varied in their direction, or wider in their content. Colour and design give modern décors their character and put them in a new context regardless of the wood type. Elegance is often used a replacement for country style. The combination of a main décor and an accent décor was masterly executed as the Interprint team outlined and then illustrated each time line in rapid succession. The potential for main décors to become effective accent décors and vice versa depending on the context was a recurring theme in each of the stage sets.
Main décor colours are predominantly grey shades. Yellow plays an important role as an accent colour. The choice includes a wide range of single colours that’s offered with an appealing matt look and a slightly 'grey touch'. Away from synchronous textures, new types of surface design were presented to ensure a lively interplay of look and surface quality. Taking feedback from visitors to the Furniture Days 2015 into account, the Interprint Team has now set about the task of creating and finalising its 'Six Pack 2016', a focused décor selection with real market potential. Interprint continues to prefer authentic design with which to create the atmosphere for pleasant surroundings, both at home and at work. With their independent character, natural overall look and striking design, the new Interprint décors will be launched with the confidence and knowledge that design leaders from the industry have had significant input to the shaping of the décors. And that’s tantamount to a guarantee of their success on your furniture. The Furniture Days presentation is about to embark on a world tour (involving more than 500 companies) starting in Russia. Visit www.interprint.com or call 0049 2932 9500 for more information.
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 13
The contrast of complexity and simplicity symbolised there are always at least two ways to reach a goal and everyone should be free to choose his own individual route to the productservice package that best suits his customer.
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FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 15
ringing the Kim Hughes talks to Furniture Journal as he takes up his new position as MD of Surteco UK.
I
nterzum saw a big change in the presentation of the Surteco Group’s products with all companies showing under one corporate brand for the first time. Talking to Kim Hughes, who took over from Tim Barber as MD of Surteco UK on 1st January, he explained the thinking behind this and what it means for UK manufacturers: “The Surteco Group is unique in the marketplace in being able to offer such a depth and variety of surface and edge solutions to our customer base. Interzum showcased our ability to offer co-ordinated solutions utilising all Group products. For our UK customers it creates a simple process to access a number of required elements for their products, thus making our customers lives much easier!” What is Surteco UK able to offer UK manufacturers?
changes “As Surteco UK we can offer Surteco Décor print, BauschLinnemann finish foils, paper and plastic based edgings from BauschLinnemann and Döllken, Gislaved PVC foils and many specialist products.” Some of the Surteco Group's products are very well known in the UK and sell widely while others are less well known. What are your sales priorities for 2016? “As in most markets we see greater potential for growth with some products more than others. For us here in the UK, our priorities for 2016 growth focus more on, though not exclusively, plastic-based products (foil and edge) and décor print. The paper edging and foil market remains key to us and we will continue to support the market with new designs, initiatives and increased flexibility. For us, the plastic edge market represents an exciting
Kim Hughes took over from Tim Barber as Managing Director of Surteco UK on 1st January 2016.
16 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016
opportunity to further develop our business as we expand the range in terms of design, thicknesses, availability and the increasingly specialist products demanded by our customers such as fusion, 3D and digitally printed worktop edge. Surteco Group is able to offer a number of quite unusual, niche products as well as mainstream décor products. Can you tell me about these?
Some of Surteco Group’s more unusual products come from the Gislaved portfolio - but with Döllken’s Digital Edge, above, the creativity and originality in the design are in your hands.
“One of the strengths of our Group is that we have always been prepared to find bespoke solutions to particular problems or demands for our customers whether it be by modifying existing products or creating something totally new. It is one of our strengths, whether it is simply exclusive designs/colourways to suit customer needs or the development of a specific product to meet a production based technical requirement or an application/end use need. We have, at our disposal, a wealth of technical expertise and experience in all product areas within our Group.” Gislaved has always been much more unusual, maybe even cutting edge in its product offer. Do you see a market in the UK for such products? “Our Gislaved PVC foil sales are steadily growing in the UK. With a reputation for quality and innovation, and
our ability to offer co-ordinated solutions, Gislaved products - both 3D and 2D represent growth potential for us for many years to come. In particular, recently we have seen success with Supermatt unicolour products and are eagerly awaiting a new Ash style embossing which we think will be well received by the market.” Many suppliers now see themselves as a one-stop shop. Is this Surteco’s aim? “At Surteco UK we represent all Group products so our customers can regard us as a “One Stop Shop” solution for their needs. Our Sales Team is able to look after all their surface and edging requirements making the development and purchasing processes very simple and easily coordinated. They talk to one person only, no need to try to bring together the activities of several suppliers.” When there's a change of management, it often means a change in ethos. Are there changes you want to make or will it be business as usual for Surteco UK? “Tim has done a great job leading a successful team and I intend to build upon that success by enhancing the service and product portfolio that we offer to the market. Exciting times lie ahead of us.” Surteco UK: 01282 686850. Visit: www.surteco.co.uk
Formative Impression.
The diverse texture options from Döllken. Döllken edgebands offer the perfect symbiosis of optics and haptics. ● Profound and striking surface structures in natural optics ● The materials take on a new lively dimension ● More than 20 different texture options with optimal decorative finish ● Available for all edgeband materials and panel surfaces ● Also available as crossgrains – the edgeband combination, which carries the decoration and texture of the panel across the long and transverse sides ● Ideal for the modern surface trends such as saw-rough or crossgrains Order sample edgebands at www.doellken-kv.com
Innovation powered by SURTECO UK Ltd. Widow Hill Road, Burnley · Lancashire BB10 2TB · UK Phone: +44 (0)1282 686861 · Fax: +44 (0)1282 412361 info@uk.surteco.com · www.surteco.co.uk
18 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016
gloss with W
A subtle hint of sparkle, a flawless glass-like gloss - David Clouting’s Metallic Gloss collection is now available in two new colours.
ith its softer effect adding sparkle and character to flat furniture panels, one of the most unusual and striking décor introductions from David Clouting Ltd in recent months is metallic gloss. Combining two popular trends - a soft metallic and a high gloss - in one material, metallic gloss has been a feature of David Clouting’s Decofoil stock range for several years but now, with the introduction of two new colours, the collection has a 2016 twist that cries out to be used in the latest kitchen and bathroom furniture designs. Metallic blue and metallic champagne have been added to the three original metallic gloss colours, Black, Anthracite and Silver, that have already proved popular with furniture manufacturers both as pressed and flat panels. Anthracite metallic is already a key colour in many furniture ranges.
