ALTENDORF REDEFINED - Industrial Woodworking
Transcription
ALTENDORF REDEFINED - Industrial Woodworking
W16 NEC Birmingham October 2–5 2016 For more information go to www.montex.co.uk W16 NEC ALTENDORF REDEFINED & PA N E L P R O C E S S I N G Altendorf F 45 redefined: new design, new control concept, new technology IN ORDER to mark the German manufacturing company’s centenary Altendorf has completely redesigned the acclaimed F 45 sliding table saw With its clean grey/anthracite colour scheme and elegant front panel, the new design is certainly eye-catching. The new model definitely has a striking appearance and the technology it offers represents another major step forward for what is often claimed to be the “Rolls Royce” of sliding table saws. The new F 45 offers a wealth of diferent options, including three control unit options, to help users assemble the technical and convenience features they require. The only decision to be made is which of the three new control units to select. That choice made, the user is free to add as many (or as few) accessories as required from the extensive catalogue. For the full specification of the new F45 turn to Page 16 in which Altendorf ’s flagship model is featured in Industrial Woodworking & Panel Processing’s Best of the Year 2015 review. For further information tel Daltons Wadkin on 0870 850 9111. Saw it and sand it with T.M. T.M. MACHINERY is the sole UK agent for the Viet artisan range of wide-belt sanders, as well as supplying the Striebig range of vertical panel saws – both of which are renowned for being amongst the best of the best when it comes to woodworking machinery. The Viet artisan range of sanders begins with entry level Model S211, a small machine guaranteeing top performance. Precise and functional, it can be equipped with a range of rollers and pads for calibrating and fine sanding timber, preparing it for further processes. The S1 is a heavy-duty twinhead sander, which guarantees top quality performance and is offered with a large choice of sanding and finishing elements. The ultimate in high production finishing, the top-ofthe range S3 series ensures results beyond expectations. Panels are finely calibrated, while sanding makes surfaces feel perfectly clean to touch. Unlimited customisation makes S3 machines suitable for every kind of sanding requirement. In this issue Industrial Woodworking & Panel Processing re-visits some of the best innovations of the year in terms of machinery and products and takes another look at some of the most noteworthy installations, which have taken place during the year. Turn to Page 6 for a more detailed look at what TM Machinery has to offer and turn to Pages 3-11 & 15-19 in which we return to some of the The Viet S1 is a highly efficient heavy-duty twin-head sander with stories that have been featured a large choice of sanding and finishing elements. previously during the year. Birmingham October 2–5 2016 For more information go to www.montex.co.uk Very Successful DECEMBER 2015 ‘2015 has been another exceptional year for both Felder Group UK and the Felder Group as a whole. New machinery launched at LIGNA has proved very successful and has strengthened our position as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high quality machinery,’ says Felder Group UK’s managing director, Matthew Applegarth. ‘We are very proud of our achievements and are looking forward to 2016 and beyond,’ says Mr Applegarth. ‘The service support that we have built up in Milton Keynes is now second to none. It is my understanding that we have the highest percentage of service and support staff of any company in the UK. For the full report on Felder’s recently staged bi-annual autumn in-house exhibition, please turn to pages 12 & 13. The Woodwork Dust Control Co Ltd Leaders in Dust Control Technology A Complete Wood Waste Extraction Service to all Timber Industries Design, Manufacture, Installation Large hopper filters, fans, cyclones Small bag filters, rigid ductwork, flexible hose LEV COSHH testing, assessment, service EWI-THERM Wood burning stoves Fast nationwide service Contact us for our FREE product catalogue: Tel: 01844 238833 Fax: 01844 238899 Email: enquiries@woodworkdustcontrol.co.uk Web: www.woodworkdustcontrol.co.uk Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com (Telephone 01797 208059) SAVING MONEY AN EXHIBITION company in Wiltshire has purchased a new wood waste heater from Wood Waste Technology. The team at PG Events started looking at biomass solutions in order to try to reduce the company’s waste disposal and heating bills. As a manufacturer of exhibition stands, the business is often left with many bulky items of wood waste that are expensive to dispose of in skips. In addition, the company was spending a great of money buying bottles of calor gas to keep its 13 employees warm in the 5000ft2 factory during the cold winter months. Managing director of PG Events, David Collett started to research the various types of wood waste heaters available – and came across the units produced by Wood Waste Technology. After looking at costs and performance, the business purchased a WT5 heater, which was installed earlier this year by Wood Waste Technology’s experienced engineers. ‘We’re delighted with the heater we purchased from Wood Waste Technology. We’ve been really impressed with how efficient it is. It heats our work space really well,’ says David. ‘Any business that produces waste wood should definitely be investigating wood waste burners – especially exhibition companies that end up with larger than average waste wood items. It’s very costeffective, as most companies find a wood waste heater pays back the investment in less than 12 months,’ says managing director of Woodwaste Technology, Kurt Cockcroft. Wood Waste Technology’s years of expertise in wood waste solutions have helped many companies reduce their waste disposal and heating costs. As well as offering site survey, design, manufacture, installation and on-going maintenance for new units, the company also services all types of wood waste heaters and supplies genuine spares up to 60 per cent cheaper than other suppliers. In addition, Wood Waste Technology is the UK official distributor for Gross Apparatebau GmbH, a German manufacturer of dependable, precision engineered shredders and briquetters, available in various size and specifications to suit all business applications. For further information tel Wood Waste Technology on 01785 250400. F O R A C L E A N E R E N V I R O N M E N TA L F U T U R E At Dust Pollution Systems, we have been busy systemizing spot extraction in the industrial working environments. Our systems cover all aspects and working methods from the small, mobile dust extractors to large turnkey stationary industrial installations. The Complete for a for a Complete System Clean Working Clean Environment ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS Dust Pollution Systems Limited Unit 1 & 2, Premacto Works, Queensmead Road, Loudwater, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP10 9XA Telephone: 01494 462333 Fax: 01494 463777 www.dustpollution.co.uk 2 Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 Binks Eco-friendly spraying system speeds up production and reduces paint impact on the Environment! Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… TODAY’s spiralling heating costs mean that modern windows contribute significantly to the conservation of energy. The passive house windows “thermoll” of window manufacturer, Moll from Uttenweiler in Southern Germany sets the benchmark in thermal transmittance values and air tightness. The company paints the window frames manually. A common problem with this process is the uneven application of the sprayed material caused by alternating pump piston stroke, which can lead to surface irregularities and splatters. Moll received a tip from their coating equipment distributor, H&D Servicepoint in Ertringen, to try the Binks air assisted airless Raptor Lite outfit. Dietmar Baur of H&D Servicepoint explains that the technical advantages and benefits of the new BINKS MX pump and AA4400M HVLP gun to provide pulsation-free spray painting, due to the pump’s innovative magnetic detent, whereby the flow of spray continues uninterrupted when the pump changes stroke. Another advantage is the low overspray provided by the AA10 HVLP air cap on the AAA gun, which ensures especially fine atomization. ‘One of the most difficult coatings in our program is the so-called eggshell colour,’ says Gerald Moll. ‘It is highly viscous and involves the high risk of an orange-peel finish. With the new BINKS package this problem has never occurred. For us at Moll, where quality of a smooth finish is the benchmark, this was the decisive argument to purchase the Binks Raptor Lite outfits. ‘In addition, due to the reduced overspray, we are seeing extended service life of the booth filters and a reduction in the paint coating consumption,’ concludes Gerald. For further information tel the company on 01202 571111. HSK CUTTERBLOCKS NEXT DAY DELIVERY Call us today for our best prices! Made in the UK Call 01494 523991 sales@tooltec.co.uk Fax 01494 524293 www.tooltec.co.uk Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 3 Weinig takes its “Technology Offensive” to LIGNA 2015 Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… WITH more than 90,000 professional visitors from across the globe, LIGNA is the world’s most important trade fair for the timber industry, furniture production and the woodworking trades and the Weinig Group showcased its latest and greatest machines over nearly 4,000m2 of exhibition space. This year, the core themes for the Weinig Group at LIGNA were resource efficiency, flexibility and networked production. At the centre of a range of innovations was the introduction of new generations of technology from solid wood experts Weinig in Hall 12. Sister brand Holz-Her, specialists in panel processing, was demonstrating its expertise in Hall 11 with innovations in edgebanding, CNC processing centres and panel cutting. In addition to major premieres, the focus was on pioneering developments in profiling, as well as in window manufacturing, cutting/gluing and joint technology. As the complete provider of machines and systems for solid wood processing, Weinig continued to demonstrate its expertise and Weinig Concept, the company’s engineering arm, featured system technology through to complex production lines. Premiere for the new Powermat series For the first time, Weinig revealed the new generation Powermat 700 to the global audience in Hanover. The outstanding feature of the moulder is the innovative “Comfort Set” operating concept, which significantly reduces set-up times. High operating safety and very good accessibility continue to be benefits of the four-sider and optimisation of the extraction system assists with its excellent energy efficiency. The “Smart-Touch” function makes the new Powermat 700 a trendsetter in man-machine interaction in wood processing with wireless communication now possible between controls, or tablet and the machine. Finger-jointing system range: Presentation in Alfeld/Leine Finally, in parallel with LIGNA, Weinig exhibited additional fingerjointing systems at the Grecon factory in nearby Alfeld. The short-timber finger-jointing lines ProfiJoint Comfort, Ultra TT 1000, CombiPact Capacity, Turbo-S and HS 120 were on display. These were also joined by the PowerJoint 8 long-timber fingerjointing system and a double-end tenoner: ProfiShape. For further information tel Weinig on 01235 557600. New at LIGNA 2015 • Networked production with System Plus. • New: Rondamat 985 tool grinder. • New processing units and tool clamping systems for the Conturex CNC window centre. • New: “Nocturnal” tool cleaning station. • New generation of the UniPin gluing and dowel inserting machine. • New: “Block gluing” production concept. • New: Standard Weinig user interface. • New: ProfiPress L II gluing press. • Cutting solutions: intensive upgrade for the Dimter Line. • New: ProfiRip 340 multi-blade rip saw. • New: RipAssist Pro width optimisation. • Optimal value creation: ProfiRip 450 Speed with CombiScan. • New: GlueEye glue detection system. • New: Trimsaver for finger joint package lines. • New generation of long-timber finger-jointing lines. • Double-end tenoner: Next stage of evolution for the ProfiShape. Become more productive ve with TigerStop installations Auttomatic sttop a and nd p pushfeed ushfe f ed sy systems sys ysttems Tigerstop A T Angle Saws aws ww ww w.tigerstop.eu 4 Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com Tel: T el: el: + 3 31 1 5 546 46 5 57 7 5 51 1 7 71 1 Fax: + 31 546 57 77 22 info fo@tigerr stop.nl T g e r S t o p B .V Ti V V. P.B.11 NL L-7 7 6 4 0A 0AA AA W Wie rd en Th e N e T et h e r l a n d s (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 Brand New Felder Showroom and Facilities Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… Cutting the ribbon to the doors of the new showroom, Felder’s sales & marketing director, Hansjörg Felder (right) and Felder UK managing director Matthew Applegarth. Felder UK’s newly revamped showrooms are refreshingly bright. OFF the back of huge success from 2014, Felder Group UK is on to the next stage in its growth and development. A state-of-the-art showroom benefiting from an increase in 500m2 and brand new office space is the latest from the brand that is renowned for its constant innovation. Felder UK showcased a new extended showroom with a mezzanine floor, office and training centre at a spectacular grand opening event at the end of April 2015. Woodworking Industry trade press, a selection of VIP guests and company partners attended the “one of a kind”exclusive opening and were welcomed with a champagne reception. Teaming with industry professionals, Felder UK has ensured that the company’s facilities are second to none and made certain that the new showroom benefits from quality products. Leading specialists in compressed air technology Air Power UK Ltd, provided the air supply. The Woodwork Dust Control Company Ltd, leaders in dust control technology provided the dust extraction, offering a complete wood waste extraction service. The renovation also includes a brand new kitchen, board room table and reception desk, which were manufactured by Felder customers, Edward Williams Furniture and Greenacre Property Ltd. Felder UK has pulled out all the stops in this remarkable showroom and office transformation. Sales and marketing director, Hansjörg Felder flew in from Austria to attend the special event and, together with managing director of Felder UK, Matthew Applegarth gave a speech highlighting the success of the UK branch. Cutting the ribbon to the doors of the new showroom, both gentlemen expressed their delight with the success of Felder UK and anticipation of an even better future moving forward. ‘The new showroom is bright and effective and lets you focus on the machines,’ said Panel and Joinery Production’s Ernie Hollister. ‘The new showroom is refreshingly bright and I do mean very refreshing!’ said Industrial Woodworking & Panel Processing’s John Emslie. Felder UK’s rise to success has taken the industry by storm and the global brand constantly seeks to move forward at every turn. Now with an exceptional customer experience and training centre, customers are ensured that Felder UK is able to offer the right machine to meet any requirements. To see how a machine from the Felder Group could benefit your business visit www.felder-group.co.uk. For further information tel Felder UK on 01908 635000. Accurate perfection with the Format 4 CNC H30 Seen from the balcony above the main showroom, the ground floor of the newly revamped showrooms. REDDISH Joinery manufactures a range of bespoke windows, doors and conservatories. Founded in 1967 and approaching 50 years in business, Reddish Joinery is at the forefront of timber production. Third generation business entrepreneur, Lee Parrott runs the family-owned company and it was in this very workshop that he discovered his passion for joinery. Recently equipping his workshop with the CNC profit H30, Lee is delighted with his winner machine that ticks all the boxes. ‘The sheer accuracy of the H30 is phenomenal and we have been able to achieve maximum efficiency,’ says Lee. Reddish joinery has achieved increased productivity, due to exceptionally accurate setting repeatability and reliable Austrian engineering. ‘Due to time constraints in the past, we may have had to turn away trade customers. We now have a very good trade customer base. When customers come in, they see the machine in motion and they say “I want my windows to be made on that!” Reddish Joinery can now undertake complex projects and focus on other aspects of the business. ‘It is cost effective and has given us the time we need to concentrate on other things,’ says Lee. The profit H30 has enabled Reddish Joinery to take on new projects and the company is set to introduce energy tested and rated windows, unique to the timber industry. ‘Before we purchased our H30 some of the work was difficult to look forward to, because of the time involved. Now it is a completely different experience, due to the speed of our CNC,’ says Lee. Format 4 offers superior build quality, ensuring perfect results time and time again. Delighted with the performance of the profit H30, Reddish Joinery has diversified the company’s business and achieved significant growth. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 ‘Felder gave us a very personal service and we trusted what CNC machine specialists, Richard Hird and Garry Lavis said. What they achieved for us was the most value for our money and the help from the service department in Austria is great,’ adds Lee. ‘With the way business is going, we might have to invest in another CNC machine. I would buy another one tomorrow if I needed to do so. It more than pays for itself. Our H30 is efficient and enjoyable to use, I wish it was my job to just run the machine, I love it!’ For further information tel Felder UK on 01908 635000. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 5 Format 4 commissions its 30,000th machine Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… AUSTRIAN machine manufacturing specialists, the Felder complete package that is in a class of its own. Constant are testimony of the passion that underpins the demands of Group started off the New Year with a celebration of an innovation is synonymous with Format-4. The latest the Felder Group. anniversary machine. developments in technology enable Felder to simulate a Manufacturing the best woodworking machines money Fulfilling the highest requirements for professional customer’s workshop. can buy, countless customers worldwide rely on the Felder woodworkers in trade and industry since 2001, FORMAT-4 Format 4 is able to configure solutions to customer’s design and build. As a result, they profit from maximum has been leading the way as the premium of the Felder individual requirements. Perfect advice, together with tailor- productivity and perfection in woodworking. Group. For further information about Format 4, or to see how a made deliveries, commissioning and service complete the The Austrian business based in Hall, Tirol handed over the unique Felder Group full service offer. Format 4 Kappa 550 panel saw can benefit your workshop 30,000th woodworking machine on January 7. The proud visit www.Format-4.com Numerous international awards such as the Bayerische new owner, Fritz Oberhauser has equipped his workshop in For further information tel Felder UK on 01908 635000. Staatspreis, the IF-Design-Award and the Adolf-Loos-Preis, Bavaria with a Kappa 550 panel saw saw that ticks all the boxes. Fritz Oberhauser explains that the superior build quality and reliable Austrian engineering really sets his machine apart. Moreover, “Everything from a single supplier”, the Felder Group company motto, could not be more accurate. Alongside the premium sliding table panel saw, Fritz has also invested in an Exact 63 thicknesser, as well as a complete extraction system. ‘The first time I visited the factory in Hall in Tirol, I was more than impressed. The standards and levels of quality are extremely high, yet the traditional values are still at the forefront of everything Felder offers,’ says Fritz Oberhauser. Martin Felder is equally delighted with Fritz Oberhauser’s acquisition of the Kappa 550: ‘Our close relationship with our customers enables us to take on board their practical requirements; which directly informs the development of our new machine concepts. ‘We are all very proud with the sale of our 30,000th machine and I am happy to know that this panel saw will be in very good hands,’ says Martin Felder Format-4 has been an extraordinary success story ever since its launch at the turn of the millennium, with impressive detailed solutions, numerous innovations and patents, maximum operating comfort and perfect precision. True to the motto, offering “Everything from a single supplier”, the Austrian machine manufacturing specialists develops woodworking machines in combination with top-of-the-range software. Managing directors, Martin and Hansjörg Felder at the hand-over of the machine to Fritz Oberhauser at the FORMAT-4 factory in Hall in Tirol. Behind them members of the proud workforce celebrate the 30,000th FORMAT-4 woodworking machine. The Felder Group provides a perfect, tailor-made Saw it and sand it with T.M. Machinery T.M. Machinery is the sole UK agent for the Striebig range of vertical panel saws and also supplies the Viet artisan range of wide-belt sanders, Striebig’s portfolio consists of five machine series catering for all sizing needs; the entry-level Compact, the Standard, the Evolution, the Control and the latest 4D sawing centre. All models, apart from the 4D, are available in nine sizes with an extensive selection of options available to improve their effectiveness still further. Machines can also be built in special sizes and fitted with specialist equipment to suit individual requirements. The entry-level Compact series, with a cutting range 3100mm x1644mm x 80mm to 5350mm x 2220mm x 80mm, includes an automated cut cycle version, the Compact AV. The popular Standard – tried and tested over decades – with cutting sizes 3300mm x 1680mm x 80mm to 5300mm x 2240mm x 80mm, is the perfect saw for companies of all sizes. The fully-automatic Control offers an optional Electronic Positioning System (EPS) on both axes for the automatic positioning of both the length stop and saw head. This increases the saws’ productivity by delivering automatic repeat strip and upper trim cutting. With manual feeding of the saw unit The popular Striebig Evolution is one of the most advanced manual panel saws available. 6 eliminated, the operator’s job is made easier, giving him ample time to prepare the next job. Numerous procedures are carried out at the press of a button, including locking and releasing the beam saw, setting the horizontal cutting height, plunging and swivelling the motor, locking the support rollers during sawing and fine saw blade adjustment. Where high levels of panel throughput are needed, the Control and the Evolution, with cutting sizes from 3300mm x 1680mm to 5300mm x 2240mm, offer an optional 100mm cutting depth. The Evolution has many similar features to the Control, making it one of the most advanced manual panel saws available. The latest 4D high-end sawing centre machine can optimise and cut a full panel without the operator needing to re-handle it, once it is loaded. It’s the world’s The Viet S1 is a highly efficient heavy duty twin-head sander first vertical panel saw to offer intelligent cut optimisation, even with a large choice of sanding and finishing elements. the abrasive belt and conveyor belt speeds gives for the most complicated panel and strip cutting maximum flexibility from a compact machine. work. The ultimate in high production finishing, the Delivering a cutting range of 5300 mmx top-of-the range S3 series ensures results beyond 2100mm, the Striebig 4D comes with the option expectations. Panels are finely calibrated, while for cut depths of 80mm, 105mm, or 130mm. sanding makes surfaces feel perfectly clean to Striebig saws cut practically all wood-based touch. Unlimited customisation makes S3 sheet materials and offer impressive dust limit machines suitable for every kind of sanding values well below 1mg/m3. requirement. The Viet artisan range of sanders begins with Alongside machine sales and installation, T.M. entry level Model S211, a small machine Services & Spares repairs and maintains a wide guaranteeing top performance. Precise and range of woodworking machinery. The division functional, it can be equipped with a range of has grown to become one of the UK’s most rollers and pads for calibrating and fine sanding respected woodworking machinery service timber, preparing it for further processes. specialists, providing nationwide coverage. The S1 is a heavy duty twin-head sander with For further information tel Matt Pearce on a large choice of sanding and finishing 0116 271 7155. elements. The option to add inverter control of Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 Specialists in Bespoke Furniture FRESH FACE Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… SPECIALISTS in manufacturing bespoke furniture, Edward Williams Furniture produces anything from boardroom furniture to reception desks. The company has catered for high profile clients and completed jobs for customers, such as the Arsenal Emirates football stadium. Founder, Adam Howe and his team offer a complete service to suit any environment, regardless of what stage a client may be at. Having just completed five doors and some kitchen carcasses using a Format 4 H08, Mike, one of the CNC operators, explained how it offers maximum ease of use and has saved so much time, as ‘you do not need to hold each component’. Equipping their workshop with a H08 has enabled Edward Williams to offer the complete service from start to finish ‘We could do with another edge-bander, as sometimes we are so busy, so another one could be advantageous’, says workshop manager, Neal. ‘Our H08 makes it so much easier to size the panel and make it square; moreover, working with different angles for complex jobs has been made very easy. An example is when we make arches on the CNC and build door frames to fit,’ adds Mike. Edward Williams is able to meet any design brief, due to the diversity of their workshop, as a result of their H08. ‘Jason works with our designers and he comes up with ideas, so we are able to find a solution to any brief and execute the job to the highest possible standard with our H08. We can do a number of things, the possibilities are endless,’ says Adam Howe. ‘This is not to mention the fact that ‘We have cut down on labour time and the H08 helps us to achieve a very sophisticated look in everything that we produce’. Adam Howe can’t speak more highly of Felder, saying that he is ‘absolutely pleased with everything and anytime you need Felder, they are always there and the service is brilliant – all you have to do is ask for help’. For further information tel Felder on 01908 635000. WOODHEAT Solutions Ltd and Scanhugger UK has appointed a new joint director, Jon Hendy, to work alongside Darryl Crump. Woodheat Solutions and Scanhugger UK specialise in the sale and servicing of wood-fuelled heating systems and wood waste related machinery. Jon’s appointment comes due to the increase in sales and ever increasing demand in the companies’ service schedule. With over 25 years’ experience in the industry, Darryl is looking forward to having a fresh face around to share some of the work load. Jon brings the enthusiasm and knowledge required to be able to develop our businesses even further both on the sales and service side of things and can provide any technical advice on existing, or new wood waste machinery or any service work to be carried out,’ say Darryl. For further informat i o n t e l Wo o d h e a t Solutions on 07788 597749 or 07714 261444. AXYX routers now provide 366,918 different machine configurations TODAY, manufacturers are constantly looking for suppliers of products that offer a winning combination of high productivity and increased profitability. For example, in the industrial woodworking, furniture production, joinery and panel processing industries that operate within a particularly competitive climate, supplying a limited range of CNC routers is no longer acceptable. For this reason, AXYZ International has developed a technically advanced manufacturing facility that is said to be capable of producing distinctive one-off bespoke machines as fast as other manufacturers can build standard off-the-shelf machines. AXYZ International understands that each industry requires a wide choice of machine options that offer multiple processing areas and routing head configurations to accommodate a wider range of different applications. In consequence, the company is now able to deliver a staggering 366,918 standard machine configurations to enable all of its customers, regardless of the industry in which they operate, to have the best possible platform for business development and profitability. From a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, AXYZ International designs, manufactures and supplies customised routing and cutting solutions under its AXYZ and Pacer power brands, with all of the various components built in-house. This ensures that quality control is localised, consistent, uninterrupted performance is guaranteed and customisation simplified to enable the delivery of machines within what are said to be the shortest possible manufacturing lead times. For woodworking-related industries, the preferred machines are those in the 4000, 5000 and 6000 series, with a marked predilection for the 5000 series that features a larger capacity automatic tool change (ATC) facility, pop-up location pins and a pneumatic, or multihead drill. The 5000 series also offers an extended (up to 12m) cutting length capability and triple routing heads that are designed to allow pendulum processing for continuous machine operation and maximum throughput speed. Dedicated design and programming software and a host of optional production tools enable a high degree of machine configurability for high-volume production. For applications involving plastics and their derivatives, AXYZ International offers its Pacer heavyduty machines as alternative solutions. These are renowned for their inherent strength and robust construction that enable the elimination of machine vibration and thus to a much more precise cutting capability on and perfect edge finish to these materials. For further information tel AXYZ on 01952 291600. 110v sander from Mirka A NEW lightweight 110 volt sander has been launched by abrasives specialist, Mirka, enabling builders and construction workers to sand onsite effectively. The 110v DEROS comes as standard in a yellow Mirka case with 125mm and 150mm backing pads. A Deco Solution Kit is also available and includes the standard 110v DEROS sander, plus a 4m hose and a variety of the patented Abranet 150mm discs in packs of 10. The DEROS sander plugs into a 110v power supply allowing users to meet site regulations. It is suitable for multiple sanding operations delivering a rapid, economical, consistently powerful performance comparable to a conventional 500W electric machine, even under heavy load. The sander has a “closed construction”, which prevents dust from entering the motor, avoiding typical wear and tear damage experienced by electric machines, prolonging its lifespan and making it low maintenance. DEROS’ low profile keeps the hand close to the surface to be sanded, delivering good control over the sanding process. Its long body encompasses a two-hand ergonomic grip effective for heavy sanding applications, minimising vibration levels and reducing arm fatigue, which decreases the risk of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. The sander also has a soft start function, a built-in electronic motor brake and a smooth, easy to operate level to control and maintain a constant motor speed. An innovative backing pad acts like a seal to minimise air leakage between the pad and the shroud, making dust extraction more efficient. As with all Mirka electric sanders the 110v DEROS comes with a 2+1 year warranty when registered online. For further information tel Mirka on 01908 375533. Maximise abrasive usage with Abranet Max belts from Mirka MIRKA launched the first narrow belt net abrasive for the woodworking industry with live demonstrations at LIGNA in May. Abranet Max features aluminium oxide grains that deliver a high cut rate to achieve efficient sanding on a variety of applications, including softwoods and hardwoods, primer, lacquer and soft and resinous materials. The abrasive’s innovative symmetric net structure allows effective stock removal, whilst minimising the risk of overheating the sanded surface area, or burning the belt. Its design creates a finer more consistent scratch pattern, resulting in a better surface finish and is fully resin bonded, making it more effective to use and increasing product durability. Abranet Max also has no directional arrows on the reverse side, which means that it can be run in both directions, making it much more economical and user-friendly. It has a grit range of P80-P240. ‘With our strong market knowledge and the Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 support of our research and development facility in Jeppo, Mirka aims to continue its position at the cutting edge of abrasive technology,’ says managing director of Mirka UK, Craig Daycock. ‘Abranet Max has been designed to offer our customers a practical, economical and effective product, which can be used on a wide variety of materials, whilst still offering the same high quality finish they have come to expect from Mirka,’ concludes Mr Daycock. For further information tel Mirka Abrasives on 01908 375533. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 7 Plan, Engineer, Produce Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… MANUFACTURERS of fitted furniture face many internal and external challenges, as they wrestle to design products that meet consumers’ desires for choice, quality and price. As materials, labour and production costs inevitably increase; they also face the persistent challenge of competition from both well-established and new channels. In order to compete, the company must continuously improve its efficiency and adjust its service levels to match changes in its target markets. A fitted furniture’s business relies on the expertise and proficiency it demonstrates in its “end to end” process. Right through from helping consumers (and retailers) design attractive room plans, to engineering those plans into information that can be used on the shop floor, to planning and executing production (and delivery) to most efficiently meet demand. The process is represented by the diagram accompanying this article. The information and skills needed in each phase of this process and different and, conventionally, each is supported by specific tools from dedicated providers. The process has become “silo’d” as the information captured in one phase is reprocessed (often manually) to meet the needs of the next phase. The experience of many other industries confirms that significant value is generated if these phases are connected. 2020 is believed to be uniquely positioned to collect the end to end process of fitted furniture manufacturers. 2020 provides a leading room planning tool (2020 Fusion) and a leading engineering and production solution (2020 Insight) and so provides a one-stop-shop. 2020 goes further and connects the three phases to deliver a comprehensive manufacturing operations management (MOM) platform that connects your processes to create a seamless flow of information from sales order to installation. This improved co-ordination improves communication by sharing products order and supply chain information with the right person at the right time. It automates and optimises production workflows based on each company’s unique business rules and best practices, elimi- nating manual steps that cost time and errors to enhance end to end operations. Roundel Kitchens is a successful manufacturer of fitted furniture to both house builder’s nationally and discerning retail consumers. In 2014 the company realised that its decision to invest in a manufacturing solution, replacing an in-house design tool that was “long in the tooth” and chose to build on its already successful 2020 Fusion platform, used for room planning. Over previous months managing director, Lindsey Oman and IT manager, Phil Grant had trawled the market looking at many potential ERP oriented solutions. None inspired their confidence, as each vendor they approached appeared to be entering the fitted furniture for the first time. 2020 listened to their needs and explained how 2020 Insight could address their most pressing issues and requirements. With 2020’s significant industry experience, it became immediately apparent that Roundel’s priority requirements could be met and a multi-phased plan was agreed. 