Sanding & Abrasives 100Adhesives

Sanding & Abrasives

Mirka continues steady and progressive path to enable its customers to thrive

Mirka is known for its high-quality abrasives and innovative power tools – but how did the Finnish specialist navigate the last 18 months? Furniture & Joinery Production caught up with Mirka UK MD Craig Daycock, business sector manager for wood Chris Brook, and industrial sales manager Pete Sartain, to find out more.

Given the months of tumult we have all endured since March 2020, how does Mirka characterise the last 18 months in terms of the company’s performance, its customers, and the wellbeing of its staff? Craig Daycock summarises: “Most of us appreciate that during Covid it has been a testing time for many reasons. At Mirka, the first thing we did was to adapt swiftly in line with Government

Chris Brook, business sector manager for wood

guidance, which saw us reorganise our working conditions to keep everyone safe, and when things completely shut down, we adopted furlough conditions for our staff. As the situation developed, staff returned to work – many from home only, with managers working in a hybrid setup – but overall, the whole team kept well, and the wheels of the business kept turning.”

In terms of commercial performance, against what has been a high-performing period of trade thanks to consumers investing in home offices, home interiors, garden buildings and even extensions to be able to work from home, Craig says: “Mirka performed well.”

Highlighting how well the business has performed given the circumstances of the last 18 months, he says: “As a business, we successfully navigated 2020, and apart from one month we have exceeded all our expected targets, with some of them being beaten by a healthy margin. Overall, for the 18-month period, I would say we are up around +30% on our predictions.”

Chris Brook confirms the positive situation: “The furniture and joinery sector’s recent strong showing is largely a result of the businesspositive stance adopted by the Government during the pandemic. The various grants, schemes and loans have undoubtedly helped businesses survive and even prosper, because they took advantage of what some would describe as a ‘mini boom’ for UK furniture and joinery manufacturing. In addition, these resources enabled companies to invest in all parts of the business and strike while the time is right.”

Turning to the bedrock of the business, we asked Pete Sartain what he was looking forward to now things were getting back to some form of normality: “First and foremost, I am looking forward to meeting our customers more regularly, and of course, en masse at trade shows.

“As a team, we are looking forward to the W Exhibition in February, and our plans are now at an advanced stage. We will have at least one new product to show and a couple of interesting surprises for visitors, so stay tuned.”

One of the cornerstones of the Mirka business has been innovation. Throughout the Covid period, the company’s research teams have, as always, been researching new abrasive and tooling solutions to bring to market that will ensure the customer has the right product for the job at hand.

www.mirka.com

Premium sanding variants on show and ready to demo at J & C O’Meara

Kündig’s top-quality sanders are ready to demonstrate at J&C O’Meara’s impressive new HQ in Burscough, Lancashire

Established in 1945, Kündig is widely recognised as one of the most experienced and highest-quality manufacturers of wide-belt and edge-sanding machinery. Kündig has two manufacturing plants – one in Switzerland, which is also its headquarters and where the R&D and special projects are developed, and the other in Gotha, Germany, where the production of the standard wide-belt and edgesanding machinery takes place.

In today’s market, where manufacturers are facing all sorts of different challenges in generating the right surface finish, Kündig has the experience to respond, and to offer a solution to what is seen by many as near impossible.

Where first impressions count, manufacturers strive to achieve that something special, such as those requiring a sanding accuracy to +/- 0.02mm – to satisfy these demands, users regularly turn to Kündig to meet the tightest of tolerances for the final product.

A familiar application for Kündig is in the woodworking industry, where its fixed-bed design has proven to give long-term accuracy – being fixed to the machine frame, with a sanding group that raises and lowers. This system has proven to be especially beneficial for calibrating heavy components – typically fire doors, where the fixed bed cannot move despite the weight of the door or the amount of pressure generated during sanding.

This fixed-bed system is also a huge benefit for veneer sanding, where veneer-cutting technology has increased, making the thickness of veneers smaller and smaller, hence making sanding accuracy more important than ever.

To cater for a wider part of the market, Kündig recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with the introduction of the new Kündig Master, which offers an ‘out-of-the-box’ solution. The idea behind it was to produce a more cost-effective machine while still keeping to all the traditional values associated with Kündig.