All five colours of Metallic gloss Decofoil are available as a 0.5mm thick décor, 1440mm wide, and can be bought by the metre, ex-stock. Solid colour gloss Decofoil continues to lead the way in sales for high gloss doors and there is no sign of consumers' appetite for the gloss look waning, even as the LG Matt Hard Coat finish starts to establish itself. David Clouting’s new Dust Grey gloss was launched last year as a complement to other greys in the décor range and Graphite gloss was introduced in 2015 to complete a range that includes Light Grey, Stone Grey, Cashmere and Dakar. Both the gloss range and the metallic gloss range are priced to suit large-scale production but would not be out of place on exclusive furniture designs. David Clouting supplies edge bandings to match. For details call 01376 518037 or visit www.davidclouting.co.uk
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 19
h a sparkle
20 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 Product testing is carried out to microscopic level in one of the laboratories at Kleiberit’s Technical centre in Weingarten-Baden. Left and below. Kleiberit’s specialists provide photographic evidence to customers when identifying production problems.
technolog
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 21
ogy on test I
f you are about to invest in a new machine - any machine that involves the application of adhesive - consulting an adhesive supplier with the technical knowhow to help you make the right decision probably isn’t the first thing you’d think of. That’s possibly because your adhesive supplier can’t demonstrate the most appropriate adhesive with the product you want to produce using fullsize machines; or maybe it’s because he doesn’t work hand-in-hand with the machinery supplier whose machine best fits the task to optimise the process, the adhesive and the machine so they meet your exact requirements perfectly. At Kleiberit’s Technical Centre that’s exactly what they do. And a lot more besides.
Big enough to be international, small enough to be flexible, Kleiberit is perhaps best known for developing customerfocussed adhesives. More than half of all the adhesive produced at its German site is purpose made. “We are very strong on product development,” affirms Kleiberit’s Industrial Adhesives Business Manager, Wolfgang Hormuth. “We develop products, we carry out strength and climate tests, we analyse problems and provide reports, we trial production on different substrates - all on the same site. That has a big advantage: we can control and guarantee consistency of our products.” At the very heart of Kleiberit’s success is the Technical Centre. Built in 2008, the
Kleiberit’s Technical Centre doesn’t just provide solutions to adhesive problems, it provides customers with the opportunity to trial the materials they want to use on full-size machines.
22 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 Walking round Kleiberit’s Technical Centre is like touring the edgebanding, pressing and laminating stands of a mini Ligna. Older machines and bench testing jostle for space with entire production lines - all so Kleiberit’s technicians can demonstrate and test products with clients on the most appropriate older or more recent machinery, as best mirrors production in their own factory.
Kleiberit knowhow was instrumental in developing a better roller system for this Barberan press.
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 23
Wolfgang Hormuth
upper floor is dedicated to chemistry and equipped with small reactors in which small batches can be mixed, or production can be simulated. The lower floor houses quality control and product testing - and the range of equipment includes the most modern, full-size production machines through to older machines that enable customers’ own materials to be tested on a machine that’s closest to the one in their own factory. Jens Fandrey is Director of Project Management within the Technical Centre. “All the machines in the Technical Centre are full size,” he confirms. “It means we can work with full-size boards. We have tables for manual bonding and testing of adhesives for the textile, automotive and woodworking sectors. We can pretreat substrates to improve surfaces and that’s important because the behaviour of the substrate is a first priority. We have saws to cut up substrates, an edgebander we can trial thermoplastics and PUR hotmelts on and a full range of presses that include flat lamination and membrane pressing. “Not all the machinery is new because not everyone has the latest model in their factory,” he adds, as we walk past several older presses. He singles out a particular favourite among a handful of stalwarts: “No one else will have one of these,” he says. “It’s an edgebander built in 1986 by Kleiberit using components from Friz. This is the world’s first PUR hotmelt machine. It proved the case for PUR hotmelts.” A more recent example of Kleiberit’s engineering development work is the roller at the head of one of the
Barberan lines. Kleiberit’s engineers were instrumental in its development. “It’s a roller coater with index station and laminator,” says Jens. “We developed a roller with better release and coating properties. We often get involved with machinery manufacturers, and have a team of ten engineers who can help develop engineering solutions when there are specific problems to be overcome. We have an especially close co-operation with the pre-melt people and have designed special systems that work particularly well with our adhesives. With our knowledge of engineering and expertise in chemistry, it makes it a lot easier to sit down with customers and come up with real solutions. It’s something we enjoy.” Walking round Kleiberit’s Technical Centre is like touring the edgebanding, pressing and laminating stands of a mini Ligna. A short cycle press and a calandar press sit adjacent to two hotcoating lines. On one, trials are being made with embossings to create new textures and a super-supermatt finish; on the other are hot-coating samples finished with an ultra-high gloss surface - a process developed by Kleiberit. “We’re not a chemical company that only supplies adhesives,” says Jens. “70% of our work is process design. We encourage manufacturers to talk to us before buying a machine. We can often help with best practice, secondary processes and so on. It’s a service to customers who are investing in capital purchases.” Set to one side of the Technical Centre is a climate controlled profile wrapping room equipped with a customised machine that has fast
Jens Fandray
changeover pre-melt facilities. “Our wide range of products is tested here,” says Jens. “We can simulate any climate and be 100% certain the product will perform correctly, wherever the customer’s factory is based. And to prove it, we carry out pull tests for peel strength in harsh conditions like 98% humidity, Xenon tests to ensure UV-stability of special products, long-term tests in extreme conditions and cold temperature performance tests. We can demonstrate five years of wear in one cycle. We don’t only test to industry standards, we test to destruction - then we put the results under a microscope and find out how the various elements performed.” Kleiberit’s specialists have developed hundreds of adhesive products that have found favour the world over and are readily available. But it’s the specialist products, the new formulations for individual customers, the problems customers experience when edge-bands peel or foils delaminate that really put the company’s Technical Centre in the spotlight. “We always tell customers if you arrive with a problem you will leave with a solution,” concludes Wolfgang Hormuth. “We will identify the problem, often at microscope level, and send pictures as proof in a couple of days. We can help you change the process parameters and even provide cost calculations if you are planning to invest in new machinery. It’s all part of what Kleiberit customers expect.” If you’re about to invest in new machinery, or you have a problem you’d like solving, why not give Kleiberit a call first? 01530 836699.
