Panel & Joinery - November / December 2021 by Panel & Joinery Production

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

COMBILIFT AND JAMES LATHAM 20 YEARS OF COLLABORATION WWW.COMBILIFT.COM

A brand new premium collection, including postforming grade FR laminate and super matt anti-fingerprint decors, exclusively available from IDS, available ex-stock for 24-48 hour nationwide delivery.

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To view the full range: www.idsurfaces.co.uk For enquiries, or to request free samples: info@merinolam.co.uk

CONTENTS COVER STORY

The PJP team send Seasons Greetings to our advertisers, contributors and readers & wish you all a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2022

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News

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Merinolam Fr Grade Laminate Picked, Packed And Delivered

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Evigol AchievesTenfold Improvement With HOMAG

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Specialist CNC Machining Solutions From JJ Smith

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HPC Laser Lead The Way The Business Board Combilift – Front Cover Feature New Faces At Blum UK

Lamello – Joined Up Thinking New Levels of Technology With HOMAG Ecogate® Endorses Extractly Benefits Wadkin Bursgreen Wall Saw/ Vertical Panel Saw dRMM’s Timber Beacon Shortlisted For COP26

SCM Presents ‘STEFANI X’ Substantial Cost Savings With Ecogate® greenBOX NXT There’s No Need To Feel Blue With Decorative Panels Lamination Starbank Panel Products Invests In HOMAG CENTATEQ CNCs Saw Centre Cuts Path to Productivity with Vollmer Hoffmann Machine Company

Reproduction of articles: All material appearing in Panel & Joinery Production is strictly copyright, and all rights are reserved. No part of the publication may be copied or transmitted in any form whatsoever, including photocopying without prior permission of the publishers. Publishers note: The editorial opinions expressed in Panel & Joinery Production are not necessarily those of the publishers, who shall be under no liablity with respect to any article published herein.

2021, Another Positive Year For Salvamac

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

NEWS COMBILIFT WINS ENERGIA FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021 Lifting 3 Gold Awards in 1 Awards Ceremony Energia, the largest supplier of 100% Green Energy in Ireland, recently hosted their bi-annual awards ceremony virtually, with 19 awards being presented to Irish family businesses. Combilift are honoured to have been recognised as the overall winner of the Energia Family Business of the Year 2021. The awards celebrate generations of families who work together and this year’s ceremony focussed on honouring businesses who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and resilience throughout the Covid-19 pandemic while continuing to thrive and grow. Around 200 family business entries were submitted for consideration by the judging panel. Criteria for success was a business which has drawn on its family values to build a successful company, one which acts as a great ambassador for the sector and makes a significant contribution to society and the wider economy.

Combilift were nominated for two categories, Innovative Family Business Award and Manufacturing & Engineering Family Business of the Year. As the company claimed gold in both of these, they were therefore eligible for the top award, the Energia Family Business of the Year 2021. Combilift’s CEO and co-founder Martin McVicar commented: “Combilift are thrilled to receive both category awards and of course the overall Family Business award. We’d like to thank the sponsors of our awards, Energia and also NSIA, and the jury for recognising our company and its achievements with these prestigious accolades. This means so much to our team here in Combilift and their families, we are all very proud, and will celebrate accordingly!”

www.combilift.com

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Location: London/Essex border

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POTENTIALLY AVAILABLE SOON £4m turnover

Specialist Joinery Contractors specialising in high margin, bespoke products for the commercial, hotel and private residential sectors. Based South of England.

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| Tel: 0118 338 1818 | www.thebusinessboard.co.uk

NEWS AAG APPOINTS NEW UK-BASED MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR EMEA Leading global supplier of tailored CNC routing and cutting solutions, AAG has announced the appointment of Chris Arend as Managing Director of its AXYZ Router, WARDJet Waterjet and CNCShop.com operations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia (EMEA). The appointment marks an important phase in AAG’s continuing global influence, product innovation and market diversification. According to AAG’s Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Doug LoFranco, “Chris brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the group, based on the contribution he made to the business success of SCM and more recently Biesse.” Chris will be based at AAG’s UK and Ireland machine assembly and distribution centre in Telford, Shropshire. He will lead the EAMA team and oversee the continued success of the group’s AXYZ, WARDjet and CNCShop.com power brands. In welcoming this new challenge, Chris commented: “With my previous experience and familiarity with industries similar to those served by AAG, I hope to enlarge the group’s already considerable customer base.”

T: 01952 291600 www.axyz.co.uk

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Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

NEWS FOUR MEDALS FOR SKILLED BLUM WORKERS AT EUROSKILLS 2021 - 1 x silver and 3 x bronze for skilled Blum workers at the European vocational skills championship - Challenging field of competitors, with 450 participants across 45 professions - Two other participants used the event to prepare for the national championship All competitors from the fittings manufacturer get a spot on the podium Hoechst, Austria, October 2021. At EuroSkills 2021, the European vocational skills championship, young skilled professionals from across Europe came together in Graz to demonstrate their various skills. The four participants from Blum showcased their talent and took home one silver and three bronze medals. At the seventh European vocational skills championship, which was the first to be held in Austria, Kevin Emhofer (CNC Turning), Mike Fink (CNC Milling), Lukas Schwärzler (Industrial Mechanics) and Lucas Dolinar (CAD Design) were the four young professionals to take part from Blum. And the result is certainly something to be proud of: the quartet from Graz took home one silver and three bronze medals. Silver medal for Kevin Emhofer The 22-year-old from Hoechst beat some tough competition in the CNC Turning category to take home the silver medal. “At first I was just looking at my workpiece and thinking, how am I supposed to do this in the time I have? But then I just started to put into practice what I’ve learnt step by step,” says Kevin Emhofer, giving an insight into the competition. As he had just completed his national service, there was little time for him to prepare: “That’s why I never expected to come away with silver. The team spirit with the coaches and the other candidates was invaluable. It took the pressure off me and meant that I was never alone throughout the long competition. It feels really good to have the medal around my neck now,” says the European championship silver medallist in CNC Turning. Three bronze medals round off a marvellous result “We spent months preparing. The level at EuroSkills is really high and the three days of competition are very challenging. It feels fantastic to know that all the work was worth it and I’m happy that we were able to showcase our skills. The medal is the perfect reward,” says Mike Fink with a smile, as he reflects on his bronze medal in CNC Milling. Lucas Dolinar also secured third place in CAD Design: “The long and intense training that I did to prepare paid off and everything went to plan for me at EuroSkills. I just wanted a medal. I didn’t mind whether it was bronze, silver or gold. This made the feeling of actually going up onto the podium even sweeter,” explains the 22-year-old. The fourth member of the Blum team also impressed in the Industrial Mechanics category of the international competition and took home a bronze medal: “It wasn’t always plain sailing during the competition. I really had to keep a cool head. Right up until the end, I wasn’t sure if I’d done enough. Getting a medal is an indescribable feeling,” says Lukas Schwärzler. Exceptional performances by apprentices and instructors

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An international competition is always an exciting challenge for apprentices and instructors alike: “We are extremely proud of all our competitors and overjoyed by their outstanding achievements,” stresses Dieter Hämmerle, Head of Vocational Training at Blum. “The best of the best compete at EuroSkills. The right frame of mind, nerves of steel and tolerances of a thousandth of a millimetre are crucial here. Our intensive preparation, which includes mental coaching and team building exercises, has definitely paid off,” explains Hämmerle, adding: “We are delighted that EuroSkills 2021 took place – despite all the setbacks. “This international competition is very important to us as a company that believes in training and apprenticeships because it also puts the quality of our vocational training to the test time and time again. Everyone is talking about the shortage of skilled professionals. These kinds of competitions are all the more reason to help counteract this. Next time, I hope that we can compete with even more participants – and perhaps some female competitors too.” Additional participants from Vorarlberg in Graz Two more apprentices from Blum, Jonas Brunner and Marc Domig, were able to participate without official scoring, using the event as an opportunity to prepare for the upcoming national championship. Four coaches and three experts from the Blum team of instructors were on hand at the big event and supported the young, skilled professionals. “Team Vorarlberg” is completed by three other participants and one jury member from the Vorarlberg-based company. A total of 450 competitors across 45 professions took part – from 23 to 25 September 2021, they competed for the coveted title of European champion in their categories.

T: 01908 285700 www.blum.com

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COMPANY PROFILE

HPC LASER LEAD THE WAY HPC Laser are the UK’s leading supplier of laser engraving and cutting machines and CNC routers. Their CNC router technology has advanced significantly over the past few years with the most significant developments being in travel speeds and positional accuracy, automated toolchange options and enhanced features for automated operation and software integration. HPC believe that one of the most significant machine developments in recent years has been the technological improvements made in spindle motor and frequency inverter technology. Because mains-fed AC electric motors are supplied via a fixed frequency 50Hz supply, there is no option but to run at a fixed speed. RPM when driven by the frequency inverters synthetic supply at 400Hz. A interesting point – no-load motor speed (RPM) = 60 x supply frequency (Hz) major benefit to this technology is that (number of motor poles / 2) the motor-frequency inverter combination offers infinitely variable speed options between 0 and 24,000RPM, the maximum speed usually limited only by the mechanical constraints Hence a 2 pole motor on 50Hz would run at 3000 RPM, a 4 of the motor. Other benefits include the ability of the pole motor at 1500 RPM and so on. frequency inverter to take a single phase supply and output a synthetic 3 phase supply, enabling use of much more Frequency inverters work by rectifying the incoming AC simple and robust 3 phase motor options on single phase electrical supply to DC and then switching this DC supply at electrical supplies. Because frequency inverters operate on incredible speeds to output a synthetic 3 phase sinusoidal a variable-voltage-variable-frequency basis they are also supply, a process known as pulse width modulation. The key able to much better control the starting of the spindle motor ability of this system is to vary the output supply frequency. from standstill with a ramped acceleration function which reduces wear on mechanical components and significantly This means that a 2 pole motor that would usually run at reduces the motor inrush current, which on a mains-fed 3,000 RPM on a 50Hz supply can now operate at 24,000

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COMPANY PROFILE

motor at 50Hz could be 10 times higher than the normal full load current of the motor. Considering these and other benefits of a motor and inverter combination it should come as little surprise that the same motor-inverter systems have taken over from fixed-speed drives and now dominate industrial drive applications in every possible industry from oil and gas to building ventilation and underground mining. Other significant CNC router developments in recent years have included the migration to heavier duty fabricated steel and cast iron beds, improving dimensional accuracy, reducing vibration and ultimately contributing to improved repeatability and in most cases a vastly superior cutting finish.

