SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022 IT’S ELECTRIC!WWW.COMBILIFT.COM
All One World products boast FSC® certification, feature a virgin wood core and are rated E D2020 for low formaldehyde emissions as standard.
2022-2023 EX STOCK COLLECTION Tel: 0845 023 0376 Email: www.idsurfaces.co.uksolutions@idsurfaces.co.uk Exclusively distributed by International Decorative Surfaces. DecorativeInternationalSurfaces Available 2800 x 2070 x 18mm / 25mm
World-class Sustainability
PUBLISHED PRINTER:DESIGNER:PUBLISHER:WEBSITE:EMAIL:TELEPHONE:BY: EC Media 76 Victoria Avenue Westgate on Sea Kent CT8 8BH +44 (0)20 8366 3331 0771 314 www.magprint.co.ukThewww.tracecreative.co.ukTRACERusselClarewww.p-j-production.comecmedia@btconnect.com8831HollisterGoldsmithCreativeAgencyMagazinePrintingCompany 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 Publisherspublishers.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. ANewsNew Innovative Door Line SCM Autostore – Revolutionising Spare Parts Combilift - Plugging In To Greener Power CAD+T - Solutions On Show At Holz-Handwerk HOMAG’s intelliGuide System Sets New Standards Cheshire Mouldings Continue to Invest Hanson Plywood Case Study – Quality Matters! Makita Adds More SCM Luigi De Vito talks to Panel & Joinery Production Ranheat – Record Prices Loom IDS HOMAGQ&A Equipment Facilitates Market Expansion For Quest Joinery Rise Of The Data-Powered Shop Decorative Panels & Rehau - A New Perfect Partner Business Owners Seek Alternative Solutions New Launches From Weinig At Holz-Handwerk New by Ostermann - Decor Edgings with Style HOMAG CENTATEQ S-800 Transforms Mumford & Wood Lamello: Making A Connection Daltons Wadkin Wood & Panel Machinery Show 2022 Blum Posts 2.6 Billion In Turnover At Year-End Biesse Feedback Positioning System & XPS Extreme Positioning System Alexander Cleghorn Invests In Bespoke HOMAG EDGETEQ S-810 Toolfix - Simplifying Ordering for Sash Window Hardware Cantilever Racking for Ubrankovics The Stairways Group62-6356-5752-5350-5146-4744-4542-4336-3732-3330-3128-2926-2722-2318-1910-118-93-46131417202435385960 1Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 CONTENTS EDITORS PICK 32-33 36-37 10-11 26-2722-23
With ECOGATE technology installed, an extraction fan will consume the minimum power required to provide optimum extraction – reducing electricity bills by 68% on average.
In many manufacturing facilities, extraction fans operate continuously, at full power, throughout the working day. Even when some machines are not in use, and often during factory breaks, the powerful, energy-consuming fans continue to run at full speed – wasting valuable energy... and money!
SAVE REDUCEENERGYCOSTS
With ECOGATE, the extraction system responds in real-time to variations in machine use. When a production machine is switched on, the greenBOX Controller opens a motorised damper to provide extraction for that particular machine.
www.ecogate.co.uk sales@ecogate.co.uk 01924 520462
It’s going to be an end-to-end showcase where industry operators can experience all the latest technology: from primary operation to solid wood processing, from panel machines to finishing, from tools to equipment.
“Once again, Xylexpo has proved to be a faithful mirror of the market!” says Dario Corbetta, director of the international biennial exhibition of technology for the furniture and wood industry, scheduled at FieraMilanoRho next October 12 to 15.
With more than 220 exhibitors registered for the Milan exhibition, the total exhibition area will be close to 34 thousand square meters.
3Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 NEWS
XYLEXPO 2022 SET TO MEET MARKET EXPECTATIONS
“It is going to be a rich edition – Corbetta continued – a big comeback in the exhibition calendar after four years, due to the global sanitary emergency. We believe that the event will provide a comprehensive display of the best industry technology, addressing an audience that will finally be able to meet in Milan in person.”
Xylexpo will be held concurrently with 33.BI-MU, the biennial exhibition of machine tools, robotics and automation. This partnership will become mechanical engineering week where exhibitors and visitors can meet to find expertise, solutions and ideas with one clear goal: producing with a more and more sustainable and efficient approach.
www.xylexpo.com
Based on feedback from the exhibitors, the event will be a “new start”; with strong enthusiasm that seems unaffected by the troubles that the world is still facing.
ATA Engineering Products Ltd ATA House, Unit B, Boundary Way, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7SS t: 01442 264411 e: sales@ataeng.com www.ataeng.com Check out the Complete Range of Castle Pocket Routers From the NEW 110 Bench Mount Machine through to the CSI Next Machine that Drills, Routs and Inserts the Screw 110 Create Castle low-angle, professional pockets in seconds with the Castle 110 Pocket Cutter. The 110 cuts our exclusive low-angle, 3 degree pocket, makes fast, strong, and attractive joints. TSM-12 The TSM-12 cuts the 6° Castle Pocket with no tear out in less than 2 seconds. Designed for job-site use, small shops, or the weekend hobbyist. The most popular Pocket Router in the Castle range has been re-designed with a new lift up table top. CSI-Next Pocket Cutter & Screw Inserter Castle’s CSI-Next Pocket Cutter/Screw Inserter saves time, reduces waste, and eliminates nonvalue-added labor and screw-handling motion trauma for high-production cabinet joinery. By using patented Screw-in-Pocket (SIP) technology CSI-Next cuts Castle’s distinctive screw pocket, drills a low angle pilot hole AND inserts a flush, stackable screw in two seconds. TSM-35 Designed for continuous production in furniture plants, mobile home factories, multi-shift cabinet production and so much more.NEW £769.00 £4,915.00 £1,770.00 Price on application £8,857.00 All prices exclude VAT & Shipping
NEWS RANHEAT ENGINEERING LTD 62-64 St James Mill Road, St James Mill Industrial Estate, Northampton NN5 5JP Tel: +44 (0)1604 750005 Fax: +44 (0)1604 757300 Web: www.ranheat.com Email: sales@ranheat.com Wood waste disposal problems? Wood IndustrialEquipmentCombustionHeatingSystemsSpecialistMetalFabrications Ranheat design and manufacture the complete range of equipment including Boilers, Heaters, Stokers, Grit Arrestors, Chimneys etc. Manual & automatic woodburning systems, gas & oil fired, turnkey installations for disposal and/or heating purposes, outputs up to 10 million BTU/HR RanHeat275.indd 1 30/08/2016 09:474 www.p-j-production.com T: 07960047020 E: stevemorrow@kenyon-group.co.uk
KENYON TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
As we move through 2022 and on to 2023, The Kenyon Group will continue to grow within the furniture, woodworking and other markets such as packaging and print & graphics. Steve will oversee this growth and will work closely with our sales team, suppliers and customers to ensure we continue to give the quality customer service and products the market demands.
STEVE MORROW HAS JOINED THE KENYON GROUP TEAM AS TECHNICAL SALES SOUTH & UK SALES MANAGER.
Steve has joined the team as the Kenyon Group continues to grow and expand into new markets and new products. The Kenyon Group have supplied the furniture industry in the UK for decades. With the changes to materials, technology and processes, The Kenyon Group have expanded their range of products to suit this market and many others. Our main focus products, such as Hot Melt Adhesives, PVA and Contact Adhesives, will continue to be important parts of our range and are available from stock at our Oldham location. New products are added to the range to suit customers’ needs. Information on our range can be found on our website.
Steve has been in the adhesives industry for 18 years, mainly in the hot melt sector. His experience covers sectors such as woodworking, furniture, packaging, automotive and many other product assembly areas. Steve started his career in mechanical engineering and has continued into the adhesives industry with a technical approach to solving customers’ bonding requirements.
HOMAG UK Tel. 01332 856500 | Email. info-uk@homag.com | www.homag.com
To high performance industrial manufacturing EDGETEQ S-240 EDGETEQ S-500
Edgebanding technology. Single and double-sided solutions for flexible
Fromproduction.affordableentry-leveltechnology
Providing undeniable accuracy and precision for flexible production, HOMAG’s comprehensive range of edgebanding technology offers first-class edge processing solutions for a wide range of applications and materials.
MAKA are renowned for providing bespoke high quality CNC machines. This new and innovative Door Line is their latest innovation, designed for continuously processing doors in small batches.
INDUSTRY6 www.p-j-production.com E: T:info@makauk.com01952-607700 Iain Young direct line: 07836-295434 Intelligent use of multi-spindle aggregates minimises cycle times, and maximises both production flexibility and productivity. Maka’s unique transport, aligning & clamping Table is especially designed for large & small doors with or without windows or other apertures Combining 5-axis profiling with through-feed edge processing, Maka’s STB-FLEX delivers ultimate flexibility, with non-stop high- volume throughfeed door production
Dependingunmanned.on
The Flex’s compactness is in response to customers demand to maximise utilisation of factory space, minimise reliance on labour, and reduce costs without compromising quality or reliability. The STB-FLEX is designed to provide manufacturing resilience for the long-term.
the operations required, the STB-FLEX can instantly process each door efficiently one after the next, thus maximising productivity. Setting time is minimised, and potential setting errors eliminated, thus guaranteeing consistent quality manufacturing.
A NEW INNOVATIVE DOOR LINE FOR THE FUTURE – NOW!
The new STB-FLEX complements the multi-axis STB-SPEED, and can even be supplied in one combined line. As a stand-alone system though, the STB- FLEX is most suitable for contract doors where the variety of processes and processing times vary substantially.
The ingenuity of the new STB-FLEX has been made possible by Maka’s adoption of their new state-of-the-art controller which provides greater flexibility, and greater integration with networked production and control.
Maka’s powerful and fast 5-axis head undertakes each process efficiently with minimal non-productive time. Not only are tool change times short, multiple aggregates are employed to eliminate tool changes entirely. The line can be fed manually, or automatically wholly
Maka’s philosophy is to provide heavy- duty high-quality, robust and reliable machinery, built for life! They are also dedicated to providing enhanced solutions for specific applications and target groups. The STB series are designed to meet the most demanding challenges facing door manufacturers today.
Featuring generous usable capacities for large and small doors, along with a compact footprint, the STB-FLEX is designed for producing contract doors, requiring a wide variety of processes, varying from batch to batch. The ”FLEX” is one of several modules in the STB-series, along with the STB- SPEED, for high speed door production.
Being fully CNC and servo-controlled throughout, each door is not only aligned and positioned automatically, but variations (or errors) can be accommodated and additional processes added, such as re-sizing.
The FLEX can process on all 5 sides, and even internally. Productivity is achieved by a variety of novel innovations, most notably Maka’s new auto-clamping thru-feed table. Doors enter the machining area where the locks, hinges, profiles and grooves can all be machined externally, but also windows and offcuts can be machined inside the door too. Normally the presence of any offcut prevents this, but with the FLEX, offcuts are lowered, and frames raised, separating apertures and frames so they can be machined independently. Offcuts are separated also removed too. Even more novel, the transport works at different levels (below the line), saving space and time!
A new range of Door Lines in the form of thru-feed multi-axis and universal 5-axis machining centres have been introduced by the German specialised machinery manufacturer MAKA.
Maka’s STB-FLEX is a uniquely efficient and productive Industry 4.0 manufacturing cell for small and medium size batch production, and provides a future-proof investment for the contract door manufacturer.
New Catalogue Out Now! Request your FREE copy online Over 18,000 quality products IN STOCK for next day delivery. Request your FREE catalogue online IronmongeryDirect.co.uk or call 0300 303 88 21 Check out our sister company ElectricalDirect.co.uk yourRequestFREE onlinecatalogue
All this is possible thanks to 19 robots powered by two 12volt rechargeable batteries capable of picking up one piece every 45 seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The other important advantage is achieving maximum energy efficiency and a long duration over time, with an energy consumption lower than 0.1 kWh per robot.
“We wanted to take another step forward by choosing the best that logistics management has to offer, a technology that, to date, had not yet been applied to the management of spare parts in the sector for wood technologies - says Luca Maggiani, Service&Parts Business Development Manager at SCM - Autostore is a system offering typical e-commerce performance, that not only brings spare parts to the operator, but works with top-quality performance and speed. From here, the partnership with Swisslog to devise a solution that fully satisfied our needs”.
“Handing over the right spare part in the shortest time possible: this is the technological challenge that drove SCM to put their trust in such an advanced system - adds Alessandra Benedetti, Customer Care Manager at SCM –. This clearly shows how this Group continues to invest to offer valuable services even after a sale. The customer remains at the heart of each of our decisions”.
Go digital, stay human There is improved value even for SCM operators because even if Autostore makes use of 19 robots for the picking operations, the number of resources employed in the Service&Parts team has remained unaltered.
SCM Autostore: the spare parts warehouse that revolutionises the logic behind customer care.
SPARE PARTS
system allows considerable gains to be made in terms of space occupied, if we consider that the traditional warehouse next door, for larger sized spare parts, contains 4,000 in an area that is more or less the same size. Above all, it means SCM can provide a more efficient, betterquality service by speeding up by 75 per cent the pick-up operations and reducing dispatch times by 30 per cent. Every day, around 300 shipments are handled containing thousands of components with a maximum lead time of 48 hours from the time the order is placed.
PROFILE
9 REVOLUTIONISINGSCMwww.p-j-production.comAUTOSTORE
Theeach.new
A futuristic project as is clear from the figures: 30 thousand items handled in a structure covering 900 m2 for a height of 5.5 metres, over 13 storage levels and with 24 thousand modular boxes capable of holding up to 30 Kg of pieces
The Group has been the first to create a project of this kind in the woodworking sector: an automatic warehouse that handles 30 thousand items with 19 robots for pick-up operations and exclusive advantages in terms of efficiency and sustainability.
SCM presents Autostore, the new automatic warehouse for spare parts operational since January 2022 and established in the area of the former Fonderia as part of renovation and upgrading work at the industrial plant in Rimini.