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no Veneers formed, panels curved, solid surfacing moulded into shape the easy way.
moulds C
an you make a mould in ten minutes that can be re-shaped whenever you want and will work perfectly for years? If not, you’re wasting time and time is money. Maybe you need to look at a different way of creating curved components - a 21st century way that’s 100% reliable and can be taken apart and reassembled time and time again to form an endless variety of curved products; a way that can be used with veneers and woodbased panels one day and composites and solid surfacing materials the next. The unique, simple-to-assemble, slottogether Curvomatic bar system can be built up in minutes and will create an endless variety of totally repeatable formers that will amaze your clients, baffle your competitors and form absolutely anything that needs to go completely round the bend (right down to 40mm radius). And it won’t cost you anything like as much as a custommade ribbed and screwed, or CNCmade wooden mould. Heat Corian ® and form it around a Curvomatic for a
perfectly finished shape in minutes. Laminate thinboard or veneers with a fast acting high grab adhesive and in just half an hour you’ll have a cupboard door that’s ready to drill, a column for a desking unit, or the base of a retail display. It’s like Meccano for people who like to bend things. And with Curvomatic kits starting at just £285, making curved components is a lot less expensive than fabricating your own mould with ribs every 80mm, screwing the ribs onto a back board and pinning and gluing layers of thin ply or MDF over them. Such a mould can take up to a day to fabricate. Ten minutes is all you need with Curvomatic. Curvomatic is also a lot cheaper than diverting your machining centre to cut ribs (or a solid lump of laminated MDF) that then have to be formed into the shape you need on a five-axis machine and quite possibly hand-finished. Go on, give it a try. Call 0116 269 2212 and say goodbye to moulds.
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 25
bond with Quin Global’s Tensor range of adhesives: world class superfast products in unique zero waste packages.
F
quin
rom ultra high-grab adhesives for making curved wood components to specialist products for laminating high gloss décors, upholstery and flooring adhesives, Quin Global has a range of bonding products with some attention-grabbing advantages. Founded by Managing Director Allister Fowler, Quin Global’s mission is to provide innovative bonding systems and specialised production tools that transform your production processes, enhance the environment for your operators and increase both productivity and profit for you. “We are the only company to offer a genuine replacement for PVA that’s suitable for curved components,” begins salesman, Leigh McKenzie when asked why furniture manufacturers should take a closer look at Quin Global’s range of products. “PVA can take up to 24 hours
to cure and it can’t be released from the clamps for at least four. With Tensor L12, the product is bonded completely in half an hour. It’s typical of the innovation that goes into our entire adhesive range. “We also have a Polyurethane adhesive that is available in a canister. It is temperature-resistant to 200 oC and 100% waterproof on the bond line, making it perfect for contract use in high humidity, moisture and temperature fluctuation areas. With its unique properties, it is also suited to external sheet bonding applications. All it needs is five minutes tack-off time, then you can apply and in an hour you can trim up. “Then there’s our acrylic bonding adhesive, L20. It’s non-chlorinated and non-solvented, so it’s a lot safer to use and it won’t eat away at the backing.
26 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 Co-Rez: “A fully recyclable pressurised system that enables you to get up to 15% extra coverage from each canister and gives zero waste.”
Clear labels tell you exactly what can be bonded with each product.
Above. Game-changing technologies are formulated alongside special products that fulfil more specific needs of individual customers in Quin Global’s laboratories.
“We guarantee to have products you won’t find anywhere else,” continues Leigh. “We have a Green Diamond non-flammable adhesive with a nonflam carrier that genuinely is totally non-flammable. And we’ve also got a Class 0 fire-rated product.” Leigh’s enthusiasm for Quin Global’s products is typical of the youthful team in Perth, Scotland. There’s a real buzz in the office. Everyone seems eager to get involved and pitch in with ideas. It comes as no surprise to learn that none of the products manufactured in Perth nor those made in Quin Global’s other strategic locations (Omaha in the USA and Canberra in Australia) are outsourced. They are all formulated in the company’s state-of-the-art production facilities - and many have been developed to address quite specific problems that customers have brought to them. But Quin Global doesn’t just make the products, it creates the technology to make the products even better. Take Co-Rez, for instance. It’s a formulation that was developed to provide more glue from canisters, resulting in a significant increase in coverage. “The dip tube empties from the very bottom of the canister,” says Leigh. “It’s a fully
recyclable pressurised system that enables you to get up to 15% extra coverage from each canister and gives zero waste.” With a network of around 26 UK distributors to service, Quin Global maintains a month’s stock in its purpose-built warehouse facilities ensuring end user orders can be quickly fulfilled. The team on hand to assist you in Scotland includes specialist technicians who can be contacted by phone, by email, or through a live chat feature on the Tensor website. If you are on the move, you can even contact one of them through Twitter or YouTube. Try out one of the live demonstrations, where experts will talk you through the most appropriate product options and even show you how to apply any Tensor product. You’ll find links to all of these facilities if you take a picture of the interactive advertisement on the right using Furniture Journal’s free-todownload Clickable Paper app - If you like what you see, you might also want to ask about Quin Global’s loyalty programme. Every purchase earns you points which can be redeemed against tools, canisters, etc. Call 08453 8122333 or visit www.quinglobal.com
Pioneer
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Emb
a feast fo
Darker shades with glowing brights to create an illusion of movement in Pioneer.
