MARCH / APRIL 2020
INTRODUCING EGGER’S NEW 2020-22 DECORATIVE RANGE info@lathams.co.uk www.lathamtimber.co.uk
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Contents
Editor’s Pick
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8-9
28-29
4-6
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Must Read
Cover Story
18-19
34-35 2 4-6
News SCM Exhibited At Holz-Handwerk
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Clever Customisation From CAD+
Published by:
EC Media Services 76 Victoria Avenue Westgate on Sea Kent CT8 8BH
Telephone / Fax:
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Cabinet Vision Overcomes Grain Matching Nightmare
Email:
ernie@p-j-production.com
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New Additions At Masterwood
Website:
www.p-j-production.com
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A Limitless Surface Solution From Decorative Panels
Publisher:
Ernie Hollister
18-19
Designer:
James Latham Showcase the New 2020-22 Egger Collection
Russel Goldsmith TRACE Creative Agency www.tracecreative.co.uk
24-25
Fife Council Invests In Homag CNC Homag Delivers Quality And Service AXYZ Router Boosts Production The New Festo STM 1800 Saw Table & Work Bench Makita Makes Work Plane Sailing Striebig & ALKO – A Perfect Partnership Investment In Wood Waste Heater Saves Company Money
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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.
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News Scm Group confirms its financial stability and rewards innovation The financial results for 2019 reflect an improvement in the net financial position, and turnover and orders stability across the entirety of the Group’s business segments and strategic markets. Innovation, digital factory and strengthening of the sales network and after sales service in each of the strategic markets. Scm Group continues to invest and the results speak for themselves. The Group ended 2019 with a turnover in excess of 700 million Euro, in line with 2018’s record figures and on budget for the year. It was also in line with orders thanks mainly to the upward swing in the last few months, while the net financial position was an improvement on that of the previous year, standing at more than 70 million Euro. This is proof of the Group’s solidity and ability to generate turnover. 2019 was a positive year in line with figures from 2018 across all the strategic markets, like the United States, and in each of the Group’s business segments (Scm for woodworking, Cms for other materials and Hiteco for hi-tech industrial components). The aim is to continue investing in order to consolidate the leadership of all the divisions in the respective fields of experience (from the furniture industry to construction, from the car industry to aerospace, from the marine industry to the processing of plastic materials) and win over new market niches in rapidly expanding applications.
General Manager, Marco Mancini -. To ensure these results continue, and to increase competitiveness within the current global context, the levels of investment need to remain high and we need to continue to push further on innovation, digitalisation, customer support services and continuous training for our employees”.
Giovanni Gemmani, Scm Group President and Marco Mancini, Scm Group General Manager
“It is important to make forward-looking choices as was the case during the last intense year - comments the President of Scm Group Giovanni Gemmani -. This is why we continue to invest so we can further consolidate our position on the markets with solid subsidiaries. Both our products and services, as well as our skills, are constantly improving and this needs to become a way of life, our way of thinking and working every day, so we can face new challenges more confidently”.
“Compared to the international economic context and general trend regarding the markets that concern us, we are extremely satisfied with recorded performance which proved even better than expected - highlights Scm Group’s
T: 0115 977 0044 www.scmwood.com www.scmgroup.com
XYLEXPO 2020 POSTPONED Xylexpo 2020 will be postponed. This is the painful but necessary decision taken last Friday, March 6, by the Managing Board of Acimall, the association of Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers, owner of the biennial exhibition. The 2020 edition will not be held next May 26-29 as originally planned, but postponed to the second half of the year, in dates that will be identified later on, in view of the ongoing disruption of trade fair calendars and the unpredictable developments of the “Covid-19” emergency.
in the most important exhibition of the wood technology industry in even-numbered years. “For companies, the worst enemy is uncertainty, and it was actually the negative situation we are seeing right now that drove us to take this hard decision, in the interest of the entire industry”, Primultini concluded.
“We waited as long as we could, hoping the situation would go back to normal,” said Lorenzo Primultini, president of Acimall and of the exhibition, at the end of the board meeting. “We hope that, by the end of May, the Coronavirus effects will not be what we are seeing now, but unfortunately we cannot tell when this emergency will be over on a global scale, and most of all, we cannot predict its impact on the industrial system and on the supply chains of the wood and furniture technology industry”. So, an act of responsibility, with the priority of safeguarding public health, as neither exhibitors nor visitors, in the current situation, would be able to plan their participation
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info@xylexpo.com www.xylexpo.com
Events WMSA Throws its Weight Behind The W Exhibition The Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Association (WMSA), the UK body for suppliers of woodworking machinery, has pledged its continuing allegiance to The W Exhibition 2020. Over half of the WMSA’s members will exhibit at the joinery and furniture manufacturing industry’s flagship event at the NEC next September (27 - 30, 2020). WMSA will also have a physical presence at the show, creating a meeting platform for its members and prospects. The W Exhibition organisers and WMSA board members have been in consultation about how to evolve the show to best serve the needs of the whole industry, for its 2020 show and beyond. This includes specific benefits for exhibiting WMSA, including a brand new WMSA trail which takes visitors directly to its members, and representation within the brand new learning programme set to launch later this year.
extremely grateful to Geoff for his open communication with the new team, and his commitment to creating the best show possible.” “We are making some big changes behind the scenes at The W Exhibition and we’re excited for everyone to see the positive impact of these in the lead up to and when we open the doors in September.” The W Exhibition has over 40 years of heritage, and continues to grow. It will return to the NEC for its bi-ennial four-day showcase from September 27 - 30, 2020. The show brings together some of the world’s leading suppliers of woodworking machinery, materials and tooling.
Nickie West, The W Exhibition and Elements MD, added: “We are delighted to announce that we have forged a closer working relationship with the WMSA and its members. “Collectively, the WMSA members represent a significant proportion of The W Exhibition and it’s vitally important that we work together to shape the show, its content and features to meet the needs of the whole industry. We are
T: 0787 1544330 jess@fitshow.co.uk
FIMMA – Maderalia Moves Upcoming Edition To 2nd – 5th June 2020 At Feria Valencia Maderalia has decided to postpone its next edition to the first week of June in the face of the situation brought about by the spread of the Coronavirus and the implications for foreign exhibitors and visitors, especially those from Italy and Central Europe.
– Maderalia from 2nd to 5th June 2020. The organisers, for their part, are working hard to create awareness of and promote the re-scheduled fair and ensure that it is a runaway success.