‘
The “best warehouse” possible Suppliers deliver to the reception area where each piece is scanned, recorded, weighed and measured, so that the operator can choose the most suitable box in which to place it. At that point, it is Autostore that indicates in which box the piece needs to be placed, using a ray of light. After additional checks, the box is loaded into the warehouse.
9Panel & Joinery Production - September / October www.scmgroup.com2022
PROFILE
The robots only deal with loading and returning the boxes to the operator, but work continuously to optimise the organisation of spaces, arranging the various boxes in the best positions according to the frequency of use of the parts contained therein, determined by precise algorithms.
The operator can intervene at any time by questioning the system to establish the exact location of each piece.
– adds Maggiani -. We also apply the principles of Smart&Human technological solutions to the spare parts sector that we offer to customers, placing the coordination of each process in the hands of the operator. According to our Go digital, stay human’ project, it is the people who make the real difference, even in customer services. Indeed, we encourage the re-skilling of our team, promoting all those activities that AI cannot reach”.
Another important advantage is the possibility to store up to two hundred orders in a continually updated and stocked database. This makes it simpler to handle all the data surrounding the activity, track each individual element delivered and perform advanced analysis that can be useful for the future, even in terms of prognostic maintenance.
“The operators are the same as before, but now they perform handling and control duties that are undoubtedly less tiring or repetitive
FRONT
Switching to electric power from diesel is now a much more attractive option, and this is down to improved battery technology, which enables ever increasing lift capacities, longer run times and longer operation per charge. The latest generation of electric trucks are also versatile and can work indoors and out, which can reduce the overall number of forklifts required and consequently the carbon footprint – as well as lowering operational costs and outlay for insurance, maintenance and so on. So, what is good for the planet can also be good for your business.
PLUGGINGwww.p-j-production.comIN
Wide-ranging benefits
Times have changed, and the growing demand for electric powered vehicles and equipment has been fuelled by shifting public attitudes and more stringent legislation. This has put pressure on manufacturers and companies in a wide variety of industry sectors to “clean up their act” and to focus on sustainability. The latter is all about taking a longterm look at how you operate, and this will often involve investment in new technology.
Switching to electric power is not only good for the environment but also for your workforce, your neighbours and your balance sheet – says materials handling manufacturer Combilift.
TO GREENER POWER
10
When Combilift was established in 1998, the world was quite a different place. In that year, Google was incorporated as a private company in California and only 9% of households had access to the internet. And in the world of industrial vehicles, diesel power was mainly the default choice as it was considered to offer the best performance in demanding working conditions.
Talking of finances: the initial cost of an electric truck may be somewhat higher than a diesel model, but over a truck’s lifetime the TCO can work out to be better, particularly as it is now no longer legal to use red diesel for non-road mobile machinery. As electric powered trucks do not have traditional combustion engines or hydraulic transmissions, there is no longer any need to check and top up engine fluids or lubricants. This results in longer intervals between services, for further cost saving. COVER
New electric models
Combilift’s latest electric models include the Combi-XLE multidirectional forklift, which has a 5,000kg lift capacity so combines emission-free operation with powerful performance. It benefits from the same features as its original IC counterpart: high ground clearance, large cushioned front and rear tyres and a spacious cab, allowing smooth operation on semi rough terrain whilst offering a high level of driver comfort. It incorporates up-to-theminute technology such as the patented all-wheel traction that reduces tyre wear and load swing and enhances braking as well as a newly developed, patented Eco-Steer System which provides a smaller turning radius.
But it’s not all about money - just as on-street traffic emissions can cause serious health problems, people need to be protected from pollution at their workplace. The British Safety Council has called for limits on the amount of exposure to diesel emissions, and an electric fleet obviously improves air quality on site and reduces the potential risks to employees, visitors and customers alike. Noise pollution is an underestimated threat to human health, wildlife and environmental quality, and more and more companies are aiming to quieten down their operations by using electric trucks. Keeping noise levels to a minimum is not only beneficial to the workforce, but for those with premises in residential or urban areas, it will mean much happier neighbours too.
FRONT
COVER
The Combi-FSE is a four wheeled, two directional sideloader with 5,000kg or 6,000kg lift capacity. The patented traction system ensures optimum performance in all weather conditions. Sensors in the front steering axle linked to the innovative Electronic Traction Control system enable the 2 independent 15kW drive motors on the rear axle to be controlled individually, with the speed of each wheel governed by the steer angle of the front wheels. This provides excellent steering control for the operator, better truck turning radius and reduced tyre wear. The generous cab glazing offers the best operator field of vision of any comparable truck.
Combilift’s CEO and Co-Founder Martin McVicar: “We made our first electric C-Series over 18 years ago, and we are constantly adding to our range of electric powered products. In the last 18 months alone we launched four new models to our portfolio, and more than 60% of the trucks that come off the production lines in Monaghan are now electric. As more and more of our customers are opting for electric power it is obvious that they are as committed to sustainability and a circular economy as we are.”
Another new model which features innovative technology is the Combi-MR4, a 4-wheel multidirectional reach-truck, which incorporates Combilift’s new Dynamic 360° ™ steering, which provides rotation on each wheel, enabling seamless directional change of the truck while on the move. The system allows this extremely agile forklift to work in forward, sideward and crab steer mode, guaranteeing swift operation and excellent manoeuvrability.
11Panel & Joinery Production - September / October www.combilift.com2022
RHI Approved
…energy from wood
MAWERA UK LTD PO Box 5581 Lichfield, Staffordshire WS14 4FS Tel: O1543 258844 Email: www.mawera.co.ukinfo@mawera.co.uk
13Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 REVIEW
Visitors to the four-day event could explore the software specialist’s new EOS product family for license and data management, online shop and e-commerce solutions, as well as CAD+T configurator professional. The configurator, which automatically creates engineering drawings, parts lists, price calculations and exports based on predefined parameters, was demonstrated on interactive screen during the show to highlight how it can be installed in combination with an e-commerce interface.
Martina Schwarz, CEO of CAD+T adds, “After such a long period of time, Holz-Handwerk was always going to be an important exhibition for the furniture manufacturing industry and it didn’t disappoint, with high footfall and good-quality discussions taking place on our stand. It was clear that the industry hasn’t been standing still during the pandemic. It’s shifted up a gear. For us, it was a brilliant event to display complete software solutions for the interior design and production industry and showcase the benefits cloud-based solutions can offer the furniture manufacturing industry and we are looking forward to the next edition in 2024.”
CAD+T’s 60m2 stand at this year’s
SOLUTIONS ON SHOW AT HOLZ-HANDWERK
Whether you are a cabinet maker, shop fitter or an exhibition stand builder, individual design requires individual solutions. That’s where CAD+T’s extensive software solution portfolio comes in. Presented on its largest exhibition stand to date (measuring 60m2), visitors to this year’s Holz-Handwerk were able to explore the very latest design and visualisation applications, connected CNC/Nesting manufacturing software and complete ERP systems on CAD+T’s stand. Plus, brand new cloud-based applications set to enter the European market this year.
www.cadt-solutions.comHolz-Handwerk
Also making its European exhibition debut was CAD+T’s brand new contactless parts tracking software. Using RFID technology, it detects the presence, absence and assembly stage of all parts required to fulfil an order, whilst also identifying plan deviations and measuring processes of individual production for error-free parts tracking and connected production systems.
• Fast processes: Operator and machine work in tandem
• The operator can work without looking at the monitor
for varying demands. It starts with the basic model the intelliGuide Classic system and goes up to the intelliGuide Advanced and Premium systems. intelliGuide Classic efficiently guides the operator step-bystep via a 3D model on its monitor. The machine is intuitive to operate thanks to coloured LED signals which means that the operator rarely has to look at the monitor facilitating efficient and focused wood processing.
HOMAG’s intelliGuide operator assistance system is offered in three models with differing levels of assistance technology
• Systematic means of avoiding errors
SYSTEM SETS NEW STANDARDS IN GUIDED SAW AND DRILL OPERATION
• Completely intuitive machine operation that leads to significantly shorter throughfeed times and increases the output
intelliGuide Premium works with innovative laser projections. These support the operator with additional instructions directly on the workpieces or in the working area. All handling instructions and information are shown clearly and visibly in the range of vision for processing. This means that errors due to misunderstandings or lack of attention are almost completely excluded.
14 HOMAG’Swww.p-j-production.comINTELLIGUIDE
• Fluid, ergonomic processes for efficient and focused work
HOMAG’s intelliGuide operator assistance system is the first assistance system in the history of panel dividing and drilling technology to enable saw and drill machines to interactively respond to the operator. This means that the operator has full control over production processes whilst benefiting from faster operating procedures and significantly increased production efficiency.
HOMAG’s Classic intelliGuide system is available as an optional extra on HOMAG’s DRILLTEQ D-500 vertical CNC processing centre. It is a standard feature on HOMAG’s new space saving DRILLTEQ V-310 vertical CNC processing centre. On these DRILLTEQ CNC processing centres, the intuitive intelliGuide system enhances workpiece and tool change
The machine’s benefits at a glance
Panel saw with intelliGuide system from HOMAG
intelliGuide Advanced raises the interaction between humans and machines to a new level. With the addition of a camera system, the operator can respond to the handling instructions from the saw, while the saw reacts to the operator’s actions.
The intelligent and flexible system has a modular structure made up of many different components. Together, they convert the saw and drill machines into intelligent systems that react to the operator’s actions. The intelliGuide system allows the operator to work more quickly, easily, ergonomically and intuitively.
INDUSTRY
• Smooth change of operator possible at any time Classic, advanced and premium models offer different options and features
Drilling and fitting insertion CNC machining centre operator assistance
Operator guidance for HOMAG’s SAWTEQ panel dividing saws
handling to increase efficiency and ensure process reliability. Tools can be transferred from the tool management system ’toolManager‘ to the picker simply with a tap of a finger. The intelliGuide system then indicates where the new tool should be placed in the tool changer.
Intelligent machine operation and operator assistance Enthusing about the use of the intelliGuide system on HOMAG’s panel dividing saws following its launch, Jörg Hamburger, Product Manager for Panel Dividing, HOMAG said: “Up until now, the saw determined the production sequence, expecting certain actions from the machine operator. We wanted to reverse this relationship. Our saws should react intelligently to the operator and guide them through processing in an optimal way. intelliGuide embodies this approach in an implementation that is unbeatably effective and unique worldwide. “Thanks to continuous further developments, intelliGuide has also established itself as an optimal tool for training employees. It is simple and intuitive to operate, setting new standards in human-machine interaction.”
HOMAG DRILLTEQ V-310 with intelliGuide
INDUSTRY
To further support the machine operator, the loading area of the DRILLTEQ V-310 is also equipped with the intelliGuide LED assistance system. Here, intelliGuide is linked to the control system and shows the workpiece sizes and the correct positioning for loading into the machine by illuminating the LED bars in the X and Y directions.
For more information visit homag.com and watch the intelliGuide product video. If you would like a demonstration or further information on HOMAG machinery or software, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424. 01332 856500 info-uk@homag.comwww.homag.com
Quick visual checks guide the operator to ensure the loading of the correct sized workpiece. The intelliGuide system also performs a plausibility check to measure the length and width of the workpiece. This makes sure that drill positions are accurate even if workpieces are presented slightly over or undersized.
All three models of the system are available for the SAWTEQ B-300, B-400 and B-500 panel dividing saws with and without a lifting table, in the cutting lengths 3200, 3800, 4300 and 5600 mm. HOMAG’s SAWTEQ B-130 and B-200 panel dividing saws can be equipped with the intelliGuide Classic operator assistance system.
15Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 T:
E:
The Classic X and Zeta P2 biscuit joiners are now available as battery-powered versions for cordless freedom and even faster joining Joiningcordlesswith freedom – Full mobility – Ready-to-use immediately – Overhead work – No tripping hazards www.lamello.co.uk AVAILABLENEWFROM5.9.2022
The decision to invest in a new Intorex TMC came as result of increased demand for modern style contemporary designed twisted or stop chamfered spindles and newel posts. Whilst Cheshire Mouldings already have in place machinery to produce this type of product, the production output on the Intorex CNC is much higher thanks to the automatic hopper feed loading and the fact the parts can come off already finish sanded. The TMC which has 9 CNC controlled axis is equipped with a horizontal shaping head, horizontal sanding head and a sawblade for turning. In addition there is a router head, with 10 position rotary tool changer. The machine for Cheshire Mouldings was also specified with the optional 10th CNC axis for a narrow vertical sanding belt for sanding turned parts. This specification of machine provides a high level of flexibility to produce a wide range of simple or complex shaped or turned stair parts.
17Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 JJ Smith: T: 0151 548 9000 E: sales@jjsmith.co.uk www.jjsmith.co.uk Cheshire Mouldings: T: 0800 0853465 E: enquiries@cheshiremouldings.co.ukwww.cheshiremouldings.co.uk CHESHIRE CONTINUEMOULDINGSTOINVESTIntorexTMCautomatichopperfeedloadingContemporarydesignstair spindles Stop chamfered newel post, finish sanded on all faces Intorex TMC 5 axis CNC working centre Intorex LNX rotary CNC sander for stair spindles
machine was equipped with a series of flat and inclined conveyor belts that means just one operator is able to both load the machine and also box up the finish sanded Cheshirespindles.
Cheshire Mouldings, the UK’s leading supplier of stair parts and mouldings to the trade sector, have recently completed an investment of Euro 250,000 in the latest CNC technology from Intorex for the production of stair parts. The Intorex machines include the TMC1500 ‘5 axis’ CNC work centre and an LNX CNC sander for the automatic volume sanding of stair spindles.
Totally separate to the TMC, the LNX CNC rotary sander was ordered to provide increased capacity for the sanding of turned balustrades. This machine has automatic loading, twin CNC controlled flat sanding belts, and brush back sanding units. To minimise manual lifting and handling the
Mouldings Managing Director John Carney comments “It has long been our practice to invest in the very latest CNC equipment, and it is our belief that this is the only way to help satisfy the demands of our customers and also keep ahead of our competitors”. He adds “We have worked with both Intorex and their UK agent JJ Smith for many years and as result they clearly understand our requirements, and are able to provide us with the correct equipment for the job. We are very pleased with both machines and in particular are excited by the new design possibilities the TMC CNC will give us”.