Spanish décor specialist Finsa and Surface Styling from IDS, showcased the latest trends in materials at the Saint Gobain Innovation Centre in London.
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oinciding with the launch of its brand new 70-page international Trendbook 2015-16, Finsa hosted an event with Surface Styling from IDS that illustrated the importance of how social and cultural changes define the way we live and how we consume - and the effect these changes and the influence of new innovations in technology inspire future surfaces. Visitors were encouraged to interact with four cleverly-designed installations that portrayed the key design stories of Embrace, Nurture, Pioneer and Construct. Each theme, explained by a member of the Finsa team, combined texture, sound, smell and colour into a sensory experience that brought the décors into sharp focus. Embrace is a celebration of texture - both physical and visual - that acknowledges the desire for tactility and multi-sensory stimulation from our surroundings. Embrace features playful pastels such as Calabaza and Turquesa Fresh. Unusual colour pairings stir excitement.
Nurture highlights the need to take better care of natural resources. It readdresses our relationship with the environment. As demand outstrips supply, organic materials become a luxury item and man-made replicas grow more sophisticated. Nurture focuses on natural green hues and pinks such as Verde Natural and Rosa Nube. Pioneer looks to the unknown and the future of innovation, teaming darker shades with glowing brights to create an illusion of movement. Gris Sarela, Azul Handy and Roble Chicago reflect this trend perfectly. In contrast, Construct looks for reliability in design. However, its roots are based upon heritage and artisan. A rich colour palette can be seen in décors such as Golden Chic and Coral Fresh . To find out more about Finsa’s 201516 Trendbook, produced in partnership with the renowned Global Colour Research trend prediction agency, or to order a copy, telephone 0151 651 2400 or visit www.finsa.com
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 29
mbrace
Embrace is a celebration of texture - both physical and visual.
for the senses Construct looks for reliability in design but its roots are based upon heritage and artisan.
Nurture
Construct
Nurture highlights the need to take better care of natural resources.
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panels - j
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 31
just in time I
f you’re not already a Panelco customer, you probably won’t have experienced that feeling of supreme confidence that all Panelco customers experience when, towards the end of a working day, you need more panels for a last-minute job and you need them tomorrow. Pick up the phone to your usual supplier and you might be in luck. He might have the panels in stock. He might have the right thickness and the décor you need. You might even get lucky and he might have a delivery coming your way tomorrow. But then again, he might not. And that’s when you could find yourself telling an important client you can’t deliver because your supplier can’t deliver. You’ve been there, you’ve experienced this and it doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence, does it?
Panelco customers order with absolute confidence. They know whatever they want is always in stock, even when they call late in the day, because the Panelco promise is order by five o’clock and your panels will be delivered next day. With more than 7,000 lines in stock, more than 400 décors readily available and 130 wagons in their own tightly controlled fleet making more than 650 deliveries every day, those panels you can’t get anywhere else are already waiting for your call. “We carry an extensive range of MFC, MF-MDF, edging, laminates, worktops and building products from both Egger and Kronospan as well Medite, SmartPly, Unilin, Finsa, Duropal and Alvic products,” says Procurement Manager, Mike Brigss. “Every size, thickness and
Melvyn Earle takes a trip to Panelco in Stoke on Trent to find out what lies behind the company’s promise to deliver any panel next day if you order before 5pm.
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Top. Panelco’s showroom in Stoke on Trent is a haven for designers who want to explore the latest décors from industry leaders. Above. Every truck in the 130-strong Panelco fleet is tracked continually by Bistrack so the transport managers know to within a few minutes when your delivery will arrive.
type of MDF and chipboard is available on next day delivery and every kind of plywood from budget grade to top marine grade is in stock. On average we carry around 10,000 cubic metres of MFC in the warehouse in Stoke on Trent. That’s about 300 lorry loads. We also have about 50 lorry loads of MDF, 270 lorry loads of ply and over 300 different laminates and worktops. All the boards are individually racked and we can deliver any number from one panel up.” At the very heart of Panelco’s promise is a fleet of 130 trucks controlled by a Bistrack system. Every truck is tracked so the transport managers know to within a few minutes when the delivery you need will arrive. It’s a very tidy operation, shown in real time on a large display in the transport office. “We work a full day and night shift,” says Mike. “From our warehouse in Stoke on Trent we deliver as far north as Newcastle, throughout Wales and the South. Every part of Scotland is covered from our Dundee site and we supply melamines and commodity products from our site in Grangemouth. As a group, we make a delivery every 27 seconds.” The Group also has sites in Chippenham and Tilbury. For customers with a little more time, Panelco’s showroom in Stoke on Trent plays host to the products of each of the décor specialists they work with. It’s a
place of inspiration; a place where designers can take time, explore the very latest collections from industry leaders, compare and evaluate. When the decisions have been made, Panelco can either supply boards ready for manufacture, or cut-to-size, edged components. Two Schelling beam saws, one of which was commissioned in early 2015 to cope with increased demand, supply a Biesse line equipped with single and double-sided edgebanders. A brand new IMA edgebander caters for special panels. “On cut and edge, we have a stock range of 36 colourways split between 15mm and 18mm,” says Mike. “Order a special from Egger’s collection, for example, and it will be delivered in three to four days. The delivery can be mixed: totally different products, different décors, different structures. It’s all part of our service to customers.” Talk to Panelco’s CEO, Chris Rudd, and it’s clear service is everything to him: “The people we supply are the creatives, we’re just the conduit,” he says. “I want our service to be better than our competitors. You can’t be the best if your delivery isn’t the best. It’s attention to detail that’s given us the service we offer. And I believe it really is the best in the industry.” Put Panelco to the test: call them at 4.55pm on 01782 392100.