2020 would design a step by step implementation, starting with automating the receipt of orders from Fusion. Seven weeks Qwood – Aesthetically Pleasing 2020 Insight provides benefits for all phases of design and manufacture. WOOD is a wonderful material that is endlessly practical and aesthetically pleasing, yet wood is one of the only building materials that moves once fitted. This issue is even prevalent in smaller items, such as window beads. This is why QPSL started the development of Qwood 10 years ago, creating a product with the look and feel of wood, but without the risk of rot, or movement. Through three years of Qwood development, the production techniques were perfected and the first window bead was born. Qwood was then brought to the market in the spring of 2009. It is now used in the assembly of windows by a selection of the largest timber window manufacturers within the UK. QPSL (t/a Qwood) is a knowledge leader in the field of composite technology. The considerable amount of time and investment put into the research and development of new profiles has created many tangible benefits for Qwood users. 8 According to the company, QPSL was the first to create WPC glazing beads for windows; the first to gain both FSC and PEFC chain of custody and the first to be used by a major timber window producer. QPSL is also an investor in innovation, with 10 years of development to date; skilled tool-makers with over 100 tools fabricated to date and inventors of a new fitting method. Key benefits of Qwood include a bead that looks and feels like timber without any drawbacks; peace of mind over long term performance and a tried and tested and fully proven product. ‘We work closely with our customers big and small to ensure that they derive maximum benefit from Qwood,’ says product manager, Simon Crossley. ‘Qwood is designed to work with wood to help create the perfect timber window,’ he adds. For further information tel Quantum Profile Systems Ltd on 0161 627 4222. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com after the initial meeting, an agreement was signed to implement 2020 Insight across Roundel’s house-building and retail divisions. ‘Having successfully developed applications to support our quoting needs, we decided to look externally for a platform to support our manufacturing needs,’ says Phil Grant, talking about the search for ERP vendors. ‘Initially we looked to a wide range of ERP vendors who had excellent generic needs, but none had the relevant experience in fitted furniture. Talking with 2020 was a different experience: they immediately understood our business and were able to quickly understand our key issues. ‘2020’s ability to connect planning, engineering and production is both compelling and unique,’ says Phil Grant. The focus of the initial phase is Roundel’s engineering functions, which were under pressure to meet consumer demand for the choice of fronts, units and accessories. Roundel will enjoy the ability to generate production information for any unit (including features and options) permitted by their own engineering rules “on the fly”. This will deliver the flexibility needed to meet market demand, whilst eliminating errors (in room planning, order receipt and Bill of Materials generation) and will eliminate significant time for the company’s current process. In short, Roundel will plan only what the company can make and will process orders to its factories instantaneously. ‘Roundel delivers outstanding quality and service, whilst consistently generating strong annual growth rates,’ says managing director, Lindsey Oman. ‘Our people are exceptional and we recognised some time ago that they needed support from a fit for purpose manufacturing solution. 2020’s vision for a connected order to delivery solution is very appealing, as is the company’s ability to implement it in a step by step way. ‘Our biggest priority was the speed and reliability in generating production information for specials and 2020 is addressing this in the first phase,’ says Lindsey Oman. With Phase 1 completed, Roundel will extend the solution to incorporate factory planning, material supply and shop floor control. Insight will use the routing information associated with the Bill of Materials to enable primary and alternative routes for items “on the fly” – increasing the existing facility’s flexibility and agility. Procurement, inventory and consumptions will be controlled by workflows created by Roundel, using a graphical user interface. These workflows are easy to both create and edit and enable non-IT people to determine how to fine tune the solution, allowing it to meet its ever evolving needs. From the start of the implementation process it has become clear to Roundel that connecting the planning, engineering and production phases of the end to end process is both achievable and highly valuable. Valuable information is being moved from people’s heads into Insight, so that Roundel can accommodate its growth potential and sustain itself well into the future. Users have welcomed the change and look forward to a more planned and less reactive working environment, where excellent customer service is achieved with normal rather than super human efforts. For further information tel 2020 on 01204 304040. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 Södra is placing it bets on technology from Weinig Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… WITH its three business divisions, Swedish Södra Group covers the entire value chain from sawmill to bio-energy. State-of-the-art scanner technology ensures maximum efficiency in the planing mill. The name of the internationally focused Södra Group is a byword for exemplary innovative strength. This year the company will invest 5m Swedish kronor in its sawmill alone. The existing manufacturing technology is constantly reviewed and must meet the highest standards with regards to quality and future viability. A short time ago, the scanner previously used in the planing facility for quality sorting entered on to the management’s radar. Neither its performance, nor its service were any longer up to Södra’s exacting standards. Past experience played an important role during the selection of a suitable successor. Project manager, Roger Johansson brought Weinig into the discussion. Weinig has been increasingly able to establish itself on the scanner technology market in recent years. Mr Johansson was familiar with Weinig’s top model, the CombiScan+, as a result of his time spent at another Swedish company. The scanner was used at the company to their complete satisfaction. Following intensive consultation, Södra decided on the model from the Luxscan Line, particularly since it has recently undergone significant improvements. Södra mainly processes pine, which is then sorted into four quality levels: classic, Nordic, rustic and waste. In the new CombiScan+ S 600 four multi-sensor laser cameras and four color cameras ensure exceedingly fine differentiation. In anticipation of the upcoming replacement of the planing machine, the scanning speed has already been set to 200lm/min. In order to allow poor-quality planks to be used as well, the line also utilises trim saws that can shorten the planks by up to 900mm at both ends. The control of the trim saws has been optimised using the scanner, thus increasing the timber’s value. Flexibility was a key point in Södra’s target specification document. This is not surprising. After all, Södra currently processes 17 different profiles/widths, previously involving quite a complex adjustment process. With the optimised profile software of the new scanner, however, new profiles can be set up and produced in no time at all. The new machine also copes perfectly with the special feature, whereby some profiles are only planed on three sides. The scanner can be set up to exactly detect the different surfaces and thus recognizes the non-planed surface almost as easily as the planed surfaces. Furthermore, it is possible to check the grain direction on all four sides. For Södra, ACM modules were also mounted on the top and the bottom to significantly improve the detection of oblique cracks. The system also uses humidity measurement and a marking station for even better evaluation and sorting of the timber. The latter station can also print timber with panel twist, humidity and quality data as required. Due to the excellent preparation in Weinig’s plant in Luxembourg, including the acceptance test, it was possible to reduce the installation time of the CombiScan+ 600 on-site to less than one week. ‘Especially due to our high throughput capacity, every single production day lost costs a great deal of money,’ says production manager, Magnus Holmberg, who is very satisfied with the new installation of Weinig equipment. Luxscan provided a very professional service and the scanner was up and running in a very short space of time,’ he adds. New Colours and Styles for 2015 EVER expanding, BA Components launched six new colours across the Bella and Zurfiz range at the start of 2015. BA Components brought paintable kitchen doors and stunning new ultragloss panels to the kitchen and bedroom collections. Glidor has been BA’s showcase product throughout 2015 and has firmly planted itself within the BA brand portfolio. Iconic because of its beautiful design and elegant engineering, Glidor has made its mark within the KBB industry and is here to stay. The 19th of November was BA’s mark on history. 300 attendees, a six-piece band, 900 plates of food, 11 awards and six block-booked hotels were what made the 2015 BA Awards black tie gala dinner an unforgettable evening, celebrating 25 magnificent years in business. The evening followed a red carpet tour of the Cookstown factory, led by business owners, Brian and Kieran McCracken and was filled with reminiscing of times past, inspiration for the future and plenty of laughs in between. BA Components is determined to push the company further in the lead up to and during 2016, with lots planned for the coming year, with new goals set and new doors to open. For further information tel BA Components on 028 8676 4600. Delighted with the rapid commissioning: Södra project manager, Roger Johansson and head of production, Magnus Holmberg. Indeed, it was the good contact with the Luxscan team that convinced Södra right from the start. ‘Astonishingly, using English as the working language proved more effective than using Swedish, which we use with local manufacturers,’ remarked a somewhat surprised Magnus Holmberg. This formed a solid basis, which allowed Södra to award its new partner good grades throughout. ‘This is an important factor for a hi-tech product,’ says Magnus Holmberg. The scanner has now been running reliably for several months. The main factors praised by Södra are the improved performance and higher yield through optimised value creation, as well as the high level of flexibility. In addition, the company highlights the simple operation and intuitive handling. ‘Our scanners offer the customer genuine added value and are perfectly adaptable to individual requirements. Södra recognized this and took full advantage,’ says Luxscan sales director, Jean-Phillipe Hildebrand, affirming customer reaction. For further information tel Weinig on 01235 557600. Solution Provider Meets Customer Demands with 2020 Insight Pre-configured, scalable manufacturing operations management solutions enable growth 2020, the world’s leading provider of applications and enterprise solutions dedicated to interior design, space planning and furniture manufacturing, is helping cabinet manufacturers meet the increasing customer demand for specialised products. 2020 helps professional designers, retailers and manufacturers in the interior design and furniture industries capture ideas, inspire innovation and streamline processes. By providing end-to-end solutions and the world’s largest collection of manufacturers’ catalogues, 2020 provides businesses with the software and content to be more efficient, integrated and productive. 2020 applications allow professional designers to create kitchens, bathrooms, closets and commercial offices, which look as stunning on the screen as they will in reality. 2020 helps interior home improvement retailers to inspire the imagination of their customers and our solutions for furniture and cabinet manufacturers provide a complete manufacturing operations management capability. For more information, visit www.2020spaces. com. 2020’s pre-configured scalable solution allows the manufacturer to expand capability through streamlining existing processes and reducing costs. As the consumer landscape within the furniture market evolves and customers demand products that are customised to fit their specific needs, the manufacturer faces the increasing challenge of meeting the ever-changing customer needs, whilst striving to maximize existing investments in its people and equipment. Increasing custom design output, or offering a wider range of products without expanding team size, or the number of engineering models required, can be difficult for any organisation trying to grow. ‘2020 Insight provides a comprehensive manufacturing operations management platform that connects the manufacturers processes to create a seamless flow of information from sales order to installation,’ says general manager, for the Manufacturing Line of Business at 2020. Joerg Brauns. ‘We strive to provide our customers the tools to make mass customisation not only possible, but profitable,’ adds Joerg Brauns. Through process automation and optimisation, it is now possible to meet industry demands, as well as continuing to increase sales volumes and reduce order processing costs. 2020 Insight delivers a software solution that Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 enables forward thinking companies to be both agile and successful in what is recognised as a constantly changing marketplace. With its recently launched scalable edition and licensing options, 2020 Insight is now also perfectly suited to small and medium sized cabinet manufacturing organizations. Pre-configured data and selective software modules help ensure a fast, efficient deployment, whilst delivering a low cost of ownership for maximum return on investment. ‘At 2020, we believe the future of manufacturing includes smart factories using information and communication technologies to digitise their processes,’ says Joerg Brauns. ‘2020 Insight was developed specifically for cabinet manufacturers and our goal is to help manufacturers set up their business for future success,’ he conlcudes For further information tel 2020 on 01204 304040. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 9 Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… The T60C – The new cutting-edge all-purpose sliding table saw MARTIN‘s new T60C is a compact class sliding table saw with real premium qualities that perfectly meet the requirements of the modern growth and future oriented workshop. The machine unites state-of-the art controller technology with user-friendliness and, what is more, it is offered at a surprisingly favorable price to the woodworking industry. The new Martin T60C sliding table saw combines economic efficiency, functionality and performance with all the premium characteristics you have come to expect from a Martin machine. 10 Ease of use for every woodworker ‘With the new premium compact-class T60C, we fill the gap between the entry-level T60A and the substantially heavier T65,’ says Michael Mühldorfer, marketing manager at Martin. The new model features a 3.5in keypad controller at eye level for cutting height and angle. The cutting width can be comfortably set from the operating position by digital display via hand ‘This way cutting height, cutting angle, as well as cutting width can be adjusted quickly, safely and accurately,’ says Michael Mühldorfer A maximum cutting height of 130mm and a standard cutting width of 1350mm also meet sophisticated users’ demands for highest flexibility. According to Michael Mühldorfer, the T60C is a brilliant example for the perfect balance between price and performance available at Martin even in the range of premium compact class machinery. Typically, each and every key component is solid and durable as you have come to expect from Martin. High-quality components – Made in Germany Martin has once again set high quality standards with its T60C. From construction, assembly, quality control to packaging and delivery – over 90 per cent of the production processes of a T60C are performed “inhouse” at the plant in Ottobeuren, Germany. With the vast majority of the T60C’s production happening here, Martin machines have every right to earn the quality label “Made in Germany”. The T60C is equipped with a sliding table with replaceable table lip – a feature shared by all Martin sliding table saws. The table guidance – “tried and true” for over 50 years – makes sure that the table is Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com guided smoothly and precisely. For precise and repeatable cuts at the crosscut fence, the machine is equipped with two stop elements with micro-adjustment. With the optional two-axis scoring unit, scoring height and scoring position can be adjusted directly via the controller while in operation. Optional motorized rip fence The T60C Automatic‘s motorised fence is guided on a wear-free grooved ball-bearing guiding system like all rip fences manufactured by Martin. The axis “cutting width” is completely integrated in the efficient controller and powered precisely by a modern CANBus motor. The Otto Martin Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG based in Ottobeuren (Allgäu) Germany, has a long tradition of being one of the leading suppliers of high quality saws, spindle moulders and planers. The family enterprise was founded by Otto Martin in 1922. Over the following eight decades, what started with basic and solid machinery eventually became a standard for quality and functionality in the woodworking machinery sector. High quality manufacturing as well as user-friendly operating concepts that make life easier for the woodworker have always been of great importance. Presently a total of135 employees are working at the company’s head office at Ottobeuren in Germany. For further information tel Martin on 00 49 8332 911 119. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 THREE DIMENSIONAL Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… THE Grain Sandblasted Sign Company is proud to be Europe’s market leader in three dimensional wooden sign systems. The exclusive signs manufactured by the company are produced from the finest quality materials available and are made to stand the test of time. Wooden signs convey a strong sense of environmental awareness but, most importantly, a quality image that is sensitive to the aesthetic of every business. All wood used comes from sustainable forests. Co-directors, Peter and Sam Ratcliffe, a father and son team, are passionate about their heritage in sign manufacture. Immensely proud with an exacting attention to detail, their craftsmanship is clearly reflected by the customers they attract, dealing with some of the top names in the leisure, retail and entertainment industries. ‘We already had a CNC router, but needed something more heavy duty with a larger bed in order to transfer our creative designs into the finished products which our customers deserved,’ explains Peter. ‘The very nature of our business means that we need to produce bespoke items very quickly, using bigger and thicker substrates. The guys at Delcam recommended the Klever, which we went to see in action at Biesse’s Daventry Tech Centre and it “ticked all the boxes” as far as we were concerned,’ says Peter Ratcliffe enthusiastically. ‘We also had severe space constraints, as the machine needed to be installed under a mezzanine floor with just 2.35m of headroom. The Klever was one of the few machines, which could accommodate this with the required extraction,’ says Peter The visit to Daventry also re-inforced their decision to buy Biesse. ‘We were impressed by Biesse’s investment and commitment to the UK. It was also great to meet the spares and front line support teams, which really filled us with confidence In terms of performance,’ says Peter. ‘The machine’s reliability is excellent and on the one occasion when we experienced downtime (which was only a trip), we had an engineer on site the next morning. Being based in Cornwall, we can’t fault the service,’ says Peter. The major benefit is that The Grain can now achieve 3D milling. ‘It’s opened up new markets for us. We can now 3D mill MDF and HDU, which has definitely contributed to winning additional business.’ ‘The Klever has been well worth the investment. The machine has paid for itself just in terms of reliability and speed,’ concludes Peter. For further information tel Biesse UK on 01327 300366. The Grain’s father and son team, Peter and Sam Ratcliffe. The Klever with Mark and Sam. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 11 Felder Group UK A Record Attendanc THE Felder Group UK held its bi-annual autumn in-house exhibition at the company’s newly refurbished headquarters in Milton Keynes in November. With both visitor numbers and sales exceeding all previous shows, it proved a great success. Felder was joined at the exhibition by a number of associate companies from the industry, enabling customers to see a wide variety of products and services. Alphacam showed its latest CAD/CAM software packages, Leitz demonstrated its Thermotec Window System on a Format 4 Applications for Cabinet Construction, Window, Door, Staircase manufacturing and much more Profit 45 spindle moulder, as well as providing expert advice on CNC tooling for various applications, Woodwork Dust Control was present with dust extraction technology, Joinerysoft demonstrated its bespoke software packages for joinery companies and OVVO showed off the latest advancement in panel fixing technology in partnership with Formed UK. Live demonstrations were performed on a wide range of machines, including the brand new Format 4 Profit H200 CNC machining centre and the Format 4 Tempora 60.12 edge-bander. The Felder Group is proving year on year that it is leading the way in new technologies, enabling small and medium sized businesses to become more flexible, more efficient, more reliable and, Fine woodworking machinery from small business to large industry The profit H200, all round performance increasing efficiency Secure workpiece support - precise results Workpiece feeding rails Pick-Up Tool Changer 18-Position Rotary Tool Changer Cost effective solutions to suit your needs. Flexible finance options. Take your business to the next level! CNC Range from FORMAT-4: profit H08 classic profit H10 profit H300 profit H350 profit H500 Tel. 01908 635000 Unit 2, Sovereign Business Park, Joplin Court Crownhill, MK8 0JP MILTON KEYNES www. format-4.co.uk 12 12 Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com FORMAT-4 Quality and precision from AUSTRIA (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING WOODWORKING AND AND PANEL PANEL PROCESSING INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING DECEMBER DECEMBER 2015 2015 Autumn Exhibition ce & Record Sales ultimately, more profitable. With a varied range of customers through the door from furniture and kitchen manufacturers, joinery companies, solid surface suppliers and manufacturers in plastics and composites, all were able to have one to one time with the technical sales team, product managers and service technicians from Felder. ‘2015 has been another exceptional year for both Felder Group UK and the Felder Group as a whole. New machinery launched at LIGNA has proved very successful and has strengthened our position as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high quality machinery,’ says Felder Group UK’s managing director, Matthew Applegarth. ‘The service support that we have built up in Milton Keynes is now second to none. It is my understanding that we have the highest percentage of service and support staff of any company in the UK. ‘This is our commitment to not only supply superior machinery, but also superior after sales care and support for our growing list of satisfied customers. We are very proud of our achievements and are looking forward to 2016 and beyond,’ concludes Mr Applegarth. For further information tel the Felder Group on 01908 635000. Quality and precision from AUSTRIA The perfect partners! profit H08 | G 330 DETAILS THAT IMPRESS: Profit making all-rounder profit H08 Portal design with “Gantry” drive ”Gantry”- rack and pinion driving system on both sides. Quick, low maintenance and high precision Tool changer 8- or 11 position tool changer on the side of machine chassis Industrial 10kW main spindle 8, 12 or 16 position drilling head options. Automatic lubrication system Automatic tool lenght measurement. And much more The new FELDER G 330 space saver! „Universal“ edgebander with optional glue scraping or buffing Increasing quality demands in the compact edgebanding machine range requires a complete solution in the smallest possible of spaces. Tel. 01908 635000 Unit 2, Sovereign Business Park, Joplin Court Crownhill, MK8 0JP MILTON KEYNES www.format-4.co.uk Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 2015 DECEMBER (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING WOODWORKING AND AND PANEL PANEL PROCESSING INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING 13 13 Martin T60C Panel Saws Installed PONTEFRACT-based Ultima Furniture Systems has recently completed a multi million pound investment in a additional 150,000ft2 factory and the installation of state-of-the-art CNC machinery from some of the world’s leading manufacturers. The family run company was founded 30 years ago by Alf and Clare Ellis and from humble beginnings Ultima now operates from over 250,000ft2 of manufacturing space and employs over 200 staff. The company has built up a reputation for producing kitchens of only the highest quality with the philosophy “if you want to be the best, you have to invest in the best”. As part of this latest expansion program, Ultima purchased two Martin T60CA sliding table panel saws from JJ Smith, which is in addition to the Martin saw installed 18 months ago. While much of the production at Ultima is through fully automated CNC controlled lines, there is still a requirement for stand-alone machines needed for special one-off designs, or for use in research and development, when developing new lines, hence the need for the Martin saws. As with any machines Ultima buy, Alf Ellis always researches the market very carefully to see what is available and regularly visits all the major trade shows. Therefore, when it came to the point of deciding which panel saw to install, he instantly thought of Martin as a source of supply. ‘I like to keep very much up to date on what machines are available and so when it came to initially replacing an existing saw a couple of years ago, I was well aware of Martin machines and their reputation for quality and reliability,’ says Alf. A demonstration on a saw was arranged at JJ Smith’s Liverpool showroom and, as result, a specification and price was agreed and an order placed for a T65 saw. On account of the performance of this first machine, Alf had no hesitation in contacting JJ Smith again when he needed two more new machines. After discussing his latest requirements with John Stanley, it was decided that the new Martin Model T60CA automatic model would fit the bill. As standard this includes an overhead user friendly touch screen control pad and colour graphic screen where the operator has several functions to choose from, including programming of the height/tilt of the saw blade, position of the rip fence and setting of the twoaxis scoring unit. In addition, there is the possibility to create cutting lists, grooving programs and also calculate the required position of the stops on the cross cut mitre fence, when it is angled. For further information please contact JJ Smith 0151 548 9000. ONE-STOP SHOP ESTABLISHED in 1971, Formed UK has been one of the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of hardware and consumable products for some time, providing a one-stop shop and offering outstanding product quality. The company was one of the fellow exhibitors at the recent Felder Group UK bi-annual autumn in-house exhibition (as reported in full detail on pages 12 & 13 of this issue). With significant investment into research and development year on year Formed UK has continued to introduce new ranges to the company’s portfolio, which now encompasses everything from specialist drawer mechanisms to high performance drill bits and much, much more! This British company is well renowned for manufacturing cutting edge product solutions and delivering innovative, market leading procurement solutions. Recently, the specialist fixtures and fittings company took advantage of the well-attended event in order to demonstrate the latest advancements in panel fixing technology in conjunction with OVVO. Formed UK first added the all new OVVO connection system to its range back in July of this One of three Martin panel saws at Ultima Furniture. The best selection of RF glue curing machines For the best selection of RF glue curing machines and support service in the UK, ring Alan Lamont on 01461 40017 Email alanlamont2@gmail.com www.clampingmachines.co.uk 14 year, with the aim of helping users to eliminate hours of frustration when assembling flat pack furniture. Using the OVVO connection system means that there is no need to use tools, glues or screws. The concept provides a push fit solution which allows two pieces of material to be joined together easily without the subsequent need to resort to the use of more traditional aids. It only involves a simple action. All you have to do is press the two parts of the connection system together and wait until you hear the “click”. This indicates that the join has been made successfully. Utilising the OVVO connection system results in an invisible solution with one element embedded into the material, whilst the interlocking, self clamping clip forms a tight bond between the two pieces of material being joined. According to the manufacturers: ‘The OVVO system eliminates hours of frustration! No need for tools, glues or screws. It’s so easy, it’s child’s play,’ The staff at Formed UK has been trained in all aspects of this product and can offer full customer support. Earlier this year Formed UK launched the company’s new online ordering platform – acclaimed with the words “It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s formed online.” Over 5,000 products are available for online ordering and shopping lists can be set up quickly and easily. Formed UK’s senior director, Roy Haughton aims to continually improve and develop the customer experience, thus ensuring an excellent level of customer service. ‘Welcome to Formed. Sitting your side of the desk, our focus is to get your job done fast, make your lives easy and offer you long term savings,’ concludes Roy Haughton. For further information tel the company on 0800 849 1292. FIT FOR PURPOSE DUST extraction is a key part of any job to safeguard employees’ Health & Safety, especially with the variety of softwoods and other materials currently being used in furniture production. Sales manager at Mirka UK, Peter Sartain provides his top tips for effective dust extraction. 1. Always carry out a full risk assessment, as it is the responsibility of the purchasing customer to ensure that any dust extractor is suitable for the tuype of dust being collected. Ideally, this risk assessment should be car ried out by an independent third party professional, or specialist to ensure that any dust extractor is fit for the purpose intended by the workshop before making a purchase. 2 . L ab o rat o r y t e s t s h ave shown that without dust extraction, dust in the air per kilogram o f s a n d e d m a t e r i a l i s ove r 200g/kg and dust on surrounding surfaces is almost 800g/kg. So the better the dust extraction system the less dust that will be in the air and on the surrounding surfaces. 3. Ensure that your extractor is checked and serviced regulary, so that it is working effectively. Make sure that the fleece bag is not full and that it does no contain any rips or holes. If it does, replace it. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com Periodically, remove and clean the motor filter. This can be done by placing it in a bag and gently knocking the dust out of the filter. Better still: use another vacuum, or extractor to clean the filter. Once it is clean, replace the filter in the machine. Use the clean filter system on the machine every day. This will prolong the life of the system, as well as helping to create a dust-free working environment. Store the machine in a dry place which is protected from frost. Make sure that the seal between the tank and the upper section of the extractor is clean and not damaged. For further information tel Mirka on 01908 866100. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 Masterwood – Developing Software for Stair Production Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… IN 1996 Masterwood, a company which has always been heavily involved in the solid timber industry, decided to develop software for staircase production – one of the few products that requires dedicated software for CNC production. The original stair software was produced in conjunction with an Italian company, Kernex. This was a DOS-based package and there are still a few customers using this in the UK and Ireland today. In order to move things into the Windows environment and to meet the demands of Masterwood’s growing stair customers, a new MasterStair package was developed in 2002. This enabled Masterwood to offer stair customers a low cost package of CNC machine and software – all of which were totally compatible. Over the next few years MasterStair developed further to provide customers with more advantages, such as the multi-positioning of work pieces on the machine bed, instant CNC programmes from the software in a DXF format to suit all Masterwood machines and to make the machines and software more user friendly. In 2009 it was decided to find a more versatile stair package that Masterwood’s customers were now asking for. Developing the company’s own software to this level was going to be too high a cost. After extensive research of the various stair software packages available, various meetings were held with StairBiz and a partnership was formed, with StairBiz adapting their own software to supply the formats that Masterwood CNC machines best work with. ‘After a great deal of investigation, we decided on StairBiz for a number of for good reasons,’ says Masterwood GB director, Dave Kennard. ‘A number of our existing customers had already seen the software and said how good it was. There are no yearly licence fees, which is a policy that Masterwood likes to follow. In addition, from our meetings with StairBiz managing director, John Dibley, he showed us how extremely versatile and stable the software is,’ adds Mr Kennard. This new joint adventure is called Masterwood Stair. Stairbiz 2015 represents a number of interesting milestone for StairBiz. ‘We celebrate 30 years since we first designed stairs on a computer, 20 years since our first commercial stair software, 15 years since StairBiz first drove a CNC machine and 10 years in the UK market – all nice round numbers,’ says John Dibley. ‘I was an architecture student when I decided I needed to get my hands dirty. So I quit university and bought myself a stair company. I had never had so much fun. I was using one of those new-fangled Hewlett Packard programmable calculators to work out stringer and newel lengths. ‘When the first computer with a graphical interface came on to the market I jumped on it. I learned how to program and it constantly amazes me how far we and the industry have come since that time,’ adds Mr Dibley. John believes that the secret to the success of StairBiz is that the program was designed by a stair builder rather than a CAD programmer. ‘It’s not possible for a computer expert to write a program for stairs. You must be a stair person first and foremost. You must have lived and breathed stairs – so that you know how a user of your program thinks, as he, or she is using it. This is how our slogan “the intelligent stair software” came about,’ says John Dibley. The stair market is changing so rapidly at the moment – this is a very exciting time for stair builders. Even just a dozen years ago almost all stairs were traditional. These days, in some markets there is almost no such thing as a traditional stair, with hybrids of steel, wood and glass leading the way. ‘There is tremendous scope to be creative. Under these circumstances software has to be flexible and has to grow with the trends,’ says John Dibley. He explains that StairBiz brings out an upgrade several times each year and are into the company’s fourth total re-write in 20 years. That’s a complete re-write every five years. ‘For us it’s not just about keeping up with the trends in stair design and software technology – we want to stay at the forefront of this industry. That’s where all the fun is,’ says John Dibley. Integration You might have a good CAD program. You might have a good CAM program and you might have a good CNC machine, but if they are not all talking to each other seamlessly, then you are going to occupy a great deal of time and energy unnecessarily. Packages that have been thoroughly tested together are good. This has been a big part of the Masterwood/StairBiz partnership to ensure