The machine is produced in the same factory as the Premium, Brilliant and Perfect models, but is manufactured to a standard configuration to allow serial production, hence reducing the costs to produce. The Master has a generous 1350mm working width, two sanding heads – first a contact roller, followed by a finishing pad, which is available for solid wood or as a segmented pad for sanding veneers.

The Brilliant series of machines is aimed at those looking to achieve the highest-possible quality of surface finish. Simply placing the abrasive at a 10° angle eradicates the wavy scratch pattern inherently shown on traditionalstyle sanding machines. These machines are available in widths of 1100, 1350 and 1600mm as standard, and as either single- or multi-head machines.

In recent times, Kündig has seen a substantial increase in the demand for purpose-made machines throughout different industries. Typical of this is a recent delivery to a company which wanted a machine to calibrate five-piece doors ready to go straight to spraying, to then denib and also have the possibility of creating a rustic-style surface with a bandsaw finish.

The answer was a four-head sanding machine, having contact roller, oblique sanding pad and cross belt to sand the rails – or alternatively using a 16-grit belt to create the rustic surface, followed by a carousel brush unit to sand into the profiles and soften the edges.

In terms of edge sanding, Kündig’s Uniq edge sander is ideal for solid wood, veneered edges and roundings with oscillation of the whole sanding unit and four possibilities to work without change. Whether straight or bevelled, veneered or solid edges, the sanding belt unit is adjustable in height for complete use of the abrasive belts and comfortably covers all variants.

The Uniq-S variant adds manual and automatic feeding and is equally as versatile as the Uniq – it handles throughfeed sanding of small or large workpieces thanks to the integrated feed belt system, and features pressure rollers which hold the workpieces against the feed belt.

Despite the challenging situations of Brexit and Covid-19, Kündig has seen growth in sales, both in the UK and in other markets. Kündig’s official UK agent, J & C O’Meara, has all three sanding options on display and ready to demonstrate at its new headquarters in Burscough, Lancashire.

0845 833 0565 www.kundig.co.uk www.ukwoodworkingmachinery.co.uk

Homag technology takes planing, profiling, moulding and sanding to a new level

Known originally for its high-performance, technically advanced beam saws, CNCs and edge banders, Homag’s planing, profiling, moulding and sanding machines have also achieved similar market-leading status. These products combine state of the art technology with bullet-proof mechanical engineering to deliver an extensive variety of product features and superior finishes.

Homag Mouldteq – a versatile range of moulders and profilers

These machines can process a wide variety of solid wood products. From the four-sided planing of complex window profiles and floor planks to the intricate machining detail of furniture components.

In keeping with the Homag standard, the Mouldteq range is powerTouch operated - a truly unique feature in the moulder industry. At the entry-level is the efficient Homag Mouldteq M-200. This model is well equipped to handle a wide variety of tasks. The most advanced model in this range is the Mouldteq M-300. This flexible machine is packed with features and delivers not only variable feed speeds from 6-24 m/min but also variable spindle speeds. Each spindle can be individually programmed between 4000 – 8000 rpm.

Simon Brooks, Homag UK’s MD, explains why the Mouldteq M-300 series is a real game changer for small- to medium-sized manufacturers: “The ever-increasing complex designs of window profiles, intricate machining details of door frames and the demand for smaller batch sizes continue to create significant challenges manufacturers.

“Remaining competitive relies on not only the quality of the finished product but also the ability to produce it efficiently. That’s why it’s so important that the solid timber is planed to the highest possible standard, creating the perfect foundation ahead of the next stage of production. Our Mouldteq M-300 series has been ergonomically engineered to efficiently deliver such superior solid timber finishes for all types of product design.”

Homag intelliMoulding app optimises production for all brands

This free, handy multifunction app provides great support for planing or profiling machine operation and can be used with all machine brands. The app provides various digital tools that are precisely tailored to the requirements of the planing or profiling system. These tools can help minimise errors, make production more efficient and open up new potentials for optimisation.

The app can determine and specify the machine parameters for the best possible plane mark distance to optimise the surface quality of the planed workpiece. The expected production quantity on a planing and profiling machine can be determined quickly and easily with the app. The app also calculates the suction volume of the planing and profiling machine. This enables the operator to determine whether an existing planing and profiling machine has sufficient capacity for connecting to an additional sanding machine, for example.