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Paul Brammer.
ima novimat “
W
e wanted something that would up our quality for the specials we produce and give us sustained quality,” says Panelco’s Paul Brammer, referring to the company’s recently commissioned IMA Novimat edgebander. “That’s exactly what it’s done for us. It’s looking after 50% of our specials - basically edging anything other than standard DIY stock where the customer dictates how the board is edged and what the specification is. “We didn’t need a really complicated machine,” he continues, “Just a machine that would do simple edgebanding but it had to be an edgebander that would do it really well, day in, day out, without loss of quality.” Panelco’s IMA Novimat runs at 30 metres per minute and facilitates fast changeover from one edgebanding material to another without the need for human intervention. It is equipped with the patented KFA corner rounding unit that can run all day at 30 metres per minute
and can change from one to a choice of three other edge profiles in a panel gap. The profile milling and profile scraping also change in the same time frame. A servo guillotine was included that enables accurate cutting of tape tails to within 5mm of the panel, leading to a “phenomenal saving” of edgebanding material through the year. “The KFA corner rounding unit is just amazing to watch,” says Paul, calling up the video he keeps on his phone. “When it’s working you just stop and stare at it as it spins around the panel. It does a fantastic job.” The Panelco Novimat is equipped with a unique infeed table that allows
With “sustained quality” in mind, Panelco turned to the edgebander specialist IMA for a machine that would “up the quality” while processing its customerspecified specials.
f
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 35
t
for panelco
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The specially-designed infeed table - custom made for Panelco - can be used for the accurate edgebanding of the short ends of long strips at speed and down to 100mm in the throughfeed direction.
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 37 Left and below. Panelco’s IMA Novimat is a relatively basic machine, designed for simple edgebanding. “We didn’t need a polishing unit or anything like that,” says Paul Brammer, “Just a standard edgebander that produces high quality and would continue doing so for a long time.”
for the fast processing of narrow strips along the two long edges - 30 metres per minute - and it does so regardless of any ‘banana’ that might be in the panel. The same infeed table can be used for the accurate edgebanding of the short ends of long strips at
speed and down to 100mm in the throughfeed direction. “IMA designed a special sliding infeed table for us that means we can present narrow pieces square to the machine,” says Paul. “It’s a one-off. They’d never made one before but it works very efficiently.” Like all IMA Novimats, Panelco’s machine benefits from infra-red panel edge heating that enables control of the the temperature of the panel edge in all seasons and makes an ultra thin glue line possible with either PUR or EVA adhesive. A panel edge blowing device within the edge pre-milling hood ensures that all dust is removed from the core of the
board prior to glue application, thus ensuring the perfect bonding of the edging material. All adjustments of the Novimat are via the NC control. The main controller on the machine is capable of changing from one profile to another in the panel gap. Minor adjustments can be made from the controller at the operator position to remove the need for the safety hood to be opened for operator access. So what were the main reasons that Panelco opted for IMA? “We were attracted to IMA because of the confidence of the IMA team, both here in the UK and in Germany, when they took us to see the IMA factory. It also gives an enormous amount of confidence when you are able to see 18 year-old machines doing 24-hour shifts in other factories and you can see they are still producing top quality work. “We were already talking to IMA about other projects and have a very good relationship with IMA UK. Now IMA is part of Schelling, it just made things better for us.” Was it the right decision for Panelco? “Definitely,” confirms Paul. “It’s a very technical piece of kit and after it arrived, we wanted a few changes that IMA worked with us on. It took some time for us to adjust to it but the operators are used to it now and it’s the leading high profile piece of kit in here now.” To find out what IMA could do for you call 0116 243 2181.
Above. Like all IMA Novimats, Panelco’s machine benefits from infra-red panel edge heating. Below. “The KFA corner rounding unit is just amazing to watch,” says Paul, calling up the video he keeps on his phone. “When it’s working you just stop and stare at it as it spins around the panel. It does a fantastic job.”
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hard-wor Biesse’s bCabinet software is designed to help you make better quality furniture faster and for less money. It’s all about making cabinets more easily.