The next edition of FIMMA – Maderalia will as a result take place from Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th June this year, at the same venue, Feria Valencia. Terms and conditions regarding participating and visiting remain unchanged. According to the organisers, the decision seeks to support both exhibitors’ business and that of the thousands of visitors who were expected to attend from 10th to 13th this March. The decision was made in agreement with the industry, which has approved the new June dates as they do not impinge upon companies’ yearly commercial cycles. Exhibitors have already been told about the decision by the FIMMA – Maderalia team and they have both understood the situation and committed firmly to being at FIMMA
https://fimma-maderalia.feriavalencia.com/
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Events SCM Exhibited At Holz-Handwerk With A Completely New Image And Integrated Process Solutions For All Woodworking Requirements SCM took part in the Holz-Handwerk exhibition (Nuremberg, 18-21 March 2020) where it presented to the international market its integrated process technologies. These solutions meet the widest range of production demands for secondary wood processing. As an indication of just how the Nuremberg Event represents an important appointment for the Italian Company, SCM presenting itself with a new design and concept aimed at increasingly highlighting the continuous brand strengthening in this sector. The exhibiting area in Hall 10.0, stand 303 had a completely new look&feel; sturdy, solid, industrial and more in line with the Group’s solidity and closer to the production framework of its partner companies. An exclusive and essential guise, starting with the choice of materials respecting Eco Standards, and in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility programme already in place since 2019. Indeed, the Group implemented a programme of concrete actions to reduce refuse and waste aimed at encouraging all 4,000 of its employees across the globe to adopt a more eco-sustainable, environmentally aware lifestyle. At the Holz-Handwerk stand, the vast range of technologies and services which have always allowed the Italian Group to stand out, were arranged into five working areas made of cells and stand alone machines integrated with one another, dedicated to different areas of application: •
Solutions for higher productivity: automated sizing
•
Edgebanding and drilling solutions for the panel
•
Solutions for the Artisan
•
SCM Surface Technologies
•
Solid Wood Processing
•
A new concept of the SCM Smart&Human Factory for the world of furnishings, which proved such a huge success at Ligna 2019. SCM’s highly flexible and modular Industry 4.0 style production model is revolutionising the interaction amongst man, machine and robot. At the Nuremberg Trade Fair it was be gauged to the needs of all the woodworking businesses, including artisans.
In these five areas, visitors had a chance to discover how
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the most innovative SCM models integrate with one another to inject life into strong performing, solid processes, aimed at making each machining stage easier and faster, whether you are a small artisan business or a vast multinational production plant. All the control processes for the machine, associated software and the entire production flow were visible at a single glance. THE GERMAN MARKET TREND AND PRIORITIES FOR 2020 The new entries on show at Nuremberg were the result of the strategic vision of a vast, solid business Group which ended 2019 in line with its record results from 2018 and a turnover in excess of 700 million Euro, of which, 70% in the timber division alone. On the German market, in particular, 2019 once again saw the Group consolidate its excellent growth recorded over the last five years with a C.A.G.R. of 13.5%. An outstanding result if compared to the overall market trend recorded in the same five year period, down -3.8%. Credit also goes to the strategy implemented by SCM, based on consistent, steady investments which see them increasingly providing client assistance: an ever more widespread presence of its technical assistance and further strengthening of the sales team, to offer an all-round consultancy service in advance of its sales service. It also guarantees significant, regular investments in R&D in line with the important transformations under way in production technologies and once again, in 2020, the priorities will lie with Innovation, digitalisation and client support.
Events On this subject, at the Nuremberg Fair, the area assigned to digital solutions kept its central location. In the area focusing on the new “SCM Integrated Digitization” concept, visitors had a chance to discover Software solutions and Digital Services specifically designed for planning, preparation and production, as well as monitoring, maintenance and servicing. SCM invited its customers in a customer-centric journey with 5 stop-off points and they had a chance to find out the solution to their needs. The SCM MES solutions will support customer in production scheduling and planning. The Maestro cnc and Maestro ottimo cut software will support the woodworking companies in the design, optimisation and data generation. Maestro active, the multi-touch advanced machine interface awarded the prestigious German Design Award and RedDot Award, will provide a full production control and an easy interaction with the machine. Maestro connect Digital Services Platform will allow machine status monitoring, maintenance optimization, issue management, spare parts suggestions, smart learning as well as augmented reality service support with Smartech glasses.
x200 machining centre for nesting, ideal for “batch 1” and designed to apply the best performances of the “All-in-one” technology of the SCM 5-axis machining centres for the panel, to this kind of machining as well. Integrating with the panel machining process was the stefani xd edgebanding machines, suitable for industrial production and intensive use over and above the single daily shift, and a drilling cell made of a new morbidelli cx220 compact drilling machine, ideal for machining small batches, whose innovative drilling heads guarantee performance and exclusive efficiency in compact sizes. Panel loading and unloading was done by an anthropomorphic Robot to relieve the operator of the more repetitive, low added value duties.
THE MACHINING AREAS DISPLAYED AT THE TRADE FAIR
Higher productivity solutions. From the gabbiani pt panel sizing machine which, thanks to the Flexcut unit, guarantees a production increase of up to 30% due to the simultaneous execution of cuts both lengthways and transversally, to the All-in-one potentiality of the morbidelli m200 machining centre for drilling and routing which can save up to 60% on drilling cycles. Rounding off with edgebanding, the stefani kd offers no-compromise edging on any kind of panel, and is followed by the passage of the panel through the action clamp for an effective cabinet assembly.
Smart&Human Factory SCM’s state of the art production model for the furniture industry, made of flexible, modular and easily reconfigurable cells integrated by industrial, collaborative robots, in line with demands from Industry 4.0, were at Nuremberg in a version which is accessible to all businesses. Taking centre stage in this area was the new morbidelli
Integrated surface treatment. SCM proves itself a unique partner in the industry offering a vast range of integrated solutions for the entire surface treatment process. The pressing, sanding and painting solutions in the “SCM Surface Technologies” area were designed for exclusive, soughtafter finishing solutions capable of satisfying all the process and end product requirements. The process sees the dmc
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Events eurosystem playing a leading role in sanding. It presented a completely new planetary unit at the trade fair which is ideal for timber rustication, structuring and chamfering yet with extremely high finishing capacities even on mdf. The superfici mini sprayer makes its mark at the finishing stage, a plug&spray machine suitable for those who, up until now, have opted for a manual spraying method. The new sergiani gs for pressing is making its mark; specifically designed for the German market, this electric press offers a 50% saving on consumption compared to the standard machines in this category. Joinery solutions SCM proves itself to be a solid, reliable partner in this market segment and especially in Germany where, in 2019, it recorded a 6% increase in turnover compared to 2018. If we look at the four year period from 2015-2019, sales on the German market increased by 40%. The new class px 350i mobile carriage circular saw is holding centre stage in this area with tilting blade up to 46° to work in complete safety with minimum space and a perfect hold
on the panel. Integrating the process is the minimax me40 top performing, high productivity edgebanding machine, and the startech cn plus fully automatic drilling router, the best of the range in the entry level category for the quality/ price ratio it offers: it stands out for its high performance speed, the significant power of the electro-spindle on the drilling head and it does not require any intervention from the operator to complete the process. Technologies for solid wood Two models were on display which perfectly integrate into the production process of fixtures: accord 42 fx with twin machining unit with three and five axes equipped with independent heads, which best combine the need for power and profiling with the need for production creativity and flexibility; superset nt, the throughfeed moulder with unlimited usages - profiles for windows, doors, stairways, moulding and furniture - equipped with a SET UP system which reduces the set up time by up to 20 times when changing process. As well as these products, particularly suitable for the needs of businesses in the industry, SCM can offer a wide variety of solutions for fixtures including stand alone machines, angular machining centres and high automation and productivity integrated cells and lines.