Homag Sandteq wide-belt sanders for the perfect finish

Homag is renowned for its powerful wide-belt sanding technology and innovative surface processing. A wide belt sander is used for grinding the surface of solid wood, fine sanding of sheet materials, intermediate sanding during painting and for sanding large surfaces.

A comprehensive range of models is included in Homag’s wide-belt sander portfolio starting at entry-level models specifically designed for small workshops, through to high-throughput machines for advanced manufacturing plants. All are touch screen operated and equipped with various sanding heads featuring different sanding rollers and sanding belts. Brush units can also be configured for the processing of structured surfaces.

Homag Sandteq W-100 for entry-level professional wide-belt sanding

Whether used as a single-belt machine or with two sanding units, the Sandteq W-100 series is an efficient solution for all sanding tasks. Its uses include calibration and fine sanding of solid wood, as well as the sanding of veneers; there is also an option for interim paint sanding. This diverse series comes in five machine combinations, adjusted to suit specific conditions and tasks.

Homag Sandteq W-200 for the demanding craftsman and small industrial manufacturers

With many configuration possibilities, the Sandteq W-200 series is highly versatile. Small- and medium-sized carpentry and joinery companies can take advantage of the high levels of performance and versatility offered by this machine which is ideal for the processing of kitchen, office and solid wood furniture.

Homag Sandteq W-300 for small/mediumsized carpentry and joinery companies

This series delivers all-round sanding solutions to fulfil every sanding requirement from calibration to a high gloss finish. The key benefits of this series include: • Excellent sanding results due to acp®, eps® and mps® pressure beam systems • Infinitely variable feed speeds (2.5-13 m/min) make it easily adjustable • High drive outputs of up to 30 kW • High level of flexibility due to independently driven sanding units • Simplified handling due to automatic workpiece thickness measurement and independent adjustment of the machine • Movable machine stands provide constant processing height • Prepared slots for retrofitting various brushing and cleaning units

Homag Sandteq W-700 for demanding industrial sanding

Designed for the calibrating, fine sanding and transverse sanding of surfaces ranging from solid wood and veneered or coated workpiece surfaces to high-quality glossy finishes.

The Sandteq W-700 series provides all the essential sanding options for demanding environments. With up to five processing units and working widths of 1350 and 1650mm, the machines can be adjusted to suit almost any specific configuration for processing workpieces.

Homag Sandteq W-900 – top-class sanding technology for industrial sanding

This series is designed for fine sanding, lacquer sanding, calibrating, veneer sanding, improving surfaces, roughening surfaces and more. The heads for Sandteq W-900 series provide all the functions required in demanding industrial sanding and ensure a perfect processing result. The machines can be configured to meet specific requirements from eight different unit types.

Homag intelliSanding App helps all sanding machine operators

This app provides support in sanding machine operation and is suitable for use with all sanding machine brands. It provides multifunctional digital tools that are tailored to the requirements of the sanding machine. These tools can help minimise errors, make production more efficient and open up new optimisation capabilities.

International furniture brand creates multiple surface finishes with Sandteq

The Danish furniture manufacturer Hammel Furniture designs and manufactures home furniture including cupboards, dining tables and coffee tables. It develops furniture with a clear focus on functionality and flexibility and has established a leading international furniture brand.

When the company needed to invest in some new sanding machines the directors undertook extensive research to find the right supplier. Four different manufacturers and their wide-belt sanding machines were inspected and tested. At the end of this process, Homag’s Sandteq machines impressed Hammel Furniture’s directors with their quality and extensive application properties.

The directors selected the Sandteq W-325 CH and W-345 RQEH models which, due to their configurations, are ideally suited to processing veneered and painted surfaces. With the two new Homag sanding machines, Hammel Furniture developed new ways of manufacturing a resistant painted surface. Veneer sanding, fine sanding and intermediate varnish sanding are now achieved in a completely different way than in the past. Commenting on this Jacob Helweg, production director, Hammel Furniture, says: “Foodstuffs such as coffee or wine are aggressive and attack surfaces, but with the Sandteq machines, high-quality resistant surfaces can be created during sanding.”