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sof
o be a really useful tool, cabinet design software should be instinctive and work the way you work. It should enable you to specify the dimensions of any shape or size of cabinet - either in full detail, or by placing pre-specified examples from a library on a dimensioned wall. It should enable you to add shelves and partitions; choose System 32 borings or define drilling rules, spacing automatically when start and end points are defined; place hinges, drawers, legs and handles automatically from a library; choose or design a door style with horizontal or vertical grain and specify left or right opening offsets that are automatically calculated to within 1mm tolerance; then place the finished cabinet in a run of base or wall units, allowing simple adjustment for plumbing and other features in the room. And when all the cabinets have been positioned and the sink and appliances have been included, it should enable you to present a visual to your customer that can be viewed from any angle and, at the press of a button, send instructions to the machines in your workshop that will cut, shape, route, drill and edge each component. Biesse’s new bCabinet software, presented at the company’s Daventry showroom in autumn 2015, does all this and much more. The latest in a suite that includes design and manufacturing of solid wood components (including windows), edging, nesting and production monitoring, bCabinet is completely different to most other design packages in that the whole concept has been created from scratch by a machinery manufacturer who knows the intricacies of the machines it’s designed to work on. The focus is very much on design but with bCabinet there’s no gap between design and production. With just one click of a button, an entire kitchen is made ready for production - immediately. Speaking at its UK launch event, Matteo Belli explained: “bCabinet is very easy to use. Draw a wall and input sizes. Set textures and add windows and doors by dragging and dropping, then specifying heights. Cabinets are added first in plan form and each snaps into place. Even out of square cabinets can be included - the cutting list is generated dynamically, so you don’t have to concern yourself with this. You can add worktops and choose the way of cutting
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 39
orking
oftware
them, adding sinks and drillings for taps easily. Then other features such as wall units, hoods and appliances can be added. When the design is finished, you can choose the rendering and check it from every angle. You can even set up lights and import textures and colours using a .bmp file until the customer is absolutely happy with the design. The finished design is then exported to bSolid and converted ready for either nesting or cutting. “The program creates the machine code on the fly and optimisation is done on the machine. The software will tell you immediately if there are any problems, such as a tool missing. It will also position modules for you and you can run the entire program, simulating in real time before production starts. The modules within the program - bSolid, bEdge, bNest and bProcess - make it very versatile. “Cutting lists are either sent to the beam saw, which cuts and labels each component, or to a machining centre for nesting. If your preference is to nest, bNest will optimise this automatically for you. It even saves any unused board automatically as additional sheets for later use. The software prints or saves the entire cutting list to a file - even grain direction, colour and information on the type of board used - as well as providing a list of the hardware and quantity of each required. It’s labelled for you if your production is barcode driven. The working list tells you how long the cycle times are and details how long it takes to produce the furniture you’ve designed as well as the cost of materials and hardware. Doors are nested separately from the rest of the cabinet and specific tools can be created in bSolid to give an exact rendition of incised patterns and edge profiles during simulation. “As an option, there are modules that will cost out your production and materials, or print assembly instructions for flat-pack. It’s already possible to drive older Biesse machines with this new software and in the future, bCabinet will interface with other software. It’s already possible to manage an entire factory using bSuite.” To find out more visit www.biesse.co.uk or telephone Biesse UK on 01327 300366.
bSuite
bSuite
bSuite
A single, integrated A single, integrated software solution A single, integrated software solution software solution bSolid
bNest
bEdge
bC
bCabinet
bWindows
bSolidbProcess
bEdge
bSolid
62 21 5315 0568
bNest
Telephone: +62 21 5315 0568 Telephone: +62 21 5315 0568 biesse.com biesse.com
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bNest
bEdge
bCabinet bC
bCabinet
bWindows
bWindows
bProcess
bProcess
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 41
illuminating lumina Holz-Her’s flagship Lumina edgebander series has a lot to offer - and some very advantageous and quite unique features.
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nvisible joints. Perfect appearance. Flexibility. That’s what it says at the head of Holz-Her’s brochure on its Lumina series of edgebanders. And that’s exactly what it’s designed to deliver and a lot more. With the Lumina series you get fully automatic control of the machining units at the touch of a button. There’s no need to open the hood. The NC servos do everything for you. Maximum precision and processing reliability come as standard, too, thanks to Holz-Her’s heavy investment in the manufacturing of their own bases. Paul Nightingale, who heads up the Holz-Her sales team, is adamant, “We build our machine bases with a plasma cutter and that allows us to pocket out the steel so when we weld it, it is stress free. A lot of manufacturers use pre-fabricated bases that have been normalised in an oven. An edgebander can be eight or nine metres long and if the base has been normalised, it can still move, leading to inaccuracies when the
machine is working. Our machine bases don't move and that means when the machine is set up by the customer, it stays set up. The lumina gives exceptional repeatability and accuracy.” As everyone who uses an edgebander knows, changing from one edgebanding material to another isn’t always as straightforward as it might be - and if you need to switch from laser to PUR, for example, it can be a lengthy process. Holz-Her has addressed this problem in the Lumina series with a machine that offers switchable ‘plug and play’ units, one that carries a complete laser system and the other that carries everything necessary to switch over to PUR in just five minutes. Both the GluJet station and the Ltronic station have edging magazines with optimised feed angles that will allow you to apply high gloss one minute to thick, solid wood lippings the next. Adds Paul, “You need to make sure the glue station is close to the pressing station, otherwise you get glue
Above. On the Lumina, users can change over from the Ltronic to the GluJet unit as required within minutes using the HSK interface from HolzHer’s CNC technology. The Lumina has an automatic unit recognition feature and is ready for use immediately after changing over to the Ltronic. Both units have edging magazines with optimised feed angles that enable a wide variety of edging materials to be used from high gloss to solid wood.
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Above. All the units on the Lumina series are designed with 100% repeatable accuracy in mind and the machine frame is cut rather than cast and normalised to ensure torsional rigidity. Right. The glue station is always at the optimum position in relation to the pressing station with the Lumina’s interchangeable units. Below. The revolving cutter unit (an option known as the Multifunctional Package) and, bottom, the revolving scraper unit.