For further information: T: 0115 9770044 www.scmwood.com
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Software Clever Customisation From CAD+T Celebrating 30th years in the furniture production and interior design market this year, international software developer, CAD+T specialises in creating highly customisable software solutions for three and five axis CNC machines. “One CAD/CAM software package does not work for all and that’s why our CNC software packages don’t work off a preprogrammed database system,” begins Martina Schwarz, International Sales & Marketing Manager at CAD+T. “Instead, we work with our customers to create flexible and bespoke solutions that will work specially around our customer’s business model. This may depend on the nature of the business and its production rates, the machinery and tools in place and the materials being used.” CAD+T’s clever CAM Interface separates components and automatically generates CNC data from the customer’s construction drawings. A database of milling strategies, machining parameters and tools generate the machine files needed to complete the job, which in turn, creates a solution that doesn’t require the programming or re-organising of CNC data. In short, this means you can wave goodbye to timely manual programming, generic system inputting and the need for an experienced software programmer. Martina says, “It really is the next generation in CNC software and has been created to dramatically simplify our customer’s manufacturing processes and streamline production processes and material output.”
Martina adds, “Our adaptable approach to software design allows us to analyse the production process and create effective software concepts that work around our customer’s most challenging requirements. This is what separates CAD+T from other software developers. 90% of our customers in the UK and around the world work on CNC machines, with a growing trend towards 5-axis work. It’s a very important market for us and, due to demand, we’re continuing to invest heavily in ongoing research and product development in this area. We work closely with our customers and we’re not afraid to talk to industry to find out what they need. This approach has led us to create a wealth of problem-solving solutions that have been proven to be advantageous to the furniture industry.”
It’s also been designed to be quick and easy to implement into your businesses, simply working off your material specification, and it also offers huge time-saving benefits of around 60% per order. It also offers a reduction in error prevention of up to 80% and you have the added benefit of being able to run one software package on several CNC machines, saving you time and money throughout the production cycle.
For more information: office@cadt-solutions.com. www.cadt-solutions.com
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Software CABINET VISION Overcomes Grain Matching “Nightmare” Editing Floor Plans Slashes Programming Time for Custom Cabinet-Maker A wooden furniture design specialist uses CABINET VISION to produce a high-volume of custom residential projects. Sunrise Wood Designs uses what it describes as a “masterful combination of talent and technology” to serve the largest residential market in the United States. Located in Dallas, Texas, the 12-year-old company serves the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, for which it builds cabinetry for roughly one-third of all of the region’s new homes. Two plants turn out cabinetry for about 30 houses per day — including jobs that range from modular to highly customised kitchens, bathrooms and dens. Chief Operating Officer, Geoffrey Athey, says: “We’re the largest custom residential-cabinet maker in North Texas, and two things make us unique; first, we design, produce, and install our own cabinets, and second, we work in both
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the volume home building and high-end custom home building segments.” Sunrise Wood Designs produces about 2,000 cabinets each week, with a workforce of 300. On any given day, the company delivers products to between 130 and 150 different addresses. About 80 percent of the company’s work is high-volume, custom cabinetry, while ten percent is high end or luxury cabinets, with the remaining ten percent being more modular. “Multiple floor plans for a particular subdivision may be similar, but most of what we do is custom cabinetry, because most framers don’t follow their floor plans,” Geoffrey Athey says. Sunrise Wood Designs transitioned to the CABINET VISION Screen-to-Machine™ (S2M) solution in 2016, to produce
Software its high volume of custom cabinetry. Vice President of Design, Terry Moore, says: “We use CABINET VISION every day, and we couldn’t live without it. We rely on its design, job-planning and CNC production capabilities to manage jobs across roughly 11 different product lines. The program generates drawings and cut sheets for us and, without it, we couldn’t do what we do. Every department uses it.” With any CABINET VISION project, the Sunrise design team begins each job by using the dimensions of the space in which the project will be installed, and then builds the job within that virtual space. Due to the volume of their projects, the team uses a master plan that contains several floor plans for each subdivision. Once the actual building site is measured, those existing floor plans are adjusted to reflect accurate dimensions. As CABINET VISION enables users to save processes, Terry Moore and his design team are able to edit and reuse processes saved from previous programs. This cuts programming time, and is especially helpful for jobs that are similar or nearly identical. “Our term for saved processes is ‘Do Likes,’ because we know there are jobs that we can do in the same way as we’ve done previous jobs.” While saved processes are helpful for any kind of similar jobs, editing residential subdivision floor plans simplifies the management of the company’s large, detailed projects. “We’ll save the design as the plan number, which we get from the purchase order, and then save the tweaked plan as the actual address of the project. This makes everything a lot easier to work with.”
used. Further embracing the customisable nature of the software, the Sunrise design team also creates custom cut lists for its shop-floor staff. Terry Moore notes that CNC production allows the company to complete several operations in one setup, which saves time and reduces scrap. With the use of CABINET VISION, more complex jobs — such as those that require grain matching — can be completed both quickly and without error. “When we do the grain matching, it works so well for us — and doing that by hand is a nightmare to get right. Now, we just cut them out on a router and label them, and it goes together perfectly.”
CABINET VISION’s ability to quickly generate shop drawings also makes the software a useful graphical tool for communicating job details at a glance. “We’re production based, so the black-and-white lines and bird’s-eye views that we can generate just by clicking a button are great,” he says. Sunrise Wood Designs takes advantage of CABINET VISION’s User Created Standards (UCSs) to automatically apply custom construction methods under specific job conditions. For instance, if a user prefers a certain construction method when working with a particular type of material, CABINET VISION applies a UCS for that method when the material is
www.cabinetvision.com
Panel & Joinery Production - March / April 2020
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BY THE NUMBERS
45,000+ ACTIVE USERS WORLDWIDE
According to the latest CMA Benchmark Study, more woodworkers choose our products than any other software system. In fact, it’s not even close.
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HOW LONG WE’VE BEEN DEVELOPING SOFTWARE
97%
SATISFACTION WITH OUR SUPPORT
We’ve learned a thing or two since we started offering software for woodworkers in 1983.
Whether via phone, email, support portal, or our online forums, our technicians are here to help.
117,950,504 DATA ITEMS TESTED EVERY WEEK
We run our software through test after rigorous test to ensure that we only release the most stable products to our customers.
85 / 11 COUNTRIES/LANGUAGES
Our software can be found all over the world and it’s available in 11 languages.
HexagonMI.com
We may have only a couple of days to do an impossible job, but ALPHACAM makes it possible. Jason Szukalski Director – Anarchy Ltd
Without CABINET VISION, we’d probably need three additional members of staff to achieve what we do. Ruth Lovelock Hetherington Newman
ALPHACAM & CABINET VISION THE WORLD’S #1 SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY ALPHACAM & CABINET VISION offer the complete engineering solution for the woodworking industry. Our strength is in providing innovative solutions that can grow with your company. ALPHACAM provides unparalleled ease of use, process automation, and sophisticated toolpath generation, seamlessly integrating both 2D and multi-axis cutting strategies which can be applied to any type of component. CABINET VISION is capable of custom cabinet and room design, photo realistic rendering, material optimisation, bidding and costing, cutlists and bill of materials. Combined with the powerful Screen to Machine Center, it can automatically create machine ready G-Code for your CNC machinery.