Hammel Furniture is an excellent example of a business that has deployed Homag’s technology for over 20 years to produce popular, high-quality and affordable furniture, costeffectively.

For a demonstration or more information on Homag’s machinery or software, contact Adele Hunt at Homag UK on 01332 856424.

www.homag.com

Power as good as from a socket

The new SYS-PowerStation from Festool – boasting 1500 watt-hours, a full 2990 watts of continuous power output and a top power output of up to 11,000 watts, the portable energy storage device delivers a reliable power that lasts.

Work whenever necessary, wherever necessary, with whichever mains-powered machine is desired. The SYS-PowerStation puts an end to those cumbersome lengths and lengths of cable and the constant search for power sockets, keeping the user always supplied with power wherever they go. The new SYS-PowerStation is also compact and portable, and stores up to 1500 watt-hours of electricity – that is equivalent to the energy supplied by 20 battery packs.

As such, it has enough energy for a full day’s work, making users completely independent of traditional power sources such as sockets, site distribution boards or generators. For example, using the SYS-PowerStation with the Kapex KS 60 sliding compound mitre saw and added mobile dust extractor, one can complete 560 cross-cuts – enough for a parquet floor. With the Planex long-reach sander and connected mobile dust extractor, which are also mains-operated, one could even sand a 200m2 surface.

In contrast to its predecessors, the new SYS-PowerStation stands out for its zeroemissions operation. It is silent and produces no harmful fumes when in use – making the SYS-PowerStation better for health and the environment, as well making it ideal for use indoors. “The SYS-PowerStation turns every mains-powered machine into a cordless machine. Even power-hungry machines such as a large carpentry saw can be rendered portable and reliably powered by the SYS-PowerStation,” explains product manager Volker Kaupp.

Then there is the comparatively low weight. At 16Kg, the SYS-PowerStation measures only 50-70% of its counterparts’ weight. The portable energy supply comes in the ultra-compact Systainer3 format.

Its combination of high-performance capabilities and large power storage with compact design and comparatively low weight makes it a one-of-a-kind on the international market. The SYS-PowerStation is not only compatible with all Festool corded power tools, but also supplies electricity to all mains-operated power tools from other manufacturers. It powers these without any loss of performance – just like a standard electrical outlet. Also located on the front, and therefore easy to access, is the USB-C port for quickly charging other portable devices, such as tablets or smartphones.

www.festool.co.uk/powerstation

Prime finish achieved with MB Fentech’s sanding solution

Based in north Devon, Principal Doorsets, established in 2014 by Rob Llewelyn and Stan Bond, has expanded into a manufacturing business covering 80,000ft2 .

During that time Principal has manged secure a reputation for the supply of high-quality doorsets for healthcare, education, leisure, commercial building, hotels and high-end residential properties with the most demanding specification and finish requirements.

Stan says: “A capital investment programme with carefully selected process machines to deliver the quality, reliability and more importantly, consistency necessary to ensure the best product and service is presented to our customers, the latest CNC machinery gives guaranteed precision and flexibility. You can rest assured that their fresh approach is supported by generations of experience to provide support service and quality.”

With this expansion, the finishing department became an area that needed investment with the addition of further spraying equipment, and it soon became clear that labour costs for hand sanding were punishing the business. Stan and Rob were soon looking out for a means to sand and denib framing and architraves more efficiently.

After talking to Dean Grimbley of John Penny Woodworking Machinery, it became apparent they not only needed a quick machine, but also a very accurate and flexible piece of equipment. The product mix was complicated, including profile sanding of frames, architraves in timber, MDF and veneer-wrapped MDF, to the denibbing of the same parts after priming or lacquer coating.

The solution was the installation of the unique MB Fentech sander, with its automatic profile sensing and setting capable of working even with the smallest batch sizes. The parts enter the machine on a vacuum transport belt before they are laser scanned to detect the shape, from which the sanding heads move to position. The vacuum belt holds the parts very precisely, and timed jumping of the sanding heads protect the lead and trailing edges from over sanding, even with very thin veneers. The machine fitted Principal’s varied workloads with the added benefit of being able to work with one operator using a part return system with lower demand, and it was simple to switch to throughfeed with a second operator stacking parts at the machine exit. All in all, Stan remarks on how much time the Fentech saved, and that the improvement and consistence of quality could not be matched by hand.