Such recent developments in machine features together with modular designs and the lean and flexible manufacturing systems of today mean that customers can now purchase a cost-effective tailor made machine from HPC Laser, configured to suit their exact needs and expectations faster and more cost-effective than ever before.

T: 01422 310800 E: sales@hpclaser.co.uk

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY THIS PERFECT STORM OF BUSINESS CHALLENGES WILL PASS ...... but it will take time to work through before its settled” says Alex Scott, director at consultancy company, The Business Board.

A strong balance sheet will improve your rates when applying for finance. With all the government assistance about, do look at reducing the cost of capital.

The pandemic had resulted in some company owners taking time out to reflect and consider their company’s future. Some quoted that it brought forward their plans of retirement, others are looking for acquisitions to increase sales and diversify.

Try to maximise your liquidity and credit lines -it makes sense to have facilities in place, even if not used.

Just as you would your own house, if you’re thinking of selling, try to present your business in the best way possible; certainly tidy accounts, good practises and processes. Imagine yourself as the buyer – would you buy your business? What would you change; often an outside pair of eyes are the best advisors on this. When selecting someone to sell your business, do ensure you have a ‘get out’ if the business doesn’t sell and do be careful as some brokers have exit fee’s. Another broker wanted exclusivity for 2 years, we say just give us 30 days’ notice at any point. Equally, if you don’t feel you have the time to get your ‘house in order’ it can be a process of improvement whilst your business is being marketed. ‘What is my business worth’ is the most common question, and again some brokers will over value in order to get an engagement; but the true answer is whatever the market will pay. You can ascertain a broad value (for companies making below £500k pa) by starting with a 3-5 x multiple of EBITDA, basically profits before tax, depreciation and interest. Equally the EBITDA needs to be ‘normalised’ i.e. including a market rate for all employees, premises and expenses. The ‘multiple’ is dependent on a number of factors including size, balance sheet, intellectual property, regular robust income streams, good balance of client concentration, good team, second tier management, any USP’s, strong efficiencies –in fairness the list is endless! but I am sure that gives you an indication. Should a business sale be some time away... Dependant on your size, if you have a number of offerings it is a good exercise to treat them as separate cost centres. Some ancillary services to your core business can be a lossmaking burden. Equally they may be of value to another company, for you to re-coup some funds. Whilst some companies are fortunate with their payment terms from customers, it is good to have credit limits in place and to constantly watch any credit rating changes- but always remember these can be very dated - 9 months after their year end and worse in the current climate. If you are putting personal funds into your business, ensure you are down as a preferred creditor. Also do consider preference shares as a vehicle to improve your balance sheet.

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If you are considering a business sale or acquisition - we have joinery businesses for sale and have active buyers who have enquired about our recent engagements. We generally suggest the high street banks and your accountants should be your first port of call for finance or advice. But if you would like a second opinion or a different take, we would be delighted to try and help. If you have got this far in the article, thank you for reading and I hope it has been of assistance in some way. T: 0118 338 1818 E: info@thebusinessboard.co.uk www.thebusinessboard.co.uk

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FRONT COVER FEATURE

JAMES LATHAM AND COMBILIFT 20 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP With a history stretching over 260 years, James Latham is one of the UK’s largest independent distributors of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces and operates twelve branches throughout the UK and Ireland. When it comes to materials handling and warehousing - a crucial aspect of any business to get right - it is now 20 years since Lathams ordered its first three C4000 multidirectional forklifts from the Irish specialist manufacturer Combilift for its Hemel Hempstead site, starting a partnership that continues to this day. 70 COMBILIFTS IN OPERATION Around 70 C4000 models are now in operation across all Latham branches, and according to Combilift’s Tommy Cadden, who has worked closely with the company from the outset, over 165 trucks have been supplied in all, which have a typical lifespan of 7 years. “When we first started working with James Latham they were considering two electric 4-way reach trucks for indoor operation and two counterbalance trucks for outside use only at Hemel,” he said. Company Director Piers F. Latham: “We had nearly decided to go with this option, but were ideally looking for a new concept that would maximise the footprint in our depots. We saw the Combilift at a trade fair and the rest was history. The combination of Combilifts and racking enabled us to go to an impressive height of 8m in narrow aisles, and the indoor/outdoor ability meant we needed fewer trucks whilst achieving optimum operational versatility.”

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ADDRESSING GROWTH Continuous growth has led to an expansion of many of the company’s depots and therefore the ongoing need for space-saving materials handling. The Yate branch is an example of how the Latham Group is addressing this issue and is one of a number of new facilities designed with 9m high racking to make the most of every inch of space. With a footprint of 53,000 ft² it has a current storage capacity of 7,000m³ for its stock of 70% sheet and panel products and 30% hardwoods.

FRONT COVER FEATURE

HARD WORKING TRUCKS The ten Combilifts on site are on the go constantly, offloading incoming deliveries, putting products into racking and reloading for despatch. With their 4t base capacity and lifting capability of 2t to 9.4m, they handle diverse loads which can be up to 4.5m long. They work in guided aisles of 2520mm - for quick entrance, exit and travel within aisles and reduced risk of product damage - and in some free roaming aisles set aside for the storage of 3m x 2m jumbo boards. For handling these larger loads, four trucks have been fitted with telescopic forks which measure 2050mm when extended. These can lift 1900 kg at 1035 load centre to 7.8m. EMBRACING ELECTRIC POWER Yate is the first branch to introduce electric Combilifts into its fleet following the initial LPG trucks, and all replacement models will be electric wherever possible, in line with the general move in many countries towards greener operation. Depot Director Andrew Jones said: “There are numerous advantages to electric power, one of which is the quiet operation. This is appreciated by our neighbours, as we operate a 24/5 shift pattern to maximise delivery capacity. Drivers are equally happy with the electric models according to Materials Handling Manager John Bennett: “There is now a bit more space in the cab, and when you are working in hot weather, conditions are much cooler and more comfortable as there is no heat emanating from the engine.” ONGOING COLLABORATION AND CUSTOMER CARE Customer feedback has always played an important role in Combilift’s product development, and this was the case when the first trucks were planned for Hemel. Piers Latham:

“Combilift worked with us to find customised solutions for our exact requirements, and this, together with the level of after sales service, has been key to the long and ongoing partnership.”

www.combilift.com www.lathamtimber.co.uk

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY BLUM APPOINT 2 NEW PRODUCT SUPPORT ADVISORS

NATHAN SYDNEY

JODIE MACK

“I’ve worked in various customer service roles over the last 13-14 years, from PC World to PortAKabin. I have always enjoyed practical work and believe I have a strong technical mind. The job opportunity at BLUM allowed me to make use of my extensive customer service experience but also allowed me to utilise and develop my practical skills. The variety of tasks that the technical team gets involved in was a massive attraction for me since my last job was always the same day to day and I was losing interest.

Jodie Mack joins Blum after a career including teaching sport at a school in Cambridge, followed by sales jobs in the catering industry. With time on her hands in lockdown, Jodie developed a hobby and passion for upcycling furniture, at one point having five pieces filling her garage! She really enjoyed the technical challenges involved.

“I am part of the technical team offering advice and technical services to our customers and partners. My focus going forward with be assembly devices so I will be working more with our machines, learning more about them and doing service and commissioning work. I am now part of the warehouse maintenance team and will be servicing our warehouse crane system. I have really enjoyed my first 3 months at BLUM, lots of variety, great training structure and made to feel very welcome. The office is a fantastic place to work, very comfortable and all the equipment we use is always to a very high standard.”

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With a move to Leighton Buzzard came the opportunity to move careers again, and in June 2021 Jodie joined Blum as a Product Support Advisor. “As a hands-on person, the technical role appealed to me. I had no experience in the kitchen industry, so the role also gave me the challenge of pushing myself and widening my skill set and knowledge in a completely new industry. The role offers a huge variety from day to day which is great. Blum is a wonderful company to work with – my team is so supportive, and Blum is providing me with the stepping stones to become the best I can.”

T: 01908 285700 www.blum.com

STAY GLUED WITH HENKEL

HAVE A GLUING PROBLEM?

Don’t come unstuck, call 0161 627 1001 or email salesteam@kenyon-group.co.uk www.kenyon-group.co.uk

INDUSTRY PROFILE

Merinolam ex stock FR+ laminates in Planked Maple, Marigold, Cardinal and Ink, available exclusively from IDS.

MERINOLAM FR GRADE LAMINATE PICKED, PACKED AND DELIVERED IN UNDER 48 HOURS With growing demand for fire rated laminates, IDS’s exclusive Merinolam range offers furniture manufacturers, fabricators and designers a wide selection of FR grade decors - all available for nationwide delivery in just 24-48 hours to ensure projects remain on track. Surface materials distributor IDS is answering the call for a high-quality decorative laminate product offering additional fire safety with the Merinolam FR+ Fire Retardant Laminate collection, following its exclusive agreement with world leading manufacturer Merino. The FR+ collection has been tested in Europe to BS 476: Part 7, passing Class-1 Fire Rating provided that fire retardant adhesive, backer and substrates are used. Class-1 FR laminates do not allow fire to spread further once the source is removed and extinguishes itself within a stipulated time, significantly reducing the risk of toxic smoke. John Bagshaw, managing director of IDS says: “There is heightened awareness of fire prevention, particularly in the wake of Grenfell, and we are seeing increasing interest in FR laminate being used as standard across projects for peace of mind and potential future proofing. We’ve responded to this demand by developing the Merinolam FR+ range in a wide range of popular selling decors which are available and in stock for immediate delivery.”