Alphacam.com | CabinetVision.com
Profile New Additions At Masterwood New additions to the Masterwood range of CNC’s bring back two famous names from the past, the hugely successful Winner and Speedy series. These new developments come in the form of fixed specification CNC machines available as flatbed nesting machines, pod & rail bed machines and drilling machines. The flatbed and pod machines will be available in 3, 4 and 5 axis versions. The benefit of these fixed specification CNC’s is the ability to have them in continuous production at the Masterwood factory in Rimini, which allows faster production and quicker delivery times from order, as little as 30 days, which ultimately keeps the final prices down. Masterwood will continue to offer fully made -to -order machines to suit a customer’s requirements, as well as continuing to develop new solutions in the form of one-off specials and fully automated systems. Through the Masterwood and KDT partnership, there are now beam saws and panel saws available under the Masterwood name. This follows the introduction of Edge banders and drilling machines that were introduced in 2019. All the machines are supplied with the tried and tested MasterWorks Cad/Cam software from Masterwood’s own software company, an easy to use, but powerful package for most CNC work.
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To take designing and programming of the CNC machines to a new level, Masterwood offer Master 3D, a powerful package for 3, 4, and 5 axis work covering products such as carvings, decorative panels, lettering and complete products. To add to this there are dedicated individual packages to cover Staircases, Windows, Door Sets (timber frame & solid core), Traditional Box Windows, Cabinets, Furniture, and Louvres, and are all fully compatible with the Masterwood CNC machines, new and old. Any of these packages can be added to a customer’s machine at any time, giving them the ability to change their manufactured products or production methods if required. All the Masterwood software packages come with full on-site installation and training to meet the customer’s manufacturing needs. Masterwood offer not just a machine, but a complete package to ensure our customers get the best results possible.
T: 01293 402700 office@masterwoodgb.co.uk
Interior Design & Production Software
Complete software solutions for the furniture design and manufacturing business Planning & Design Construction & Engineering
CAM/CNC & Nesting Operations Software
Specialised for bespoke furniture CNC connection in less than a week Complete ERP system 30 years of experience More than 3,900 clients and 30,000 installed licences worldwide! office@cadt-solutions.com
www.cadt-solutions.com
Profile Exciting CABINET VISION And ALPHACAM Enhancements Shown At KBB Woodworking Software Creates Digital Threads for Smart Factories Visitors to the KBB exhibition saw how woodworking CAD/CAM software CABINET VISION and ALPHACAM can increase both sales and productivity for kitchen, bedroom and bathroom specialists.
Also, with ALPHACAM, he says visitors wanted to see how they could move away from autonomous work cells and create a digital thread, where they connect their processes together for greater efficiency and profitability.
Michael Pettit, EMEA Sales Manager for both products, which are from the Hexagon production software portfolio, says: “They attracted considerable interest, as the latest versions both feature a raft of new and enhanced functionality.” Visitors were particularly interested in solutions that connect their business silos together, primarily sales to manufacturing.
“With ALPHACAM, part programming single files on a machine control is a thing of the past. ALPHACAM’s automation tools allow users to automatically create their CNC programs by integrating with other business systems.
“CABINET VISION is the perfect tool to create the ‘Smart Factory,’ allowing for automation from the showroom floor to all the diverse manufacturing processes. Sales, design, pricing, presentations, furniture engineering, reporting and machining are all parts of the total ‘design to manufacture’ solution that is CABINET VISION.”
“This was our biggest ever stand at KBB, and we’re extremely happy with the number of quality inquiries and orders taken over the four days.” The stand also featured demonstrations of the software’s link with measuring equipment from Hexagon’s Leica division.
www.cabinetvision.com www.alphacam.com
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Contact us for more information. Century House, Premier Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland, West Yorkshire, HX5 9HF
T: +44 (0) 1484 658341 E: info@decorativepanels.co.uk www.decorativepanels.co.uk
Decorative Surfaces James Latham Showcase The New 2020-22 Egger Collection Far from being ‘just a timber distributor’, James Latham hold one of the largest and most comprehensive stocks of decorative laminates, melamines, edgings and veneers in the country. Operating from twelve locations across the UK & Ireland, plus dedicated design showrooms in London and Manchester, Lathams strive to offer the kind of product range that allows customers to pick any décor at any time, and have it delivered from stock within 24 hours, instead of waiting around for it to be delivered by the manufacturer, then re-distributed by the branch. Nothing demonstrates this better than the arrival of the recently released EGGER Decorative Collection 2020–22. This is the biggest product launch for the company since 2017, offering the very best decors and textures with a focus on the latest design trends. To support an event of this significance, Lathams have committed to stock a huge range of decors across multiple substrates. Building on the success of the previous range, the new EGGER Decorative Collection 2020–22 includes new decors, featuring up-to-date textures, colours and woodgrains. The collection brings together inspiring design trends from across the world to provide the best finishes and surfaces for all interiors. The selection of woodgrain finishes has never been so extensive, with new decors added to the popular Feelwood range. Striking, high-end material reproductions of marble, granite and ceramic have also been developed to meet customer demand, and new solid colours have been added to achieve bold contrasts in design. EGGER’s award-wining PerfectSense collection has also been refreshed with the addition of material decors available in gloss, matt and topmatt. And an increased range of matching and accent edging means a high value look can be created with minimal effort. As an EGGER diamond partner, with comprehensive stocks across the whole range of MFC, laminates and edgings, James Latham is a one-stop shop for decorative surfaces, providing a cost effective option that does not compromise on style or performance. The total collection comprises more than 250 decors, with matching boards, laminate and edging available for every single one.
For more information on the EGGER 20-22 collection, or to find out more about James Latham: www.lathamtimber.co.uk info@lathams.co.uk
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The broad stockholding of product is a key part of the commitment to the new range, but so is the delivery time. With all depots having access to the full product portfolio and regional hubs offering 24 hr delivery across the country, Lathams are perfectly equipped to provide a seamless customer experience. This experience is enhanced further at our two specification showrooms where visitors can work with our showroom managers to see, touch and compare product samples to build their entire design palette.
Decorative Surfaces
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Decorative Surfaces Sonae Arauco Thrills International Trade Visitors At EuroShop After five days, EuroShop 2020, the world’s largest trade fair for the investment needs of the retail sector, came to a successful close with 94,000 visitors. Sonae Arauco presented several Innovus highlights in Düsseldorf and is particularly positive about the trade fair: “We were able to convince the main trendsetters and decisionmakers. The international orientation of EuroShop makes it an indispensable platform,” says Michelle Quintão, Sonae Arauco Marketing Director. New Innovus Collection as a highlight for the retail trade At EuroShop, the retail market demonstrated that it has fully adapted to trends such as digitalisation and ecological awareness. These and other developments played a decisive role for the New Innovus Collection. With 15 surfaces, including 5 new, expressive structures and more than 200 decors, Sonae Arauco has broken down current megatrends, such as reduction to the essentials, sustainability as well as the individual attitude to life into decorative solutions. The guiding principle “Innovus Matching life” aims at solutions for all moments in life. This aspect is more important than ever in the retail market - after all, the lines between living, well-being, working and shopping are becoming increasingly blurred. “The visitors were thrilled. We were able to show them that the New Innovus Collection has touch the nerve of the time,
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it matches perfectly with the trendiest and most demanding projects,” says Michelle Quintão. In particular, the Cosmos, Fusion, Flow, Spirit and Stucco structures generated lively interest. The tactile finishes are not only contemporary, but also unique and absolutely authentic. The new Innovus Coloured Deep Black The new Deep Black Reference from the Innovus Coloured MDF portfolio celebrated its premiere at EuroShop 2020. The solid-coloured MDF offers versatile solutions for interior designers, processors and retailers. In contrast to the previous Black, the product is more convincing with a significantly richer black and even finer wood fibres. Visitors to the Sonae Arauco stand were able to see this for themselves, as the stand was mainly built using the new Deep Black from Innovus Coloured MDF. With around 2,300 exhibitors from 57 nations, EuroShop 2020 provided visitors with inspiration for modern retail business and store design. The international sales team as well as the Specification & Contracting Team of Sonae Arauco will be available to provide information on products and trends and make suggestions, especially for project business around store design. www.sonaearauco.com
if you think you know
explore the 2020/22 Decorative Collection The new 2020/22 Decorative Collection from EGGER is an exceptional range of decors, perfect for on-trend furniture and interior design. This inspiring collection now includes industrial reproductions such as metals and concrete, as well as elegant marbles, stunning solid colours, linens and a host of exquisite woodgrain effects. All available as MFC and laminate, plus edging solutions for a high-end finish to your projects. Bring your most creative ideas to life — explore the range now and discover why the new 2020/22 EGGER Decorative Collection is truly a designer’s dream...