CASE STUDY
Quality in products and service is a main driving force behind the success of Hanson Plywood, a leading supplier of panel products.
18 HANSONwww.p-j-production.comPLYWOOD
between racking and minimise wasted floor space which ultimately increases storage capacity. Stock is accessed by multi-directional trucks that are safely guided down operating aisles by the unique Guide Rail system.
QUALITY MATTERS!
Racking Assurances
As Full Manufacturing Members, Stakapal are committed to submitting their products into SEMA’s independent assessment process. This guarantees the racking has been designed, manufactured, and installed to meticulously defined standards and industry regulations.
Steve Webster, Operations Director at Hanson Plywood agrees: “Although the Guide Rail system was installed by Stakapal almost 10 years ago it’s still performing today exactly as it did the first day it was installed. That’s when you know the quality of the products are at the top of their game.”
The panel industry is incredibly safety-conscious, and Hanson Plywood required reliability from their racking supplier. Stakapal were able to support this through their membership with SEMA, the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association, which is a leading voice in the storage industry.
Replacing Guide Rails
Based in Halifax in West Yorkshire, Hanson Plywood specialises in the import, storage and distribution of wood based panel products throughout the UK. Priding themselves on their technical knowledge and customer service, they have the timber technology expertise and knowledge to advise in all aspects of specification and utilisation of materials.
CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
Urgently needing to address the existing Guide Rail system at one of their warehouses, Stakapal were called in to assess the site and design a new system. Floor mounted Guide Rails are used when you want to reduce aisle widths
When the Guide Rail system at one of their warehouses was failing badly, they needed a replacement they could trust. A visit to one of their supplier’s warehouses drew Hanson Plywood’s attention to the quality of Stakapal’s products. This led to a relationship that has seen Stakapal collaborating with the company for almost 10 years replacing not only the Guide Rail system but also replacing an existing “I” Section Rack with Stakapal Cantilever Racking.
CASE STUDY
Their SEIRS trained installers would arrive on site at midday on a Friday in time for the business shutting down. They would then work late into the night and throughout Saturday to make sure that work on each section was completed and the racking ready to use by the time the site opened again on the Monday morning.
With over 55 years’ experience within the industry, Stakapal’s in-house design team worked closely with Hanson Plywood to carefully design and plan the new racking system. They recommended a solution that would improve the configuration and layout to maximise storage potential and create a seamless flow of stock.
“There is one simple reason we continue working with Stakapal and that’s through the expertise they bring to every job. They can use their extensive experience in the industry to improve our operations and increase our storage.”
Replacing Cantilever Racking
Hanson Plywood couldn’t afford any downtime and Stakapal worked closely with Steve to coordinate schedules and arrange a phased installation programme that would complete the work over a series of weekend periods to minimise disruption to the business.
Expansion of Racking
We asked Steve why he liked working with Stakapal and their products: “Stakapal racking is more robust, and it does the job. That’s important in a busy warehouse environment where you can’t afford any down time because a system or product isn’t up to the job. Stakapal are honest and upfront with you – they tell it like it is. Warehouses are busy places, and the racking is bound to get knocks and bumps over the years. I really like the fact that their Cantilever Racking is far more robust, and as such there are minimal issues when it comes to ongoing maintenance.
Cantilever Racking Installation
19Panel & Joinery Production - September / October https://www.stakapal.co.uk/2022
As a busy distribution unit processing multiple orders each day maintaining Health & Safety and minimising disruption at the site was critical at this point of the project. Stakapal’s in-house installation team are SEIRS (Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme) registered, a key initiative from SEMA. To become SEIRS accredited, installers must undergo a demanding training scheme which covers all Health & Safety aspects for the industry and trains installers on the correct installation methods for racking.
Approximately 12 months after the Guide Rail had been successfully installed, Hanson Plywood asked Stakapal back to look at replacing the existing “I” Section Cantilever Racking at their 55,000 sq. ft warehouse. Although replacing the racking from a previous supplier was not in the original plan, Steve knew that their existing system wasn’t working for the company. Having seen the quality of Stakapal’s products when visiting one of their suppliers’ warehouses, they knew it was a move they had to make. As a leading supplier of a complete range of panel products, Hanson Plywood offers an assortment of different stock items with sizes of the panel products available in dimensions of 8x4 and 10x5.
When storing panel products or long lengths of product, Cantilever Racking offers the perfect solution. Cantilever Racking consists of vertical upright columns with arms attached at variable heights. Arms can be adapted to accommodate specific load bearing requirements and designed to suit any pack size to fully maximise the available area.
Following continued growth at Hanson Plywood, they recognised the need to increase and amend their existing racking to optimise operations within the warehouse. All of the existing “I” Section Cantilever Racking was therefore replaced over a phased period of time.
INDUSTRY
MORE 40VMAX XGT WOODWORKING TOOLS TO ITS RANGE
features an ergonomically designed grip and improved nose tip for better visibility. For enhanced safety, the pin nailer has a trigger lock and anti-dry-fire mechanism. It is IP56 dust and shower proof rated and features an LED job light with pre- and after-glow functions. The energy efficient brushless motor and redesigned driving spring shortens the time required to compress and release the spring, providing significantly quicker firing for improved productivity.
20 MAKITAwww.p-j-production.comADDS
has a planing width of 82mm and cutting depth of 4mm. Its brushless motor delivers a no-load speed of 15,000rpm for efficiency and rapid cutting. To ensure user safety the KP001G has an electric break and an anti-restart function to prevent accidental start up. It also includes Makita’s Autostart Wireless System (AWS), which allows the KP001G to be wirelessly connected to a compatible dust extractor via Bluetooth, enabling the dust extractor to automatically start when the tool’s trigger is engaged.
Makita has also launched new 5.0Ah XGT power source kits, ideal for users of XGT tools who want to invest in additional batteries. There are four kits available with either two or four 5.0Ah batteries and a 110v or 240v DC40RB twin port fast charger. The kit is also supplied in a Makita MAKPAC case for easy storage and transportation.
“The new kit option for the KP001G is valuable for anyone who has not yet invested in the high performance XGT platform. The KP001GD201 kit provides them with everything they need in an easy to handle and store case.”
Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “The new XGT Pin Nailer is an excellent addition to any professional’s kit for when a high quality finish is required. We have designed it around the needs of tradespeople to make their work as simple as possible.
www.makitauk.com/products/xgt-machines
Makita has launched a new 40VMax XGT Brushless Pin Nailer (PT001G) and added a new kit option for its recently introduced 40VMax XGT 82mm Planer (KP001GD201).
Makita had also launched a new option for the 40VMax XGT 82mm Brushless Planer (KP001G). The KP001GD201 features the same powerful XGT planer but is supplied as a kit in a MAKPAC case with two 2.5Ah 40VMax XGT batteries and a DC40RA fast charger. The KP001G is ideal for smooth, rough and thin planing and
The new 40VMax XGT Brushless Pin Nailer (PT001G) has been specially designed for interior nailing operations where a high quality finish is required, such as the installation of decorative mouldings. The low recoil mechanism enables effective nailing without pushing the tip of the pin nailer so firmly onto the material. The PT001G is compatible with 23Ga pin nails in 15, 18, 25, 30 and 35mm lengths, has a simple driving depth adjustment and a magazine capacity of
The100.PT001G
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TALKS TO PANEL & JOINERY PRODUCTION ABOUT SCM GROUP
With money you can do many things but with a loyal customer base you can do so much more because this is our largest asset as a manufacturer.
To sustain this growth we have invested in over 50,000 hours of training throughout the company in line with our belief that training is core to sales and services –knowledge and experience is vital to our business and we can be confident that all our staff are trained to the highest standards before selling our machines.
Inflation has had a huge impact and these very unusual and uncertain times create tension so the time is now to rethink supply chain strategy in order to guarantee a consistent and good flow.
Alternatives in place to allow for disruption which are designeds to keep customers working regardless of any supply chain issues.
CLARE HOLLISTER FROM PJP MET LUIGI DE VITO, SCM GENERAL MANAGER, AT SCM’S RIMINI HEADQUARTERS FOR AN OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY & HIS VISION FOR THE FUTURE
SCM are partners not suppliers for customers and the competitive landscape has changed meaning that reliability is more and more a critical factor and although competitive pricing is important customers buy into the company and our customer care ethos.
This was a big transformation for operators and machinery Weproduction.arefully digitalised and there is no more paper as all our operators have a tablet which interacts with our Factory Control System. This has been an excellent learning process and we are now scaling this up for our customers. 2021 saw the SCM Group have a record year of 750m Euro turnover and 900m Euro in terms of orders of machinery.
However, 2022 has seen the best order intake ever growing in all customer segments and there is a good global opportunity for us. SCM has great brand awareness globally. SCM want to lead on innovation so our technical department started planning alternative solutions many months ago by designing products to allow for disruption in supply which we are implementing into our designs.
“SCM Group is in transformation mode and are making strategic investments for the company as a whole by thinking about our physical spaces with a view to increasing and expanding production capacity across all our plants in Italy. As SCM celebrates our 70th Anniversary of the Group these investments seem like a fitting gift to ourselves.
When offering new solutions to our customers we need to be able to demonstrate that we are also making these changes ourselves which is why we are investing Internally by transforming how we use our spaces effectively and also how we work. This is demonstrated by our SCM Autostore an automatic warehouse for the handling of spare parts (see page 8-9 for the full story on this)
Currently we produce more than 20,000 machines a year and whilst we may not be the first producer in the market in terms of sales figures, we excel in terms of customer retention with customer service being the key ethos of our company. The production of this number of machines is an asset in terms of sustainability but you also you need to understand, manage and service the customers who purchase your machines.
22 LUIGIwww.p-j-production.comDEVITO
The main change is through digitalism within company. We felt it was paramount that we completely transformed the way we work internally prior to offering this to our
INTERVIEW
2022 is proving to be a tough year in general for the industry with supply chain problems internationally and it is not yet clear what the impact will be. There needs to be a rethink at European level to come up with the right strategy to free up the supply chain.
So,customers.interms of production that’s exactly what we have done what we are doing and as
Sales & services department are very important, this is the reason why we have a fantastic direct service department. For example, we have 45 engineers in the UK which is a very important market for SCM - we consider it to be a domestic market as SCM is so well established there and a well-recognised brand. Our UK customers know SCM will maintain their service even if there is a slight delay we will keep customer working.
We developed Campus which is dedicated training to keep SCM production sales and service level of company high with excellent understanding of pre and after sales service. I have always said “The customers experience starts when he starts machine” we understand that means offering a high standard of pre and after sales training offer. We have invested 35m Euro in research and development which equates to 7% of our turnover keeping us at the cutting edge of industry.
In general, our industry is motivated to constantly produce new machines but at SCM we believe in getting the right balance between new machine production and the ability to maintain our excellent customer care, provide excellent pre and after sales services and we think that these components of our serve as equally important. Getting that balance right is our biggest strength and we believe puts us ahead of our competitors.
Sales department need to fully understand customer and their company needs.
Technology and knowhow mean we need the right people customer facing. You must know what you are selling and what your customer wants.
INTERVIEW23Panel & Joinery Production - September / October www.scmgroup.com2022
We plan to increase service globally with an aggressive plan in terms of sales and service Innovation investment will increase in.”
To summarise:
Being at the cutting edge of technology is key Continue with digitalisation
2021 also saw record sales of small machines which are simple, safe, easy to use and reliable for the future; we know many carpenters proud of their older SCM machines which are still working perfectly 25 years ago.
Staying competitive is vital so we must keep our R&D on track
Compared to gas 1 tonne of wood waste would replace £800 worth of gas, if industrial gas rose to 25p which is what is being predicted.
If we take an example of a site with dust extraction and offcuts available filling a 12 m3 skip every month with extracted material and producing a 12m3 skip of off-cuts per week. If we assume that the density of the extracted material is 500kgs per m3 and the offcuts is 250kgs per m3. Then this site would have 1.5 tonnes per week of extracted material and 1.5 tonnes of off-cuts. If the off cuts are granulated, then they can be mixed with the extracted material and the site has 3 tonnes per week available as fuel all of the year round.
PRICES LOOM
24 RECORDwww.p-j-production.comENERGY
Most companies in the UK woodworking industry, if they don’t already have a wood fired heating system, use oil or gas to heat the premises. With the prospect of a 5- fold increase in gas and oil prices this winter it is time to look again at using your own wood-waste to heat your factory. So let’s look at the figures Domestic gas until the end of September is capped at 7.480 pence per kW hour, from the first October this rises to 14.758 per kW hour. Industry currently has no cap.
If we take an industrial gas rate as currently being 5p per kW hour and the prospect of a 5- fold increase to 25p per kW hour. How many kW hours do you get from wood-waste? The Carbon Trust has published a figure of 3,500 kW hours per tonne for industrial wood -waste. Allowing for a combustion efficiency the yield would be about 3,200 kW hours per tonne.
If we do the same calculation with a 300kW heater and a 20,000ft2 factory 122 tonnes per year replaces a gas bill of almost £100,000. and during the heating season needs 3.8 tonnes per week
The UK hospitality sector is appealing to the government for help with energy costs or face closure. No one is speaking up for the UK woodworking industry, so how can the industry help itself?
September sees the end of the meteorological summer and the start of autumn. The war in Ukraine continues, OFGEM announce energy caps for domestic consumers but industry at the moment has no set limits on energy prices.
With a small amount of storage of the off cuts in the summer the site could be self sufficient in heating. During the summer months the waste produced can be efficiently burned and the heat produced released to atmosphere. If we consider a woodworking factory with a spray facility heating to the spray room is still required even in summer but at a much lower rate.
INDUSTRY T: 01604 750005 E: www.ranheat.comsales@ranheat.com
So how much energy does a factory use? As a “rule of thumb” a 20,000 ft2 factory will need 300kW 10,000 ft2 factory 150 kW. It is generally predicted by OFGEM that the energy used per heating season is the power of the heater in kW multiplied by 1314. So, 150 kW heater 150 x 1314 = 197,100 kW hours or around 61 tonnes per heating season. If we take the heating season to be 32 weeks, this needs 1.9 tonnes per week. Equivalent gas usage at 25p per kW hour would be £49,275 per year.