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Accounting for 70% of the full Merinolam range, the FR+ collection comprises 37 decors spanning a wide choice of popular plain colours, woodgrains and patterned decors to meet the diverse surfacing needs of designers, furniture manufacturers and fabricators. The material is postformable for optimum versatility across a range of applications and is available in a standard 3050 x 1300 x 0.7mm sheet size. A major selling point of Merinolam’s FR+ collection is that it is currently the only stocked FR range available in the UK with IDS holding an extensive stock on the ground from its network of nationwide branches. John Bagshaw adds: “With other manufacturer brands on the market, products are made to order and have a lead time which could potentially delay projects. Fabricators and furniture manufacturers operate in a timescale-led environment where delays cost money and they rely on fast and timely product supply to keep everything on track. Merinolam offers a market-led selection of decors that a customer can get in 24-48 hours if they want it.” Like all decors in the Merinolam range the FR+ collection is polycoated as standard to provide essential protection against potential damage through the supply chain. It is suitable for a wide range of horizontal and vertical applications and can be specified with confidence across a range of sectors including residential, healthcare, education, architecture, construction and hospitality.

INDUSTRY PROFILE Merinolam ex stock FR+ laminates in Midnight Blue, Pearl Black, Marigold and Suede Ink, available exclusively from IDS.

Across the entire Merinolam range, customers have the flexibility to order single sheets, mixed orders through to full pallets, together with access to a free express sampling service and the support of a trained team of product specialists who can provide information, guidance and technical advice.

“Customers have complete flexibility to utilise different colours with no minimum order quantity from one sheet to 1000 sheets in absolutely any décor of their choice. We have the capability and agility to pick and dispatch whatever customers want, whenever they need it from stock,” says John Bagshaw.

Merinolam ex stock FR+ laminates in Scandinavian Pike Oak and Slate, available exclusively from IDS.

T: 0845 7 298 298 E: info@merinolam.co.uk www.merinolaminates.com

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY

JOINED UP THINKING Fast. Precise. Versatile. Easy. Lamello’s handheld Zeta P2 P-System offers an exceptionally efficient solution for joining panels and solid wood. Designed for use with all P-System connectors in Lamello’s range – including the bestselling Clamex P, Tenso P and Divario P – the Zeta P2 offers flexible design solutions for furniture manufacturers and greater stability and easier assembly for flat pack producers. So how does it work? The integrated vertical mechanical drive on the Zeta P2’s cutting spindle is the centre-piece of this P-System. During the cutting process, the vertical mechanical drive automatically performs a vertical movement to create a clean and accurate profile groove. Your chosen P-System fitting is then manually inserted into the groove, ensuring a fast, form-locking anchorage. To accommodate the entire P-System range, the Zeta P2 can cut P-System grooves with varying installation depths by simply turning the P-System depth adjuster. This removes the need to continuously change or purchase additional cutters when working on multiple projects at one time. The vertical movement for the P2 P-System groove is also triggered automatically when the maximum cutting depth is reached, making it quick and easy to accomplish perfect results every time.

Shaye Chatfield, Lamello Area Sales Manager International for Lamello UK and Ireland adds: “The Zeta P2 is simplicity at its best. All you need is Lamello’s Zeta P2 biscuit joiner and your chosen fixings to be able to create a wealth of designs. Cut the slot, insert the fixing, mate the components and the job is done. It saves you time on every application – especially when you’re comparing it to more traditional joining techniques that require glues and clamps - and, with precise cuts, simple processing on both sides of the panel and a slide-tolerant design that allows for perfect workpiece alignment, it offers serious design scope in (and out) of your workshop. “Plus, by simply deactivating the P-System groove function and changing to a 4mm blade, you can also use original biscuits, making it a popular choice for everyone from artisan furniture makers to large furniture manufacturers looking for a quick, efficient and portable solution when joining panels.” For more information or to book a demonstration, please visit: www.lamello.co.uk

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

CASE STUDY

EVIGOL LIMITED ACHIEVES A TENFOLD IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTION RATES WITH HOMAG MACHINERY Based in Clacton-on Sea, Evigol Limited, a bespoke luxury kitchen design and build company recently selected HOMAG as its preferred supplier to upgrade its wood processing machinery. Established in 2017, Evigol which trades under its brand name OOSI, has completed over 100 major kitchen refurbishment projects. The company has seen a significant increase in demand for its products and services following its investment in four HOMAG wood processing machines. The technologically advanced, high-performance machinery which Evigol purchased comprises of a DRILLTEQ V-200 vertical CNC processing centre, an EDGETEQ S-240 edge banding machine, a SAWTEQ B-130 panel dividing saw and an EDGETEQ T-200 shaped part edge banding postprocessing machine. Commenting on the selection process for the new equipment, Igor Profir, managing director at Evigol said, “From the reviews we had read we knew that HOMAG offered one of the best ranges of wood processing equipment on the market. “To confirm our belief, we visited the HOMAG showroom in Castle Donington, Derby. At the showroom, our area sales manager, Charles Smith, guided us on the exact product

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specifications to suit our particular needs. His specialist knowledge gave us the added confidence that we were selecting the right equipment supplier. “We had originally planned to purchase only one HOMAG machine but after reviewing our specific manufacturing requirements and capabilities with Charles, we confidently opted to purchase four machines instead. “We were impressed with the manner in which our enquiries were handled and the outstanding treatment that we were given at the Derby showroom. “The support and help Charles and the HOMAG aftersales support team have provided us with has been exceptional. When for instance we had a software issue with one of the machines, the HOMAG engineers resolved it quickly.” ENHANCED EFFICIENCY, COMPETENCIES AND CUSTOMER ACQUISITIONS Commenting on the productivity of the HOMAG machinery Igor went on to say, “The HOMAG equipment has automated a lot of our wood processing procedures, and improved our manufacturing efficiency and competencies.

CASE STUDY “We are now able to complete big build projects ten times faster than we did previously. This additional production capacity ensures the timely delivery of our projects and has enhanced our ability to attract new customers with larger build projects. “The HOMAG equipment has also reduced production errors and wastage by 10 per cent. As the machines’ software does all of the calculations for our wood processing, it has removed the human errors that we previously encountered. “With the upturn in demand for our services, we’re planning to buy another HOMAG machine soon to supplement our range and further strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and efficiencies.” If you would like a demonstration or more information on HOMAG’s machinery or software, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 85642

T: +44 (0)1332 856500 E: info-uk@homag.com www.homag.com

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

COMPANY PROFILE SPECIALIST CNC MACHINING SOLUTIONS FROM JJ SMITH

For many years JJ Smith Woodworking Machinery have offered specialist, bespoke equipment to suit customers individual production requirements. Rather than take a onesize- fits-all approach, the company have carefully selected a number of key partners to work with, each of whom are specialist in different, but associated sectors of manufacturing. This is highlighted by the co-operation JJ Smith has established with three leading manufacturers of CNC equipment, Comec Group, lntorex and Pade MZ. The Comec Group and JJ Smith have been working together for over 25 years, initially offering a range of mechanical drilling, slotting, shaping and cutting machines mainly for use in the solid wood furniture industry. As the company grew and expanded it entered into the design and manufacture of a range of specialist CNC machinery that can be adapted and used to produce

a wide range of components. The Frontal series of machines consists of a vertical automatic hopper feed loader, with a step-bystep throughfeed system which delivers the component to different machining stations which can include saw units, horizontal/vertical drilling, routing and end/ face milling. This particular model of machine can be used for producing general furniture components, rails, tenoning/slotting window and door parts and also for machining drawer fronts. The MD series of CNC machining centres, are available in three different versions - MD Classic MD Top and MD Jamb. All of these can be configured with a number of different machining heads, including vertical and/ or horizontal milling heads and NC drilling groups which canbe specified to work on all the faces/ends of a furniture rail. In addition a C axis can be added meaning it is possible to cut components to size, with either straight or angled cutting. Another unique feature of the MD is that it can be equipped with an automatic hopper feed loading system to offer continuous production. The MD Jamb model is specifically designed for the volume production of door components and door linings, with the possibility to have automatic infeed and outfeed loading systems. Whilst lntorex are probably best know for producing woodturning lathes, four and five axis between centres CNC machines now account for over 50% of their annual production with sales being made worldwide. These machines can produce a wide range of traditional,contemporary or complexshaped furniture parts along with stair spindles and newel posts. A unique feature is that they all incorporate CNC controlled sanding heads, which allow for the components to come off as finished sanded items.

www.p-j-production.com

COMPANY PROFILE

In addition, thanks to the automatic hopper feed loading it is possible to set up for continuous, uninterrupted production. The TC1000 model is equipped with a CNCcontrolled milling head for shaping and then either one or two vertical/horizontal router heads that can perform other machining operations. The TMC model has five interpolated of eight CNC axes that control the shaping head, sanding head, the sawblade for turning and overhead router with eight-position rotary toolchanger. The working length capacity is either 1500mm or 3000mm while blanks with a section up to 300mm square can be loaded and machined. On request the TMC can be equipped with an additional 9th CNC axis for a vertical sanding unit to finish sand turned components. The latest addition to the range is the TKC1500 which can be supplied with up to six different heads for shaping, sanding, milling and turning. All machines are supplied as standard with the intorEDIT 3D design software, while the TMC now also comes complete with the Solidworks and Solidcam software package. The sawblade that is used for turning on TMC and TKC models has been specially designed for lntorex to its exact specification thus ensuring the very best possible results in terms of detail and finished quality of the turned part.

gives the facility to load and machine timber blanks that are off centre, which is particularly useful for producing table or chair legs. To date 9 machines have been sold into the UK, with one customer recently installing his second machine. Finally from Pade MZ Project, there is a complete range of CNC-controlled bandsaws, which eliminates the need for manual cutting, marking out and jigs, meaning the operation is much quicker and safer than when using standard manual bandsaws. They can be specified to cut either solid wood and/ or flat panel material with the topofthe range Pluris model being fitted with router and drill heads meaning it is possible to nest and cut sofa/chair frame parts from 2.5 x 1.2m sheets (on request larger), with the possibility to cut up four boards high thus making the machine very productive. There are now 15 Pluris machines installed at UK sofa and chair frame manufacturers, with one company running 4 machines ! Lastly there is also available a full range of gantry style 5 axis CNC machining centres that can be used for a wide range of complex machining operations.