that the software and machine work hand in hand in the shortest possible time. Stairbiz Features StairBiz is an integrated package covering design, specification, estimation, quotation, inventory, accounts, CNC, 3D, job tracking, client management, project management, scheduling and archive. It can handle just about any staircase/balustrading configuration. It is fully networkable across the room, or across the country. It has been specifically developed to allow a short learning curve, ease of use and enormous flexibility in tailoring it to your particular methods for design, estimating and manufacture. StairBiz is intelligent, because it was designed by stair people rather than computer people. It can “anticipate” your intentions as only a stair person can. Most jobs can be designed, specified and quoted in just a few minutes. With the CNC option, another minute sends the job to the machine ready to run. ‘With our partnership moving into its sixth year in 2015, we have been delighted in the way that our two companies have come together,’ says Dave Kennard. ‘It has been beneficial for all our stair customers that we can offer such a good package and know that it fits so well into our “One Shop” policy. This ensures that we supply a full package and our customers have only one contact for any support, or help if and when required. We can only thank the StairBiz and Masterwood staff for making this work so well,’ adds Dave Kennard. Masterwood now has over 120 customers using the company’s CNC machines with one of Masterwood’s dedicated stair packages. Masterwood can safely say that it knows what stair customers require. Indeed, some of their customers’ comments back this up: ‘The purchase of our Masterwood CNC has completely revolutionised our company. We knew from the outset that the accuracy of a Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 CNC would be of huge benefit, as would the advanced methods and greater speed of production,’ says director at Edwards & Hampson (Liverpool), Scott Edwards. ‘However, having such power at our fingertips also allows us to think differently and be far more creative with our products than would ever have been possible using conventional methods. The only unfortunate thing about purchasing a CNC is that it’s similar to a mobile phone…You wonder how you ever survived without one!’ adds Mr Edwards. ‘Since we have had our Masterwood CNC machine and stair software, they have been of great benefit, as we have now changed from making everything to now making mostly stairs,’ says coowner of Garcia Joinery (London), Tony Garcia. ‘I didn’t realise how much help the Masterwood CNC would be. It has helped our business a great deal and we are now thinking about a second machine for staircases,’ says director of Pars Joinery (Essex), Reza Sayad. ‘CNC machining is most definitely the way forward. It has facilitated the growth of our business year on year for the past 10 years. We would definitely see the benefits and are looking to invest further in the near future,’ says production manager at Two Twenty Staircases (Derbyshire), Neil Glover. For further information tel Masterwood GB on 01293 402700. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 15 Dustraction Servicing Customer’s Needs Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… DUSTRACTION has installed an extraction layout for AVC (Classic Woodworkers) at a new 75,000ft2 factory in Stoke-on Trent dedicated to servicing the growing numbers of online customers. ‘A move to a new factory is always stressful, but the install-ation of the extraction layout, complete with all ducting throughout the factory and disposal to an external skip from Dustraction never gave us a moment’s hassle. It does everything it says on the tin,’ says production director, Andrew Hancock. The new layout will service the needs of more than three dozen existing machines, including everything from trad-itional spindle moulders to 10 big CNC router/moulders. Dustraction also designed the new installation to meet the needs of an SCM window line envisaged for installation in October this year. The Dustrax 9X cyclo filter represents technology which is new to AVC and generate 100,0003 air capacity to service a joinery shop floor that has evolved to meet the needs of an online customer base. These are people who already know what windows, doors and stairs look like and don’t need to touch them to plan for their own future needs. In the Internet shopping environment buyers go first to the sophisticated AVC website to measure and plan, using software that avoids the need to get the car out to drive to an old-fashioned out-oftown retail warehouse. Those prepared to make buying decisions online join a rapidly growing customer base at AVC, one of the fastest growing joinery suppliers in the online environment. Now onliners can enjoy researching architectural joinery, hardware and fittings from the comfort of a computer chair from which they can find out what an ogee moulding looks like, or what they can expect from chamfered profiles and they can use the Internet to plan major time savings into their projects. Dustraction’s new cyclo filter is designed to run on a 24-hour daily cycle and is guaranteed for 6000 working hours, or three years extracting chipboard, MDF and joinery waste and returning clean air back into the factory. All the equipment falls fully in line with Health & Safety Executive and COSHH legislation and also fulfils ATEX explosion regulations. StairBox is part of the architectural package at AVC, delivering quality wooden stair systems at reasonable cost using customers’ own designs and measurements for online planning; AVC also has an extensive range of wooden stair parts, including hand-rails, balusters and fittings. Customers really do now find themselves in charge of the whole do-it yourself manufacturing package at AVC – where they can access everything an imaginative pair of hands needs. Andrew Hancock says that cyclone technology from Dustraction will help AVC maintain a clean, dust-free atmosphere and will help to maximise his customers’ budgets. ‘We understand how difficult it sometimes is to get a staircase built that exactly fits the space and architecture a customer has available and which also looks the way they planned in their imagination,’ says Andrew. ‘Our software talks customers through the process in their comfortable, though remote, home environment and Dustraction now helps us to maintain a clean and tidy working atmosphere here in the factory that we can all be proud of!’ concludes Andrew. For further information tel Dustraction on 0116 271 3212. Another step forward for the sliding table saw Altendorf F 45 redefined: new design, new control concept, new technology ALTENDORF has recently unveiled a completely redesigned F 45 to replace the current series, which it launched in 2006 to mark the company’s centenary. The new design certainly catches the eye with its clean grey/anthracite colour scheme and elegant front panel, which features the model name “Altendorf F 45” picked out in understated anthracite lettering on a pale grey background in the lower right-hand corner. The new model’s striking and unmistakable appearance is but a fraction of the story though: the technology it contains also represents another major step forward for the sliding table saw. Almost everything, from machine frames to motors to control units, has been comprehensively re-designed with the explicit aim of improving performance in all areas. So far-reaching has the design overhaul been that Altendorf has decided to drop the rest of the New Directors join the Board of Altendorf Germany AT THE beginning of this year, two new directors joined managing director, Tom Altendorf at Wilhelm Altendorf GmbH & Co. KG, Minden. Joerg F. Mayer is the new sales and marketing director and Wolfgang Ruhnau is the financial director of the worldwide Altendorf Group. Joerg Mayer has been with the company in various roles since 2001. Since 2009 Herr Mayer has been general manager of the Altendorf factory in Qinhuangdao China and his most recent 16 16 old model names at the same time: the new generation comprises “just” the F 45. The new F 45 still offers a wealth of choice, including three control unit options, to help users assemble the technical and convenience features they require. Each of these three control units – and Altendorf is the very first manufacturer to be able to offer this – gives the user full electronic control of all four axes and can also tilt the saw unit to either side (subject in each case to the corresponding hardware options being selected). Three new control units move four CNC axes and the two-way tilting saw unit. Altendorf ’s new F 45 embodies a modular machine concept, offering endless configuration options for every user. The only decision to be made right at the very beginning is which of the three new control units to pick. That choice made, the user is free to add as many (or as few) accessories as are required from the extensive catalogue. This level of flexibility in configuration is quite unprecedented. Equally novel is the ability to operate four CNC axes and the saw unit, which can be tilted to either side, from any of the three control units. Once again Altendorf leads the way in the development of this type of machine. As is the case with the other two control units, the F 45 ProDrive control unit can operate all four CNC axes (height and angle, CNC rip fence and CNC crosscut fence) provided that the corresponding hardware has been specified. And, like the other two, it can also control the saw unit tilt (up to 46° to either side) with automatic height correction. The F 45 ProDrive automatically corrects the positioning of the rip fence when the saw unit is tilted too and controls the optional vacuum clamping system for secure retention of large workpieces. Finally, anyone who frequently has to repeat the same cutting operation will quickly learn to love the F 45 ProDrive control unit’s 99programme cutting memory. The control unit is mounted at eye level and includes a keyboard for numerical data entry. The F 45 EvoDrive features a 7in touch screen with keyboard for entering numerical dimension specifications. It can control up to four axes, including saw blade tilt to either side. What distinguishes it from the F 45 ProDrive is its pre-installed application technology: the F 45 EvoDrive defines inside and outside dimensions automatically from the material thickness data supplied. The F 45 EvoDrive makes life simpler for users by doing much of the hard work for them. It includes additional grooving, incremental dimension and bevel rip features, for example, together with a compound mitre function and tool management system. It has very substantial memory capacity too, allowing users to input a total of 999 programmes via the keyboard for rapid subsequent retrieval. For further information tel Daltons Wadkin on 0870 850 9111. position was as group sales and marketing manager. Wolfgang Ruhnau has been in charge of the financial control function since 2002 and was also vested with the power of attorney to sign and act on behalf of the Altendorf Group. With these appointments Altendorf has initiated the transition to the next generation of the family business. Wilfried Altendorf continues in his roles as partner and chairman of the advisory board of the company. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND AND PANEL PANEL PROCESSING PROCESSING DECEMBER DECEMBER 2015 2015 Gorilla Glue unveils three new tough products Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… Control waste disposal costs GORILLA Glue Europe has launched three new innovative products into the market place in 2014. The new products include the innovative Gorilla Clear Repair Tape, White Gorilla Tape and Gorilla Super Glue Gel and are available in store now. All purpose adhesive brand Gorilla Glue is the No 1 adhesive in America and is already sealing its place in the UK’s woodworking market place as the must have adhesive and tape brand for anyone who needs a tough and weather-proof solution for their creations. With the launch of these three new products in early 2014 and more to follow throughout the year, Gorilla Glue Europe is set to take the UK market by storm. The Gorilla Clear Repair tape will tear up the UK tape market with this ground breaking product. Clear Repair has unique properties that make it the first clear tape of its kind in the UK. Weather-proof, air tight and crystal clear, Clear Repair is a multi-use tape with heavy duty strength and durability that can stick to smooth, rough and uneven surfaces to offer a perfect solution for a host of situations, offering a great solution every time. Gorilla Super Glue Gel is an easy to use, thicker and more controlled formula ideal for multiple surfaces and vertical applications. It maintains the tough Gorilla credentials and with its anti clog cap and air tight seal, this new super glue gel can be re-used for a wide variety of tasks. With its triple layer strength and outstanding versatility the new White Gorilla Tape is the perfect solution for both indoor and outdoor use and can grip a variety of uneven surfaces, won’t yellow when used outdoors and will remain whiter than white. for further information tel the company on 0844 7451880. A TECHNICAL furniture manufacturing company in the North West has purchased a wood waste heater from Wood Waste Technology to save money on waste disposal bills. Intech Solutions designs, manufactures and installs technical furniture and control room solutions in the UK and worldwide from their 8000ft 2 factory in Stockport, Cheshire. T h e c o m p a ny wa n t e d t o r e d u c e i t s £20,000/yr waste disposal bills, so started to investigate how the waste wood and unused MDF from production could be converted into energy. As part of the research, the team at Intech Solutions came across the high quality range of wood waste heaters manufactured in the UK by Wood Waste Technology and contacted managing director, Kurt Cockroft for more information. After reviewing costs and performance, a decision was made to purchase a WT15 heater, which was installed earlier this year by Wood Waste Technology’s experienced engineers. ‘We’re delighted with our wood waste heater so far. We’re looking forward to drastically reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill and estimate that, with the savings we’ll be making on waste disposal costs, the investment should provide payback in around six months,’ says general manager at Intech Solutions, Steve MitchellYorke ‘The people at Wood Waste Technology have been great to deal with, have delivered everything they promised and always been on hand to deal with any issues, or to answer any questions - and their knowledge of this industry is second to none, he adds. Wood Waste Technology’s years of expertise in wood waste solutions have helped many companies reduce their waste disposal and heating costs. As well as offering site survey, design, manufacture, installation and on-going maintenance for new units, the company also services all types of wood waste heaters and supplies genuine spares up to 60 per cent cheaper than other suppliers. In addition, Wood Waste Technology is the UK official distributor for Gross Apparatebau GmbH, a German manufacturer of dependable, precision engineered shredders and briquetters, available in various size and specifications to suit all business applications. For further information tel Wood Waste Technology on 01785 250400. CNC VACUUM PODS Call 01494 523991 sales@tooltec.co.uk Fax 01494 524293 www.tooltec.co.uk www.vacuum-pods.com Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 2015 DECEMBER (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING WOODWORKING AND AND PANEL PANEL PROCESSING INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING 17 17 MAKA – The Individual System Solution Provider Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… AT L I G N A i n M a y M A K A demonstrated the company’s ability to provide complete solutions. As Maka UK managing director, Iain Young explains: ‘We have acquired considerable experience in the automotive and aerospace sectors and we’re taking this opportunity to demonstrate how we are applying best-practice to improve productivity in timber, joinery and furniture manufacturing.’ The handling of parts and fixtures will be demonstrated, offering a clear insight into how productivity can be squeezed! Handling fixtures and setting instantly are paramount for the users now, as not only does this waste valuable time and reduce actual capacity, but many fixtures are heavy, bulky and usually manually handled. MAKA demonstrated how fixtures can be moved automatically via a MAKA-KUKA robot: the fixtures were attached on to the machine table with perfect precision every time. MAKA is a long-standing “System Partner” of KUKA and has trained technicians, who will assist programme and service KUKA robots! This ensures that the robots are quickly installed and integrated and in the rare event that they need attention, MAKA will be on-hand to offer expert support. MAKA operates industrywide and the company is experienced in machining diverse materials and applications. MAKA demonstrated how the company can transfer their experience and technology, much of which has been gained in the automotive industry, to benefit furniture and joinery manufacturers directly. Working in conjunction with specialist cutting tool manufacturers, MAKA demonstrated various workpieces being made out of MDF, Ureol, composites and aluminium! The principle techniques demonstrated can be applied to all the models across the MAKA wide range of platforms, which now encompasses the new DC7 horizontal machine centres, the moving beam BC150 and BC170 and the popular PE90, along with the latest versions of the renowned twin-table MK7, MM7, CM and CR27 models. All are available with either the BWO, or Siemens 840D-SL controllers, which are comprehensively specified for highspeed 3D five-axis machining. MAKA also provides threeand four-axis machines, along with throughfeed and twin and quad-channel solutions! One such installation is a multi-head twin-table five-axis machine, machining four high gloss finished parts simultaneously for one of the world’s leading brand names in consumer goods. (See the close-up on this page). Productivity Tools Many other productivity tools were demonstrated to help illustrate and explain the possibilities to customers and help them to decide which “tools” will be most effective in their particular circumstances. These may include bar-coding, automatic part sensors, integrated “plug-In fixtures” SALES SOAR The clean lines of the MAKA MM7t Quad-Channel machines four high gloss parts cleanly, easily and very quickly. with “associativity” to automatically call-up the right programme and thus eliminate operator error and setting time! MAKA’s expert construction engineer s were available to answer all your questions! Another focus of the fair this year was LIGNA’s spotlight on the “Machining of plastics and composites”. With the increasing diversity of materials being employed in the traditional “wood” sector and with the increasing multidisciplinary applications some woodworking machinery is now being applied. MAKA featured prominently in this special feature in Hall 16. Service first In addition to specialised solutions, MAKA demonstrated the company’s unique service capability, as well as demons t r a t i n g t h e i r c a p ab i l i t i e s directly on the stand! The head of MAKA hotline, Patrick Fischer, was available to t a k e e n q u i r i e s , a s we l l a s d e m o n s t r a t e h o w M A K A’ s unique service hotline and teleservice actually works! Service is Maka’s No.1 priority. ‘ H av i n g t h e d e s i g n s a n d robust hardware are one thing, but having the ability to support the customer with this technology is another,’ explains Iain Young. ‘The experience gained in other industries, particularly the automotive sector where the demand for rapid response at the highest level is essential, has helped us to develop and maintain a first-class level of support,’ adds Iain. ‘By connecting this experience with our high-end service, we can offer our customers the complete package,’ explains MAKA SYSTEMS GmbH sales director, Wolfgang Stadie. ‘ We t a ke c a r e ab o u t t h e machining environment and users logistic issues to provide the complete solution. With this approach, MAKA SYSTEMS will continue its growth course, by a steady and consistent expansion of the company’s special competence,’ says Herr Stadie. MAKA’s owners, Dr Thomas Rubbe and Dr Paul Lerbinger play an active part in the company and were meeting customers during LIGNA. The new structure since autumn 2013 also guarantees financial security, ensuring the high service level will be maintained long term. ‘Growth requires a strong partner,’ says MAKA SYSTEM’s managing director, Klaus Kern. ‘The financial commitment of its shareholders is an important part of the company’s positive development,’ adds Herr Kern. AFFORDABLE QUALITY New MAKA MK7s with 20kW spindle and 50 degree head. THE Masterwood Project TF100 is a top quality, Italian manufactured CNC point-to-point through feed drilling machine which is available at an affordable price. It offers the options of a router and a tool changer. It can be linked to handling equipment in order to automate production. It features a newly designed work-table, a new panel pusher and new pressers and reference stops, together with a routing unit especially designed for small routing operations, such as incisions and spotlights. Thanks to the inclusion of a head side parking position tool changing can be performed in a matter of seconds, or the option of a four-position automatic tool changer can be included. INTERWOOD a leading supplier of woodworking machines since 1924 has just completed the delivery and installation of three throughfeed edge-banders. The Interwood MFB range of edge-banders offers high quality and competitive prices. Interwood provides a complete range from the start up model to a full corner rounding machine. The three separate orders were for the same standard stock high specification machine with pre-milling, magazine for tape, coil, edge strip and solid wood edges up to 15mm thickness x 60mm high. For fire door manufacturers Interwood also offers a PU system. Front and rear snipping units with separate motors allow panels to run closer together, top and bottom rough and fine trimmers with face and side tracing unit to ensure accuracy, 18 ‘Their first full year saw a positive result and 2015 has started extremely well with many large orders being taken in the UK, Ta i w a n , S o u t h K o r e a a n d China, along with a strong result in our home market. ‘This is very encouraging and d e m o n s t rat e s t h e f a c t t h at MAKA’s high-end manufacturing solutions are greatly appreciated and competitive worldwide, enabling the company to succeed in highly competitive markets. ‘With this, we can look forward with confidence,’ says Herr Kern. For further information, tel MAKA on 01952 607700. The Project TF100 features an electro spindle for maximum power output and includes a maximum diameter 125mm circular saw blade. With all these features it is therefore no surprise that leading kitchen cabinet specialists, such as the renowned Italian manufacturer, Ernestomedia has selected the Masterwood Project TF series to combine aesthetics coupled with advanced technology. A Project TF 100 will be on show at LIGNA, along with a MW1538M ‘Nesting’ CNC, a top of the range Project 565L with fully automatic bed system and a new entry level five-axis machine in the Project 265. For further information tel Masterwood GB on 01293 402700. finishing off with liquid scrapers and buffers and feed speeds of 9-18m/min through an inverter. All this with what Interwood believes is the most competitively priced machine that does not compromise on quality. Interwood has been selling this range of machines for the past 14 years and normally has machines in stock for immediate delivery. Woodham Ferres took delivery first, then after seeing their machine working, Woodham Joinery ordered a similar model. ITS Interiors of Northampton, suppliers of top range shop interiors to some of the most prestigious high street brands, took delivery of the third machine. All the customers agreed that the price of these machines did not reflect the quality of this range of machines. For further information tel Interwood on 01621 859477. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 Hoffmann-Dovetails fly to a new height Best of the Year 2015… Best of the Year 2015… FOR over two decades Hoffmann dovetail keys have proved their absolute reliability for secure corner joints in the window, door, frame and furniture manufacturing and are generally in use throughout the woodworking industry. As an integrated system provider, Hoffmann Maschinenbau GmbH offers several levels of production capacity to suit individual manufacturing capacity. These range from “simple” bench-top models to automated CNC multi-axis machining centres Hoffmann offers a wide range of machines with different processing steps for the efficient production and assembly of wooden components, which need to be joined. This includes specialised machinery solutions that are tailored to the individual production requirements and have been developed according to the customer’s own designs. Such bespoke machines are increasingly in demand because, with standard equipment, or CNC machining centers, it is often the case that a special task can only be performed with additional time, or making other compromises. This does not offer an efficient solution. Based on CNC routing and drilling, the Hoffmann PP-2-NC machine is a popular and successful model for processing corner joints, as well as flat butt-jointed frame parts for wood windows and doors. The new model is a completely re-designed automatic CNC machining centre “Control 3000”. This all-rounder – whether single, or serial processing – for lateral, butt and mitre jointing is available both for the general interior fitter, as well as in two variants specifically configured for the efficient production of: 1. Door and window manufacture 2. Timber buildings. Applications in doors/windows: for inset and fielded panel frames, mouldings, cornices, coffins, cabinet frames, claddings and Georgian bars, patio door elements, lifting/sliding portals, olive/ferrule/hinge holes, corner bearing, lock box and mitre joining generally. Applications in timber: for node connections in post/beam structures and glass façade elements for all standard connection fittings, such as Raico, Gutmann, Knapp and also for the accredited and certified Hoffmann-connection system “Dovetail and Dowel”. Virtually all profiles up to a maximum of 165mm in the X direction and up to a maximum 140mm in the Z direction can be processed on the Control 3000. The versatile automated features – programmable positioning in the X, Y and Z, eight tool automatic tool changer (expanded on request) – produces high efficiency in the production of simple and compound connections. This is usually much faster than with conventional machining centres. All data processing is provided via an installed production control system for networked manufacturing online. Connection to the company network is also an available option. The intuitive software programme processes the information and presents it to the operator interactively on the display screen. The work pieces to be machined are clamped and the process of applying the required jointing configuration begins. For further information tel Hoffman on 01524 841500. Complete suite of advanced software tools THE market requires user-friendly software solutions for woodworking machines that can be used by all operators without the need for special IT skills. Biesse meets these requirements by developing software solutions around its customers’ day-to-day operations, with user-friendly and intuitive interfaces. bSuite is a complete suite of advanced software tools, giving users access to cutting edge technology. It is composed of bSolid, a 3D CAD/CAM software program, bEdge, an innovative software for edge-banding processing, bNest, for nesting operation on numerically controlled work centres and bProcess, the Biesse tool for simply and intuitively organising the production for a cell of machines. At Ligna 2013 Biesse introduced its innovative bSolid that supports the performance of any machining operation, thanks to vertical modules designed for specific manufacturing processes. It is capable of simplifying the management of numerically controlled machines to the greatest possible extent. Biesse has been developing this ambitious software for years. With bSolid, it is possible to simulate and design with a simple and intuitive approach, allowing any user to access sophisticated features: from an idea directly to the visual designing of the “part”, going from a concept to its visual designing in a few clicks. Thanks to the full integration of the latest generation parametric CAD, you can use bSolid as a design system, which is believed to be unique. It incorporates a new learning system that transforms your imagination into reality, guaranteeing simplified process management, improved performance and reduced machining times. The visual and direct simulation available on bSolid allows you to verify the correct data used regarding tool-paths, preventing programming errors, such as depth, lead-in, or working sequence. It is now possible to manipulate, measure and modify the finished part before executing it on the machine. ‘bSolid was developed by Biesse over several years, observing closely all the various jobs that customers do every day,’ says software general manager at Biesse, Filippo Bostrenghi. ‘We created a set of features, such as simulation and intelligent interfaces, that approach the use of the software in the same way that the customer approaches the use of the machine in real life,’ he says. ‘For example, 50 tools are typically used by a customer and we have created an intelligent engine that uses it automatically on the customer’s drawings, producing in a click a complete program ready to be machined,’ adds Mr Bostrenghi. ‘The software is solely and entirely developed by Biesse, excluding some parts of the CAM engines developed in Germany. The application lives in the CNC machine and also enables you to design and simulate the machine comfortably seated in the office in front of your computer,’ he concludes. Project plans are undertaken intuitively on bSolid, right on a laptop and are more like a hand drawing. A countertop with a curve at one edge and plumbing plus other cut-outs take only a couple of minutes to draw. It then appears in seconds on a virtual Biesse Rover. The program cut-out time is 42 seconds on the Rover. The virtual cutting run can also be carried out at an accelerated speed. ‘Much of the value in this is to give confidence to the customer. We can modify the tool set in use to make it really easy to run,’ says Mr Bostrenghi The application is available in all the machining CNC centres Biesse offers for wood, as well for stone and glass machinery. Mr Bostrenghi also demonstrated how a conflict is identified - by moving a pod into the path of a cutting head. When the virtual Rover bumped into it during a simulation, a conflict appeared on the screen. This pre-run can avoid such conflicts on tool-paths, preventing programming errors, such as depth, lead-in, or working sequence and modify designs for practical production considerations before executing it on the machine. bEdge simplifies edge-banding programming. It reduces design Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 2015 DECEMBER time, as edge-banding planning can be achieved in just a few simple steps. The software contains a huge amount of information which results from Biesse’s long-standing experience in edge-banding operations. This is combined with the customer’s expertise to deliver high productivity and quality expectations. bEdge automatically processes all the information to generate the final program required to manufacture the component. A key functionality of the software supports the management of various tools, classifying and configuring them in a very logical way. bNest is the bSuite plug-in specifically for nesting operations. It allows you to organise your nesting projects in a simple way, reducing the material waste and machining times. It allows a reduction of production costs. In fact, bNest calculates the most efficient tool-path for the nesting of sheet components: management of nesting projects based on finished products (cabinets for example), simplified management of machining processes, parameters and the entire organisation of production process and visualization of the results and material requirement for production. This optimises production times and minimises waste. This software makes the operator’s work very simple and can be integrated with the most common CAD/CAM and Cabinet software. It is fully integrated with bSuite via bCabinet and bSolid. bProcess increases the efficiency of the production process, because it reduces the time for the production organisation. It offers the complete management of components that are damaged, or need to be reprocessed. Both the machine and the operator can indicate the broken component; the software then marks it and specifies the quantities to be reprocessed during the current production, or the next one. This software can be fully integrated in a company’s work flow. If software is the only limitation to a machine’s capabilities, then bSuite offers endless possibilities. For further information tel Biesse on 01327 300366. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING WOODWORKING AND AND PANEL PANEL PROCESSING INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING 19 19 New Alphacam Reduces Users’ CAD/CAM Time A NUMBER of new and enhanced items in the latest release of Alphacam software focus on automation, reducing users’ CAD/CAM time. The new Automation Manager means that 2D and 3D CAD files, along with solid models from third party software, can now be batch processed, from file preparation right through to applying tool-paths, with NC code being generated automatically. In addition, the files create a full report structure, along with labels and bar coding. ‘In a standard CAD/CAM system each file would have to be processed individually by inserting the file, extracting the features, applying tool directions and tool-paths, saving the file and NC code, then generating the required reports. However, Alphacam takes a group, or batch, of files and automates the complete processing of the parts,’ says EMEA sales manager, Michael Pettit. ‘Overall, this will save the end user days and weeks, potentially even months of programming time in a year,’ continues Mr Pettit Three additional enhancements – Parametric Sketcher, File Inserter and 2D Transform – combine to make further operations quicker and easier. Parametric Sketcher provides a simple way of parametrically generating geometries for files that are used regularly, without the need for complicated constraints or routines. Common CAD geometry is created automatically, regenerating the file with any required variables, with the result NEW MULTI-FUNCTION FACILITY COMBILFT Ltd, a major supplier of four-way fork-lifts and other materials handling equipment to the timber and merchant sectors recently formally inaugurated the construction process of its new 40 million euro 46,000m2 manufacturing facility and global headquarters in Monaghan, Ireland. In the presence of local logistics dignitaries and Combilift’s current workforce of 350, managing director, Martin McVicar and technical director, Robert Moffett turned the first sod on the 40 hectare site, which will house a multi-function facility, including a dedicated research & development building, purpose-built testing area and adjoining administration offices. The facility is larger than originally announced and the expansion will position Combilift to double its current 150 million euro turnover by 2020. The initial phase to level the site is expected to last for 10 weeks and 200 personnel will be employed throughout the construction period of 18 months. A further 200 jobs are set to be created over the next five years, mainly for skilled technicians and design engineers. ‘We are delighted to break ground on our new facility, which shows our commitment to manufacturing in Monaghan, as well as to the regional economy,’ says Martin McVicar. Combilift is also a workplace partner for the Assembly Technician Traineeship course, which starts this year at the Monaghan Institute. This traineeship, together with a recently approved Apprenticeship for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) technicians, starting next year, will ensure the supply of locally qualified personnel. Combilift is best known for its wide range of multi-directional fork-lifts, Aisle-Master articulated trucks and material handling solutions, such as the Combilift Straddle carrier, designed to handle large containers and over-sized loads. The company was established in 1998 and, thanks to the continued 7 per cent investment of turnover in reaearch & development, it has produced in excess of 25,000 units and exports to over 75 countries. For further information tel Combilift