Panel Saw Innovations

Making table saws obsolete?

BY S&P STAFF

Panel saws have been around almost a century, but innovations over the years have continued to increase the machine’s functionality and safety, making it a valuable addition to shops across the globe. Vertical panel saws seem to be the most popular option these days, with a design that frees up valuable floor space in a garage shop or on a factory floor. The most innovative recent update to panel saws is meeting customer’s evolving needs for cutting all types of panels and fulfilling industrial applications beyond just wood, says Justin Rinaldi with Safety Speed Manufacturing. Enter the company’s first “Smart” Panel Saw, the EF5 “Tornado” industrial panel saw. “This is the smartest and safest vertical panel saw in its price range,” says Rinaldi. “This vertical panel saw features the first brushless motor of its kind to be mounted on a vertical panel saw frame.”

“Automatically adjusting the speed of the blade based on internal calculations within the motor, it maintains the proper speed and torque for cutting jobs successfully, with little effort,” he says.

“The EF5 ensures the cut quality and the safest cutting operations for businesses cutting different types of material, especially with different thicknesses.” If an operator uses their EF5 machine inappropriately or the machine needs routine maintenance, the motor will shut down and display an error message on the keypad, explains Rinaldi. This is then easily referenced for solving the issue while also protecting the operator, the motor and other components from more serious problems.

“The motor decreases maintenance requirements and the motor life is extended for several years over a standard, direct current motor by eliminating brushes, while also removing fields and armatures,” he says. “It’s engineered with circuitry and less moving components, reducing heat buildup in the motor.”

Rinaldi says that customers continue to look for American-made options, adding that the Minnesota-based company has not experienced supply-chain woes for its vertical panel saw production.

He adds that the future of panel saws is bright, predicting they will “hopefully obsolete the table saw. Panel saws will forever be the safest and most accurate way for breaking down panels.”

“It’s in our name, but in reality, our machines are engineered with many key features keeping your safety in mind while saving your back,” says Rinaldi. “Vertical panel saws provide the safest cutting method by minimizing blade exposure to the operator, and reducing contact with it. Ever see a table saw that does that? Gravity and physics are your friend when cutting vertically!”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50 ›

SAFETY SPEED MANUFACTURING Safety Speed’s EF5 Panel Saw features an efficient three-phase motor, only requiring single-phase input (120 or 220V) and an automatic torque control for tougher cuts. A reduction of wear items within the motor ultimately decreases future maintenance on the motor. The brushless motor also provides a quieter operation and a reduction of weight.

STRIEBIG Adding to Srtriebig's arsenal of features making panel processing safe and easy, the new Edition 60 features a strong integrated panel lifting device allowing for ergonomic cutting of panels by one operator. The comprehensive standard equipment and legendary Srtriebig accuracy guarantee short processing times and safe operation. 30% faster, one person panel processing. Never flip or reload a panel again.

‹ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48

“It’s definitely increased our efficiency. One employee can do the work of two safely while providing a better service.”

STEVE MORRIS, TH&H HARDWOODS AND HARDWARE

Why Paint When You Can Powder Coat?

Discover our fast 20 minute finishing process for MDF. You send us the drawings, we send you finished parts! INNOVATION IN ACTION TH&H Hardwoods and Hardware is a high volume, full-warehouse resource primarily serving contractors and builders, as well as the general public in the San Diego, California, area.

Ease and efficiency are key when serving customers, often on their way to a job site and looking to keep their projects moving. They can rely on TH&H not only to have the sheet goods they need available, but to also have it broken into manageable pieces with professional-quality cuts—thanks in large part to their vertical panel saw from Colonial Hardwood’s Srtriebig line.

“My staff love how easy it is to use. They’re confident that they can meet and exceed customer expectations every time they use the Srtriebig,” says owner Steve Morris.

With a Srtriebig sitting snug on the floor of the warehouse, one employee can load, turn, cut in both directions, and unload pieces safely and quickly, without disrupting other things happening in the shop.

“It’s definitely increased our efficiency. One employee can do the work of two safely while providing a better service,” Morris said. “From the first cut we have found the quality of construction and operation to be first rate. It’s been easy to maintain, with parts and service a phone call away.”

In addition to wood, Srtriebig saws cut melamine-coated substrates, plastics, composites, solid surface and nonferrous metals. Their fully welded, heavy-duty frames stay square over time and their controls are simple and logical. Invented and manufactured by Swiss engineering, each Srtriebig saw is tested at the factory to ensure its accuracy to .004”, approximately the thickness of a piece of paper. Striebig saws are legendary for pristine chip free cuts, particularly with melamine products. Striebig saws are also available to cut large panels, up to 10 ft. x 30 ft.

Striebig panel saws are available with performance-enhancing options such as digital measuring, split-blade scoring, programmable electronic positioning, angle cutting, dado cutting, V-grooving, and two-speed and powerful variable speed motors. Striebig’s TRK dust-extraction system keeps dust to an absolute minimum, and a lifter system allows bottom-edge trimming without flipping the panel. Striebig’s 7.5 hp automatic models carry out many procedures with just the push of a button. such as locking and releasing the saw beam, setting the horizontal cutting height, plunging and swiveling the motor, and locking the support rollers. s p

Versatility. Performance. Beauty.

Our Matte Luxe 3DL offering provides the aesthetic of paint with a soft touch, and unparalleled cleanability and durability with a wide range of the latest trend colors for your home.

Featured Design: Matte Luxe Baltic on Vanity

OMNOVA designs and manufactures a wide range of laminates from cost-effective Paper Laminates to high performance 2D and 3D Laminates for a variety of interior applications such as cabinets, countertops, store fixtures and furniture.

Learn more at omnova.com/laminates