T:0151 548 9000 www.jjsmith.co.uk

Another unique feature that is available across the range is the patented eccentric tailstock which

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY AAG LAUNCHES NEW AND UPGRADED WEBSITE Leading global manufacturer and distributor of industrial-class CNC machining solutions, AAG has launched a new and radically upgraded website. Visitors to aagcnc.com will now have easier and faster access to comprehensive information about AAG’s AXYZ, WARDJet and CNCShop.com power brands and the full range of tailored CNC routing/cutting and print finishing, waterjet cutting and essential spare parts, accessories and consumables available respectively via these brands. In addition to enabling companies to increase automation in the workplace and consequent business growth, competitiveness and profitability, aagcnc.com will open up a host of new opportunities. These will not only fuel further expansion within the industries in which these companies specialise but also and significantly open up new opportunities for engagement with other industries due to AAG’s internal strategy of greater market diversification.

Innovative new features of the website include information on the specific industries in which CNC machines supplied by AAG have become a preferred choice and a section entitled ‘Featured Work’ which highlights major projects undertaken by AAG customers and in which AXYZ and WARDJet machines have been pivotal to their successful completion. A history of AAG, from inception to the present day, which includes the origins and evolution of the AXYZ, WARDJet and CNCShop.com brands and details of AAG global locations serve as a fitting conclusion to the new aagcnc.com website.

http://www.aagcnc.com/

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

We may have only a couple of days to do an impossible job, but ALPHACAM makes it possible.”

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CABINET VISION The complete solution for the casegoods industry From cutlists, renderings, shop drawings, bidding and pricing, to CNC output, CABINET VISION makes the easy jobs simple and the complex ones possible.

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INDUSTRY PROFILE 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 4,000 – 8,000 rpm. Simon Brooks, HOMAG UK’s managing director explains why The MOULDTEQ M-300 series is a real game changer for small to medium sized manufacturers: “The everincreasing complex designs of window profiles, intricate machining details of door frames and the demand for smaller batch sizes continue to create significant challenges to 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

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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 highthroughput 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.

INDUSTRY PROFILE

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 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.

HOMAG SANDTEQ W-300 FOR SMALL/MEDIUM-SIZED 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:

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.

• • • • • • •

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 mm and 1650 mm, 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.

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 said: “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. If you would like a demonstration or more information on HOMAG’s machinery or software, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.

T: +44 (0)1332 856500 E: info-uk@homag.com www.homag.com

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY

Ecogate® Power MASTER™ variable speed drive units adjust fan speed.

ECOGATE ® ENDORSES EXTRACTLY WITH NEW DISTRIBUTION DEAL The rise and rise of Extractly Ltd appears to continue unabated as the California-based technology manufacturer, Ecogate, Inc., confirms the company’s appointment as sole UK distributor for the Ecogate® range of energy-saving extraction control products. First introduced over here by Dust Control Systems (DCS), back in 2010, Ecogate® technology has had a major impact on the UK woodworking industry, with a multitude of joinery and furniture manufacturing companies now benefiting significantly from the huge reductions in power consumption the system can deliver – typically returning savings of between 50% and 75% on dust extraction costs with an average return on investment period of just 2 years for the majority of installations. Extractly’s Technical Director, William Kenyon, who has been involved with Ecogate® from day one, is keen to stress that Extractly will continue to offer service and technical support for all UK customers with existing installations, and that any current warranty agreements will be unaffected by the changes. “Our focus is on customer satisfaction and long-lasting customer relationships,” says Mr Kenyon, “and our aim is to ensure our customers’ extraction systems are operating to their full potential, at lowest cost; allowing factory owners to concentrate on the business of manufacturing.”

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Ales Litomisky, Co-Founder, President and Chief Engineer at Ecogate®, Inc., commented: “We’re delighted to be renewing our relationship with the team at Extractly, and I’m personally looking forward to following this next stage of Ecogate’s development in the UK. William and the entire Extractly team have demonstrated a keen understanding of Ecogate® technology and are proven to be very customer oriented.” “The successful application of Ecogate® technology and controls has been proven worldwide, across multiple industries, to improve the efficiency of dust and fume extraction systems. Installations of the patented system not only generate direct savings in electricity usage, but also benefit the working environment for employees, help improve business performance and, ultimately, make a contribution to the health of our planet.” Before Ales, along with brother Petr Litomisky, patented Ecogate® energy-saving extraction control technology, manufacturers’ dust and fume extraction systems had basically worked on the same principle for decades – install a fan that’s powerful enough to extract all the air, from all the places in the factory where dust or fumes are being produced, all day, every day. The difference with Ecogate® technology installed on a dust-producing production line is that the system is custom-programmed to extract only when individual machines are running, and to extract only the

INDUSTRY minimum volumes required to transfer dust-laden air from each machine to the filter unit for collection. Potential financial gains are ruled by the laws of physics, but just a 20% reduction in fan speed will reduce power consumption by 50% and in many factories, where it’s estimated that less than half of the machines are in use at any one time, even bigger savings can be achieved. Extractly Ltd offer a free site-survey to ascertain the possible savings that Ecogate® technology could make but, as a general rule, electricity costs will be at least halved and, whether you have just one machine or a whole factory-full – the Ecogate® greenBOX MASTER SRL® can control up to four extraction fans and as many as 180 workstations – the same principles apply. “The technology is just as effective when retrofitted to an existing extraction system as it is on a new installation,” says Will Kenyon. “The automated, motorised dampers are simply fitted into the ductwork serving each machine, and sensors report when machines come on or off-line. Ecogate® control technology continuously adjusts fan speed accordingly, and the system also ensures sufficient airflow volumes to maintain minimum air transport velocity so dust and chippings don’t settle in the ductwork and reduce LEV control effectiveness.”

Ecogate® greenBOX 12, greenBOX NXT and greenBOX MASTER control units sit at the heart of the extraction system.

With ‘real-time’ intelligent control providing exact extraction volume requirement, only when and where it’s needed, extraction systems with Ecogate® technology installed use around one-third of the power consumed by conventional extraction systems. In addition to saving money on electricity bills, every other part of the system performs more effectively and efficiently: reduced fan speeds mean less wear and tear on bearings, motors and filter media, and factory noise levels are noticeably reduced. The fully-automated, intelligent system provides accurate analytical data to keep operators fully informed of the system’s efficiency, and the lower energy consumption will also contribute to a reduction in a company’s carbon footprint. In addition, the ‘spare’ extraction capacity made available by reducing the fan speed gives business owners a margin for production line expansions without the need to invest in more powerful fans and larger filters. T: 01924 520462 E: info@extractly.co.uk www.extractly.co.uk

Ecogate® motorised dampers are fitted into ductwork serving each machine and open and close automatically as equipment comes on or off-line.

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

HOFFMANN-SCHWALBE.DE

WE´RE FOUND IN THE BEST JOINTS!

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INDUSTRY THE BENEFITS OF THE WADKIN BURSGREEN WALL SAW/ VERTICAL PANEL SAW A panel saw is a basic machine that everybody working within the woodworking industry would need in their workshop to convert various panel products. The classic panel saw is the sliding table panel saw, with a wide work table and large footprint, a big saw and, but also the vertical panel saw (Wall Saw) has become very popular as an alternative to the traditional sliding table panel saw. You will see in this article the benefits that Wadkin Bursgreen Team think are the main advantages to any customer who are considering a panel saw. WHAT IS A VERTICAL PANEL SAW? The Vertical Panel Saw or Wall saw as it is better known has long been a valuable space saving option for space-starved workshops. The panel to be cut remains static throughout and the saw head and saw beam travel vertically or horizontally to perform the cut with ease. VERTICAL PANEL SAW ADVANTAGES by Wadkin Bursgreen Space saved is one of the biggest benefits. At under 7 square meters the wall saw compares well to a 3.2 meter sliding table saw which uses 35 square meters of valuable floor space. There are a lot of workshops with restrictive space and these vertical saws help them a lot. Operation is another huge benefit. Generally, a one-man operator can work perfectly on their own, and cutting and loading this type of machine is easy for the operator and the heavy-duty construction ensures they are very accurate. If the operator needs assistance loading the machine with large heavy sheets this can still be achieved with another person or with the purchase of a vacuum board lifter which helps with health and safety issues and lessens damage to the product and machine. Less stress on the operator as they will move the saw head not the heavy awkward sheet. Another benefit is the cost of this machine. Sometimes, for the size that you can cut on a Vertical Panel saw, they are

cheaper than some panel saws of the same size. At Wadkin Bursgreen, we wanted to provide a very good quality wall saw for our customers, with the best Wadkin Bursgreen tradition but keeping it at an affordable price. The Premium and Standard machines are very competitive with our competitors. This is not a direct benefit, but we think it’s very important when you are looking for a Wall saw. We think it makes sense for customers looking for a Wall saw to consider the delivery and installation of the machine. We think, it is vital that the company from whom you buy a saw offers you a complete service it is important that skilled engineers install your machine. At Wadkin Bursgreen, we have Wadkin Bursgreen Vertical Saws and Sliding table panel Saws in stock. If you want to get more information, please contact us on

sales@advancedmachinery.co.uk or visit our website: www.advancedmachinery.co.uk

YOU CAN WATCH OUR WALL SAW CUTTING PANEL TO SIZE ON QR BELOW:

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

the beauty is in the detail The latest woodgrain, unicolour and fantasy designs developed in conjunction with the leading printers in the world. The dp-decor range is available in a wide variety of substrates in various widths and thicknesses. The constant design innovation of our foil collection will inspire for an ever-changing market place and all of our foils are also available ex-stock. All this combined makes the dp-decor range unrivalled in the industry.