on 00 353 47 80500. Repairing the damage THE KNOTTEC system from Power Adhesives is a repair process, believed to be unique, for knot defects and other forms of deep wood damage. Using a special knot-filling adhesive developed by the company, knots and deep scratches in wood can be filled quickly and easily with the help of a 12mm hot-melt glue gun. The system also includes a pair of handy heat-sink blocks that can be used to create a “form” around any knot holes that go through, or are on the edge of areas of wood that need repair. Once the damaged area has been filled in, the Knottec knot-filling adhesive takes just minutes to cool before the excess can be trimmed with a flush plane tool, such as the Mouseplane. The repaired area can then be sanded, painted, or treated as normal, achieving a high quality finish to the restored wood. As it is so tough, Knottec is perfect for repairs to wooden doors, window frames, furniture, floors etc. This knot-filling adhesive is available in six different colours to help users achieve the best colour match possible. There are also two formulations to choose from: one for general repairs and another for tougher, hard-wearing surfaces. Power Adhesives also offer a choice of two 12mm glue guns for use with the Knottec system – the light industrial TEC 305 and 20 that there is no need to re-draw similar components, or families of parts. They are built using standard geometry commands and parts with the same form, but different sizes are created by simply modifying the values of one, or more variables,’ says Mr Pettit. File Inserter, the new geometry creation tool, allows pre-defined elements, such as hinges and locks on a door to be inserted easily on to a newly created drawing from the parametric sketcher. In addition, the new geometry modification tool, 2D Transform, combines a number of commands, making it simpler to manipulate operations, such as distort, scale, move and rotate. Michael Pettit says that with machine time becoming increasingly more expensive, Alphacam 2016 R1’s new AutoUpdate Material function is critical, giving the option to associate a material to auto-update after each cutting operation. ‘It optimises time on the CNC machine by automatically updating stock, ensuring that subsequent tool-paths are only relevant to the residual material,’ explains Mr Pettit. Enhanced sawing options for wood and stone make it easier to cut intricate shapes, such as internal arcs, while also providing a scratch cut for laminates, removing pockets with a sawing blade and support for canned cycles. As CNC machinery becomes more sophisticated, Alphacam continues to develop automating the movement of pods, rails and clamps. ‘Again, this speeds up the machining process even more, giving the user full control directly from the CAM station,’ explains Mr Pettit. A new function has been added to Alphacam’s powerful nesting module – Roll-Split. ‘Certain manufacturers need to nest shapes on to rolled sheets, so that the nest can be quite long. In 2016 R1 they can now split the roll to the required dimensions for a specific machine bed. ‘The parts are nested on a sheet, which represents the length of the roll required as a long rectangle. Maximum and minimum distances are set and Alphacam determines the best position for the sheet ends,’ he continues. Mr Pettit says that because of increasing complexity (both of modern parts and CNC machines) accurate simulation covering all aspects of machining is vital before sending the component to the machine. Further enhancements have been added to the simulation function, which now supports solid tool holders of any type – Solid, STL, extrusions and rotations – for collision detection. Alphacam continues to develop its GUI with 2016 R1. ‘There’ve been significant changes to the interface in recent releases and we always make it as easy and as modern as possible. Users now have the option to use a tab format, or wizard when using the machining dialog,’ says Mr Pettit. As well as the major updates, there are a number of minor enhancements, including further improvements to Alphacam’s advanced five-axis tool-path creation; one of which is to Machining Styles, which now remembers the selection criteria without showing the dialog box. In addition, layer assignment has been added to the drive surface. ‘Alphacam 2016 R1 has been geared to assist users in their everyday bread and butter task of generating quick, accurate, NC code, by automating their processes to save considerable amounts of time,’ concludes Michael Pettit. For further information tel Alphacam on 01189 756084. INNOVATIVE EFFECT HUNDREDS of metres of compact grade High Pressure Laminate from Abet Laminati has been used to innovative effect at the new £20m Shree Swaminarayan Sidhant Sajivan Mandal Temple in Kingsbury, London designed by architects, Loates Taylor Shannon. As part of the design, Brent Plastics supplied Abet Laminati’s Decori Minimi 567 and 568 in 0.9mm in a Mandarin texture and 807 in compact grade in a SEI texture from the Colours range. The Decori Minimi range offers a mottled effect decor created by the electronic processing of a number of small textures. This laminate was fabricated by BusyBee Joinery to produce innovative shoe lockers in both the male and female changing areas, as well as shower lockers, cubicles and wall panelling in the sports complex and elsewhere. This stunning complex is manufactured from stone and GRC comprising over 3,700m2 of temple, community centre and sports complex. All the materials were obtained from sustainable sources, while rainwater harvesting, photo-voltaic panels and green roofs all add to the building’s low impact, combining traditional Indian architecture and carvings with “Green” technology. As with all the finishes from Abet Laminati, the range meets, or exceeds all European and British performance standards for resistance to wear, heat, moisture, impact and scratching. The compact grade laminate from Abet Ltd’s UK & Ireland Collection is available in 3,660mm x 1,610mm sheet sizes in a 12mm thickness and is widely used for cubicles, lockers and changing rooms, where high quality performance and design are carefully crafted together in order to create an attractive visual experience. For further information tel Abet Ltd on 020 7473 6910. the professional TEC 820 – as well as the Mouseplane tool for trimming away excess glue. Cost-effective Knottec kits containing everything users need to get started in a practical carrying case are also available. For further information tel Power Adhesives on 01268 885800. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 PROGRAMMED IN ALPHACAM KEEPING up with the latest releases of Alphacam software, ensures that new postural care products for special needs children throughout the Western World can be brought to market within three months. Working in partnership with individuals, clinicians and carers to create products with a clinical and emotional focus, James Leckey Design has around 20 brands in the company’s p o r t f o l i o, i n c l u d i n g M ygo, Squiggles, Comfee Seat and Pal. ‘We’re constantly developing o u r ra n ge o f p r o d u c t s a n d Alphacam gives us the ability to control our own designs and manufacture them in-house for prototyping and testing,’ says engineering manager, Wesley Henderson. Operating out of 100,000ft 2 premises, with a total of 200 employees in Lisburn, Northern I r e l a n d , t h e c o m p a ny h a s around 60,000 components on its MRP system for assembling 4,000 individual products in GREEN SOLUTION FROM WOOD WASTE CONTROL AN environmentally-friendly wood waste extraction and heating system supplied by Wood Waste Control (Engineering) is delivering a red-hot performance at the new South Wales factory of PD Morgan. PD Morgan is a fast-growing bar fitting and joinery specialist with customers across the UK including KFC, Wetherspoon, Premier Inn, Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns and Greene King. In order to cope with existing and future growth, the company has moved from its factory in Ogmore Vale, Bridgend to a larger 12,000ft2 purpose-built unit nearby. ‘The new factory has much higher ceilings and also delivery access is much better suited to our growing business,’ says managing director, Dean Morgan. As well as metal and plastic, PD Morgan works with a variety of wood products, including solid timbers, plywood and MDF. ‘We have 21 different machines that need dust extraction and when we moved into the new factory we researched suppliers of dust Wood Waste Control provides a complete dust extraction service. extraction and heating equipment. We chose Wood relatively pressure free conditions into the waste Waste Control from a shortlist of four suppliers, container beneath. because they offered the best value for money,’ Due to the modular construction of the WFS says Dean. range, the system has the flexibility to be Wood Waste Control is one of the UK’s leading extended to cater for future expansion. dust extraction and heating equipment specialists In addition, Wood Waste Control supplied its for the woodworking industry. Its modular silo WT15 wood-fired warm air heater, rated at and chain filters meet a wide range of extraction 145kW/500,000 Btu’s output. requirements from simple stand-alone bagging ‘WWC sent a good team to install the system, units, through to complex integrated systems and which is now live and doing its job very well. The the company provides a comprehensive service. extracted wood dust is sold to a local farmer for The products include the Whisper range of turning into wood pellets for biomass heating silenced fans and fine dust filter units. there, while wood offcuts are fed by hand into the The company is based in Bourne End near High heater to provide space heating. The heater is Wycombe and has hundreds of successful very good and much better than the model we installations across the UK, in Europe, Russia and had in our previous factory,’ says Dean. Africa. As one of the country’s leading dust ‘It’s a very eco-friendly solution, which will extraction specialists all Wood Waste Control reduce our landfill burden and associated costs, equipment is built to meet COSHH legislation provide free heating for our factory, as well as requirements and can stand alone, or be used in generating income from the dust we produce, conjunction with total-extraction return air whilst also enabling a local farmer to benefit. heating systems. ‘All our wood waste is now disposed of For PD Morgan’s new factory Wood Waste efficiently and in an environmentally friendly Control specified, manufactured and installed a manner,’ says Dean. WFS/13/1.5J silo filter with 33in pressure blower ‘We are very happy with the new system - and and 30HP fan motor. Discharge from the unit is with Wood Waste Control,’ concludes Dean, through a 1m rotary valve mounted beneath the For further information tel Woodwaste hopper section to allow the waste to fall under Control Engineering on 01628 525290. o ve r 3 0 l i n e s o f m o b i l i t y, standing, sitting and sleeping aids. ‘They’re designed to assist children and young adults in their daily lives to do things that most of us take for granted. Our users don’t have the physical tone to sit, or stand unaided and our products support them by maintaining good posture,’ says Mr Henderson. The products are manufactured from a wide variety of materials, including plastic injection mouldings, aluminium extrusions, die castings, formed steel and aluminium, wood and plastic. Alphacam is used specifically for cutting woods and plastics on the company’s two SCM CNC routers. ‘In particular we have a range of seats where the wooden components are cut with Alphacam, but many of our metal products also have some wood, or plastic components which are cut on the routers and programmed in Alphacam,’ says Mr Henderson. Wesley Henderson heads the manufacturing engineering facility’s team of six, which is part of the overall product development department. High precision of both wood and plastic components is paramount, as he says that many products contain sliding parts, which are adjustable to fit individual users and need to work consistently. The company has five seats of Alphacam. According to Wesley Henderson it is simple to import 3D geometry from the SolidWorks CAD system and apply the appropriate tools. ‘Once the piece part is created, we nest it and feed it directly to the router, where we start the production cuts,’ he says. ‘Without Alphacam, one of the main challenges of manufacturing our components on the woodwork routers would be to machine both sides. However, Alphacam easily handles reverse side machining, which is invaluable in helping us bring extra features to our products,’ models from SolidWorks, can be batch processed from file preparation right through to applying tool-paths and generating NC code,’ explains Mr Henderson. Since James Leckey Design was founded in 1983, the company has grown into a globally recognised pioneer in the research, design and development of clinically focused, posturally supportive products. ‘Our research & development process identifies the clinical needs and provides practical solutions, while respecting the emotional needs of these youngsters and with Alphacam we can readily design and produce products to meet those requirements,’ says Mr Henderson. ‘Our prototypes combine the clinical and the practical and give us working examples to trial with clinicians and end users in order to refine and improve the final product,’ he concludes. For further information tel Alphacam on 01189 756084. QWood at Nurnberg QWOOD will be at Fensterbau 2016 in Nurnberg next year. The company is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at Fensterbau: Frontale, Nurnberg in 2016 in Hall 6 on Stand 119 from March 16-19 2016 At the exhibition QWood will have a variety of exciting new products suitable for the timber window and door industry. Included in this range are the company’s standard profiles of composite beads, which have been used for the past decade to enhance the manufacture and significantly improve the long term performance of timber windows and doors. Qwood will be sharing a stand with O.H. Industries – one of QWood’s many partners and a supplier of composite doors, which can be used with the Qwood bolection mould. For further information tel QWood on 0161 627 4222. Industrial Woodworking & Panel Processing wishes all our readers and clients a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 adds Mr Henderson. He explains that new employees also produce consistent results extremely quickly on Alphacam, as it is so easy to use. ‘Keeping up with the twiceyearly releases every time is especially important, as there are new and enhanced functions in each update that save us more time and keep productivity high,’ says Mr Henderson. I n p a r t i c u l a r, t h e n e w Automation Manager in Alphacam 2016 R1 is proving especially useful. With a standard CAD/CAM system, each file has to be processed individually by inserting the file, extracting the features, applying tool directions and tool-paths, saving the file and NC code, then generating the required reports. However, Alphacam can now take a group, or batch, of files and automate the complete processing of the parts. ‘This new function means our 2D and 3D CAD files and solid (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 21 ‘The tooling changes we’ve made with Leitz have saved us tens of thousands of pounds’ WHEN the MFC (melamine faced chipboard) that ‘Leitz gave me numbers for the life and is the staple material of your manufacturing performances of the saws that I thought were starts to chip, you begin to face a whole range of impossible. I simply didn’t believe it; but we lost production, rectification, time and cost issues. nothing by trying,’ says Terry Stephens. ‘Towards the end of their lives, you’re changing In fact, in this particular case Leitz’s saw blades saw blades on a daily basis for frequent ran for 10 days between sharpening, saving the sharpening. You need that clean edge on the company significant amounts of money. product but, with the resultant downtime, it ‘Leitz’s tooling technology is very good. With becomes costly very quickly,’ says managing four beam saws and three edge-banders, as well director of decorative board specialists, Mersey as other machines, together with a thriving trade MDF, Plas & Ply, Terry Stephens Justification for Mersey MDF Plas & Ply Six months ago, Leitz Tooling’s technical sales representative for the North West Previous saw blades Leitz saw blades visited the Liverpool-based company to Cost per set £145 £165 discuss how tooling from Leitz could help Average blade life 2 days Up to 10 days their production. Number of regrinds 12 18 While material chipping is a widespread problem experienced by most 12 regrinds at 2 working days covered by previous saw blade = 24 days manufacturers using MFC, it is one of 18 regrinds at 10 working days covered by Leitz saw blade = 180 days many production issues for which Leitz Tooling can offer solutions. and online business, we can’t afford for poor Such is Leitz’s confidence in its high quality BS tooling to spoil the product, affect our production EN847 1-3 manufactured tooling that it offered schedule and end up costing us time and money, to install a set of saw blades at Mersey MDF, Plas says Terry Stephens. & Ply on a free of charge/pay on results basis. ‘The tooling changes we’ve made with Leitz Mersey MDF Plas & Ply was founded as Mersey Timber in 1919 and managing director, Terry have saved us tens of thousands of pounds. Stephens bought it 30 years ago. A family That’s well worth paying a bit more for the tool in for each business, but customers continue to prove company working nationwide, the company the first place,’ adds Mr Stephens. to us that buying cheap tools supplies cut and edged MFC from stock and to Leitz Tooling sales manager, Brian Maddox is a huge drain on their specification for trade customers from the kitchen offers an example justification based on some of businesses. With our tools and bedroom fitting industries. the tooling data shared by Mersey MDF, Plas & and support, they can get the The company’s online business has been Ply. right finish on the material successful since it was launched two years ago, ‘Just looking at the average blade life, you can first time and, in many cases, building from one delivery/week to currently over immediately see that here the average Leitz saw save extraordinary amounts 100. blade is running five times longer than their of money,’ says Brian previous make of saw blade,’ Maddox. says Mr Maddox. ‘We know our Razor-Cut ‘This means five times less (finish cut) saw blades are sharpening