THIS WINTER
Chris Franklin, managing director at Ranheat Engineering Ltd. a leading UK manufacturer of industrial wood fired boilers and heaters looks at ways the industry can help itself through these massif rises in energy costs.
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How are CO2 emissions managed?
Swiss Krono has left no stone unturned when it comes to reducing CO2. Measures include the substitution of fossil energy supply to biomass, using biomass to power the drying process of wood particles in place of natural gas, the introduction of a new efficient drum dryer on the particle board line, improvements to insulation of the production facilities and replacement of all lighting to LED bulbs. To put it into context these actions, along with many others, equate to the removal of 25,000 diesel cars from the road each year.
There’s no doubt that an increasing number of businesses and end consumers are now more interested in where products come from, how they are made, and their environmental impact. The ‘Attenborough Effect’ has had an impact on many of us and we’re actively choosing products that are kinder to the planet. We have a greater understanding of our individual responsibilities and are starting to take action to reduce our environmental impact, but there is still a long way to go for everyone.
Swiss Krono is a global leader in the manufacture of wood-based panel boards and their investment in high-quality manufacturing processes and commitment to design innovation perfectly align with our own principles and business practices. A key USP is their pioneering approach to sustainability which is embedded in the company’s DNA and evident at every stage of production.
All Swiss Krono panels can be recycled into particle board production elsewhere, or converted into biomass energy, creating a circular product lifecycle.
What is it about Swiss Krono’s approach that makes it so sustainable?
HUGGINS , BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT IDS
Tell us about IDS’s longstanding partnership with Swiss IDSKrono.has been the proud and exclusive UK distribution partner for Swiss Krono’s decorative panel products for more than 35 years.
26 Q&Awww.p-j-production.comWITHDAVID
INDUSTRY Q&A
The amount of carbon retained in Swiss Krono wood-based products amounts to the equivalent of 700,000 tons of CO2 per year, whereas less than 5,000 tons are emitted through the manufacturing process itself.
Swiss Krono is committed to achieving the lowest carbon footprint possible. It uses wood-based materials from local recycling centres to power the biomass power plants which provide 90% of the factory’s required thermal energy. Only the purest wood is used in production, while the recycled material is used to power the production; an example of recycling in reverse. Through these activities 150,000Mwh of energy is saved each year.
Are sustainable products important when it comes to purchasing decisions?
What about the manufacturing process itself, how is that sustainable?
Swiss Krono is unique in producing the core board for its One World Collection from 100% virgin wood material. The timber used in its panels is sourced through a natural ‘thinning’ process of the forests which ensures they remain healthy and leaves Switzerland’s forestry footprint unaffected. Swiss Krono has an infinite supply of the highest quality timber including softwoods like fir, spruce and pine as well as hardwoods like beech.
Transportation is a key part of Swiss Krono’s sustainability strategy and the virgin wood is sourced from no further than a 250km radius of the Swiss factory and meets and exceeds standard requirements from both FSC® and PEFC™. The wood is mainly transported by rail on a roundtrip basis saving up to 66% of energy compared to road transportation.
What happens to Swiss Krono panel boards at the end of their lifespan?
The Swiss Krono One World Collection, available from IDS, is produced from 100% virgin wood material. Pictured is the Vetro decor
The FSC® claims that almost half of the people in the UK recognise the FSC® trademark logo, and this increased awareness is contributing to the growth in the market of responsibly sourced timber and timber products.
Swiss Krono’s BE.YOND particle board is particularly ecofriendly. Can you tell me about it?
27Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022
T: 0845 023 0376, E: solutions@idsurfaces.co.ukwww.idsurfaces.co.uk
Products which are sustainable not only meet their own environmental objectives, they give furniture manufacturers, fabricators and designers a genuine USP which can create business opportunities with customers who work to environmental or ethical principles.
How are furniture manufacturers, fabricators and designers responding to increased demand for sustainable products?
Swiss Krono has a very low carbon footprint when it comes to manufacturing panel products such as the Granit Grey, Sky Blue and Ash Grey decors pictured here
We actively seek brand partners who share our ethos, and this is why we have enjoyed a successful relationship with Swiss Krono for so long.
The ex-stock collection can be delivered to a customer’s door in 24-48 hours from IDS’s network of 18 nationwide branches.
Responsible sourcing has long been an important consideration for them with FSC® or PEFC™ certified wood products being the material of choice for most. However, many are now looking beyond this certification to a company’s wider manufacturing processes and are choosing products that go above and beyond the usual benchmarks.
And how does IDS demonstrate its own commitment to sustainability?
As a market leading distributor, sustainability is as important to us as it is our customer base - 100% of our wood-based products are EU Timber Regulation compliant and over 80% are either FSC® or PEFC™ certified.
Sustainability runs through the entire Swiss Krono portfolio, however BE.YOND particle board boasts an emission level equivalent to natural trees, making it the most environmentally friendly product of its kind currently on the market worldwide for furniture manufacturing. It quite literally goes ‘beyond’ the usual environmental benchmarks and exceeds all global legislation regarding emission levels. It is made from a minimum of 98% natural wood material with no added formaldehyde and incorporates Eco Synthetic DuraBind™, a bio-based adhesive system during its manufacture. Due to its high natural content, its certification
meets the highest demanded quality and ecological standards for wood-based products – with absolutely no compromise on quality.
INDUSTRY Q&A
The Swiss Krono One World collection is available exclusively from IDS and offers a choice of 133 decors available as a melamine or a laminate with matching ABS edging as standard. They can all be combined with a variety of different substrates, including chipboard, MDF of all types and compact density fibreboard (CDF) to offer design flexibility for a wide range of domestic and commercial projects.
Quest Joinery has a history of delivering exceptional results for some of the most prestigious joinery projects in London and the Southeast. It is an award-winning specialist joinery manufacturer and high-end fit-out expert. The company recently invested in additional HOMAG woodworking machinery and storage facilities to enable competitive market diversification.
Questsystem.Joinery
High performance panel dividing saw The HOMAG SAWTEQ B-300 offers high performance in a compact space. This panel dividing saw is suitable for producing in batch size 1 as well as in smaller series and is ready for connection to automatic horizontal storage
Superior quality, reliability, and efficiency Allan Jackson pursued a rigorous procurement process when selecting the new equipment. HOMAG was chosen as his preferred supplier based on the superior quality, reliability, and ease of use of the HOMAG machines when compared to other leading woodworking equipment brands. Commenting on the specification of the machines, Jackson said: “The HOMAG sales representative guided us through the purchasing process and specification of the machines by taking the time to discuss our current and future production plans. He also took us to see the selected equipment in operation at similar production facilities, which was both useful and reassuring.”
for networked production processes and provides smooth material flow and precise logistics process. The saw is designed to meet future expansion requirements,
The HOMAG SAWTEQ B-300 panel dividing saw at the heart of Quest Joinery’s manufacturing facility
CASE STUDY
Established in 2011, Quest Joinery operates several HOMAG machines at its 25,000 sq. ft. production site in Hemel Hempstead. The new equipment investment totalled £420,000 and included the acquisition of HOMAG’s SAWTEQ B-300 panel dividing saw and STORETEQ S-200 storage
EXPANSION FOR QUEST JOINERY
works in partnership with a selection of bluechip construction companies, architects, designers, and high-end developers. Its project packages include specialist joinery, carpentry and design. With the new HOMAG technology, the company now produces high-volume joinery products such as kitchen units, wardrobes, and cubicles for its clients, in addition to its core bespoke high-end joinery Remarkingpackages.
FACILITATES MARKET
on the new HOMAG machinery investment, the company’s production director and co-founder, Allan Jackson said: “the quality and accuracy of our wood cutting has improved with the acquisition of HOMAG’s SAWTEQ
Itsystems.isalsoideal
B-300 panel dividing saw. We have also significantly enhanced our efficiency and productivity with HOMAG’s automated storage system.”
28 HOMAGwww.p-j-production.comEQUIPMENT
achieved with the many options that can be retrofitted. With a dimensionally accurate program fence and a rugged pressure beam, the B-300 produces a first-class quality cut every time. It features a central side pressure device integrated directly in the saw carriage to shorten cycle times.
CASE STUDY
The latest generation of the HOMAG saw controller, CADmatic 5, features an assistance graphic that clearly shows the machine operator what he has to do next. This 3D assistance tool is intuitive to operate, shortening the training period and reducing operator errors to a minimum. The system has a 21” full-HD widescreen monitor with a multi-touch display to tap and swipe commands quickly and easily. Thanks to its intuitive operating concept and precise administrative functions, it provides a vast range of functions and ease of use. What’s more, CADmatic 5 is ready to connect to tapio, HOMAG’s digital platform, and provides open communication with other machines and software solutions.
If you would like a demonstration or more information on HOMAG machinery or software, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.
CADmatic 5 – the state-of-the-art, high-performance saw control system
Efficient automated storage with the STORETEQ S-200
It is essential to have an efficient storage system in place to achieve fast production times. The HOMAG STORETEQ S-200 is an ideal entry level automated solution for small workshops restricted by space. It optimises the storage area in workshops, thus saving valuable production space. The STORETEQ S-200 can increase productivity by up to 40 per cent with the quick, efficient storage and safe handling of panels. It calculates the best panel size to minimise material waste and speeds up the production process by keeping materials flowing. Furthermore, the S-200 features an intelligent standby mode, meaning the system only consumes energy when it is operational.
29Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 T: 01332 856500 E: info-uk@homag.comwww.homag.com
Quest production director and co-founder, Allan Jackson in front of the HOMAG STORETEQ S-200
Affordable and available in multiple configurations, 3D laser scanning and measurement tools — such as the Leica DISTO scanner by Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon — make it easy for a single employee to perform distance measurement on a job site. Devices like the Leica DISTO can be used as a hand-held tool or mounted to a tripod to provide flexible measurement options and measure hard-toreach
measurement points that can be used as snap guides for drawing projects by hand, and measurements captured by portable devices can be used in conjunction with CAD software to verify design specs based on architectural drawings. Laser scanners can also be used to mark and project stud locations for hanging panels, which is a plus when matching panel clips with studs for faster and easier
How using data to drive workflows increases productivity by Chip Martin, Market & Product Manager Wood, Stone & Composites Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division
Joining the dots
between CAM software solutions, such as Hexagon’s CABINET VISION and ALPHACAM software, simplifies the process of using identical data when working between two systems that offer different CNC programming strengths. The ability to transition seamlessly between the two systems makes it easy to program parts that will be nested and cut using CABINET VISION and parts that require secondary operations programmed by ALPHACAM.
While increasing speed has long been the goal of manufacturers striving for ever greater productivity, we have about reached the pinnacle of how rapidly products can be turned out without sacrificing quality. In light of this, businesses are increasingly abandoning the race to the finish line and are instead using data to improve single processes and entire workflows.
INDUSTRY
Even as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinery and the software that programs it continue to advance, we now stand to reach the heights of productivity not by working faster but by laying a solid foundation of information that supports each stage of production. Digital tools that help increase efficiency from start to finish enable manufacturers to link processes without re-creating data by utilising a single source of information from start to finish.
Data collected by the Leica DISTO can be imported into computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for model preparation and CNC programming.
DATA-POWERED SHOP
Because accurate information is the foundation of any efficient job, portable devices that quickly collect precise measurement data are increasingly popular among woodworkers.
are growing in popularity because manual data entry and the need to enter information into more than one system invites mistakes that require employees to revisit and re-measure installation spaces if mistakes are made. Even in cases where measurement takes longer with a scanning device, one employee can complete a task traditionally performed by two.
Compatibilityerrors.
30 RISEwww.p-j-production.comOFTHE
A foundation of accuracy
Measurementareas.
Scanninginstallation.devices
The increasing availability of digital tools simplifies customising processes and workflows to match the needs of businesses. When creating a solution that uses data to drive processes, manufacturers should select vendors capable of meeting their current needs and providing support as they augment capabilities.
When systems are interoperable, foundational job data can power each process without requiring the manual re-entry of information at each step. Creating ‘a single source of truth’ that can be referenced throughout the manufacturing workflow improves collaboration, saves time, and reduces
data collected with portable devices can be imported directly into computer-aided design (CAD) software for design work, or into computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software for model preparation and CNC programming. Files imported into CAD software display
www.hexagon.com
Developed to meet challenges specific to woodshops, there are now a wide array of digital tools available to combat problems that cause bottlenecks and decrease efficiency. Devoting time to figuring out how we can make processes easier, more efficient, and more collaborative may at first seem counterintuitive, but adjusting how we work to meet changing needs is what manufacturers do best.
Assuppliers.withany
to calculate costs — such as vendor and pricing details. It can also be highly beneficial to perform in-house time studies to determine how much time is typically spent on each process—including assembly, painting, and finishing work—to make bids as accurate as possible. While an initial investment of time is required to ensure that accurate data drives the bidding process, the time saved on bidding all future jobs is well worth it.
Inflexible bidding software makes it more challenging to generate accurate bids based on the process used if it differs significantly from the process used by the bidding system. CABINET VISION offers an elevated level of flexibility, including a smart bidding system that makes it easy to discuss design changes with customers without having to recalculate bids from scratch. To further simplify the bidding process, the software enables users to create their own modular catalogs based upon the paper catalogs of
The Leica DISTO can be used as a hand-held tool or mounted to a tripod to provide flexible measurement options and measure hard-to-reach areas.
CABINET VISION offers a smart bidding system that makes it easy to explore design changes with customers without having to recalculate bids from scratch.
digital manufacturing tool, success with a bidding system depends upon the quality of the data used
Compatibility between ALPHACAM and CABINET VISION makes it easy to program parts for a variety of operations using the two systems.
Better bidding with digital tools In implementing bidding software, it is best to adopt solutions that account for how products are engineered and that allow users to price those products accordingly. While quotes can be generated with an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, estimating software, a production planning solution, and even CAD or CAM software, a solution with a dedicated bidding function is best suited to managing information that influences costs.
31Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 INDUSTRY
Earlier this year REHAU and Decorative Panels Lamination announced a new industry partnership. One which will see many benefits for both companies; increasing Rehau’s opportunity to sell laminated materials into the UK market on short, reactive lead times whilst allowing dp-lamination to add value to the product in terms of supplying the surface laminated onto board.
A
Then there is RAUVISIO Crystal Mirror which has unrivalled light and flat reflection values that compare with a real glass mirror, but with half the weight and 10 times more break resistance.
RAUVISIO Noir Laminate a collection of 12 matt finishes with a robust HPL (High Pressure Laminate) surface, perfect for horizontal and vertical application with matching balancer. RAUVISIO Brilliant Matt is available in 8 colours and matching balancer. Perfect for vertical applications and harmonise excellently with RAUVISIO Noir HPL collection.
Here at Decorative Panels we are constantly adding to and evolving our collections to enable us to keep our product offering up to date and relevant for our customers. The latest RAUVISIO Noble Matt collection encompassing Noir HPLs and Brilliant Matt designs do just that and are the perfect addition to our dp-limitless range.
Having been a customer of Rehau edging for over 20 years, we have already established a great relationship. In recent years we have introduced their surface materials to our customer base starting with the RAUVISIO Crystal collection and have now expanded the offering to include the RAUVISIO Noble Matt collection.
RAUVISIO Crystal Decor uses a 2mm transparent PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) surface over a high quality impregnated digital print stone decor giving it a depth that looks like the real thing – be it wood or stone.
INDUSTRY32 www.p-j-production.com
All of these are part of the dp-limitless range of specialised, decorative, and high-performance products available in a limitless number of possibilities. There is no commitment to purchasing in bulk and the offer is deliverable in quantities from as little as just one board. NEW PERFECT PARTNER
Manufacturers want quality materials that can be sourced and processed easily, with a consistency that compliments their workmanship and allows them to offer a perfect finish on every product – Our partnership with Rehau enables this. Available now! The RAUVISIO Noble Matt collection is available from stock here at Decorative Panels Lamination for nationwide delivery. Surfaces are supplied laminated onto board direct to the customer ready for processing. For cut and edged panels, we can put you in touch with one of our regional conversion partners. All surfaces can be laminated as sheet size 2800mm x 1300mm x 18mm MDF with lead times of 4 to 6 weeks.www.decorativepanels.co.ukT:01484658341
Trends have moved from high-gloss to soft-touch matt surfaces and are now extremely popular and in demand from furniture and joinery manufacturers. The colour palette of the new RAUVISIO matt collection is perfect for the current market from the deep shades of After Dark, Olive Detour and Midnight Dash through to the contemporary take on greys and whites. Application includes doors throughout the home and all worktops including kitchens. You can easily achieve the “all over” trend within a kitchen using the matching horizontal and vertical finishes.
INDUSTRY33Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022
Detail is everything in this industry, and because Rehau scientifically test in lab conditions to meet or exceed the highest standards from the German kitchen industry – as set by AMK and TUV – this sets their products apart from others on the market. For example, we know there are other brands that offer vertical and horizontal surfaces in a soft touch with a scratch resistant surface. However, when you measure the light reflection at acute angles, some products on the market no longer look matt and you can see a reflection, as well as scratches not rubbing out with a sponge, or marks being left upon impact. None of these issues arise with the RAUVISIO Noble Matt collection.
SERVICE, DIVERSITY, SPEED: THAT IS OSTERMANN
#edgingvariety
www.ostermann.eu
STRONG PARTNER - LARGE SELECTION
EDGINGS
You are looking for a matching edging to your board? Then we are your partner. We provide you with Europe’s largest range of edgings made from ABS, melamine, real wood and aluminium. Our cross-reference list includes more than 150,000 matches to the surfaces of more than 70 board suppliers. Order your ABS edgings by the metre for your project. Just as diverse as our range is our edgebanding service. We would be pleased to inform you in detail!
OSTERMANN‘S EDGING VARIETY
For further information, go to www.ostermann.eu and type in
Managing Director of Wood Waste Technology, Kurt Cockroft has seen an increase in the number of enquiries about wood waste heaters, from businesses who are looking to save money by reducing their reliance on traditional energy
Wood Waste Technology offers a full range of wood waste heaters, from small hand fired units to larger fully automatic systems, and all the heaters are manufactured in-house at the company’s head office in Stafford. The company offers site survey and design, as well as manufacture, installation and on-going maintenance – plus services all types of wood waste heaters and supplies genuine spares up to 60% cheaper than other
BUSINESSsuppliers.OWNERS SEEK ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SAVE MONEY ON ENERGY BILLS AS PRICES RISE T: 01785 www.woodwastetechnology.com250400
“Even before the energy price hikes, one of the most popular quotes we hear from our customers after buying a wood waste heater is, “I wish I’d bought one sooner”, because it makes disposing of waste wood so easy whilst conveniently heating a factory for free. If your business generates or has access to waste wood or sawdust, there’s never been a better time to find out more about wood waste heaters and get a quote.”
INDUSTRY35Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022
Kurt says: “We’re getting an unusually high number of enquiries at the moment, from worried business owners who are becoming fearful about how much their energy bills might be once the colder weather arrives. It seems they are starting to make enquiries about alternatives now, as they want to have a solution in place before the autumn and winter months as there’s just so much uncertainty, especially as business energy tariffs don’t have a price cap like the domestic market, leaving businesses open to potentially huge increases in their bills.
As energy prices continue to rise, some business owners are starting to look into alternative options to help them save money on their gas and electricity bills, such as by investing in a wood waste heater.
Technology manufactures wood waste heaters that help businesses save money by recycling waste wood into free factory heating. As well as saving money on heating bills, investing in a wood waste heater also helps businesses save money on skips and other waste disposal charges, as the waste wood gets converted into fuel so no longer needs to be disposed of via other methods.
Woodsources.Waste
Making its debut at Holz-Handwerk, Holz-Her’s revolutionary SafeDetect technology was demonstrated on its newly extended Epicon CNC range. The introduction of SafeDetect means the operator can benefit from free access to the machine even when it’s running at full speed because the space above the machine table as well as the area in front of the machine is monitored for all-round protection. Laser lines projected on the floor in real time continuously show the operator the safe zone surrounding the machine head. If this is encroached, the machine will stop, keeping the operator safe. What’s especially impressive is that unlike a machine equipped with a bumper system that needs to run at a very slow speed and needs to make contact with the operator to stop, SafeDetect runs at full speed, reducing as it gets within 1,400mm of the operator and stops fully when within 700mm of the operator. When safe to do so, it will continue where if left off. Dust and offcuts do not trigger the stop phase as radar technology is in play.
Connect With Weinig. Available as a web or mobile application, the Weinig App Suite offers a wide variety of functions to keep you informed, including machine monitoring, trending, OEE, individual notifications and various analysis options. The latest update, which was put to the test in Nuremburg earlier this month, allows interlinked machines, production lines, complete systems and even an entire factory to be operated fully automatically and digitalised from order entry to the end product. With each function individually assembled and selected via a modular structure of the functions, each Control Suite is tailored to the operator’s needs for the ultimate Weinig experience.
www.weinig.co.uk FROM
36 NEWwww.p-j-production.comLAUNCHES
The Conturex Vario XS is the latest addition to the longstanding Conturex range and the most compact to date. Launched in response to current trends in the window market, the XS has been designed with smaller manufacturers in mind. Benefiting from the same advanced technology used on larger industrial models, the XS offers exceptional machining versatility while benefiting from a remarkably small footprint. It’s capable of working with lengths from 175mm to 4,500mm, widths from 20mm to 330mm and workpieces up to 6,000mm in length. It also features PowerGrip Motion 2D/3D software enabling complete processing in a single clamping procedure and full freedom of the X, Y and Z directions with no additional setup, making it suitable for batch one and series production as well as ‘just in time’ manufacturing.
REVIEW
Taking centre stage at this year’s Holz-Handwerk, Weinig Group exhibited a wealth of ground-braking technology on its 1,600sqm stand. The interactive stand, which was shared with panel processing machinery specialists, Holz-Her, demonstrated over 30 machines and innovative software and digital solutions, including the brand new Cube 3 automatic planer and Conturex Vario XS.
Epicon
WEINIG AT HOLZ-HANDWERK
3 Is The Magic Number.
The third generation ‘plug and play’ Cube 3 has been designed to offer bigger time savings, even simpler operation and enhanced standard equipment for an even better price-performance ratio. The trusted model, which was first launched over a decade ago, also offers more flexibility than ever before with performance-enhancing features that can be retrofitted to the compact planer if/ when your production requires them, unlocking the full potential of the machine. From automated stackers to return conveyors for safe one-man operation, your Cube 3 can be tailored to suit your production needs now and in the future, while always guaranteeing perfectly right-angled workpieces.
7235 with Safe Detect
XS Machine. XXL Possibilities.
Epic Safety Technology.
37Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 REVIEW
The
Conturex Vario XS all new Cube 3
The Cube 3 has been designed to offer bigger time savings, even simpler operation and enhanced standard equipment
ABS Edging Istanbul Style Smooth
STYLE
ABS Edging Hong Kong Style smooth
Like Istanbul, Hong Kong is a metropolis that contrasts tradition and modern age. And the ABS edging Hong Kong Style likewise shows a dominating used look with wear and tear. The colour spectrum of the decor encompasses grey, beige, and blue-grey tones. You can also see large whitish or slightly light blue areas. Diamond shaped patterns are reminiscent of snakeskin or coarsely woven fabric. In addition, there are smaller whitish or slightly light blue plain areas, always with light individual or parallel indicated scratches. To apply the 1 mm thick, smooth edging in furniture making, there are several options here as well: either at the board with matching decor surface or as accentuating edging on white, grey, or grey-blue plain boards.
FEATURE E: s.parsons@ostermann.euT:01905793550www.ostermann.eu
New by Ostermann: ABS edgings Istanbul Style and Hong Kong Style
Furniture makers on the lookout for special design solutions can now put into practice their ideas with just the right edging. Ostermann’s new edgings Istanbul Style smooth and Hong Kong Style smooth are perfect candidates for individual room concepts. The two new products are set apart by exceptional decors which represent the style of two just as exceptional metropolitan cities. Both edgings are available in any width up to 100 mm. The typical Ostermann service means they are dispatched in small quantities from 1 metre and, if you place your order before 4 p.m., on the same day. Furniture makers will also find all information on the two new edgings by typing in the search item “#Highlights08” on the Ostermann website www.ostermann. eu.
Always the Matching Edging Ostermann does of course not only supply extravagant decor edgings. The edging specialist provides carpenters/ cabinet makers with Europe’s largest range of edgings ex stock, adding new uni colours and decors on a regular basis. If you want to know more about the diverse range or just seek some inspiration for new projects, you should regularly take a look at the Ostermann website www.ostermann.eu. New highlights are frequently presented right on the starting page or can be found in the “Trends & Innovations” area.
38 DECORNEWwww.p-j-production.comBYOSTERMANNEDGINGSWITH
Stunning and stylish: on their two new ABS edgings, Istanbul Style smooth and Hong Kong Style smooth, Ostermann’s experts in edging also prove their sense for exceptional design.
Istanbul is a metropolitan city with many different cultural influences. This is where East and West, Europe and Asia meet. The Istanbul Style decor gives you a hint of its namesake’s cultural diversity. Could it be construction plans for the Hagia Sophia which emerge as faint sketches, almost like a historical blueprint, looming dimly from the dark background? The dark, brown-grey base tone of the edging is reminiscent of an ancient blackboard. You can see tiny scratches and remains of architectural designs and inscriptions. Some areas are darker and seem as though the surface is particularly scuffed on that spot. In brief: a decor that tells a story. The 2 mm wide, smooth edging perfectly matches the furniture board of the same name, but it is also well suited to stand out on plain-coloured boards, e.g. grey or dark ones, where it will add a special touch.
The complete woodworking CAD/CAM software solution, from design to manufacture Powerful user-friendly CAM for programming CNC routerssoftware ALPHACAM From simple routed parts to complex, 5-axis furniture components, ALPHACAM can make your CNC router perform better than you thought possible. • Advanced routing • 2-5 axis machining • Full machine simulation • Powerful nesting • Reusable machining styles The industry manufacturingCAD softwarestandardincasegoods CABINET VISION From cutlists, renderings, shop drawings, bidding and pricing, to CNC output, CABINET VISION makes the easy jobs simple and the complex ones possible. • Custom cabinet and room designs • Photo realistic renderings • Material Optimisation • Full costing direct from design • Cutlists and bill of materials Find out more alphacam.com Find out more cabinetvision.com
ExpertCut allows you to take on parts lists from conventional CAD or ERP systems and optimise them directly at your office workstation. You can also use the program to process and manage orders, materials and parts lists quickly and easily.
Swiss vertical panel saw manufacturer, Striebig showcased its very latest vertical panel saw range and software offering at this year’s Holz-Handwerk. With industry 4.0 and digitalisation very much at the forefront of its presentation, visitors were able to experience the very latest cutting technology alongside a new warehouse management system, Optistock at the four-day event in Nuremburg.
www.tmmachinery.co.uk.
WITH STRIEBIG
40 TAKEwww.p-j-production.comSTOCK
Making its European debut, the new Edition 60 vertical panel saw took centre stage. Designed with single-operator use in mind, the new model, which is exclusively available in the UK through TM Machinery, centres around an integrated panel-lowering device (PAV) comprising two panel-lowering units that position each panel automatically. This process eliminates the need to rotate the sheet by hand during the cutting process, reducing handling. It’s suitable for use with panels up to 3000 x 2159mm and weighing up to 160 kg. A third lifter can also be added for cutting large format panels up to 5000 x 2150mm that weigh up to 240kg. The new PAV system is also quick, offering an impressive feed rate of 5m/ min under load and 10m/min without load.