3D Woodgrains

Over 100 Designs

Matching Edges

T: +44 (0) 1484 658341 E: info@decorativepanels.co.uk www.decorativepanels.co.uk

PROFILE

DRMM’S TIMBER BEACON SHORTLISTED FOR COP26 dRMM has designed a reusable timber pavilion for COP26 - the UN climate change talks held in Glasgow [Scotland, UK] in November 2021. ‘Timber Beacon’ is dRMM’s response to the collective brief of a unique global timber industry collaboration. The 25+ strong alliance of innovators in engineered mass timber and wood-based products, global forest growth and development, is led by the UK Timber Trade Federation and CEI-Bois, the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries. “As world leaders discuss our global responsibilities and collective response to climate change during COP26, our message for the future will be powerfully three dimensional: in wood there is hope,” said dRMM founding director, Prof Alex de Rijke. Sponsorship is being sought to realise the full potential of this project. To find out more, contact paul.brannen@ cei-bois.org. This initiative is supported by UK Aid, under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s FGMC programme (Forest Governance, Markets and Climate). Paul Brannen, director of public affairs at CEI-Bois, said “The global timber and global forest sectors see COP26 as the unmissable opportunity for policy makers to put into action what we already know about nature-based solutions; global forests and wood products are essential to averting catastrophic climate change, and increasing the use of timber products is an easy way to help decarbonise construction, renovation, and the wider built environment. Wood both stores carbon and substitutes for carbon intensive alternatives. We are also focused on globally recognised good governance as the key to growing forests around the world.”

www.dmm.co.uk/timberbeacon

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY PROFILE SCM PRESENTS “STEFANI X” SCM’s new industrial edgebanding machine has been designed to offer top-quality machining on any kind of panel and material to fully meet the needs of a connected, integrated digital factory Yet another high-tech new entry from SCM to satisfy the latest trends in furniture and design in terms of flexible and 4.0 production. The new “stefani x” industrial edgebanding machine has everything it takes to win over the market. Each detail has been designed to offer an extremely innovative solution and in line with the industry’s more complex demands: from the machine’s structure to the digital and electronic control systems; from the machining units with power assisted movement to the latest gluing devices, for an even faster, more efficient glue change. The result is a highly configurable, customised edgebanding machine, designed to reliably work several shifts and capable of providing top-quality machining, both in the stand-alone version and in integrated cells or lines. One other important advantage is its ability to achieve maximum quality standards easily and without interruption, even on the most delicate, state-of-the-art materials, thanks to SCM’s new electronic touch systems. Furthermore, in an attempt to meet the increasingly more widespread demands for flexible, connected and integrated production, “stefani x” offers and exclusive digital control system that means it can operate in perfect synergy with other technologies and IT systems as well as management MES used in the factory. The end of compromised productivity SCM’s new industrial edgebanding machine can machine panels at a speed of up to 30 m/min during several shifts per day. All this, thanks to top-of-the-range units and a new, highly rigid mechanical structure.

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It also has new dynamic units custom-designed to further increase performance and include additional high-end functions if requested. HIGHLY FLEXIBLE EVEN WHEN CHANGING THE GLUE Another significant new feature of “stefani x” is the gluing unit which, thanks to the unique “glue switch” solution, allows for a just in time change of colour and glue type, thus achieving even more flexible, efficient production. The “secret” lies in the fact that there are simultaneously two glue tanks which, during machining, can be interchanged using the type and colour of glue requested by the work program. The glue tank can also be replaced or maintenance work carried out on it without having to stop the edgebanding machine. Top quality even on the most delicate edges The new “stefani x” offers top-quality gluing no matter what type of edge there is. Indeed, the intensity of the first pressure roller can be automatically adjusted by the edgebanding machine’s control system. Furthermore, the edge can be replaced without any distance limit between the panels thanks to the new automatic edge change device with 2 and 6 rolls and with a roller change system that allows for a reduced interspacing of 350 mm.

INDUSTRY PROFILE NEW RANGE OF HIGH-END ELECTRONIC UNITS The new “stefani x” electronic units are designed to meet two objectives that are key to the market: ease of use even for more complex machinings on delicate, trending materials, thanks to an automatic, flexible set-up, as well as repeatability, quality and accurate production processes, thanks to the electronic touch. Y-SE 1000 SERVO AND Y-SE 1200 SERVO END TRIMMING UNITS For constant precision when cutting, irrespective of the amount and kind of panels machined, to optimise machining work even on the most delicate panels, automatically control adjustments and correct any machining errors on the spot. ROUND 2 SERVO ROUNDING UNIT To ensure top quality machining on any profile and optimise the processes even on three different edge thicknesses. RC-E MULTILEAF GLUE SCRAPING UNIT Ideal for machining panels with film and softforming thanks to the automatic tool adjustment for endless film thicknesses. “This new edgebanding machine is a further advancement to accompany and support furniture and design businesses in optimising their production processes together with the technological innovation and know-how acquired by SCM in the edgebanding sector over a period of seventy years”, highlights SCM’s Edgebanding Business Manager, Fabio Cernoia. “The new “stefani x” is proof that an edgebanding machine needs to be much more than a machine. In fact, it needs to be an all-round technological project that is highly configurable and versatile, where it is the quantitative and qualitative composition of the units that make a difference to the panel machining process”.

www.scmgroup.com

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY Every piece of a Thwaite Holme kitchen is individually-designed and manufactured for a discerning clientele.

SUBSTANTIAL COST SAVINGS WITH ECOGATE ® GREENBOX NXT Newly-appointed Ecogate® distributor, Extractly Ltd, have recently installed a complete extraction system, including state-of-the-art Ecogate® greenBOX NXT technology, for Thwaite Holme Kitchens & Bedrooms Ltd. Located near the village of Dalston, just a few miles south-west of Carlisle, the name Thwaite Holme has been synonymous with the design, manufacture and installation of quality fitted kitchens and bedrooms for over 40 years. The company was established in 1972 by father, Bob Postlethwaite, and now remains a family-run business headed by middle son Ian. The company specialises in high-end, luxury kitchen and bedroom furniture; designing and manufacturing quality, bespoke fitted furniture to suit individual tastes and styles. “Every piece of furniture we make in our workshop is unique and personal to each of our customers”, says Ian. “We have a highly skilled team, with years of experience in cabinetry and bespoke furniture, and we pride ourselves on the quality of the work we produce.”

suit the new layout.” Extractly director, Jake Oldfield, takes up the story: “We were obviously pleased to get the enquiry from Ian”, says Jake, “but as soon as he showed me into the newly extended factory it was immediately obvious that the task was going to involve much more than an update of the ductwork arrangement.” After a brief inspection of the factory, the filter unit, the armoury of dust-producing equipment, and a candid discussion with Ian, Jake carried out a comprehensive evaluation of the extraction requirements, including a full energy-saving survey. “It was a bit of a wake-up call,” says Ian, “but I guess I already knew that our existing system was coming to the end of its useful life. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I received the proposal from Extractly; especially the calculations showing the savings we could expect to make by including Ecogate® technology in the new system.”

Working in traditional hardwoods such as oak, walnut, maple and ash, the craftsmanship and attention to detail is obvious in every piece of Thwaite Holme furniture. Details of this nature are not produced on high-speed CNC machines, but crafted on a vast range of individual machines – in fact just about one machine for each year of the company’s existence, and a new extension to the premises, more than doubling the available space, has enabled the factory layout to be re-organised to optimise workflow. “I’d come across an article about Extractly in one of the joinery magazines,” Ian explains, “and, knowing we’d need to make changes to our extraction system when the building work was completed, I had it pinned up on our noticeboard for weeks as a reminder to get them in to give us a price for getting the ductwork re-configured to

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Thwaite Holme’s factory houses a vast array of equipment and a total of 28 ‘Smart’ motorised dampers are controlled by the Ecogate greenBOX NXT.

INDUSTRY

With the versatile Ecogate® greenBOX NXT, the extraction system can be monitored and controlled from anywhere in the world via any internet-connected device.