shock. It’s especially important on coated edgings. Because our units are interchangeable , the glue station is always at the optimum position in relation to the pressing station, guaranteeing consistent results.” To speed the operation of the Lumina further, an edging library containing the latest co-extruded and coated edging materials is integrated into the control. Thickness and colour are automatically taken into account when using the Ltronic laser station and the system calculates and adjusts the energy required. It’s literally laser edging at the touch of a button. “A conventional laser can cost £100k on top of the machine,” says Paul. “Air systems are very energy hungry and need time to compress enough air. That can cause delays if you are processing long doors, for example. Air systems can also be noisy - up to 100db. The Ltronic system is clean, precise, fast to change from glue to laser and silent in operation with no heat up time. A Lumina is a lot more productive.” Changeover Ltronic and GluJet systems are standard on the 1018m/min Lumina 1380 and the 1584, 1586 and 1588 that all offer up to 25m/min processing. Another very clever development, available on the Lumina 1584, 1586 and 1588 but not the 1380, is HolzHer’s continuous multi-function milling technology with multiple stage tools that offers up to five different profiles automatically. “It allows you to change
the edge profile on the multi-function heads, the corner rounding unit and the profile scraping unit automatically and with 100% repeatable accuracy,” says Paul. “It's an anti backlash system that’s controlled by servos. It ensures you always have the right tool for the job without the need to use a 2mm radius blend. You can use one of the two 2mm radius tools and when it becomes blunt, it will move to the other; or, if you’re processing 1mm you can use the 1.3mm and move over. You can shift from different edge profiles within seconds without changing motors or tools, all without without lifting the lid.” The multi-stage cutter unit comes with six NC servo axes and a diamond combination tool that will radius 1.3mm, flush up to 8mm and bevel to 45o. There’s also a revolving cutter (also with six NVC servo axes but with a diamond revolving tool) and a revolving scraper unit that will radius down to 1mm and is available with eight NC servo axes and HW standard scrapers on a fully automated five-position revolving tool. Who would benefit most from a Lumina? “Manufacturers of kitchens or bedrooms and people who want to use high gloss and make their own doors,” says Paul. “Also bathroom furniture producers who need PUR to cope with the extreme conditions of steam and water.” If that sounds like you and you’d like more information on the Lumina series, call 01235 557600.
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Jack Bowers points out the highlights of Weinig’s newest entry level moulding and planing machine, the Powermat 700.
J
ack Bowers is the Product Manager (Planing and Moulding) at Weinig’s Tauberbischofsheim site. He’s been with the company around 40 years, which speaks volumes, and there’s very little he doesn’t know about Weinig’s moulding machines. Jack’s knowledge of the Powermat 700 is only matched by his enthusiasm for its capabilities and remarkably fast setup times. “The Powermat 700 is very rugged; a really well-built machine. But even in its basic specification, it’s a very productive machine. All the features on the machine are focussed on quick setting of the pressure and guiding elements without wrenches - we call the system Comfort Set - and there are some really useful additions that are designed to increase productivity, enhance finish and improve safety.” He points first to the quick release handles and manual measuring gauges that allow fast and accurate setting and easy access to every spindle, unclipping one of the covers. In literally a couple of seconds, the extraction hose is out of the way and
moulding m the spindle is exposed. “See,” he says, “It really is that quick! Output is the result of setting speed and feed rate; the number of knives and the RPM of the spindle determine the quality of finish. “There's a formula,” says Jack: “RPM and feedspeed should be calculated to give a pitch mark of 1.7mm for high quality mouldings. Most older moulders have 6,000 RPM however the Powermat 700 is rated at 7,000 RPM as standard - only possible because of the new spindle design - and that means feedspeeds can be increased by nearly 20% while maintaining the same high quality on the products produced. The maximum feed rate has also been increased from 30m/min to 40m/min and the option to run at 8,000 RPM is available. “Any dips show up on the bottom surface during machining,” continues Jack. “The secondary planing spindle will enable you to eliminate that and create a flawless surface. But the Powermat 700 not only planes, it profiles to any shape on the bottom. There’s also a sawblade that can be used to split timber.
“You can opt for several different spindle arrangements on this model up to a maximum of six and, of course, it can be delivered with everything, including full CNC positioning if you want a really fast changeover machine. There are three basic spindle arrangements that can be enhanced with an add-on universal spindle. The universal will work any of the four sides. It’s really useful when you want to make a complex profile using a combination of two simple tools, eg a radius and a rebate cutter.” The Powermat 700 in Weinig’s Tauberbishofsheim showroom was a model with full CNC positioning of rollers and spindles and it bristled with features. At the feed end, users can choose between a short table or a long table. The showroom model was equipped with a short table. “The short table is ideal for applications where the finished product is going to be nailed, glued or screwed but if absolute straightness and dimensional accuracy are required you’d choose the long table,” says Jack.
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 45 The short table is optional.
Pivoting pressure elements.
made easy “Safety is a big thing with all Weinig machines,” he continues, pointing out sensors along the whole length of the interior of the machine. “There’s an interior monitoring system with sensors that detect any material that may be left in the machine and a barrier system where the material enters the machine that prevents chips flying out. And this is a particularly neat feature,” he adds, pointing to the fence that travels with the left spindle and acts as a channelling guide. “But the really impressive thing about this machine is the speed with which you can access everything. In the event of a tool change, pressure elements can be quickly pivoted out of the way by releasing a clamp. It’s virtually a tool-free system. The hoses travel vertically out of the machine giving better and faster access for tool -changing and they can be detached very easily. Having vertical hoses means the flow of chips and dust can be optimised and that in turn reduces energy consumption. You can get motors of up to 20hp but even they are energy efficient IE3s.”
“The Powermat 700 is the entry level model to the Powermat range. It’s capable of planing and profiling all four surfaces in one pass. Move up to the six spindle and apart from having two top spindles that will give better and faster cutting of hardwoods during long production runs, the six spindle version will reduce wear on the main cutting tools. Everything is modular, so you don’t buy what you don’t need.” For more information visit www. weinig.co.uk or telephone Weinig in Abingdon on: 01235 557600.
Full CNC control if you need more speed.