NOW A STUNNING RANGE OF OVER
250 DECORS
For more information on the EGGER Decorative Collection visit: lathamtimber.co.uk or email: info@lathams.co.uk
Decorative Surfaces Benif Interior Film Transforms Washroom Facilities At NEC The NEC in Birmingham opened in 1976 with seven exhibition halls, now they have nineteen and hold some 500 events attracting over six million people every year. As part of their ongoing refurbishment programme, Benif Interior Film supplied by David Clouting the UK’s leading surface materials distributor, was specified to refurbish one of the many washroom facilities located throughout the exhibition halls. Specialist contractor T6 totally transformed the washroom in under seven days by covering the existing walls, cubicle doors and panelling with a selection of designs and finishes from David Clouting’s Benif Interior Film range. All the refurbishment work took place on site. An elegant marble design was used for the walls and a classic wood look for the cubicle doors matched with a grey metallic finish for the cubicle surrounds and panelling. Benif Interior Film is easy to clean and has low maintenance requirements making it the ideal choice for high footfall environments. Manufactured by LG Hausys, Benif is a self-adhesive, architectural film that can be easily applied to most interior surfaces. With over 400 designs and finishes to choose from walls, doors, panelling, skirting and architrave can be quickly refurbished to provide a stunning, cost effective finish. Benif Interior Film is CE and IMO Certified so can be specified with confidence for a wide range of applications.
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www.davidclouting.co.uk
Boards Build the best with CaberDek Based in the North West of England, Anywl Homes, with their roots in joinery and woodwork, have been building houses in the UK for over 80 years. This well established record has allowed Anywl Homes to cultivate an expert knowledge of the best products to use in the creation of new homes. It’s no surprise to learn that in a recent development in the busy market town of Wellington, Shropshire, Anywl Homes opted to use Norbord’s ever popular CaberDek for the flooring.
CaberDek has been the trusted choice of Anwyl Homes for its high-quality consistency and its ready availability. Kayley Williams, Buyer for Cheshire and North Wales at Anwyl Homes, commented, “We pride ourselves on providing “thoughtful” homes that are unique and reflect the new owners’ character and style. Norbord’s high-quality products enable to us to provide this. We are currently using CaberDek for the floor decking on 90% of our housing sites and will continue to do so going forward.”
CaberDek is an 18mm or 22mm thickness flooring panel that provides protection from weather conditions and dirt. It has a film layer which can later be removed to reveal a smooth and clean surface, ready and primed for the next stage in flooring application. The Haygate Fields development is made up of two, three and four bedroom homes, all of which rely on the use of Norbord’s CaberDek. The dependable flooring system offers increased protection from the elements and boasts waterproof and slip resistance properties to facilitate a smooth and safe build. It is the preferred material of the company’s established supplier and with good reason.
For further information: T: 01786 812 921 www.norbord.co.uk
WOODWORKING MACHINERY CNC Routers Now with Touch Screen Control
This new range of affordable CNC Routers from ATA Engineering offers the same high quality build that you come to expect from a company that has been supplying CNC’s for over 20 years, along with support and technical back up. Standard sizes: 8 x 4, 10 x 5, 3m x 2m (Special sizes available on request) Standard Features: HSD HSK Spindles, Rotary ATC, Location Pins, Tool Digitizer. 3 and 4 Axis machines in stock. Call for more information or a demonstration, or visit www.atacam.co.uk
Castle Pocket Routers from ATA Engineering
TSM22 Pocket Router The most popular Pocket Router in the Castle range has been re-designed with a new lift up table top to provide the following features: • Easier and quicker access when replacing the router cutter, drill and other parts during routine servicing and repair. • Additional safety feature which automatically disconnects the electrical supply to the Bosch motors. This long established and widely used model continues to provide the quickest and strongest method for kitchen and bedroom carcass manufacture, retail display stands and other interior fitting applications.
Router Cutters
A comprehensive range of routing cutters in HSS, Carbide tipped and solid carbide to suit a wide variety of applications in aerospace, woodworking, plastics and composites. Enquiries welcomed for special cutters. Extensive Stock ATA Engineering carry an extensive stock of cutters, tool holders and collets, all for next day delivery.
ATA Engineering Processes Ltd ATA House, Unit B, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7SS t: 01442 264411 e: sales@ataeng.com www.ataeng.com
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Case Study Fife Council Invests In HOMAG CNC To Boost Production And Improve Health & Safety In 2016/17 Fife Council had a new build site which required 30-minute fire doors (FD30); the contractor, however, couldn’t supply them in time. The council’s own workshop had manufactured fire doors under ‘Global Assessments’ for schools and other locations for many years, consequently they were asked to manufacture doors for this new build site. Being a new build site, however, meant the building warrant required either certification or ‘Primary Test Evidence’ (PTE) for fire doors. The council opted to get PTE for its fire doors, achieving 45 minutes on a half-hour fire door at its first attempt. It then went on to get an FD60 rating for its fire doors. At that time, the council was purchasing around 1,000 door blanks a year from a supported business in Dundee. After consulting with senior management and putting together a business case Gerry Doherty, team manager of the Fife council workshop, made the decision to invest in an inhouse CNC solution. “There were three main reasons for this,” explains, Nick Grant, Fife Council’s workshop supervisor. He continues, “Clearly the demand for doors was there, but health and safety was also a major factor, as was the desire to move our production processes into the 21st century. “Much of our work involved hand routers that produced considerable volumes of dust; this was difficult to manage and created a potential health hazard. With a CNC, however, the dust extraction system all but eliminates the issue, giving a much healthier environment for our work force.” Investing in the HOMAG CENTATEQ P-110 The CNC purchase was a significant one for the council; however, both Nick Grant and Gerry Doherty were convinced it was the right decision. Following council procedure, they went through a lengthy procurement process that took over six months. They evaluated a number of brands and visited sites in Scotland to see the machines in action before requesting three bids. HOMAG was successful with its bid recommending a 5-axis CENTATEQ P-110 machine with a console table and 360 degree access. John MacKay, HOMAG’s Scottish representative, then worked closely with the council to finalise details. “John was a great help ensuring the CNC we specified met our requirements,” continues Nick Grant. “With John’s knowledge, and the support and service from the team at AWMS, it gave us complete confidence we had made the right choice.” Installation and training “The machine was delivered exactly when HOMAG said it would be and, a day and a half later, it was up and running.