With around 40 machines requiring extraction, and yet only a small number of them ever in use at any given time, the potential savings were substantial. The laws of physics ‘rule of thumb’ is that electricity consumption is halved if fan speed is reduced by just 20% and, with the energy survey having determined that a 35% reduction could be achieved with Ecogate® technology controlling the new system, the predicted savings were substantial. For Thwaite Holme, the lower fan speeds achievable with an Ecogate® system will save over 66,000 kilowatt hours a year, saving thousands of pounds every year on electricity costs – which, with the current economic uncertainty in the energy supply market, is welcome news for Ian Postlethwaite. Although the technology controlling the system is sophisticated, the principle is a simple one: Ecogate’s smart motorised dampers are fitted into the extraction ductwork; machines are fitted with sensors that detect when they come on or off-line; and the Ecogate® greenBOX controls the opening and closing of the dampers. At the same time, the greenBOX controls a variable speed drive which, in real time, automatically adjusts the fan to run at the optimum speed required to extract only from machines that are in use, and to maintain minimum airflow velocity in the ductwork. Extractly’s installation team fitted Nordfab QF® ductwork throughout the factory, connecting equipment to the main ductwork via four separate branches. A 37kW direct drive Combifab fan provides the capacity to extract in excess of 20,000 cubic metres of air an hour, delivering sawdust, shavings and wood chips to be filtered through the externally-sited Nederman NFSZ3000 2HJLR filter unit. From here, collected waste is discharged pressure-free, via a Nederman rotary valve, and then by way of an enclosed mini-conveyor unit to feed the company’s existing briquetter unit. Clean, filtered warm air is returned to keep the factory warm through the colder months, or expelled to atmosphere

The compact NFSZ3000 2HJLR modular filter unit, designed to handle large volumes of air with heavy material contamination, is fitted with patented antistatic polyester SUPERBAG filter bags which are cleaned automatically by a 1.1kW reverse air regeneration fan. when not required. The filter unit is fully ATEX-approved and, in the unlikely event of an explosion in the unit, a Nederman non-return safety valve, situated in the main ductwork between the filter and factory, prevents the effects of a pressure wave and flames travelling through the ductwork and into the factory. At the heart of the system is the Ecogate greenBOX NXT which, as well as monitoring individual machines, is also capable of monitoring activity on each of the four ductwork branches and, as Technical Director William Kenyon explained: “If any branch has no machines in operation, the NXT controller can automatically shut down that branch entirely, negating the need to maintain minimum airflow, and so further increasing the potential energy savings.” “I’ve been really impressed with the level of service Extractly have provided”, says Ian Postlethwaite. “From Jake’s initial visit through to final commissioning of the new installation, communication at each step of the process has been excellent and, with the way energy costs are rising at the moment, it’s been the perfect time to have invested in Ecogate’s latest technology.” T: 01924 520462 E: info@extractly.co.uk www.extractly.co.uk

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

CASE STUDY

THERE’S NO NEED TO FEEL BLUE WITH DECORATIVE PANELS LAMINATION Blue, a colour that is normally recognised to represent both the sky and the sea, but now is also associated with Decorative Panels Lamination (DPL) because of their latest addition to their already impressive dpdecor collection. DPL’s newest addition, Marine Blue will bring your interiors a new sense of depth, warmth and elegance. Blue is universally the globes favourite colour and so it shows no signs of going out of trend any time soon. There is something timelessly chic about blue. Maybe it is not a coincidence that the company’s logo is also blue, a colour associated with trust. It is also the perfect linking colour to many other designs from dp-decor and dp-specialist ranges. We all need some warmth and positivity in our homes and Marine Blue, this vibrant yet soothing colour, is the ultimate pick and has it all. This rich, deep inky blue will never feel cold, just purely luxurious. It’s great for everything from homes to offices to public places. This colour will give your space a touch of elegance and will do so subtlety. Marine Blue offers an energizing contrast perfect for any space. Why not think about ordering a colourful kitchen next time? Within the dp-decor range from DPL you will find the latest woodgrain, fantasy and of course unicolour designs, all developed in conjunction with the leading printers in the world. Constant design innovation and trend analysis has resulted in a collection of designs that will inspire and enable manufacturers and specifiers in the challenge of an ever-changing market place. When you add the vast range of substrates (MDF, Chipboard or dp-lite) available in various widths and thicknesses, with foils available ex-stock, the dp-

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CASE STUDY

decor range becomes unrivalled in the industry. Advancements in material technology within the printing industry has brought an incredibly high level of design realism and colour depth to the finished product. That is perhaps why, when you look at the new Blue Marine design which is so rich in tone it makes you think of the deepest part of the sea. Digital technology used in the creation of the artwork and the engraving of the printing cylinders plus the development of the optical lacquer technology, have contributed to not only the visual appeal of designs but also added tactile qualities that have previously not been available.

substrates can then be converted either in house at sister companies dp-furniture and dp-components or externally to fellow manufacturers in many different market areas. Together with Decorative Panels, their impressive portfolio of dp-decor designs and Biomaster surface protection you can design and create everything with confidence. For more information and samples of the new Marine Blue CU37 from the dp-decor range contact Decorative Panels Lamination.

The surface resistance of paper foils has also increased with the majority now being able to meet FIRA 6250 and BS6222 severe use so they can be used in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms on all but worktops. Of course one of the significant advantages of using paper foil as a surface material is that as well as being flat laminated to board it can be profile wrapped to provide fully matching parts so giving a perfect solution for framed doors, corner posts, pelmets and any matching moulding requirements. Partnering with Addmaster (UK) Ltd, who with their Biomaster product range, pioneered the use of antimicrobial additives, Decorative Panels offer products with surfaces that are able to inhibit the growth of bacteria by up to 99.99%! As a trade laminator of sheet materials for the furniture and allied industries, Decorative Panels Lamination can offer an extensive range of surface designs incorporating Biomaster technology laminated to many different substrates. These

T: 01484 658341 E: info@decorativepanels.co.uk

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

CASE STUDY

STARBANK PANEL PRODUCTS INVESTS IN HOMAG CENTATEQ CNCS Established in 1976, Starbank Panel Products is a laminate and wood-based panel fabricator for the interior fit-out industry. Based in Newton-le-Willows on the borders of Lancashire and Merseyside, this familyrun business specialises in manufacturing a wide variety of finished and semi-finished products for projects that span multiple industries. When it comes to product mix at Starbank, no two weeks are the same and they can range from intricate healthcare and educational furniture to large scale fire door and case goods manufacture for the construction industry. HOMAG TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN A VITAL NECESSITY FOR BUSINESS GROWTH Since its incorporation, Starbank has invested in 22 high-performance HOMAG machines. These have been crucial for the production of its high-quality products and paramount for the success and growth of the business. The company’s management has always taken a forwardthinking, latest technology approach when purchasing new equipment, focusing purely on high-specification solutions. This tactic has delivered tremendous flexibility to the company, enabling it to produce a wide variety of panel types to a very high quality. Starbank’s most recent CNC machining centre investments, a HOMAG CENTATEQ T-700 and a CENTATEQ E-700, are no exception. KEEPING ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE MARKET John McCaffrey, Business Development Manager at Starbank Panel Products explains: “Previously, we had invested in a multi spindle BOF 700 series, a one off in the UK, which served us well for processing large batch volumes, but over the years market demand gradually moved to smaller batch production. As a result, we needed a machine that was more flexible and efficient in handling batch size one, hence our decision to opt for the HOMAG CENTATEQ T-700 CNC.

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“With regard to the CENTATEQ E-700, this is a direct replacement for one of our older HOMAG BAZ 723 CNC’s, a machine that believe it or not we bought way back in 2004. This machine had put in a lot of production hours for us on often on two shifts per day. These gantry machining centres with their edgebanding units, multiple tool changers and flexible beds are huge investments, but they allow us control from batch size 1 to batch size 10,000 if needed. It really is a testament to how robust these CNC’s are.” HOMAG CENTATEQ T-700 AND CENTATEQ E-700 “One of the reasons for selecting the CENTATEQ T-700 was the growth of compact laminate components we are now producing each week. To successfully manufacture highend detailed components and large volume work surfaces, with this material, it requires a large, robust and technically advanced machining centre. You only get this performance with the big gantry CNCs and the T-700 is perfect for us. We specified a 4-axis model with extra tooling carousels for bespoke applications to give us the capacity, flexibility and edge we wanted. “The CENTATEQ E-700 is another powerful gantry CNC machine, but with the benefit of adding an EVA/PO edge banding unit. This gives us the ability to run a multitude of materials including the challenging 3D acrylic edging, setting us apart from our competition. As with the T-700 we opted again for a 4-axis model as this enables both synchronous or independent processing of panels depending on configuration. “Quality is always a critical driver for Starbank and a source of continuous improvement. The power of the spindle heads is paramount to the performance of the machines when running a multi shift operation. This, coupled with the large bed size of both models, gives us a unique advantage in the market.

CASE STUDY “Naturally, we did consider other CNC machinery manufacturers. However, as all our CNC machinery operates on the same HOMAG software platform, it made sense to stick with HOMAG and their latest technological advances. It means our operators can easily switch between machines without having to learn new programming or machine skills. “Our people really like the latest powerTouch and woodWOP 7.2 software. The tool databases are a lot more efficient when adding and changing tooling and the upgraded graphical user interface is a real bonus. The majority of our HOMAG machines have been networked for many years and in the future we’ll be looking to take advantage of the Homag ‘Tapio’ platform to maximise our Industry 4.0 approach to running a smart factory which really is becoming a reality for Starbank.” A FORWARD-THINKING COMPANY “The Darbyshire family who own Starbank are always looking to future production trends, and as a business this gives our team an advantage whilst researching and procuring the latest technology. Phil Darbyshire, Starbank’s Managing Director and Paul Atkinson, Production Director, have a very close working relationship with Jon Lawman their HOMAG account manager and often visit other facilities to learn more about the capabilities and benefits of new machine technology. “The relationship we have with Jon enables him to have an in-depth understanding of Starbank and the types and variety of panels we produce. There is genuine trust between the two parties, and Jon would never push us down a road that didn’t work for us”, explains Phil. A SKILLED PRODUCTION TEAM AND EFFICIENT MACHINERY DELIVERS HIGH-QUALITY FINISHES “Starbank operate both a day and a permanent night shift meaning machines are potentially running for 16 hours a day. Sometimes during the summer months, we need to be operational 24 hours a day. The excellent extraction and cooling systems on these CNC machines enable us to run for longer periods without any issues.

“We believe the finish of our products is second to none which is partly down to the machines and a reflection of the vast knowledge and skills of our programmers and operators. We are extremely proud of the work our team produces week on week, without fail. “The new CENTATEQ CNCs have given us much more flexibility. A normal day might see us processing several types of materials with varying panel lengths and thickness. We’re not set up for example as a kitchen manufacturer would be where they have machines that are in the main producing the same thing day in and day out. The ability to switch and change panel type is a vital requirement for both our sales and production team considering the variety of industries we serve. “Our multi-million euro investment in these two new machines will firmly place Starbank at the heart of panel outsourcing in the UK for many years to come as we strive to continuously improve for our customers’ benefit. There’s no doubt we would not be where we are today without the right machinery and team driving our investments” concludes John McCaffrey. If you would like a demonstration or more information on HOMAG’s range of CENTATEQ CNC processing centres, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.

