Moving forward with machine upgrade

Ithas been some four years since we last spoke to Greg O’Kane, Managing Director at Waipukurau Joinery about his business and where things were heading. A member of Master Joiners and operating from his purpose built factory site, he has continued to progress the business down the path of using the right technology for the job. The business continues to produce quality kitchens and bathrooms, staircases and other joinery components. Bob Nordgren from JOINERS spoke with Greg about the latest development.

Looming ever larger has been the manufacture of benchtops for his kitchens. “We have found we have needed a machine that can handle bigger laminate and acrylic sheet sizes as well as combining more flexibility and the inclusion of parametric software.” Greg comments. Greg turned once more to Steve Fifield at Proform CNC Ltd for the answer. Four years ago they installed a Proform AT25/13 flat router for Greg.

“That machine has been great but we needed to get a bigger machine” says Greg. So they upgraded to the Proform Fusion CNC router ATC 38/13.

“This machine had a number of improvements we were looking for.” explains Greg “First off it had a bigger flatbed (1300mm by 3800mm) so we could use bigger sheet sizes, and it has a 12 head rotary tool changer which makes things quicker without losing any of the efficiencies the earlier machine had. Furthermore the ATC 38/13 utilised parametric software which along with the other two features gives us greater flexibility in manufacturing, especially benchtops.”

The setup will allow them to have one person to operate it and make benchtops. It remains a simply operated, nested style machine with an on board computer using the Windows 10 operating system. The spindle is more powerful (a heavy duty 9kW HSD router). The rotary tool changer is ideal for counter top manufacture and it still has a relatively small foot print at 4550mm by 1550mm as well.

Greg has had it since November 2019 and seen production improve. “It remains an efficient and reliable machine with the service from Proform second to none. It makes just in time manufacture a reality and enables us to keep close control on costs.”

And the future? “Just as it was four years ago: continuing to make good use of technology and make efficiently good quality product for our clientele.”

For more about Waipukurau Joinery contact Greg on 06 858 8313, email greg@waipukuraujoinery. com or visit their website at www. waipukuraujoinery.com