Striebig’s brand new Optistock warehouse management module, launched at Holz-Handwerk and part of the newlyextended ExpertCut system, is designed to help you manage your external remnant stock. During optimisation, remnants can be allocated to stock and recalled for processing when required. Optistock then adjusts the library of remnants, adding, labelling and numbering any new offcuts as they are created before allocating space in the stock. It is possible to book remnants out manually but Striebig’s Operator Station software, which works with a Windows-based PC, provides a simple graphic representation of remnants, making them easier to manage.
To demonstrate how simple it can be to integrate a Striebig vertical panel saw into your operational data flow, visitors were also given an opportunity to see Striebig’s latest optimisation software on its Compact and 4D models.
Matt Pearce, Managing Director of TM Machinery adds, “Striebig is focused on creating and developing marketleading cutting solutions for the woodworking industry. It’s been a core part of the businesses for 60 years and the company continues to push ahead with new, groundbreaking cutting technology with all the hallmarks of a Swiss manufacturer. The new innovations on show at HolzHandwerk are a great example of what’s to come from the world’s leading vertical panel saw specialist.”
REVIEW
Striebig’s brand new Optistock warehouse management module is designed to help you manage your external remnant
stockBaseCut
The new Striebig Edition 60
41Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 REVIEW
CON and ExpertCut CON are specially tailored to the new Control model
NEW HOMAG CENTATEQ S-800 TRANSFORMS WINDOW PRODUCTION AT MUMFORD & WOOD CASE STUDY
Limited competition in the marketplace
There are few manufacturers on the market that can offer this type of CNC machine or the level of service that HOMAG provides. Dion Panting again, “A major attraction to us
HOMAG CENTATEQ S-800 CNC
42 www.p-j-production.com
To keep ahead of the rapidly changing UK market for windows, Essex based Mumford & Wood recently invested in the state-of-the-art HOMAG CENTATEQ S-800 CNC machining centre. This windows CNC is the latest addition to the plant list of HOMAG machinery operated by the company. This advanced CNC is designed to increase output and productivity whilst maintaining Mumford & Wood’s reputation for quality and service to core customer groups including architects, developers, designers and owners of aspirational homes.
“The next step is to make certain that the software team can program what’s required. This might sound obvious, but very few CAD|CAM systems on the market can drive a CNC windows machine because of the complexity of the process. “We use our own woodWOP parametric software which has become recognised as the industry standard and, together with the tooling manufacturer and the customer, we prepare and test each window system on the customer’s machine, using their timber, tools and ERP output. Mumford have invested heavily in KLAES software over the years and it represents the backbone of their company.
“When Mumford & Wood go out and see a customer, they design the windows, cost them and the KLAES software provides all the timber, glass and ironmongery requirements etc., effectively creating a bill of materials for the job. Then, using the HOMAG interface, we merge the details into the woodWOP software to generate the individual component programmes to yield a fully finished workpiece.
“Compounding these issues, is a lack of skilled labour throughout the construction and manufacturing industries. This means that house builders are reluctant to use just primed and unglazed windows onsite; they want fully finished windows ready to simply fit into the building.”
The latest CNC windows machining centres HOMAG has led the way in advanced CNC window machinery for many years and the company’s latest iterations, the CENTATEQ S- 800 and S-900 have raised the bar even higher. Phil Pitchford, HOMAG UK’s CNC specialist takes up the story, “When it comes to windows CNC machines, we view every sale as a project. We start the process with an initial meeting in Germany where we involve the tool and software suppliers to discuss the parameters with the customer.
“Over the last 10 to 15 years, the UK market for windows has changed dramatically,” explains Mumford & Wood managing director, Dion Panting. He continues, “The design of windows and the components used to make them have become far more complex, while batch sizes have become smaller, more bespoke and with much lower volume requirements.
“Before we deliver a CNC windows machine to the customer we carry out one or two weeks commissioning at the factory using their tooling systems. Then we do the same when it’s delivered to the customer’s facility. It’s a lengthy process, but it pays in spades.”
“We discuss all of the individual window profiles the customer wants to make and we evaluate all the tooling suggested by the tooling supplier to ensure suitability.
was the extremely compact footprint of the CENTATEQ machine, the HOMAG service and the benefits of the “Addproven woodWOP software.tothistheflexibilityofthe machine, the output speed and quality, and the value for money, and it becomes clear why the decision to invest in this machine was relatively
CASE STUDY
“The training and support HOMAG provides prior to and after the machine has been installed is first class. Once they’d trained our operators on the basics, they remained onsite for a further two or three weeks to make sure everything was working as it should and we were running at full “Thereproduction.arehorror
“Asstraightforward.partofourdue diligence, we visited a factory in Germany which was operating a similar windows CNC and this gave us confidence that the machine would deliver exactly what we were looking for.”
Powerful and versatile production
“Once we’ve loaded one table, that will start processing the work and at the same time we can load up the second table ready to run as soon as the first table finishes. This re-clamping in cycle eliminates a huge amount of the downtime you get with other machines and is why our throughput is so high.”
“To improve the versatility of the CNC and increase the productivity, we specified both 4- and 5-axis heads for our CENTATEQ S-800. This enables us to use the power of the 4-axis spindle for the heavy operations such as counter profiling and rebaiting. The 5-axis is then available as a second head that can spin over off the vertical and do any operation using the full power and spindle.
stories out there of manufacturers installing a machine and giving only basic training – with HOMAG you get real peace of mind, they are on your team from day one and that’s something we really appreciate.
“The benefits the CENTATEQ S-800 has delivered for us are many. Perhaps the most important is that every part comes off correct and finished to the premium quality standards we demand. Basically re-working is a thing of the past and because components are fully finished in one clamping, the risk of damaging each piece of timber during the manufacturing process is much less,” concludes Dion Panting.
“The results we’ve achieved with this new machine have been outstanding. We even managed to process 270 components (pieces of wood) in one nine hour shift which is unheard of in complex window manufacturing. This is partly due to the rapid load cycle of the machine.
If you would like a demonstration or further information on HOMAG CNC windows machining centres or woodWOP software, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK
43Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 T: 01332 856500 E: info-uk@homag.comwww.homag.com
First class training and support
CNC BMB profile splitting window processing
A CONNECTION
machinery manufacturers, including Homag, Holz-Her, Masterwood and Felder were also demonstrating Lamello’s unique P-System CNC fixings on a range of three, four and five axis CNC machines. This presented visitors with unique solutions designed to increase productivity and reduce the production time and labour costs commonly associated with furniture manufacturing and assembly.
REVIEW www.lamello.co.uk
Lamello UK’s Shaye Chatfield says: “708 exhibitors from 33 countries took part in the long-awaited Holz-Handwerk exhibition, with over 28,500 people in attendance. For Lamello, this offered the perfect stage for us to present our brand new cordless Zeta P2 biscuit joiner and Classic X biscuit joiner, whilst demonstrating the ease, strength and flexibility of our award-winning P-System connectors range. It was also brilliant to see so many machinery manufacturers presenting our unique CNC connectors on their stands. We had fantastic feedback and the interest around our extended product offering was really strong.”
44 LAMELLO:www.p-j-production.comMAKING
Making its European exhibition debut, Lamello’s first battery powered Classic X and Zeta P2 biscuit joiners took centre stage at this year’s Holz-Handwerk. To date, the Zeta P2 biscuit joiner and Classic X biscuit joiner have remained firm favourites amongst furniture manufacturers and a chosen hand tool for those looking for a fast and effective way to join panels and solid wood.
The award-winning P-System connectors were also on show, with live demonstrations of the Clamex-P, Divario-P and Tenso-P takng place throughout the four-day event. Leading
The new cordless range, which will available in the UK from September 2022, offers users the same level of precision and flexibility as its predecessor, without being restricted by the need for a separate power outlet. A full range of battery pack options were also on display, showcasing just how powerful and lightweight the new cordless range is.
The new VS Area Storage System and LS1 range from Schelling are just showing how well they are adapting to the climate in the market. The LS1 is making batch size one production even more eicient and the VS can be adapted to suit any requirements. It can even be over multiple levels for those short of space! Get in touch for more information on the VS or LS1. at sales.uk@imaschelling.com 586 340
VS
LS1
www.imaschelling.com| 01937
IMA SCHELLING – The Elite New Offerings
Exhibiting for the first time in the UK will be the incredible Kimla PowerCut fiber laser. The PowerCut delivers uncompromised performance maximising the synergy between fiber laser efficiency and Kimla’s unique CNC motion technology – a must see for anyone cutting large volumes of sheet metal. The PowerCut will be taking centre stage at the show alongside Kimla’s flag ship CNC router, the BPF Industrial. Equipped with a large format vacuum bed, 400mm Z axis clearance, oscillating knife head and the latest
Leading machinery supplier Daltons Wadkin is holding its annual Wood & Panel Machinery Show in Nottingham from 4th to 6th October 2022. This years focus will be on automatic crosscutting, panel sawing and CNC technology showcasing the latest innovations from leading European manufacturers including SCM, Altendorf, Kimla, Salvador, Elcon and Stenner.
46 WOODDALTONSwww.p-j-production.comWADKIN&PANELMACHINERY
SHOW 2022
PC-CAM CAD/ CAM/ Nesting software, visitors will be able to witness a wide range of materials being processed including wood based panels, plastics, foam, rubber, non-ferrous metals and composites.
More products will be announced over the coming weeks including band resaws, edgebanders, spindle moulders, planers, mortisers, bandsaws and more.
EVENTS
Panel processing solutions including sliding table saws and vertical panel saws will also be exhibited, giving customers an objective view of the pros and cons of each cutting method. See the brand new eye-S control system from SCM featuring large colour multi-touch screen. The Elcon 155DSXL wall saw will showcase a host of optional features including pneumatic head plunge and tilt, electronic digital readouts, deep 80mm plus cutting depth and Elcon’s patented LIMPIO dust extraction system.
Salvador have a proven track record in revolutionising furniture and joinery manufacturing through the installation of automatic and semi-automatic crosscut saws increasing yield, reducing skilled labour, and boosting productivity. Visitors will be able to see live demonstrations on high speed solutions as well as semi-automatic, optimising and angle cutting saws.
T: 0115 986 5201 E: www.daltonswadkin.com/oh22info@daltonswadkin.com
EVENTS47Panel & Joinery Production -September / October 2022
48 www.p-j-production.com Follow us online and on social media www.p-j-production.com WE´RE FOUND IN THE JOINTS!BEST www.hoffmann-uk.com tel. 01524 841 www.hoffmann-schwalbe.de500tel.0049725195440 HOFFMANN-SCHWALBE.DE
WE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND INSTALL CANTILEVER RACKING, PALLET RACKING, VERTICAL STORAGE AND PIGEON HOLE RACKING WE MAKE THE UK’S WIDEST RANGE OF STORAGE OPTIONS FOR THE PANELS AND JOINERY INDUSTRY PROJECT RACKS DESIGNED AND HIGH QUALITY RACKING www.stakapal.co.uk www.semcoltd.co.uk www.redirack.co.uk BETTY’S LANE, NORTON CANES, CANNOCK, STAFFORDSHIRE, WS11 9NZ CALL US NOW FOR YOUR FREE SITE SURVEY ON 01543 278123 OR EMAIL sales@stakapal.co.uk HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BESPOKE 49Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022
50 BLUMwww.p-j-production.comPOSTS
• Demand for fittings remains stable
Demand for Austrian manufacturer’s fittings remains stable
The last financial year was another good year for kitchen and furniture manufacturers. “Consumers were again drawn to the homing and home improvement trend which remained strong during the last year. The demand for fittings has stabilised at a high level,” says Philipp Blum, Managing Director of Julius Blum GmbH, describing the developments of the industry. The family-owned business from Vorarlberg, Austria has posted 2,643.65 million euros in Group turnover for the 2021/2022 financial year, increasing its sales by 266 million euros on the past year. “The last business year has again proved to be a challenge due to the ongoing COVID pandemic and war in Ukraine. This makes the 11.2% increase in turnover all the more pleasing,” comments Philipp Blum. Against the backdrop of these extraordinary global circumstances, it is necessary to take a differentiated view of the results. The price of raw materials has increased multi-fold, as has that of transportation. “This year’s increase in turnover is partly due to a growth in sales volume and partly due to the price adjustments we had to make because of the dramatic rise in costs,” explains the Managing Director. The family-owned business added 644 employees to its headcount last year, taking staff numbers worldwide to more than 9,422. 6,981 of these employees are based in Austria.
• Blum posts 2.6 billion euros in turnover for the 2021/2022 financial year
Development of international markets Western Europe saw another big increase in turnover, particularly in Italy, Germany and the UK. However, the political situation had a subduing effect on markets in Eastern Europe. “We are shocked by Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine which has inflicted untold suffering on many people since it was launched in February. The war in the middle of Europe is shattering peace on the European continent and shaking the foundations of stability.
Although our colleagues in our Ukrainian subsidiary are as well as can be expected, their health and well-being are a constant concern,” says Philipp Blum. The lockdown in Shanghai and other Chinese cities in the spring of 2022 put the brakes on growth in China. “It has had a major impact on our customers there, but the Asian market has achieved good results on the whole,” he continues. Business was also satisfactory in North and South America. However, international transport routes have created new challenges for the company. “Disruption is being caused by the war in Ukraine and the worldwide shortage of freight containers, heavy goods vehicles and drivers. The supply chain is still under severe pressure,” Philipp Blum adds. The company is satisfied with order volumes and is guardedly optimistic about future developments. “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to greatly reduce lead times for many product groups by increasing production capacity and recruiting new members of staff over the past few months,” says the Managing Director.
FEATURE
Demand for fittings remains stable despite tense economic situation
IN TURNOVER AT YEAR-END
The fittings specialist from Hoechst, Austria has recorded an 11.6% increase in turnover for the 2021/2022 financial year ended 30 June 2022. This is a growth in turnover of 266 million euros on the previous year. The global demand for kitchens and furniture remains high despite the tense economic situation. Blum has more than 9,422 employees all over the world who strive to be a trusted partner to customers around the globe.