T: +44 (0)1332 856500 E: info-uk@homag.com www.homag.com

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY

SAW CENTRE CUTS PATH TO PRODUCTIVITY WITH VOLLMER As a company that has roots that date back to 1889, The Saw Centre and its growth trajectory really took off when the company was bought by a father and son partnership in the late 60’s. The company has grown exponentially since then and it now employs more than 30 staff in a 20,000sq/ ft purpose built facility. Now in its third generation of family ownership and jointly managed by David Stevenson and Tony Galbraith, the company has evolved with significant growth of its saw blade sharpening business bolstered with diversification into the sales and service of machinery for the wood, metal and UPVC sectors.

THE LATEST INVESTMENT Despite working around the clock for 20 years, saw blade technology has evolved and this required a new solution. As joint Managing Director, Mr Tony Galbraith says: “The evolution of saw blades for our primary industries of wood, metal cutting, construction and UPVC has moved on quite drastically in the last 20 years. To service the needs of our customers and streamline our productivity, we needed to upgrade our machinery. This upgrade was the Vollmer CHD270 with an ND250 5-stack robot loading system that arrived in April 2021.”

To expand the portfolio of services, the acquisition of a tooling service and manufacturing company in 2006 provided the staff with the skills and knowledge to service the needs of the precision engineering and panel processing industries. The purchase of a small tooling company enabled the Saw Centre to move work from traditional machines to a CNC grinding centre and subsequently become the only independent company in Scotland with this facility. However, the mainstay of the business remains as the name suggests, the Saw Centre – and it is here that grinding and sharpening machines from Vollmer have made a significant impact.

Alluding to the evolution of saw blades, Tony continues: “As manufacturers strive to improve productivity and prolong saw blade life, the required geometries have become ever more complex. Unfortunately, the software, kinematics and machine movement of the old Vollmer CHD250R2 meant that we either had to undertake two or three set-ups to complete complex saw blades, or we would subsequently subcontract the work out to another supplier. In some instances, we turned away the sharpening of certain blades. Now, we can regrind everything on the new CHD270 and when it comes to TCT saw blade sharpening, I wouldn’t go to anyone but Vollmer.”

It was back in 2001 the company made its first major investment in Vollmer technology, purchasing a Vollmer CHD250R2 TCT saw blade sharpening machine and a Vollmer Loroch HSS saw sharpening machine that were both connected to a Vollmer ND automation centre. At the time, it was the first Vollmer automation station in the UK to simultaneously service both HSS and TCT saw blade sharpening machines. That investment provided The Saw Centre with the facility for 24/7 operation, ramping up productivity levels and capacity. Most impressive was that the automated cell eradicated the need for 3 HSS saw blade sharpening machines and an additional 4 TCT saw sharpening machines. The cell removed seven machines from the shop floor, reduced costs, as well as power and consumable consumption and enabled the company to allocate two staff to alternate tasks whilst adding significant sharpening capacity.

The Vollmer CHD270 is a fully automated machine for the complete machining of Carbide Tipped (TCT) circular saw blades with 8 CNC controlled axes and measuring equipment. The machine design demonstrates excellent stability, takes up little space and is very easy to use. With the CHD 270, the entire grinding unit is compactly and robustly mounted on a central monoblock main structure to take precision and smooth running to a new level. Furthermore, the patented twin grinding wheel concept provides complete machining without having to replace the grinding wheel. The ergonomic design makes the CHD270 very easy to operate and to access for maintenance work on the control cabinet, coolant pump, pneumatic system and fire extinguishing device. When combining this with the user-friendly ND250 automation system, users have complete confidence in the ability to sharpen saw blades around the clock with impeccable quality and productivity levels.

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INDUSTRY THE BENEFITS OF THE CHD270 This confidence in Vollmer technology is justified after the impressive performance of the previous Vollmer CHD250R2 over two decades, but the new machine takes productivity, technology and automation to a new level. Discussing this, The Saw Centre’s Factory Manager, Mr Scott McQuillan who has been with the company for 25 years, says: “In the last 20 years, saw blade geometries have evolved considerably in all industry sectors, as saw blade suppliers and their customers strive to improve performance and blade longevity. In the panel processing industries, the demand for hollow ground blades with concave tooth geometries has increased drastically. Used in wall saws and vertical panel saws, the blades require an excellent finish and as we are selling more of the machines and blades we had to find a more efficient way of grinding them, previously the blades would require two processes on two machines to get the quality we were looking for.” The transfer of the blades between two machines resulted in a sharpening time of approximately 40 minutes, depending upon the blade size and type. Furthermore, these saw blades had to be manually loaded, increasing the workload for staff as the volume of blades continually increased.

of the stack and reload the stack. Now, the software allows us to remove individual blades from the processing cycle without re-stacking. Additionally, with the variety of portable plunge saws on the market, we now have the ability to stack blades that are under 180mm. We spent 2-3 hours of each day manually loading the portable saw blades and now with the facility of stacking up to 70 at a time, we are gaining more time each day. The processing time has gone from 9 minutes to 6 minutes which in our factory, any time gained is a bonus.” In conclusion, Scott adds: “The software, flexibility, kinematics and performance are much improved from the previous machine, but there is much more. The machine is more robust and the build quality has improved too. The probing and measuring system is second to none and it makes it near impossible to make errors, even the hydraulic oil system has been enhanced with a new pneumatic system that is cleaner and safer for our staff. Investing in the new Vollmer CHD270 will speed up our processing times and raise the quality that our customers need. It is not only an investment for us but it is a machine and a service that our customers deserve. We are extremely happy with our new Vollmer CHD270.”

“With the new CHD270, we can now process the saw blades in a single automated set-up in less than 20 minutes. Not only has this slashed our cycle times by 50%, but it has also eliminated manual loading – as we can just put the blades into the ND250 robotic cell and forget about them.” “Going back 20 years we did not have such a variety of machines using carbide tipped blades and with all the new materials that are coming onto the market such as composites and processed board, we needed to have a system that could deal with all the geometries and with the new Vollmer CHD270 we can achieve endless saw blade geometries. This means that there is no saw blade we cannot sharpen and the need to inform a customer that we cannot service their blade has been completely eradicated, increasing our production and service capabilities.” “Blade manufacturers are continually increasing the geometry range of their saws and this is particularly prevalent in the UPVC and aluminium industry. We have some saws with a flat tooth geometry with side bevels that would previously be 3 operations, this is now a single operation on the CHD270. Likewise, some saws would alternate teeth between flat and bevelled teeth. The CHD270 takes all this in its stride as it has all the tooth forms and geometries we could ever need, future-proofing our business from next-generation saw geometries that may come along in future,” continues Scott. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS The move from the ageing Vollmer CHD250R2 to the next generation CHD270 has gone far beyond extending flexibility and capacity at The Saw Centre. As Scott continues: “The new machine has a host of new features that really do highlight how Vollmer has evolved its technology over the last 20 years. The CHD270 software is more user friendly than ever before and we now have apprentices becoming very competent at setting the machine with minimal training. Likewise, the software for the ND250 robot loader has been improved too. Previously, if there was an issue with a saw blade in the middle of a stack, we would have to remove half

T: +44 (0)115 9491040 E: admin-uk@vollmer-group.com www.vollmer-group.com

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

INDUSTRY PROFILE HOFFMANN MACHINE COMPANY - A PROFILE 1990 Established 1991 Awarded the Dr Eberle prize for outstanding technical achievement 1992 Development of the Hoffmann Dovetail Key 1995 Awarded the Bavarian State prize for the Double Mitre Saw MS35 1995 Martin Hoffmann established Hoffmann Machine Co Ltd in the USA 1996 John Galvin established Hoffmann Machine Co Ltd in the UK 1996 New Blue/Grey MU 2 machines started production in Feb. 2004 Intensification of the new product range “special machine’s” 2017 The new generation Keyway routing machines MU 3 / MU 3-P 2018 NEW – W-0 The smallest Hoffmann Key & CBM End Profiling Machine Hoffmann Machine Company was founded in 1990 by Dr Walter Hoffmann and his two sons, Thomas and Martin. Initially, the early days were very hand to mouth. They began designing and building machines in their father’s garage. Each sale allowing them to buy more parts and build the next machine. As demand grew and grew, they moved to some sheds in their grandma’s garden and eventually on to where we find the company today, Head Office in Bruchsal, Germany. Many of the original staff are still with the company. Today, they design and manufacture – routing machines (MU range), double mitre saws (MS range), specialist tooling and custom-made machinery. These machines are built on site in Bruchsal and delivered all around the world, in close co-operation with the customer to ensure quality and performance. Modern technology and new manufacturing methods have raised the expectations of users of woodworking machinery. In a competitive market, they demand high performance from quality machines. This is why, at Hoffmann they use only the very best and state-of-the art components in all they do. “Our machines are built to the highest standards, utilizing leading edge technology that is driven by the needs of our customers. Customer satisfaction is our primary concern. We seek to provide the best in quality, delivery and after sale service.” – Thomas Hoffmann M.D. A proven mechanical feature – Shortly after founding the company, and after several years of development work by Thomas and Martin whilst working abroad in the U.S. an event took place with far-reaching implications: The idea that resulted in the “Hoffmann-Schwalbe” (Hoffmann Key). Designs and tests were carried out on numerous, sometimes even extreme applications. The result is a molded four dimensional key in a double dovetail shape with obliquely converging ribbed inner surfaces, which is able to draw together two work-pieces in a stable and permanent joint. The Hoffmann Key changed the business activities of Hoffmann forever. “The joining of work-pieces and components of all kinds, by our customers, has become a core part of the company. For this we offer a wide range of Hoffmann Keys and other related jointing systems with extensive processing techniques for both large and small scale operations.To an expert, the advantages of this unique joining system are obvious. Uncomplicated, durable, efficient and economical.” – Thomas Hoffmann M.D.