Contact Performance Doorsets for frames, screens, fire, acoustic, security and passivhaus – telephone 01237 439152, email sales@ principaldoorsets.co.uk, or refer to the website, www.principaldoorsets.com

To find out more about the Fentech, contact John Penny Woodworking Machinery, email john.penny@btconnect.com.

Adhesives

Have a glue problem? Don’t come unstuck

For over 40 years, Kenyon’s have been supplying adhesives to the woodworking and building components markets, gaining a wealth of gluing, machine and application knowledge covering manufacturing of kitchen worktops, bedroom and kitchen furniture, fire doors, sports lockers, washrooms, caravans, insulation, mattress, and window manufacturing. We have your application glued.

“Kenyon’s is the number-one UK supply route for Henkel and is proud to be its Premium Partner, supplying their industry-leading adhesives,” says Ian Kenyon, Kenyon Group MD, “supplied under the brand names Technomelt and Aquence, which are recognised for quality and proven performance – from PUR adhesives for edgebanding to adhesives for bonding high pressure laminates and veneers – don’t just take our word, ask anyone using Henkel!

“Kenyon’s brings the complete package to the customer – quality products, excellent service, technical support and product training,” continues Ian.

“We can respond to market challenges quickly and with confidence, delivering the best Henkel adhesive for the application. Henkel’s range of high-performance edgebanding adhesives, will shortly be supported by a high-performance edging tape range, manufactured by a market leading brand name. It’s a win-win – quality adhesive justifies a quality edging!

“Further details of this new venture will be in the press in due course.

“If you have an adhesion problem, don’t come unstuck, talk to the glue experts. It is our tagline, but quite rightly so and one that we are very proud of, as we put in the time and effort to ensure we help the customer achieve the best Henkel adhesive solution to their ‘sticky’ problems,” says Ian.

“Most of the time customers remember the endeavour Kenyon’s have put in to finding the answer, solving their gluing problem and keeping the relationship bonded. We don’t just sell adhesives, we live them, and this includes supporting you!

“Backed by Henkel’s technical centre based in Bopfingen, Germany, Kenyon’s have access to a full range of woodworking application advice and equipment from edgebanding to paper and foil laminating, helping Kenyon’s to find answers to your gluing problems promptly, expertly, and professionally. This enables Kenyon’s to give solutions that can be trusted, keeping your materials bonded,” Ian points out.

“Tried and proven products from the Henkel stable under the brands Technomelt and Aquence are recognised and trusted across the UK and further afield to keep your products glued. Products such as Technomelt KS 351 unfilled EVA edgebanding, Technomelt 270-7 PUR edgebanding and Aquence DL 1040 D4 PVA have dominated sales in the UK and have attained the status as the UK’s frontrunners and main contenders.

“These products and Henkel’s full adhesive range covering woodworking and building components is stocked across three UK warehouses, enabling delivery when the customer needs it,” concludes Ian, “there’s nothing worse than a failed delivery – it stops production and costs money. Kenyon’s is a company that delivers on its word!”

www.kenyon-group.co.uk

Impressive knot-filling system efficiently restores damaged wood

Power Adhesives says its Knottec® system is the fastest way to repair knot defects and other forms of deep wood damage.

The Essex-based adhesives expert says that knots and deep scratches in wood can be filled quickly and easily using a special knot-filling adhesive that is applied with a 12mm Tec® hotmelt glue gun. The system also includes a pair of handy heat-sink blocks that can be used to create a ‘form’ around any knot holes that go through, or are on the edge of, areas of wood that need repair.

Once the damaged area has been filled, the Knottec knot-filling adhesive takes just minutes to cool before the excess can be trimmed with a flush plane tool, such as the Mouseplane. The repaired area can then be sanded, painted or treated as normal, achieving a high-quality finish to the restored wood.

Knottec is said to be ‘perfect’ for making repairs to wood flooring, doors, window frames, furniture, and more. This knot-filling adhesive is also available in 15 different colours to help users achieve the best colour match possible.