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Our operators had training two weeks prior to the CNC If you’d like a demonstration or more information on the range of HOMAG CENTATEQ CNC machines, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK: T: 01332 856424
being installed, followed up with three days onsite training. “The woodWOP software and the touch screen control system make operation very straightforward. From day one, the machine has been producing a wide variety of products from windows and doors to reception counters. More importantly, the environment for the workforce is so much healthier thanks to the CNC’s dust extraction system.” Increasing production capacity with first class quality “With the HOMAG CNC we can machine a door in 12 minutes; doing it by hand used to take two hours. We can now produce ten times as many doors in the same timeframe which is a huge improvement. “The quality is first class too; as is the accuracy. The CNC has given us total confidence in pricing work; our costs are reduced and that is enabling us to attract more work. “We are now in a position to manufacture for private companies and we’re getting asked to price jobs for other councils in Scotland. This will enable us to create more jobs as we expand. With our HOMAG CNC, we’re the only council in Scotland who has tested fire doors and that’s something we’re very proud of,” concludes Nick Grant.
Case Study
Timber NOT ALL AMERICAN WHITE OAK IS THE SAME….. American White Oak (AWO) is a wide-ranging and diverse species from the United States, and one of the largest commercial hardwoods used in the UK for interior joinery and furniture applications, from flooring to kitchens, staircases and furniture amongst others. Due to the sheer size of the United States, AWO varies vastly from one region to another and it is vital that the right product is employed for the correct application to avoid disappointment. With over 250 years of hardwood experience, James Latham pride themselves on stocking the most relevant range of AWO products for the UK market. As with the quality variations from State to State, so there are many ways to enhance the product during processing to make a superior quality lumber. Likewise, there are many ways to cut corners and cut costs to produce a weaker quality material, albeit at a lower m³ price. True value comes from the yield the wood provides against the price paid.
A vessel produced with American White Oak
All of the AWO we stock is from mills where we have enjoyed continuous, consistent supply for many years. We take the time to send our staff out to these suppliers on a regular basis to learn the full story behind the production and ensure continuing quality to best match our customer’s requirements. At the top of our range is our SUPER PRIME material. Supplied by one mill, this extremely high specification AWO is exclusive to James Latham against our own demanding requirements. It is selected to be defect free. That is no sap, no wane, no side bend, no knots, no pin holes and a consistent colour. For the customer who prefers to buy a regular FAS (Prime export) grade we have tailored supply from the Augusta and Salamanca mills, in Virginia and New York State respectively, both of whom produce a really nice, clean all round AWO for us. Their processing methods from sawmilling, through drying to grading and packaging are all quality controlled to the highest standard, with no corners cut, resulting in an end product which offers terrific yield and overall value to our customers. To complete the package, we have our partners Horizon wood products, situated in the heart of Pennsylvania, and offering a unique conversion method in the North American market, in so much as they process only one log at a time through their bespoke production facility. Indeed, the Horizon method is so slick that it actually enables them to produce their ‘log-intact’ material, which gives the craftsman the closest thing they will ever find to a solid wood book match veneer.
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Evonort Architects Photo: Jaine Airey A dining table & stairway made from American White Oak
Not all American White Oak is the same….. info@lathamtimber.co.uk www.lathamtimber.co.uk
LEADERS IN CUSTOMISED HANDLING SOLUTIONS Meet the needs of your customers more effectively using Combilift’s materials handling solutions to manage and store timber, more safely, using less space, in less time.
combilift.com
+353 47 80500
COMPLEX FORMS NEED STRAIGHTFORWARD SOLUTIONS: VOLLMER
To shape the future you will need forward-looking PCD tools – and intelligent solutions for their production, processing and maintenance. VOLLMER supports you: with innovative PCD sharpening and eroding machines, economical automation options and strong services. For the highest flexibility, efficiency and quality. The future takes shape: with VOLLMER. VGrind 360
VPulse 500
www.vollmer-group.com VOLLMER UK LTD. // Nottingham NG10 5BP // +44 115 9491040 // info-uk@vollmer-group.com
Case Study HOMAG Delivers Quality And Service To Rokitch Kitchens In 2017 Minesh Mistry purchased a small joinery company in north west London, renaming it Rokitch. His goal was to create a professional, high quality kitchen company serving both the trade and public with German style kitchens. “When I bought the business it had very old woodworking machinery,” explains, Minesh. He continues, “Producing kitchen components was painstaking and the quality was nowhere near the level I was looking to achieve. “My aim was to attract bigger trade customers and higher end consumer projects. To do that I knew I had to invest in the best woodworking equipment I could afford that would consistently deliver premium quality products.” Investing in the best “As a small company, I had to make sure that whichever equipment I decided to buy, it would be right for the longterm. I couldn’t afford to make a wrong decision. “Consequently, I evaluated a wide range of suppliers in my search for the right beam saw and edge bander. The W18 exhibition was a great opportunity to see a number of potential suppliers under one roof and compare solutions. “My first impressions of HOMAG were good; as the market leader, its reputation for German engineering excellence gave me confidence. “From the outset, I got on well with Paul Mosley, HOMAG UK’s area sales manager. He quickly got to grips with our particular needs and was able to recommend options for both the beam saw and edge bander. “In addition to Paul’s professionalism, HOMAG’s presence in the UK was comforting. They are a large, financially sound business with their own engineering team who are always on hand to support. You just don’t get that level of care from brands that are sold through distributorships.” HOMAG SAWTEQ B-300 and EDGETEQ S-240 “Once we placed the order for the SAWTEQ B-300 and EDGETEQ S-240 machines, HOMAG took over. As you would expect from the ever-efficient Germans, the installation was thoroughly planned and executed, with their engineers training our operators onsite. “With the saw I opted for the intelliGuide system, the label printer and the MagiCut software. The intelliGuide system uses coloured LED lights at the cutting line so operators can see immediately if a part has been fully processed, needs to be cut again or is waste. “The label printer produces customised labels directly at the saw. This, in conjunction with MagiCut, delivers labels for each part with printed instructions for the next process.
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“The EDGETEQ S-240 edge bander has both PUR and EVA If you’d like a demonstration or more information on the range of HOMAG SAWTEQ and EDGETEQ machines, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK: T: 01332 856424
gluing options which provide a consistent premium quality finish. Overall, it’s a really versatile and reliable edge bander that has helped transform our business.” Delivering tangible results “The difference these two machines have made to our capabilities is immense. Previously it would take around 4½ hours to cut the parts for a complete kitchen; now I can do it in 45 minutes – that’s a 600 per cent improvement! “What’s more, the saw cuts more accurately and squarely, whilst the edge bander gives a clean, professional finish. This has enabled us to take on challenging trade work and higher end private commissions with complete confidence. “In time alone, the edge bander has already paid for itself since its installation in May 2019 and we expect the saw (bought in October 2019) to give us a return on investment within two years. “These purchases are the first I have made from HOMAG UK and they certainly won’t be the last. The entire team are very approachable; they always take calls, give advice and help as quickly as they can,” concludes Minesh Mistry.