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The Hero Product – would be the MU dovetail router. Now on the MU 3 version, Dovetail keyways are routed into all mating parts and the frames are assembled by applying some glue and inserting Hoffmann Dovetail Keys. These Keys draw the parts together to form a tight, secure and permanent joint. No large clamping tables or bar clamps are required and the frames can be finished immediately upon assembly. All dovetail routing machines can process regular mitre joints and butt joints. This thoroughly revised machine has been reworked, updated and adapted to suit the current and future needs of the industry, with many new additional features. Ergonomic, user-friendly as well as up-to-date, the new MU-3 is available in four versions. MU-3 Basic version for the quick and precise routing of dovetail slots. MU-3 D Digital version, with electronic two-axis display for the adjustable routing depth as well as the positioning of the centre fence for the routed slot location. It is ideal for high precision work. MU-3 P Pneumatic version for series production and high throughput. Pneumatic workpiece clamping and controlled router feed. The MU-3 P is operated by foot-pedal control. MU-3 PD Pneumatic/ Digital version – the top machine with the highest operating comfort for a wide range of requirements. Functional features are similar to MU-3 P with a digital two-axis display for the adjustable routing depth as well as the positioning of the centre fence for the routed slot location. T: 01524 841500 E: info@hoffmann-uk.com www.hoffmann-uk.com

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PROFILE

2021, ANOTHER POSITIVE YEAR FOR SALVAMAC All indicators are growing, confirming the validity of the strategies adopted to cope with the economic and structural changes that have occurred in many markets. For Salvamac, which recently celebrated its birthday, it is time to make an assessment of a long and intense industrial history. A company that today seizes every opportunity, perhaps also looking for a new “social approach” ... “After a record-breaking 2019 and a 2020 that ended with an extraordinary growth, we did not expect similar satisfactions in 2021.” This is how Christian Salvador comments, in the preliminary balance, the data of the multinational group of which he is co-owner, specialized in the production of woodworking machinery. “We carried on along the path we had set ourselves,”– he continues – “working to consolidate our presence in many markets and to experiment with new opportunities where we are less known. And the results were not lacking, allowing us to close an important three-year period, during which we have accompanied the growth in turnover and the machines produced with a “fine-tuning” of the company organization. Because selling more requires producing more, giving more and more certainties in terms of service, the ability to guarantee continuity and quality in the relationship with customers and resellers. In Europe, the growth was made possible by the acquisition of new market shares, to which

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was added the consolidation of the presence in the United Kingdom, a market with important results in recent years and which this year – thanks also to the commitment to a deep-rooted “on-site” presence – has allowed Salvamac to have an edge. Our sector is becoming less and less profitable and, in turn, is asking for more and more investments and an originality that I feel is sometimes missing. Everyone is talking about innovation; originality is a different concept, it means being different not only in the product but also in the ideas, in the way of dealing, in the human aspects. Seeing the business not only as coated steel with a few electronic circuits and some cables, but by placing people ahead of everything, something that is perceived less and less. And, in my opinion, human relationships and ethics will have greater importance than in the past.”

PROFILE WOOD CUTTING WITH 3 S: SOLID, SIMPLE, SAFE The ethical message goes through the details. The Salvamac optimizing saws, such as the SalvaPush_2000, are in themselves an ethical product, because cutting wood with these machines means saving 5-15 percent of the raw material. It also makes work easier and safer for the operator; it is only necessary to load and unload or to mark the wood, it reduces the strain on the worker, who can be moved to more qualified tasks. Furthermore, the recent evolutions in the entry-level range of the semi-automatic cutting saws combined with the Salvastop_100 device have made it possible to achieve incredible results.

Let’s say that, unlike many others, we stand up and assume responsibility for what we do! We have to believe in what we do, and have to combine that pinch of emotion with a great deal of calculation and intelligence; think as if you were a giant multinational but have the necessary agility to move very quickly. Because the big fish are not always eating the small ones; sometimes the fast ones are eating the slow ones… and for the next few months, we have incredible news!” www.salvamac.com

“We have done our best to make our machines even easier and to make wood optimization an essential part of the process for result quality and affordability,” said Ziemowit Dolkowski, co-owner. “The software that is entirely “made in Salvamac” for Salvastop_100 will also allow us to offer strong developments in the future, constant implementations that favor the best integration of our saws with the upstream and downstream phases. Many producers build machines to which the customer must adapt: as per our philosophy, the customers can follow their own way of working and do not have to adapt to the machine.” SALVAMAC AIR&PAINTING ANOTHER STEP FORWARD Thanks to Salvamac’s entry into a reality that has been on the market for over thirty years, always oriented towards high-quality products, Salvamac is continuously gaining positions on various markets, with an offer that – remaining faithful to the company philosophy – ranges from filters and dust-extraction to systems for painting booths, and which includes perfect solutions for companies of different sizes and needs. The Salvamac Air&Painting division saw tremendous growth in 2021 with the move to a new, larger building of 2,500 m2 on a total area of 5,000 m2. Marco Trasente, the head of the division continues: “We have much more space to increase our production and our stock, but we are also investing in new technologies, such as in a new production system that includes a new, very powerful laser cutting machine and a folding line with fully automatic loading and unloading. In particular, the most recent projects and products confirm Salvamac’s success also in the extraction systems, especially the high-tech extractors of the “SuperDep” series. These special filters are designed and manufactured using the highest technologies. They are very versatile filter groups, which take up little space, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, extremely functional in extracting dust and wood chips.” THE NEAR FUTURE: THE PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE Christian continues “In over 20 years of experience in this business, I have had incredible satisfaction! We strongly believe in human relationships: our customer is not a serial number but a person with a name and needs. They must be satisfied and happy with our machines in order to smile! The people must be at the center of everything!

Panel & Joinery Production - November / December 2021

SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY Reconditioned machinery specialist, Ferwood Group UK, offers a unique 10-step process that sees machines being stripped and rebuilt to the highest standard. With established machinery partnerships and a global sales network, you can experience its global machinery inventory on its website.

Combilift’s customised handling solutions ensure the safe, space saving and productive handling of long loads, pallets and oversized products. The wide range includes multidirectional forklifts and sideloaders, pedestrian pallet stackers and narrow aisle forklifts, with electric, diesel or LPG power options.

T: 0113 286 6689 E: sales.uk@ferwoodgroup.com www.ferwoodgroup.com Twitter: @FerwoodGroupUK

T: 00353 47 80500 M: 07870 976 758 www.combilift.com

Masterwood have been developing and building CNC machinery for over 50 years for all areas of manufacturing. Supplying machines for the bespoke workshop through to fully automated systems for the larger production companies. Our software range covers doors, windows, stairs, cabinets, and furniture, and 3D.

BA manufacture high quality decorative board panels and laminated sheet material for application in the kitchen, bedroom, furniture fit-out and interiors market worldwide. From industrial, architectural and domestic uses coupled with the widest choice, BA can design and manufacture solutions tailored specifically for your needs.

Masterwood GB Ltd T: +44 (0)1293 402700 www.masterwood.com

Blum specialises in the manufacture and distribution of furniture fittings. Their main product groups are lift, hinge and drawer systems for furniture, predominantly in kitchens. Manufacturers can combine Blum fittings with mechanical and electrical motion technologies to deliver enhanced user convenience. Blum UK T: 01908 285700 www.blum.com

T: 01302 890 555 www.byba.co.uk

A leading producer of machinery and systems since 1952, as well as service provider of the woodworking industry, SCM supply and install equipment that supports customers’ precise application and offer comprehensive demonstrations on the machinery. T: 0115 9770044 www.scmgroup.com

Manufacturers of all sizes and industries can benefit from our knowledge and innovation. We are able to help you achieve a high level of performance and quality with the HOMAG machines and lines.

Decorative Panels is privately owned and managed by the third generation of the founding family and are proud to be Europe’s leading supplier of decorative faced sheet materials, panel components and flat pack furniture.

T: 01332 856500 www.homag.com

Tel: 01484 658341 www.decorativepanels.co.uk

2020 provides software, services and content to help professional designers, retailers and manufacturers in the interior design and furniture industries bring their ideas to life, inspire innovation and streamline processes.

Palamatic provide vacuum lifting systems for top lifting and rotating wood products including doors, large panels, boards and staircases weighing up to 350kg. Systems provide a safe handling solution for operators to load and unload CNC’s, edge banders, saws, laminators and paint lines.

T: +49 541 3550 140 www.2020spaces.com

T: +44 (0) 1246 452054 E: sales@palamatic.com www.palamatic.com

Developer of JMS 2D, JMS 3D Pro & JMS Cloud - used by +1000 joinery manufacturers. Solutions for small to large manufacturers. JMS ensures accurate estimating, detailed cutting & production reports, delivery notes & more. Integrated CRM, ERP or CNC links available. T:: 01608 643302 E:: sales@joinerysoft.com W:: http://www.joinerysoft.com

SEND US YOUR LOGO, CONTACT DETAILS & WEB ADDRESS PLUS A SHORT COMPANY PROFILE OR SEND YOUR ADVERTISEMENT AS COMPLETE ARTWORK - 90MM X 38MM

Introducing

COMBi-XLE

Enhance Safety, Storage and Efficiency with the new COMBi-XLE from Combilift With a lifting capacity of 5,000kg the new COMBi-XLE electric multidirectional forklift combines powerful, emission-free performance for a wide range of applications that require an electric truck that can handle more demanding work conditions. Designed with operator friendly features such as high ground clearance, large cushioned front & rear tyres and a spacious cab, allowing smooth operation on semi-rough terrain whilst offering higher levels of driver comfort than any other forklift.

combilift.com