46 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016
Ansgar Uhl
On a tour of the Leitz factory, Ansgar Uhl from the company’s R&D department explains the meticulous manufacturing and checking processes that every Leitz circular saw blade goes through.
the birth o
T
he birth of a blade is a fascinating process to witness. At Leitz in Oberkochen it’s a process that involves both traditional and customised metal-working processes as well as skilled hand work, as R&D specialist Ansgar Uhl revealed during a tour of the factory: “The first process is the laser cutting of blanks,” he says, pointing to a giant laser cutter that’s busily processing one sheet of raw steel at a time from the 150 tonnes Leitz keeps racked in readiness for production. “We don’t use pre-produced bodies; we start with plain steel sheets and choose the steel according to the blade we want to produce. As we produce each body ourselves, we can do much more with laser ornaments and damping. These are critical because both contribute to noise and vibration - and they in turn determine the cutting quality of the blade.” The blanks are transferred to an oven that reduces the hardness created by the laser around the rim. Then they need to be straightened and the ring,
which prevents wobbling in larger blades, can be pressed into the body. From beginning to end it’s a continual process of polishing, equalising, straightening and cleaning. “After tensioning, we roll the blade twice, turning it through 90 degrees to ensure it’s perfectly flat before the carbide or diamond tips are brazed in place,” continues Ansgar. “We always manufacture our own carbide tips to ensure consistent quality. If we’re producing a batch of fewer than 150 blades, we braze manually.” En route to a caged robot, we pass several machines brazing carbide tips in place at a rate of one tip every few seconds. The robot is busily shuttling the newly tipped blades between a sandblasting bay, where the swarf is removed, and a cleaning machine, before stacking them neatly in front of a craftsman with a hammer. We pause to watch, intrigued by a process that seems to alternate between machine, man and back as each blade takes shape. Ansgar
FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016 • 47
Heat-treated blanks.
Polished blanks
Machine brazing of tips.
of a blade picks up on our fascination: Axial runout is responsible for cut quality,” he explains. “This part is critical to the manufacturing process and it can only be done manually. It’s not something you’ll find any of the manufacturers of cheaper blades doing but we do this with every blade before it’s sent either for grinding of the carbide tips, or eroding if it has diamond tips. “Once the tips have been ground, we carry out further optical checks to ensure each tip is perfect. If there is no damage to any of the tips or the body, the blade then goes for polishing, etching and colour printing. Finally, it’s measured before being either delivered to stock or sent to the customer.” Leitz publishes its own specialised directory called the Leitz Lexicon that helps users of its sawblades choose exactly the right blade for the machine they have and the product they are cutting. “We develop blades with machinery manufacturers to ensure our blades are tuned perfectly to each
machine,” says Ansgar. “Every machine is different and will not cut at its best if blade and machine aren’t matched. A Holzma or a Schelling saw, for example, will run at higher speeds than a Giben or a Selco. An average run speed blade will only ever give average results. You can’t use an average run speed blade on a Holzma or a Schelling. It won’t give a good result. Even things like how the blade is mounted will have a profound effect on how it performs and the quality of cut you will achieve.” It’s one of the reasons Ansgar spends so much time travelling: “We work closely with end users to match their demands as closely as possible and often find ourselves adapting blades so they work at their best on a particular machine and with a particular material. Our aim is always to produce a solution that matches customer requirements 100%.” If you’re having issues with the cutting quality of your saw, or you’d like better blade life, call Leitz on 01279 454530. www.leitz-tooling.co.uk
The tensioning ring aids stability.
Carbide or PCD tips are brazed in place.
A robot shuttles blades between sandblasting and cleaning.
Checking for and correcting axial runout.
48 • FURNITURE JOURNAL JANUARY 2016
The L’Invincible SI X sliding table panel saw (above), launched officially at Ligna 2015, comes with the same ten-year guarantee on the saw carriage that backs all SCM saws - even the Novas.
guarantee from scm SCM is offering a tenyear guarantee on its saw carriages - and the company’s confidence comes at least in part from its unique design.
L
igna 2015 saw the launch of SCM’s all-singing-all-dancing, top-of-therange L’Invincibile SI X sliding table panel saw. The L’Invincible SI X is a feature-packed machine with a 550mm main blade and a 160mm scoring blade that offers a tilting range of 92 degrees in complete safety without removing the scoring blade. Probably you’ve already heard quite a bit about this saw - but what you might not have heard is that the sliding carriage on this up-tothe-minute machine uses the same design as SCM patented in 1992 and more than 60,000 users of SCM sliding table panel saws worldwide can testify to the longevity and precision it imparts. So confident is SCM in the quality of the design and manufacturing of its sliding carriage that the company is backing this on all its circular saws with a ten-year guarantee.
What makes SCM so confident? The hardened steel guides use a unique method of mechanical fixing. They require no glue or screws that could go out of adjustment over time. All play is eliminated and that in turn eliminates vibration and provides a better quality of cut. Furthermore, the cleaning system that’s designed into the sliding carriage uses horizontally orientated guides that are totally protected from dust and shavings rather than wheels on rails and the guides are continually cleaned by dust scrapers during operation, eliminating wear. It is, says SCM, a highly reliable system in which wear has been almost eradicated. The ten year guarantee is offered on the L’Invincible SI X, SI5 and SI3 as well as the Class range and the entry level Nova machines. To find out more: 0115 977 0044.
SCM CIRCULAR SAWS:
3 RANGES WITH 10 YEARS WARRANTY ON THE CARRIAGE!
NOVA
CLASS
L’INVINCIBILE
Manual models: SI300 S NOVA, SI300 NOVA, SI400 NOVA Electronic models: SI400 EP NOVA
Manual models: SI300 CLASS, SI350 CLASS, SI400 CLASS Electronic models: SI400 EP CLASS, SI550 EP CLASS
Electronic models: SI 3, SI 5, SI X
SIMPLE AND RELIABLE
STURDY AND CONFIGURABLE
uk Blenheim House, Camberley Road, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8UW Tel: 0115 9770044 - scmgroupuk@scmgroup.com - www.scmgroup-uk.com
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