This impressive repair process for knot defects and other forms of deep wood damage can now be used with the fully portable B-Tec 308 and 808 glue guns.

The compact B-Tec 308, and the larger, higheroutput B-Tec 808 battery-powered glue guns both feature an Eco-mode setting that will significantly extend the battery life for any given battery size.

B-tec 308 users can work for up to 5 hours hours, uninterrupted, while B-Tec 808 users can work for up to 3.5 hours.

The B-Tec cordless glue guns have been designed to use the widely available Ryobi 18V ONE+ range of lithium+ batteries and chargers.

When used with a Badaptor battery adaptor, customers can use their 18V DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch Professional, Ridgid or AEG battery with their B-Tec cordless glue gun, or in any tool that takes a Ryobi 18V battery.

Power Adhesives offers a choice of two additional mains-powered 12mm glue guns for use with the Knottec system – the light industrial Tec 305 and the professional Tec 820 – as well as the Mouseplane tool for trimming away excess glue. Cost-effective Knottec kits, containing everything users need to get started in a practical carry case, are also available.

Power Adhesives manufactures the largest range of industrial glue guns and highperformance shaped hotmelt adhesives at its Basildon plant in the UK. Its products are sold through a network of specialist distributors around the world. A continuous programme of research and development ensures that the company continue to meet the ever changing needs of industry, with innovative solutions like the Knottec system.

01268 885800 sales@poweradhesives.com www.poweradhesives.com

The ultimate challenge – bonding with hot melt Polyurethane (HMPUR) or Polyolefin (PO)?

What’s best?

To manufacture a profile or panel nowadays is quite easy, as the technology of foils and machines has remarkable evolved in the last years.What remains crucial is the choice of hotmelt adhesive – physical bonding (polyolefin or EVA)(Thermoplastic) or physical + chemical bonding (HMPUR)?(Theromset)

Anthony Rook from BRIT-AD LTD provides an explanation: “All materials have different characteristics,” he says. “Polyolefin (PO) is an adhesive where bonding only takes place physically (melting of the glue, application and bonding by cooling) and then heating the profile, the glue activates again (thermoplastic).

“Hotmelt polyurethane adhesive (HMPUR), on the other hand, bonds by two steps: the first is physical (melting of the adhesive, application and the adhesion occurs by the reduction of temperature); and then the second phase begins after processing, where the chemical crosslinking between the materials and the adhesive takes place (theromset). This chemical reaction will give the laminated profile a very high level of water and temperature resistance,” says Anthony.

“These two aspects are essential for materials intended for the production of kitchen and bathroom furniture but are also very important for transportation in containers where high temperatures of above 70°C and humidity can be reached. Another advantage of HMPUR over PO is the wide range of foils and substrate materials that can be processed.

“HMPUR adhesives are also preferable in terms of sustainability and energy savings as they are used at low temperatures (110-140°C) compared to PO which has to be applied at 160200°C so certain raw materials can burn quickly causing blockages in the application systems, In addition, the application coat weights of HMPUR are 30-50% lower than the coat weights of PO.

“In the field of interior doors,” says Anthony, “HMPUR adhesives have also made it possible to qualitatively raise the strength of jambs and architraves.”

The photograpgh shows an example of a door jamb glued with PO adhesives. The use of HMPUR adhesives avoids the obvious deterioration of the final product.

Today, thanks to the new generation of equipment – melters and glue heads etc – which have been developed to use any kind of adhesive, hot melt polyurethane glue is still the most versatile adhesive,” concludes Anthony.

Among the wide range of WPR-TAKA HMPUR adhesives developed for specific application needs the most used ones are: • 2308.28P – this adhesive is for the lamination of profiles and panels, especially when high glossy surfaces are required. This glue has excellent wettability, long open time, suitable for various foil types and features a good initial bond strength • 2308.25P – this has been developed for the wrapping of MDF, chipboard and wood. The 2308.25P has a good open time, excellent bond strength and it is ideal for complex geometries and high working speeds.

Readers who wish find out more about the WPR-TAKA’s HMPUR adhesives, or further information on other applications, should contact Anthony Rook at BRIT-AD LTD.

07484 341294 arook.ba@gmail.com www.britishadhesives.co.uk