costs, five times fewer tool changes, five times among the best available and a trial with our saw blades fewer lots of expensive can make a huge difference downtime – the list goes on in downtime and setting and on,’ says Mr Maddox. time, duration and quality,’ ‘Yes, Leitz saw blades cost continues Mr Maddox. a little more, but they’re not Every tool from Leitz is five times more expensive,’ manufactured to BS EN847 he adds. For a true comparison, you 1-3, which means that every tool is tested to a high standard of accuracy and safety, helping need to factor in the cost and prolong the life of the tool and, ultimately, the frequency of servicing the machines they are used with. saw blades, the cost of ‘Our tools offer an excellent finish on most downtime and running the materials, which results in less sanding and business. rectification, less coating and ultimately, lower ‘The results are different labour costs. Companies can become fixated on the purchase price of tools, but correct, quality tools can have a fantastic positive impact on other costs. Quality service back-up and monitoring is also crucial to reducing overall costs,’ concludes Brian Maddox. For further information tel Leitz on 01279 454530. Weinig UK appoints area exclusive dealers Grovewood Machines and Deral Ltd. to represent Holz-Her panel processing machinery HOLZ-HER’s state-of-the-art range of panel processing machines are now represented along the South Coast by specialist, Nick Groves of Grovewood Machines Ltd and in Scotland by the woodworking machinery experts at Deral Woodworking Machinery, based in Airdire. The Holz-Her equipment range includes high quality CNC routers and machining centres, edgebanders, which feature Holz-Her’s patented Glu Jet System, pressure beam saws and vertical panel saws, as well as the Holz-Her Evolution; a compact vertical CNC requiring only 5m2 of floor space and which boasts up to 35 per cent shorter machining cycles. As the geographically exclusive representatives for the South Coast and Scotland, both Grovewood Machines and Deral Woodworking Machinery now offer Holz-Her machines to manufacturers and craftsmen across the whole of their respective regions. ‘We are very familiar with Holz-Her’s pedigree, its 100 year heritage, world class engineering and reputation for quality and innovation,’ says owner of Deral, Tom Alexander. ‘As an area-exclusive dealer for Holz-Her, it gives us great pleasure to represent their quality range of panel processing machinery to customers right across Scotland,’ continues Mr Alexander. ‘This is a great opportunity for us to bring Holz-Her’s full range 22 of machines directly to customers in our area,’ says Nick Groves of Grovewood Machines. ‘We offer specialist advice and solutions to suit all panel processing and woodworking needs and Holz-Her’s high quality products fit perfectly with Grovewood,’ adds Mr Groves. ‘We want to bring regional Holz-Her support and expertise to manufacturers across the country. ‘Both of these dealer’s long experience and personal approach enables us to do this,’ says Weinig UK managing director, Malcolm Cuthbertson. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com ‘We are building a Holz-Her dealer network right across the UK which comes with the Weinig Group guarantee for installation, warranty and servicing. ‘We can install Holz-Her showroom machines in support of a dealer’s commitment to Holz-Her and as part of building a longterm trusting relationship. ‘We hope to offer the same geographical exclusivity and practical support to other agents we might work with throughout the rest of the UK,’ concludes Mr Cuthbertson. For further information tel Weinig UK on 01235 557600. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING DECEMBER 2015 DUSTRACTION HELPS AJB MOVE ON DUSTRACTION’s Steve Matuska reports that his nearest customer has moved away from the factory next door, seeking a bigger and better equipped one down in Corby. Steve and managing director of AJB Woodworking, Amarjit Binji go back a long way; Dustraction has supplied all his waste extraction and disposal needs down the years as part of his building solid financial growth and a loyal and efficient workforce. ‘We needed more space – and we also needed to change our attitude towards wood waste and to start using it properly, instead of burying it in the ground. ‘We needed to re-classify waste as fuel instead of garbage, which we were previously hauling to landfill sites and paying to dump. So now we no longer contribute towards an environmental problem, we make use of it!’ explains Amarjit. AJB has tripled the size of its factory now to just under 50,000ft2 and, at the same time, reduced the actual area of the machine shop floor by about half with new digitally controlled technology and smaller foot-print machines with bigger and broader capabilities. In addition, Dustraction has replaced AJB’s cyclo filter with the latest model which, while still the largest capacity in the range, is both physically smaller than their existing unit and generates an even bigger margin of spare capacity for the future. The new 4x10 cyclo filter is more environmentally efficient with emissions of only 0.2mg/m3, well within the latest Euro-model limits and now sited outside the new factory instead of inside; this move eliminates all the attendant noise problems inside the building. Dustraction is claimed to be unique among UK dust specialists in manufacturing their own cyclo filters, together with all the support elements of today’s new installation hardware. Dustraction has been specialist dust and fume extraction engineers and manufacturers for more than 60 years. ‘This is all such a relief! We now have a new 980Kw biomass boiler in an out-house alongside our new cyclofilter. This is generating all of our factory heating and hot water needs, so those costs have been eliminated from our manufacturing overheads and our reliance on gas, bottles of which were also kept inside at Oadby because of lack of space, has now been totally eliminated. We are also now self sufficient for all our waste disposal needs – and boy, does that feel good!’ exclaims Amarjit. Building and construction, he reports, is now the principal source of AJB’s growth and so is the focus of Amarjit’s on-going AJB has tripled the size of its factory floor at the impressive new Corby site. ORIENTED STRAND BOARD A COMMODITY market usually has no place for brand loyalty: when a buyer wants a product, what really matters is cost, availability and quality. It is remarkable, then, that so many professional builders think of SterlingOSB when asked which wood panel products they recognise. Recent research has shown that, when quizzed, 42 per cent of builders spontaneously recall Norbord’s SterlingOSB. OSB (oriented strand board) is used in a multitude of construction applications, from shuttering and site hoarding to flat roof decking and timber frame construction. SterlingOSB is made entirely in the UK from home-grown timber and is available in nearly every merchant outlet in the country, as well as from specialist distributors and suppliers. This might also explain why a surprising 46 per cent of merchant staff also recall SterlingOSB by name when asked about OSB generically. When it comes to choosing a product, builders want four key boxes ticked – price, Huge savings with special tradein offer from AXYZ International AJB’s new 4x10 cyclo filter from Dustraction is more environmentally efficient with emissions of only 0.2mg/m3; the outhouse and boiler can be seen alongside (right). FOR A limited period, AXYZ International is offering current owners of Pacer routers the opportunity to benefit from a huge cash discount of up to £7,500 when they trade their old Pacer router against a brand new AXYZ, or Pacer machine. In addition to this enticing cash discount, customers will now have access to a host of new, or recently introduced production tool enhancements. These significant machine upgrades include a radically expanded (up to 33 stations) Automatic Tool Change (ATC) facility for work requiring multiple tools and the new AXYZ Auto Zone Management system, which ensures that the material being processed is always held securely throughout the routing/cutting process. These enhancements are supplemented with the latest A2MC machine control system that greatly reduces “bounce” and vibration caused by sudden acceleration and/or deceleration often found with other similarly positioned machine control systems and the integrated AXYZ Vision System (AVS), which greatly enhances routing/cutting accuracy, as well as being fully compatible with all of the cutting tools used on AXYZ International machines. In addition, the latest helical rack and pinion drive system is another machine enhancement that will be accessible. This system enables a more even distribution of the workload, due to the multiple gear teeth configuration employed, leading to higher throughput rates, quieter machine operation, reduced material wastage and ultimately a longer machine life. For further information tel AXYZ on 01952 291600. quality, suitability and availability – according to new research by Norbord. SterlingOSB is made in Scotland; that guarantees availability, as well as minimising transport costs and carbon miles. OSB is made by bonding layers of carefully oriented wood flakes with a strong resin to produce consistent and reliable strength across the whole board. The design ensures secure nail or screwfixing, even close to the edge of the board, as well as resistance to impact and bending. SterlingOSB will not de-laminate and weaken. Available in a range of thicknesses and in both standard and moisture-resistant grades and with tongue-and-groove edging for floor and roofing applications, SterlingOSB is a versatile and reliable product. It is even available with a specially filled smooth surface suitable for decorative finishes in exposed applications. For further information tel Norbord on 01786 812921. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com DECEMBER 2015 expansion plans. Window and door sets together with a wide range of architectural mouldings, as well as panel-based fittings, are now the focus going forward and while waste generation has increased significantly to around 15 tonnes/week, Dustraction’s latest cyclo filter feeds the new boiler fully automatically and is easily handling the increase. The new cyclo is physically smaller than AJB’s old one. It is also the same in terms of air pressure at around 47m3/sec (100,000cfm). However, it is much more efficient and also now better suited to AJB’s latest environmental needs. In addition, it’s now much quieter inside the new Corby factory. ‘I have been to Dustraction for all my extraction gear and advice for more than a decade now, ever since we started in business,’ says Amarjit. ‘I have bought not just complete systems, but also bits and pieces of ducting and safety equipment as needed down the years and I have consulted Steve Matuska for technology advice along the way. I’m going to miss not being next door... but I’m taking Dustraction with me to Corby as far as I’m able,’ says Amarjit. For further information tel Dustraction on 0116 271 3212. (Telephone 01797 208059) INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING AND PANEL PROCESSING 23 DAMION Angus is managing director of Montgomery. He started his career in the exhibition industry with Single Market Events, where he managed The London Programme Market and also helped launch one of the first ever consumer golf shows. In 1998, he left the industry and worked for Sunset + Vine, selling international programming to blue chip companies. Damion then moved into the brand management of children’s intellectual properties and focused on maximising returns out of consumer products, television, publishing and video. In 2005, Damion moved to South Africa and completed an MBA at the University of Cape Damion Angus is managing Town. On coming back to director of Montgomery – the the UK in 2006 he company which has recently returned to the exhibition taken the “W” series of industry and joined woodworking exhibitions back Montgomery. into its portfolio. Damion continues to drive new business in emerging markets and develop Montgomery’s events across Asia, Africa and Europe. MONTGOMERY EXPERTISE “MONTGOMERY is a global events company with a difference. We have over 100 years experience under our belt, but we’ve kept our entrepreneurial spirit. We don’t shy away from innovations, and we relish a challenge – wherever in the world it may take us. Our international expertise and resources mean we deliver first–class results, no matter the vision and location. Seeking new opportunities and delivering quality exhibitions and shows is what Montgomery does best.” ANGUS Montgomery has announced that the company has acquired the “W” exhibition and will be incorporating the Montgomery portfolio of events with effect from this January. “W” is the UK’s joinery and furniture manufacturing show. ‘We are very excited about our involvement in this event and are really looking forward to working with John SmithBodden of Huddlestone Events Some of the Masterwood Team at W14 – area sales manager, Chris Kingwell; Masterwood GB office, Katherine McNaughton; sales director, Dave Kennard; technical director, Chris Alexander; software consultant, Luca Fornari and technician Steve Boughton. to ensure a smooth transition,’ s ay s m a n ag i n g d i r e c t o r o f Montgomery, Damion Angus. ‘This is terrific news for the show. It is clear from the huge success of W14 that the industry has a strong appetite for the development of its UK exhibition,’ says John Smith-Bodden. ‘Montgomer y is superbly placed to drive that growth. Its c o m b i n at i o n o f i m p r e s s ive r e s o u r c e s a n d ex p e r i e n c e d understanding of the sector opens new and exciting possibilities for the “W” show series,’ adds Mr Smith-Bodden. M o n t go m e r y o r i g i n a l ly launched the event as the International Woodworking Industries Exhibition in 1973 to run alongside Interbuild. “W” is now one of the UK’s largest trade exhibitions covering 20,000m 2 at the NEC in Birmingham. All the leading companies in the sector attend the show, which is held on a biennial basis over four days. For fur niture and joiner y manufacturers of all types, the show provides an unique opportunity to see running machinery, materials and components. Suppliers to those manufacturers enjoy a perfect, high profile opportunity to show their latest products to an industry which constantly searches for differentiated product and production capability. ‘I am delighted that “W” has come back into the fold,’ says c h a i r m a n o f M o n t go m e r y, Sandy Angus. ‘I launched the exhibition in 1973 and have watched its development over the years. We are confident that our extensive knowledge of the woodworking industries sector and the long term view that we take as a business will allow us to nurture the event to the benefit of the industry as a whole,’ adds Sandy Angus. The next edition of the show will take place at the NEC from October 2 – 5 2016 and more information can be found on the website at www.montex.co.uk. For further information tel M o n t go m e r y o n 0 2 0 7 8 8 6 3120. Sanding specialist company, Boere had “a good time at W14” enabling the Dutch company the opportunity to meet customers old and new. Conversations with customers during the exhibition were very positive with many talking of expansion and growth and a need for the purchase of quality woodworking machinery. SANDY Angus is chairman of Montgomery. He’s worked in the exhibition industry since the late 1960s, joining the South African operation in 1968 and the London office in 1970. His career has embraced international show organising, contracting, venue management, marketing and senior general management. Sandy has been at the forefront of the UK’s exhibition industry for many years, both as chairman of the Association of Exhibition Organisers, from 1985-87 and as founder and deputy chairman of the Exhibition Industry Federation, representing contractors, hall-owners and organisers from 1986-88. Internationally, he was elected president of the Union of International Fairs (UFI), 2001-03 and became the first nonAmerican chairman of the US International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), in 2005-6. His network of connections throughout the world of exhibitions, event organising, show venues and host cities is unequalled. His list of awards Sandy Angus is chairman of includes Lifetime Montgomery. He was worked in Achievement from the the exhibition industry for AEO, Pinnacle Award from almost 50 years. His network IAEE, Medal d’Or from UFI of connections throughout the and the Hall of Leaders world of exhibitions, event from CIC (Convention organizing, show venues and Industry Council). host cities is unequalled. Sandy undertakes strategic consultancy and has provided advice to UN and EU agencies. He is in demand as a speaker at industry conventions and seminars. He is an active director of Exhibition Consultants Ltd and all the Montgomery operating companies. He’s also a trustee of charitable companies linked to the exhibition industry and takes an interest in development issues. Sandy believes that the strength and reputation of Montgomery lies in its independence. This enables the company to work in partnership with people with whom it is comfortable and to engage only in projects that it feels are right to do. Leitz’s tooling was seen in action on many of the leading machinery exhibitors stands at W14 and the company reported a packed stand throughout the duration of the show. JMJ had a successful W14, returning from the show with a host of enquiries to follow up resulting in excellent sales for the company in the month of December and beyond. Weinig UK featured its Weinig Cube and Holz-Her Evolution CNC on the John Penny Woodworking Machinery Ltd stand at W14, which proved to be “a very successful exhibition, drawing a great deal of interest and a large number of visitors” according to John Penny. Email us at: bill.willowe@gmail.com (Telephone 01797 208059) Individual copies are priced at £3 each. Published by Industrial Woodworking & Panel Processing, No 1 Chez Poton, Lizant 86400, France. Telephone 01797 208059. Email bill.willowe@gmail.com, or bill@willowe.demon.co.uk. Typesetting by Dataset Origination Ltd. Printed in colour by Wyndeham Grange Ltd, Butts Road, Southwick, West Sussex, BN42 4EJ. Tel 01273 592244. All rights reserved. No part of the publication june be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Industrial Woodworking & Panel Processing. This journal contains editorial photographs provided by and paid for by suppliers.