Case Study
Case Study AXYZ Router Boosts Production At Scottish Design And Build Specialist Installation of a Z7 series CNC router supplied by AXYZ Automation Group has helped boost production at East Lothian, Scotland-based Old School Fabrications. Established in 2011, the company specialises in a wide range of bespoke design and build projects involving the use of various traditional and contemporary materials. These include primarily solid oak for commercial furniture with routed detailing, birch plywood for customised exhibition stands and furniture, solid surface interactive museum stations and architecturally-sensitive sculptural objects for indoor and outdoor locations. Described as an ideal entry-level routing/cutting solution for small companies and in particular those wishing to increase the level of automation without the need for a sizeable capital investment, the Z7 includes production-enhancing features normally found on more expensive CNC machines, thereby providing a production workhorse with a high cost-to-performance capability. In addition to the familiar solid steel frame construction to accommodate the most vigorous routing/cutting likely to be encountered and a solid aluminium vacuum/clamping deck for maximum material hold-down efficiency and routing/cutting accuracy, the Z7 installed at Old School Fabrications includes the latest AXYZ A2MC machine controller. This enables smoother and faster machine motion, with the elimination of ‘bounce’ and vibration caused by sudden acceleration/deceleration frequently experienced with less technically advanced machine control systems. Key design features of the Z7 include a processing area of 1524mm x 2440mm, a single-head tooling configuration
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and rack and pinion drive system on both the X and Y axis. As with all AXYZ CNC routers, the Z7 can be customised with a number of optional production tools for enhanced performance. These include the AXYZ ATC (Automatic Tool Change) system that provides up to 33 tool-change stations for work requiring multiple tools, the AXYZ Zone Management facility for optimum material hold-down efficiency and the latest helical rack and pinion drive system incorporating a multiple gear teeth configuration. This provides a more even distribution of the workload, leading to faster throughput speeds, reduced material wastage and machine wear and ultimately a longer than normal machine life. Commenting on the contribution made by the Z7 router to business growth at Old School Fabrications, Director Neville Rae stated: “We were immediately impressed by how simple and well made the Z7 router was and how it fitted perfectly with our increased production objectives and bespoke manufacturing requirements. The AXYZ team of specialist engineers were extremely helpful throughout the entire assessment, procurement and installation process and I would not hesitate in recommending the company to other potential router users.”
For further information on AXYZ CNC machines: T: 01952 291600 www.axyz.co.uk For more information about Old School Fabrications: T: 01875 833257 www.oldschoolfabrications.co.uk
Made In Italy
Door Production With Masterwood...
From Entry Level CNC
To Fully Automated Production Lines Masterwood GB Ltd Units 18-23, Hollybush Business Centre, Shipley Bridge Lane, Horley, Surrey RH6 9TL Tel: +44(0) 1293 402700 Email: office@masterwoodgb.co.uk
What’s New Machine Boards More Easily And Safely The new STM 1800 saw table and work bench from Festool From April 2020, Festool will extend its workplace organisation range with the addition of the new, unique and mobile STM 1800 saw table and work bench. The contact surface is equipped with wooden coverings, which securely supports both the sheet material and workpieces, therefore allowing for precise work. Consequently, even boards up to 3100 x 2150 mm can be held and machined by a single person – without additional assistance. It can be adjusted up to 90 cm to the required working height and can be converted into a mobile panel saw using a portable circular saw and guide rail.
Safe working With the new STM 1800 saw table and work bench, Festool has created a new opportunity for workshops and installers to machine large panels – without additional assistance. Large panels are usually machined in workshops with stationary systems, which often start at more than €10,000. However, not every workshop can afford this, and there may even simply not be the space for the bench. Neither have there been any suitable solutions with respect to flexible working and assembly work. To date, the easiest and most common solution has been machining supported by trestles or using home-made aids. With the new STM 1800, Festool has developed something completely new: A professional solution for machining large panels. The folding table is an optimal addition to the system and can be turned into a mobile panel saw in no time at all in conjunction with a saw and guide rail. When fully assembled, the contact surface amounts to 1800 x 1800 millimetres and is made
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from differently positioned beechwood coverings which securely support the sheet material/workpiece. This means that longitudinal and cross cuts can be made on different types of boards and the sawn off boards always remain on the contact surface. Whether in workshops or at assembly sites, the STM can also be used as a work bench for sanding, milling, fitting and gluing. Moreover, when the bench is not needed, it is very easy to store without taking up a lot of space. The robust steel frame design also ensures that the bench has a long service life. Plastic slide elements and cover plugs ensure that the extendable tubes have good sliding properties. The bench is also equipped with robust rollers and a brake, which means that the bench – whether it is holding a workpiece or not – is mobile, regardless of whether it is used in workshops or at construction sites. Optimally designed in terms of ergonomics – even for just a single person For ergonomic work that minimises stress on your back: Even large sheet material or workpieces of up to 3100 x 2150 mm can be held and machined by a single person. This is made possible by a tilting function. The working height can also be set to up to 90 cm, as required. The bench is light and compact to transport thanks to its special folding system. Moreover, the bench can be assembled to be small or large, as required. Also practical: All parts are fitted to the bench. This means that nothing is lost and everything you require is always available when you need it, whether it be wooden coverings, holders, buttons or wheels. The mobile STM 1800 saw table and work bench will be available from specialist retailers from April.
You can find further information at www.festool.co.uk
What’s New Makita Makes Work Plane Sailing Makita has launched an exciting new range of products, including the DKP181 18V Brushless LXT Planer (82mm). Combining the speed and capacity of a corded planer with the convenience of cordless, the tool is part of Makita’s expanding 18V series, the world’s largest cordless product line-up powered by an 18V Lithium-Ion battery.
Featuring an electric blade brake to prevent user injury or damage to the workpiece, the blade rapidly stops after the trigger has been released, and the line-up includes model options fitted with Makita’s Auto-start Wireless System (AWS), which connects to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth to help minimise dust inhalation as well as keeping the workplace clean and tidy whilst working.
With a 12,000rpm brushless motor providing power equal to that of AC models, the DKP181 is a powerful cordless solution offering increased battery efficiency, designed for building and construction applications. Its high cutting power provides up to 3mm max planing depth, a planing width of 82mm and a rebating depth of 25mm, ideal for shortening doors, ship-lapping or tapering mouldings.
The Planer uses a brushless motor, meaning no friction is created within the motor, to improve the longevity of the tool. Combining this technology with LXT batteries makes the machine up to 50% more efficient and two times as durable, in comparison to alternative models with standard motors. In addition to this, the Automatic Torque Driver (ADT) technology automatically changes the cutting speed according to the load conditions for optimum operation and efficiency.
For user comfort and flexibility, operators can precisely adjust the planing depth and manoeuvre around projects easily by diverting the wood chips either to the left or right, by adjusting the ejection cover plate to the preferred side. The planer offers easy chamfering with three chamfering grooves for different groove dimensions and positioning.
Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK said: “This tool provides power, versatility and optimum cutting performance. We have included the dust management feature to help reduce time spent on cleaning up and more time for operators doing what they are skilled at – getting the job done.”
For more information on the DKP181 Brushless Planer and Makita’s new range of products: www.makitauk.com
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Installation Striebig & ALKO: A Perfect Partnership While you might not have heard of Brissco Equipment Ltd, you will have undoubtedly seen its products. Established over 70 years ago, the Bristol-based company has grown to become one of the UK’s leading screen printing companies. Its speciality is the design and manufacturing of ridged plastic signage for national utilities, aerospace, local authorities and the emergency services. Following a merger with a local plastics distribution business in 2011 and a management buy-out in 2017, the growing company is now investing in new equipment throughout its factory, including a new Striebig Control 4224 vertical panel saw from woodworking machinery supplier, TM Machinery. “We had our old vertical panel saw for over 30 years and it had become an integral part of our business,” says Phil Pope, Managing Director of Brissco Equipment Ltd. “But, in recent years, our business model has changed. Not only do we cut rigid plastics for our signage work, since our company merger, we now offer a bespoke plastic fabricating service too, creating plastic components for equipment manufacturers in the UK. This means we need to cut acrylic, polycarbonate, PVC, foam PVC, ABS and aluminium composite in boards as big as 2x3 metres wide and 1-10mm thick quickly and efficiently. Our old machine could no longer keep up.” “I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years and I know Striebig well. So, when it became clear that our old saw needed to be changed, TM Machinery was my first port of call. I knew exactly what we needed our replacement saw to do and I knew Striebig would be able to deliver on our requirements,” says Phil.
“First and foremost, it needed to be built to last and offer clean, accurate cuts on a range of materials. It also needed to make the cutting panels to size less of a manual process, eliminating potential operator error and material waste – and it needed to be smaller than our existing saw, so we could make the most of the floor space we had available.” The Striebig Control seemed like a great fit and, when an ex-demonstration model from TM Machinery’s Leicesterbased showroom became available, Phil admits he couldn’t refuse. “Not only was it cheaper than buying a brand new saw, it came with a wealth of automated features and could be delivered at a time that suited us.” The Control’s rigid, self-supporting frame features full length central supports, as well as internal small piece supports, making it ideal for use on both heavy and lightweight plastic sheets. It also provided the robust design and build quality Phil was looking for. Its fully-automated cut cycle and easy-to-operate touch control screen simplified the cutting process and offered Phil the consistently accurate cuts he wanted and reduced manual handling. Phil explains, “Unlike our old machine that relied on the operator to dictate the cutting speed, the Striebig’s feed speed can be adjusted depending on the material, size and thickness of the panel. This allows the operator to concentrate on loading and sizing the material and ensuring a yield on every panel without having to consider other factors.” The saw’s smaller footprint was also an advantage. “At one time, a large part of our business involved distributing plastic sheets to the trade,” says Phil. “Because of this, we bought our old saw to cut multi-wall polycarbonate and large panels up to six metres long. We’ve since tailored our business model and now only manufacture plastic items. This sees us work predominantly with 3x2 metre and 8x4 feet sheets.” The Striebig Control measures 5153 x 3035mm and has a cutting range of 3100 x 2240mm, offering great scope, and it fits neatly into a compact space.
One of the many signs produced by Brissco Equipment Ltd
ALKO Power Unit 160 installed at Brissco Equipment Ltd
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Installation
Phil Pope, Managing Director of Brissco Equipment Ltd (left)
“For us, the investment in new machinery hasn’t been about increasing production or de-skilling our workforce,” Phil concludes. “It’s been about delivering high quality products to our customers time and again. The Striebig has a key part to play in this and I’m pleased to say it’s doing a fantastic job. The whole sales process was hassle free and the installation of both the saw and the extraction unit was quick and easy. The saw is a great fit for our business, and knowing that TM Machinery’s sales team and engineers know their portfolio inside out makes us confident in both the machine’s capabilities and the service we can expect to receive from TM Machinery in the future.” Phil teamed the new saw with an AL-KO Power Unit 160 from TM Machinery. “The extraction on our old saw wasn’t very good. We wanted an efficient alternative that not only saved us cleaning time but also made the floor a cleaner environment to work in.” The free-standing ALKO extraction unit offers optimal filter cleaning and requires the least amount of compressed air possible. It also guarantees 100% air recirculation without loss of temperature and it is housed in a soundproof casing to reduce noise levels when in use. Phil says, “It’s the ideal partner for the Striebig. It’s quick to empty and easy to clean thanks to its removable dust compartment and it was really simple to install. The engineers calibrated the saw and the extraction unit at the same time and they’ve been working well together ever since. The whole process has been faultless. TM Machinery is the exclusive distributor of Striebig vertical panel saws and ALKO dust extraction units in the UK.
The new Striebig Control 4224 vertical panel saw installed at Brissco Equipment Ltd
For more information: T: 0116 271 7155. www.tmmachinery.co.uk Twitter @TM_Machinery TM Machinery on LinkedIn.
Panel & Joinery Production - March / April 2020
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Woodwaste Investment in wood waste heater saves company money on heating and waste disposal A UK fabrication company has purchased a wood waste heater from Wood Waste Technology to save money on heating and waste disposal bills. Pinnacle Worksurfaces was established in 2003 and manufactures and fabricates a wide selection of acrylic solid surfacing products, such as Corian®, Tristone®, Hanex® etc. Managing Director, Paul Probert became aware of wood waste heaters when visiting an exhibition, and realised it could be just the solution his business needed. Pinnacle Worksurfaces 3500 sq ft premises in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire has no workshop heating. As well as being uncomfortable to work in cold conditions, the freezing temperatures could also cause issues with production, as the adhesives would take longer to set, or wouldn’t set properly if the workshop wasn’t warm enough. In order to keep the workshop warm on very cold days, the business would use a diesel heater, which would cost around £150 a week to run. In addition, the business generates a substantial amount of wood offcuts, including soft woods and MDF, so a considerable amount of money had to be spent hiring skips to dispose of the waste wood. Paul Probert explains: “Once we realised that the wood offcuts could provide free heating for the workshop, saving us money on
waste disposal and heating bills, it just seemed logical to invest in one. We contacted Wood Waste Technology for more information and a quote, and worked out that with all the savings we’d be making, we’d soon get a return on the investment.” Pinnacle Worksurfaces ordered a WT5 heater, which Wood Waste Technology’s experienced engineers installed late last year.
The WT5 heater installed at Pinnacle
Paul continues: Worksurfaces “We’re delighted with the heater – it’s excellent value for money. It’s lovely having such a warm workshop, and we’ve more than halved the amount of skips we need to hire, as much of the waste can now be burned in the heater. The heater is really easy-to-use, and the team at Wood Waste Technology has been exceptionally helpful. We’d advise any business that generates a substantial amount of waste wood to investigate the benefits – we’re glad we did!“ Kurt Cockroft, MD at Wood Waste Technology says: “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to help Pinnacle Worksurfaces save money on heating and waste disposal.” Wood Waste Technology’s years of expertise in wood waste solutions has helped many companies reduce their waste disposal and heating costs. As well as offering site survey, design, manufacture, installation and on-going maintenance for new units, the company also services all types of wood waste heaters and supplies genuine spares up to 60% cheaper than other suppliers. In addition, Wood Waste Technology is the UK’s official distributor for Gross Apparatebau GmbH, a German manufacturer of dependable, precision engineered shredders and briquetters. The company is also a distributor for Putzmaus boiler tube cleaning systems - a powerful but gentle routine maintenance solution that is quick and easy to use, and helps to increase boiler efficiency and lower operating costs. For more information: T: 01785 250400 www.woodwastetechnology.com www.grossuk.co.uk www.putzmaus.co.uk
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Panel & Joinery Production - March / April 2020
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