Blum Group investments Blum has strengthened the location of Vorarlberg, Austria by investing a total of 224 million euros in its main production facilities, specifically in its plants in Bregenz, Hoechst und Gaissau. “This is where we develop our products and production methods, where we create most of the added value,” explains Managing Director Martin Blum. “To overcome global supply chain challenges and reduce our ecological footprint, we will expand our global production network – in Europe and internationally,” he
2.6 BILLION
• Resilience and flexibility needed in volatile times
Looking ahead to the forthcoming year
Energy safety – long-term solutions
51Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022
Phillip Blum Managing Director
As a manufacturing company Blum is part of a long international supply chain. Although the company’s direct
The family-owned company from Vorarlberg is concerned about the high rate of inflation and rising cost of living. “People are having to think twice about how they spend their money. The fragility of international supply chains, complexity of transport logistics and volatility of raw material prices will remain a challenge,” says Philipp Blum. Now, more than ever before, the company as a whole needs resilience and flexibility to be able to respond to crises, learn from them and move forward. This will be key to the company’s success in volatile times. “Only in this way will we remain a reliable partner – to both our customers and employees,” he concludes.
reliance on gas is not significant, it does rely indirectly to a great extent on gas used, for example, for steel production. That is why it is impossible for Blum to make a swift exit from fossil fuels. “We have long-term sustainability goals. Regardless of the current situation around gas, we have been using alternative sources of energy for many years, for example, hydropower, district heating in our plants in Dornbirn, heat recovery in production facilities and photovoltaic systems,” says Martin Blum. More than 1,800 sq. metres (19,375 sq. ft.) of solar panels have been installed in Vorarlberg alone. About half of the trucks used for transportation between Blum’s plants in Vorarlberg run on local biogas and are therefore virtually carbon neutral. “We are a founder member of the ‘turn to zero’ Alliance on Climate Neutrality 2025 and are committed to becoming climate neutral by addressing our corporate carbon footprint,” concludes the Managing Director.
www.linkedin.com/company/julius-blum-gmbhwww.youtube.com/user/JuliusBlumGmbHwww.twitter.com/BlumPressewww.blum.comwww.instagram.com/blum_group
Martin Blum Managing Director
The Blum Group posts 2,643.65 million euros in turnover for the 2021/2022 financial year
Innovations
The great number of visitors to EuroCucina in Milan in June showed that there is a need for face-to-face meetings and a keen interest in products and design trends. The REVEGO pocket system opens up new possibilities for the design of living spaces and was often displayed by Blum’s customers at the trade show. The fittings manufacturer is confident that the new product will be successfully launched on the market. The same applies to its latest box system, MERIVOBOX which enables a broad range of drawers and pull-outs with just a few components – and all with the same manufacturing and assembly process. As for lift systems, the new AVENTOS top range with numerous new features and the integrated AVENTOS HKi fittings solution for design-oriented furniture are to be launched shortly. The family-owned business from Vorarlberg also believes that there is great potential for innovative fittings solutions in the future.
continues. One major milestone is the completion of a new plant in Shanghai. First production lines have been put into operation and Blum has been assembling hinges for the local market since early April. The manufacturer of fittings will also have additional production space at its disposal at its Polish subsidiary from 2023. In the past financial year, investments worldwide totalled 339 million euros. For Martin Blum, one of the most important investments is in the training of skilled professionals. “Our programme of vocational training and ongoing education is designed to stem the shortage of skilled workers. We train 400 apprentices worldwide, 363 of whom in Vorarlberg.” Motivated, committed and qualified employees are one of Blum’s key success factors. “We’ve pulled together and come through despite another challenging year which put enormous pressure on our organisation. That wouldn’t have been possible without our extraordinary team,” says Martin Blum with conviction.
FEATURE
Biesse makes breakthrough in CNC set-up times with new XPS technology
Electronic Positioning System
Set-up Assistant
The EPS (Electronic Positioning System) is Biesse’s entry level automated set-up system. This will automatically configure the entire working area without operator intervention in as little as 30 seconds. The limitation of the EPS versus more sophisticated systems is that it can’t sense when a pod has been moved manually. When the machine is first turned on it performs a homing cycle to find the zero reference point. If an operator then moves a pod manually, the pods and rails lose their reference and the machine has to repeat this homing cycle.
on today’s CNCs and pod & rail machines, varying degrees of assistance and automation can be applied to table set-up, accelerating the repositioning of the pods and rails and minimising the possibility of setting errors.
Biesse’s most basic tool for facilitating table set-up, Set-up Assistant, acts as a guide for the operator when manually setting up the table. It tells the user where to position the pods and uses a traffic light system to indicate whether or not the pods are in the correct position - only when all pods are showing green lights will the machine begin its programme. This tool increases table set-up time by on average 20% versus a completely manual process, but more importantly, it eliminates the risk of the CNC colliding with out-of-position pods and causing costly damage.
FPS - FEEDBACK POSITIONING SYSTEM AND XPS EXTREME POSITIONING SYSTEM PROFILE
Biesse offers four systems for reducing set-up time on its Rover CNC pod & rail machines. These range from a simple tool called Set-up Assistant, which assists with manual positioning, to its highly sophisticated XPS system, which completely automates the positioning of pods and rails to achieve unprecedented set-up speeds.
52 www.p-j-production.com
For the vast majority of furniture and joinery manufacturers, small batches and JIT production have become the norm. This can mean that operators are spending more time setting up machines than running them. In order to maximise productivity, it has become more important than ever for manufacturers to minimise the time it takes for their CNC machines to change from one job to the next. This is particularly true on pod & rail machines, as setting up the pods/clamps and support rails correctly can be very timeFortunately,consuming.
Biesse has become the first in the market to launch a set-up system that can execute configuration of an entire pod & rail bed in a maximum of three seconds. By delivering a sea change in set-up efficiency, the XPS has the potential to transform the productivity of joinery and furniture manufacturing workflows.
Set-up speeds under the spotlight
Automating set-up
Feedback Positioning System
Extreme Positioning System
Self-learning functionality
On the FPS, the pods are moved via guides - with one set of guides per rail. This means the pods are moved into position one at a time rather than simultaneously. The rails themselves have individual motors, allowing them to move into place simultaneously.
PROFILE
Until the launch of the XPS, the FPS was the industry’s leading system for automated table configuration. Thanks to the use of magnetic sensors, the machine knows the exact position of each pod at any given time. These sensors work by providing position feedback to the machine’s control system. This means that if the operator moves a pod or rail, the machine does not have to go through a homing cycle, making it a quicker positioning system than the EPS. The entire working area can be configured in just 20 seconds with FPS.
53Panel & Joinery Production - September / October www.biesse.com2022
The ultimate automated table configuration tool, the XPS (Extreme Positioning System), takes just three seconds to set up an entire table. The key to this breakthrough is that every pod has its own motor with rack and pinion. This enables the pods to move simultaneously and independently, as they are not sharing a drive with the other pods on the same rail as on the FPS and EPS systems. With XPS, the carriage moves at speeds of up to 23m/min on the x-axis and 32m/min on the y-axis and pod placement accuracy is within +/-0.15mm.
Both FPS and XPS have an in-built ‘self learning’ function. This comes into play when an operator is not sure what size a panel is until it is placed on the table and can’t, therefore, call up an existing programme. It is also useful when machining an intricate part that requires a jig. In these scenarios, the operator can position the pods manually and those coordinates will then be saved within the machine’s software. So, the next time that the same workpiece or task is required, the saved configuration can be recalled and automatically position the pods accordingly.
Mike McVey will head up sales and operations for the new venture, drawing on his vast experience which includes Makro, Halfords and Manchester City Football Club (Kitbag) to name just a few past clients.
SALFORD’S FIRST INSTALL ACQUIRED WITH PLANS FOR GROWTH
Theouts.service will take ideas from vision to reality, covering the complete process from initial concept and design development through prototypes, production and manufacture, furniture and retail display selection and interior layout advice complete with comprehensive 3D visuals and flythrough animation to final installation and handover with warehousing, storage and refurbishmentrelated construction undertaken as necessary.
With both companies established for more than two decades, First Install and Apex Joinery are renowned for excellence in their operating sectors; First Install delivering professional furniture installation and specialist fit out and Apex Joinery delivering high quality purpose-made joinery. For further information on either business:
Despite initially doubling in size, turnover and service capabilities, customer satisfaction, attention to detail and a personal approach remain at the heart of every project for the newly merged team.
With two offices and a combined team of more than 50 personnel, both First Install and Apex Joinery can expect to double turnover in the coming 12 months to more than £5million, with plans to recruit across all areas of the business and embark on a period of concerted growth by securing new clients right across the country. Both businesses bring a strong reputation for quality, expertise and operational excellence to the new venture which will seamlessly provide clients in the retail, leisure, hospitality, office, commercial and industrial sectors with a turnkey solution to installations and bespoke interior fit
Salford-based furniture installation and interior fit out specialist First Install has been purchased by Ipswichbased Apex Joinery for an undisclosed sum.
“In addition to being a mutually beneficial partnership, both combined businesses are committed to further growth and job creation and plan to bring additional complementary businesses on board forming an allencompassing and experienced group that offers added value and choice for clients and give the client a compelling reason to choose us when selecting an installation, manufacturing and fit out partner.”
The acquisition strengthens both businesses creating a new multi-million pound partnership with operating bases in both the north and south of the country with the ability to deliver a wide range of bespoke joinery, manufacturing, installations, and interior fit out solutions to clients nationwide.
Head of sales and operations at First Install, Mike McVey, commented: “By joining forces, we have extended our geographical capabilities and established a new multi million pound nationwide operator with the shared aim of becoming the first choice for the design, manufacture and installation of beautiful interior fit outs along with furniture and retail display installation, across a range of different industry sectors.
INDUSTRY54 www.p-j-production.com www.firstinstall.co.uk www.apexjoinery.co.uk
〉〉 Watch demonstrationsmachinerylive 〉〉 Meet the experts 〉〉 Experience the latest innovations 〉〉 Enhance manufacturingyour processes 〉〉 Grow your industry knowledge 〉〉 Connect with industry EVENT SHOW BENEFITS 〉〉 Exclusive show offers available. (see website for details) SHOW OFFERS 13 – 15 SEPTEMBER 2022 To register your attendance and to book your dedicated arrival time please visit weinig.co.uk This September, be the first to see the newly extended Epicon³ 5-axis CNC range in action at Weinig UK’s state-of-the-art showroom in Abingdon. Watch live demonstrations on the Epicon 7235 and Epicon 7135 and explore the benefits of adaptable, 5-axis machining first hand. Keen to find out more? Connect with Weinig and experience all this and more from the 13-15 September 2022. Epicon Series: The Official Launch Exclusive Available show offers Event opening hours: 10am - 4pm. Location: Weinig UK, Abingdon. Event opening hours: 10am - 4pm. Location: Weinig UK, Abingdon. ● NESTING VS CUT, EDGE & 13DRILL–15JUNE 2023EVENTS ● WINDOW MANUFACTURING 18 – 20 APRIL 2023 ● THE SMALLER WORKSHOP 12 – 14 SEPTEMBER 2023 ● FIRE DOOR MANUFACTURING 7 – 9 FEBRUARY 2023 ● EDGEBANDING TECHNOLOGY 17 – 19 OCTOBER 2023 EVENTS
S-810 powerLine machines, has helped the company drive processing speeds and facilitate bespoke production of narrow double-sided panels.
Following a partnership spanning 25 years, Essex based Alexander Cleghorn recently invested in a £1 million plus machine deal with HOMAG UK. The investment, for a bespoke staggered tandem line edge bander featuring two HOMAG EDGETEQ
Providing a unique, state of the art edge bander Prior to investment, the team at Alexander Cleghorn had been forced to be innovative with solutions in the production process of narrow panels. “A traditional edge bander has limitations regarding the width of the panels it can process”, explains Gary Cleghorn, “so to produce narrow plinth type panels the team had to be more creative with production, putting multiple panels in at a time and then manually removing them to repeat the process on the opposite edge.
“It was an awkward process which slowed down production, increased manufacturing time and ultimately made us inefficient and less able to hit price points.”
56 ALEXANDERwww.p-j-production.com
After initial enquiries into double-edge banding solutions, it was evident that no existing machinery was available within the marketplace to resolve the manufacturing issues that Alexander Cleghorn faced regarding processing narrow Topanels.solve
HOMAG’s bespoke staggered tandem line edge bander at Alexander Cleghorn
Managing director, Gary Cleghorn explains, “With a lot of equipment now driven by software, it’s very beneficial that programmes are interchangeable across the site.” He continues, “Partnering with a company and a brand that you trust to deliver the right quality products at the right price is very important.”
the problem, the HOMAG engineers came up with a unique solution - a ‘staggered tandem line’ edge banding cell. Specifically designed to process double-edged panels
CASE STUDY
Specialising in tailor-made MDF, plywood, melamine sheets and other laminated/veneered panel products, Alexander Cleghorn prides itself on being a family-led business. Delivering high quality service with a personal touch for more than 60 years, the company has consistently upheld its commitment to offering custom, client specific solutions. With over 100,000 square feet of covered buildings across a 16-acre site, the 90-strong team at Cleghorn delivers a £14 million turnover within the bespoke furniture sector. A strategic move towards a single supply chain over the last few years has encouraged the company to grow its partnership with HOMAG.
The longstanding relationship between HOMAG UK and Alexander Cleghorn was a key reason why the company chose to pursue business with HOMAG for this unique ‘staggered tandem’ edge banding line.
CLEGHORN INVESTS IN BESPOKE HOMAG EDGETEQ S-810 POWERLINE EDGE BANDERS
“HOMAG’s technology and forward-thinking engineering team have given us the ability to produce both narrow and wider panels in an efficient manner. We’ve gone from needing to run extended hours to produce these narrow strips to having them in excess capacity, future-proofing our business. We now have the facilities to sell a much larger volume into the market,” concludes Gary Cleghorn.
57Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 T: 01332 856500 E: info-uk@homag.comwww.homag.com
It is evident that the added value of HOMAG’s unique solution is vital for the long-term development of revenues at Alexander Cleghorn. With its ability to produce high quality finished narrow panels at unmatched throughput speeds, the cell has helped raise Cleghorn’s reputation in the marketplace as an innovative and premium quality supplier.
Comprised of two EDGETEQ S-810 powerLine edge banders in a staggered line, it overcomes the width restrictions (usually 200mm) of a normal double-sided machine. With automatic feeding and stacking via a vacuum robotic arm system, the machine also avoids the need for manual loading and stacking of panels.
“As part of our due diligence, we conducted multiple site visits to see various HOMAG machines in action before committing to the purchase of this edge banding cell. For example, we visited a site to see the automated handling in action and how it processes, picks up panels and delivers them into the machine.
CASE STUDY
from 70mm to 1200mm wide (frequently used in kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and office furniture plinths and carcass components), the 50m long machine installed by HOMAG has drastically improved production times and efficiency.
This feature – when combined with the high-capacity glue processing system operating at 35kgs per hour (normally 12kgs/hr), the servo-controlled edge feeding system which drives the edge tape into the machine to match the track speed, and the 12-coil magazines for edge tapes – enables the cell to run at a rapid 60m/min feed speed.
again, “Our work can be bespoke batch-size one up to many thousands of a particular panel, so it is vital that the machine is able to accommodate this. The solution HOMAG created ticks every box offering speed, flexibility and precision.”
If you would like a demonstration or more information on HOMAG machinery or software, please contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.
“We’ve got long standing relationships with our key account managers within the HOMAG Group. We know the people, we know the product and we trust them to deliver the solutions that we need for our business. We are a quality focused company, so although we can buy cheaper, we always search out the complete package.
With a panel thickness range from 8mm to 45mm, and a width range from 1200mm down to 70mm, the machine offers previously unattainable speed and flexibility benefits. It is capable of producing up to 10,000 panels in a nine hour shift, whilst maintaining ‘zero joint’ quality on every panel
Expanding the partnership with HOMAG From inception to installation, HOMAG was clearly Alexander Cleghorn’s favoured partner for the project. “It is a combination of several factors that attract us to HOMAG,” explains Cleghorn. He continues, “The reliability and quality of the machines are excellent, and this, backed by the superb service, has given us a trust in the brand and the people at HOMAG, both in the UK and Germany.
Efficiency in installation, training and output
Garyprocessed.Cleghorn
finish (which took around 8 weeks) and we were more than happy with how it went.
Similarly, HOMAG provided training for our operators by their qualified engineers both in Germany as well as on site here in Essex. Being a unique and complex cell, they also provided ‘assisted production’ training during the first couple of weeks as we ramped up production. This gave us real peace of mind after the initial handover, as we knew there were HOMAG technicians onsite, guiding our operators as we increased the throughput before fully signing-off the machine.”
Long- term competitive value
Choosing to purchase the machine with finance, due to the long-term competitive advantage it would bring to Alexander Cleghorn, the company estimates that the staggered tandem line double-edge banding system will achieve a return on investment within five years.
Panels being edged on the staggered tandem line cell
“As with any project of this scale, you have to expect the installation to cause a degree of disruption. We left the installation planning to HOMAG to manage from start to
“This was backed up by a separate visit to see a similar edge banding machine to evaluate the quality of the finished edging on the panels. These visits enabled us to build up a picture of the machine’s capabilities and how it would perform with specific products.”
T: 01733 347348 E: www.toolfixservices.comsales@toolfixservices.comINDUSTRY58 www.p-j-production.com
“With a potentially endless choice of hardware options, pricing jobs for the end user can be a continuous backwards and forwards process for sash window manufacturers” says Carson Burt, Toolfix Sales.
“By introducing sash window kits to the Hardwick range, we’ve simplified the process, so our customers know exactly what they’re paying which makes pricing jobs quick and easy, while allowing the end user to customise their window. It also benefits sash repair companies as it consolidates their stock holding.”
How can we make it easier for our customers? It’s a question that’s front of mind and one which has led to the introduction of sash window kits from Toolfix Joinery & Construction Supplies.
As a supplier of ironmongery, hardware and workshop consumables to timber door and window manufacturers and specialist joiners, Toolfix are no strangers to sliding sash window hardware.
With everything from sash cord and weights, to parting bead and pulleys, Toolfix can supply everything that’s needed to produce a sash window, bar the timber and glass.
Joiners benefit from ordering hardware for a complete window under one code and straight-forward pricing. End users can choose a style of locking fastener including Brighton, Fitch or Claw and choose straight or radius end pulleys or no pulleys at all (when using sash balances), available in a choice of four popular finishes.
The kits are part of the Hardwick range of ironmongery, exclusive to Toolfix and inspired by over three decades of experience working with specialist joinery manufacturers. As the ironmongery in the kit is from a single source, consistency and quality of finish is ensured, giving timber window manufacturers and their customers the peace of mind that it will stand the test of time and match on every window.
This allows for a degree of flexibility and gives the end user some choice over the final look of the window. As the price is only determined by the finish and whether it comes with or without pulleys, quoting a job is quick and easy for joiners.
The Hardwick sash window kits are included in Toolfix’s new Sash Hardware Focus booklet.
Including the full Hardwick sash window hardware range, ancillary components such as weights, bead and slide pile as well as a range of consumables commonly used in the workshop and on site, the booklet brings everything needed for those manufacturing or repairing sash windows in one place.
SIMPLIFYING ORDERING FOR SASH WINDOW HARDWARE
With a large selection of ironmongery available on the market, especially to the end user who can be overwhelmed by the choice, Toolfix have simplified the process to create sash window kits that comprise of a locking fastener, 2x sash lifts, 2x roller stops and 4x pulleys.
Daltons Wadkin Crossgate Drive, Queens Drive Ind. Est., Nottingham NG2 1LW T: + 4 4 (0) 1 1 5 98 6 5 2 0 1 W: WWW. DALTONSWADKIN. COM E: INFO@DALTONSWADKIN.COM SOLID WOOD, PANEL AND COMPOSITE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY Our 2022 in house show will feature live demonstrations on the latest equipment from leading European manufacturers including; • Salvador automatic crosscut saws • Kimla CNC router and fiber laser • SCM, Altendorf and Elcon panel saws
INDUSTRY60 CANTILEVERwww.p-j-production.com
Ubrankovics, one of the best-known prefabricated house manufacturers in Hungary, has put five new rows of OHRA cantilever racks into operation. This is the last stage of a continuous expansion of storage capacities for the time being: Currently, 13 racks up to 5.5 metres high with integrated roofs outside provide space for 1,000 cubic metres of timber - which corresponds to one third of the company’s annual timber demand. Thanks to the expansion of the storage capacities, production could be extended, and a new CNC machine area can be continuously fed with raw material from the warehouse. Storage in cantilever racks instead of floor storage also significantly increased overall productivity.
RACKING FOR UBRANKOVICS
The racks installed at Ubrankvics are up to 5.5 metres high, with each cantilever arm carrying a load of up to 800 kilograms. The first racks were put into operation back in 2016, and since then the system has been continuously expanded. A total of 13 racking rows are currently in use, which are operated by a four-way stacker and a side stacker. Due to the continuously expanded storage capacities and the significantly easier access to the material compared to the floor storage, the efficiency in the warehouse could be increased considerably. In addition, the high stock level of around one third of the annual timber requirement ensures a continuous, reliable supply to production. All in all, the cantilever racking warehouse has steadily increased the company’s overall productivity.
Originally, Ubrankovics stored the up to 13-metre-long beams and components needed for production in a floor storage area outside. However, as the items were stored stacked on top of each other, access to special components was cumbersome and time-consuming. Above all, however, the capacities of this form of storage quickly reached their limits with the continuously growing production. To create larger storage capacities on the existing outdoor area, Ubrankovics decided to replace the block storage with cantilever racking.
For this, the company relied on a storage solution from OHRA, the European market leader for cantilever racking. Thanks to the flexible, height-adjustable cantilever arms, the racks offer smooth adjustment of storage heights; the slim design made of durable, hot-rolled steel profiles is the basis for compact storage on a small footprint.
T: + 49 2237/64-0 E: info@ohra.co.uk
Productivity Continuously Increased
Demand For Storage Capacity Is Growing
Stairways Midlands first became aware of Hoffmann Machine Co Ltd about 22 years ago at the Woodmex Trade Show. They bought their first machine in 2000 for their Southam Door Division. Following consultation with Hoffmann UK and Hoffmann’s design team in Germany, the chosen machine was the Hoffmann MS35-SF. This combination machine not only cuts the perfect mitres but simultaneously routers the dovetail slots to join the mitres with Hoffmann Keys. The machine also has an integrated cross-cut saw which makes the square cut and controls the length of the upright section of the architrave. This machine configuration enables the production of the three elements
As a highly reputable firm within the industry, Stairways Midlands manufacture a range of doors and staircases but are probably best known for pioneering the production of the ‘door set’ for national housebuilders, architects and contractors.
of the architrave set, two uprights and one header, from a 6m bar length. This eliminates mis-match of the profiles at each joint. Each machine cycle for these three elements takes approximately one minute. Following the delivery of a second Hoffmann machine they now have the capacity for 1000 door-sets per week. They were so impressed with the quality, accuracy and speed of these machines that they expanded the range to include additional machines at their Welshpool Door Division to mitre glazing bead and at their Walsall Stair Division to mitre and join the handrails.
CASE STUDY
Privately owned and managed since it was founded in 1989 by Mr Roger Stevens, Stairways has rapidly grown to become one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of carpentry and joinery products. Starting as a small family business they now boast three midlands-based factory units that offer over 85,000 sq. ft of bespoke and mass production capacity using innovative machinery and a team of skilful, passionate workers. The second generation of the Stevens family, Mr. Neil Stevens and Mrs. Karen Wood are now sole Stairwaysdirectors.
62 THEwww.p-j-production.comSTAIRWAYS
Although specializing in some areas, Stairway’s products are wide ranging. As well as complete staircase manufacture, both standard and bespoke, they also manufacture purpose made joinery to order. Their customer portfolio is impressive. The door-sets are available as internal, external or to relevant security standards. The door-set sizes are determined by each contract and client. The MDF wrapped profiles are supplied nationally in painted, foil wrapped or real-wood veneered. These profiles have many applications in the industry. They are used as architraves, skirting boards, cornices, and bedroom furniture components. Hoffmann Dovetail Keys are accredited with FD30 / FD60 fire ratings. Stairways continue to grow in both capacity and stature and lead the industry with innovation and investment.
are continuously looking for opportunities to improve and expand the services they offer; this includes the investment in new machinery to enhance and innovate the manufacturing process, with the aim to shorten lead times and increase overall in-house capacity whilst ensuring their process remains as efficient as possible from start to finish. They found answers to these challenges in Hoffmann Machine Company Ltd.
GROUP
Using Hoffmann machines is the more efficient way to mitre and join these products and is therefore a good selling point. It improves the finish and provides a stronger quality product. They have recently replaced the original machine at Southam, which was still operational after 20 years in service and having been used nearly every working day since it was installed! The machine at Welshpool has also been updated by a new model, also with an integrated chop saw.
CASE STUDY63Panel & Joinery Production - September / October 2022 T: 01524 841500 E: info@hoffmann-uk.comwww.hoffmann-uk.com
EVENTS66 27-29 Sept Kimla, CNC Exhibition, Daltons Wadkin Nottingham 4 - 6 Oct Wood & Panel Machinery Show, Daltons Wadkin Nottingham 12 -15 Oct Xylexpo Milan-Rho, Italy 18 Oct Sicam Pordenone, Italy 22 – 26 Oct Woodtech Istanbul, Turkey 27 Oct The Furniture & Joinery Conference Birmingham EVENTS 2023 WE’RE HIRING COULD IT BE YOU? TRAINER & CUSTOMER SUPPORTMorewww.joinerysoft.com/vacancies/MESCANDetails&ApplyToday We’re looking to expand our training and customer support team and someone with joinery knowledge would be of great bene t. Benefits: Up to 35 days holiday (including bank holidays), company pension, laptop, mobile phone and private healthcare. Software Designed FOR YOU UK’s leading supplier of software for the joinery industry. Joinery manufacture ~ Windows ~ Sliding Sash ~ Doors Screens ~ Stairs ~ Bill of Materials ~ Commercial Doors ~ Fire Doors For more information: +44 (0) 1608 www.joinerysoft.com643302 “All jobs are processed through JMS. With consistent & clear pricing, customers have been impressed with our quotes & our quick response helps us to win work.” Karen Kebby, Churchview Joinery Joiner y so f t 9 – 12 May ZOW Bad Salzuflen, Germany 9 – 12 May Interzum Cologne, Germany 15 – 19 May Ligna Hannover, Germany 23 – 27 Sept W Exhibition / Elements NEC, www.p-j-production.comBirmingham
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR PANELVERTICALSAWS 0116 271 www.tmmachinery.co.uksales@tmservices.co.uk7155 TM Machinery have been supplying and maintaining forwoodworkingqualitymachineryover35years. CONTACT RELIABILITYEFFICIENCYPRECISIONPOWER TM MACHINERY WO ODWO R KIN G MACHINE RY EXPE R T S SINCE 198 3 @tm_machinery Swiss PRECISION cutting technology
SCM U K Te l. +44 ( 0)115 977004 4 sc mu k@sc m gr o up. c o m www scmwoo d .c o m Stand alone machines, integrated systems and services dedicated to processing a wide range of material Technological components for machines and systems produced by the Group, third parties and the mechanics industry WOODWORKING TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITE, ALUMINIUM, PLASTIC, WOOD, GLASS, STONE, METAL TECHNOLOGY ELECTROSPINDLES AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMPONENTS ELECTRIC PANELS METALWORK IRON CASTINGS 70 YEARS OF THE MOST ADVANCED SKILLS AND KNOW-HOW IN THE FIELDS OF MACHINERY AND INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS With a 750 million turnover, 4.000 employees and 3 large highly specialised production centres, Scm Group is a technological world leader in processing a wide variety of materials and industrial Tcomposites.heGroupcompanies, operating throughout the world, are reliable partners of leading companies in various market sectors, including the furniture, construction, automotive, aerospace, ship-building and plastic processing industries. DISCOVER MORE INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS
