Furniture & Joinery Production #355

TWO CATALOGUES. ONE GOAL: PERFECT

FROM PRACTICETO PRACTITIONERS

Our two new catalogues will be published in September!

In these reference books you will find our entire product range and numerous inspirations for your new projects. Of course, they are also available digitally in the download centre of our online shop.

For further information, go to www.ostermann.eu and type in SERVICE, DIVERSITY AND SPEED - THAT IS OSTERMANN.

#catalogues

© Media66 Ltd 2023 / ISSN 2396-9024 www.furnitureproduction.net

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Comment

As we tumble into September with Autumn and Winter in the offing, furniture and joinery manufacturers will be looking towards a more positive period of trading than the Spring and Summer appear to have been for many. With months of pallid headlines regarding the economic pressures that we are all under, it’s a blessing that the hard work and resilience of the furniture and joinery industry continues to outperform so many other, far worse off sectors.

With its broad appeal from direct to consumer, online sellers, the thriving KBB market to the world of high-end contract applications – the capability of the majority of businesses in our sector is a testament to the resourcefulness of the people involved with and running furniture and joinery businesses.

Of course, not all companies will prosper, or even survive these challenging times. But for those who can navigate these convoluted waters, we can rely on an amazing group of suppliers helping those who take the opportunity to invest and move forward to create significant strides by enhancing their production planning and output, elevating their sustainability standing and advancing their drive into new markets to find new customers.

Commentators and observers have often cited the furniture and joinery industry as a bit slow, pedestrian and lacking in verve and dynamism – time and again, we prove them wrong. Long may that continue.

Looking forward, there is a groundswell of events for furniture and joinery manufacturers to look forward to. Our now seasonal open house events from the likes of Weinig, Biesse, SCM, Daltons Wadkin, HolzHer, JJ Smith and others … lead into the Autumn trade shows of Sicam, Woodtech, KBB Birmingham and Holz-Handwerk … before the new Furniture Component Expo in April and Materials & Finishes in May next year. Plenty of opportunities to discover production and design solutions for your business.

In closing, I would like to (re)introduce Gemma Lochhead, a long-term collaborator to myself and this title over many years who will assume the Editorship of this magazine from September. As for me, I remain as part of the ‘steering committee’ in the position of Editorial Director.

I hope you enjoy the issue.

John Legg, editorial director

Media66 and may not be reproduced or stored without prior permission. Some articles in Furniture Production have been submitted by companies and organisations. Monies may have been accepted in some instances to offset production costs. All rights reserved. In respect of artwork originated free of charge as part of a booking, clients should know that excessive work (more than one set of corrections, known as ‘authors corrections’) is chargeable at £55 per hour. DATA PROTECTION “OPT OUT” STATEMENT: Readership data held by Media66 may be shared with any member of the Media66 and associated companies for the purposes of customer information, direct marketing or publication. Data may also be made available to external parties on a list rental/ lease basis for the purposes of direct marketing. If you do not wish data to be made available to external parties for list rental or lease please write to: Data Protection Co-ordinator, Media 66

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National Golf Day – a call for entries

The National Charity Golf Day, a charity tournament organised in aid of The Furniture Makers’ Company, returns to the Northamptonshire County Golf Club on Wednesday 20th September.

The event, which is the charity’s longest running fundraiser, will tee off with a hearty breakfast followed by an 18-hole Stableford competition with a shotgun start. After the day’s play, guests will sit down to a two-course lunch. The fundraiser will be capped off with a prize giving ceremony and charity raffle. Golfers will be competing for an array of trophies and prizes, including top individual, top team, plus awards for the longest drive

and nearest the pin.

“The National Golf Day is one of the highlights of our calendar of fundraising events and we’re

delighted to be returning to Northamptonshire County Golf Club, which is ranked in the top 100 UK courses,” comments Jonny

Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company.

“The National Golf Day not only brings together golf enthusiasts for a fantastic day of socialising with others from the industry, but also plays a crucial role in supporting our charity, with all the money raised going towards funding our programme of educational activity and helping those in the trade who have fallen on hard times. We look forward to welcoming guests to what is always a superb event.” For more information on the National Golf Day, go to bit.ly/ NationalGolfDay2023 or contact events manager Sally Kent on 020 7256 5558 or email events@ furnituremakers.org.uk.

BFM partners with Clarion Events ahead of flagship trade show

British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) has renewed and strengthened its partnership with Clarion Events ahead of JFS, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from January 21st-24th. The show will bring a new ‘Club BFM’ area, member discounts and a pavilion for firsttime exhibitors.

Club BFM will form part of the VIP suite at the show, while the pavilion will offer exhibition opportunities for new BFM members or smaller BFM members looking to exhibit at JFS for the first time.

“I am delighted to announce our renewed strategic partnership with Clarion Events,” comments BFM MD, Phil Spademan. “This collaboration supports the status of JFS as a landmark event in the industry calendar, as well as ensuring the show continues to evolve with the introduction of the Club BFM area and the new exhibitors’ pavilion.”

Zoe Bonser, portfolio director for the Retail division at Clarion Events adds: “This updated partnership represents Clarion’s commitment to supporting and championing

the British furniture industry by creating the UK’s largest platform for BFM’s members to connect and do business.

“I am confident that this renewed partnership will not only leverage BFM members presence in the industry, but will also foster a deeper sense of connection between buyers, sellers and the wider furniture and design community, setting the stage for a successful and productive show in 2024.”

www.thefurnitureshows.com

BFM MD, Phil Spademan

Zoe Bonser, portfolio director for the Retail division at Clarion Events

Weinig Packaging Days 2023

From the 19th-21st September, Weinig AG will be running a three-day Packaging Day event at its state-of-the-art ExpoCenter in Illertissen.

Designed to offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the latest product launches and innovations for packaging and pallet manufacturing, visitors will be able to watch more than 20 machines and software solutions aimed at the small to large-scale manufacturer. Featuring machinery from compact entrylevel models to fully automated cutting lines, each model will showcase its ability to increase production efficiencies and offer solutions to the

growing labour shortage and increased cost of raw materials.

Visitors will be the very first to see the brand new EuroStacker stacking concept, whilst also getting an exclusive demonstration on a highperformance cross-cut system with automatic de-stacking unit and stacking machines. A further ‘how to’ demonstration on optimised cross-cut processes will also be available.

A number of industry-focused seminars and Q&A’s will also take place during the three-day event – including a presentation from Marcus Kirschner, Managing Director of HPW – offering

visitors a valuable insight into the industry’s latest trends, standards and practices. Other industry experts will also be on hand to answer questions throughout your visit.

The event will end with an evening of SwabianBavarian food and beer and a further opportunity to network with industry experts and colleagues.

For more information, visit https://experience. weinig.com/en/events or call Weinig UK on 01235 557600.

Presentations of the new EuroStacker stacking concept will take place during the Weinig Packaging event

A highlight of the event will be the OptiCut S 90 Speed with fully automatic destacking unit and automatic stacker

SOLID WOOD, PANEL, COMPOSITE & METAL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

This year’s Wood & Panel Machinery Show will give visitors the opportunity to discuss their sawing, sanding, planing, moulding and profiling requirements with our expert team. Focusing on multi-material processing, our extensive machine portfolio covers equipment for working with solid wood, wood-based panels, composites, plastics, foam, rubber, metal and more.

Visitors are kindly asked to book ahead where possible for specific demonstrations.

→ Salvador automatic crosscut saws

→ Kimla CNC router and fiber laser

→ Elcon vertical panel saws

→ SCM and Altendorf sliding table panel saws

→ Stenner band resaws

→ Houfek and SCM wide belt sanders

→ Classical equipment from Wadkin and SCM

Ostermann launches two new catalogues

Two new Ostermann catalogues will be published in September. The comprehensive reference books – Creative Design [CD] and Edgings | Practical Processing [PP] – show the entire diversity of the Ostermann range and offer inspiration for new projects.

Two catalogues, one goal: perfect service As before, the catalogues are divided based on the two elementary steps in furniture making – the first being the design and the second the practical processing in the workshop. Accordingly, the new editions are titled Creative Design (CD for short) and Edgings | Practical Processing (PP for short).

CD: Creative Design

The newly launched grey catalogue is called Creative Design [CD]. It includes design items such as handles and furniture luminaires or surfaces for furniture and wall design. It is ideal for presenting the manifold design options in the showroom or on-site at the customer’s

premises. In the “Made to Measure” section, readers can learn all about the different customisable elements that Ostermann delivers according to personal specifications.

PP: Practical Processing

The new red catalogue is called Practical Processing [PP]. Here readers will not only find Europe’s largest immediately available range of edgings and lots of background information on “everything edging”, but also the matching workshop supplies, such as adhesives and cleaners.

What is the ideal processing temperature for my adhesive? Which surfaces can I clean with the product? Such detailed information makes the new catalogue a perfect companion for the workshop.

What’s new?

There are many new products in both catalogues. In the [PP] catalogue, for example, the new linoleum edgings make their first appearance. The ever-growing range of profiles is also to be found here.

In the [CD] catalogue, readers can expect new surfaces for naturalistic wall design, such as moss. In addition, table fittings and furniture castors are also included for the first time. Also worthy of mention are the inspiration pages in the Creative Design [CD] catalogue, where various spaces were designed using Ostermann products.

Both reference works can also be found digitally at the download centre at www. ostermann.eu.

“The comprehensive reference books – Creative Design [CD] and Edgings | Practical Processing [PP] – show the entire diversity of the Ostermann range and offer inspiration for new projects”

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Bürkle introduces its new strategies

Robert Bürkle GmbH, a globally-renowned line and special machine manufacturer for press and coating technologies from Freudenstadt, has restructured the company and realigned its strategy. From now on, there will be four independent business divisions covering the respective product segments.

“We are convinced that this model is more efficient and that the individual divisions will be able to react much faster and be more targeted to individual customer requirements in the future,” explains Jürgen Schröer (CEO of the Bürkle Group).

He has been supported by Martin Meister since the beginning of 2023, who, in addition to managing the commercial divisions, will also focus on the further global development and digitalisation of the company.

Four independent business divisions

Marco Schaible will be responsible for the printed circuit board (PCB) division. Schaible has been managing director of the production

branch in Shanghai and was responsible for the construction of the new production facility in Taicang. He will also remain responsible for the Asian business.

Kai P. Treuner is responsible for the photovoltaics and technical glass division, as well as for the plastic card division. Through his previous activities in other companies, Treuner brings many years of experience, especially in the field of glass and PV applications.

Matthias Picker has been responsible for the Surface Division (Woodworking) since the beginning of the year. With his extensive knowledge of the international market of woodworking machines, he will define and implement important projects and strategies for the Bürkle Group.

Finally, there is the branch in Mastholte near

Rietberg with a focus on door and parquet lines, as well as systems for the production of insulating elements. The automation and robotics technologies for the group are also within this division. In future, this location will be managed by Dr. Arno Rogalla (on an interim basis) as an independent business division.

In the coming years, each division is to develop independently with different focal points in terms of the range of services, the product range and global positioning in order to optimally serve the markets and the customers.

Olaf Rohrbeck, previous managing director for sales and technology, left the company at the end of July 2023. He will continue to work for the company on an advisory basis and will support the transformation process.

www.burkle.tech

“We are convinced that this model is more efficient and that the individual divisions will be able to react much faster and be more targeted to individual customer requirements in the future”

Photo: BÜRKLE

HOLZ-HANDWERK sets course for another successful edition

Even during its break year, work continues apace for the European trade fair for machine technology, equipment and supplies for the wood crafts. In conjunction with FENSTERBAU FRONTALE, HOLZHANDWERK will return from 19th-22nd March 2024 with an improved hall arrangement and a clear focus on the trades and the future-oriented themes associated with them.

HOLZ-HANDWERK is where the woodworking and wood processing trades come together in their most intensive form, with plenty of time for personal discussions with customers, providing individual explanations of machines and tools, and testing them out in person. This familiar, relaxed and results-focused atmosphere is what makes HOLZ-HANDWERK so popular with tradespeople from throughout Europe.

“There is no question that we see ourselves as the central starting point for all professional carpentry

needs,” says Stefan Dittrich, Director HOLZ- HANDWERK at NürnbergMesse. “HOLZHANDWERK represents the combination of the machinery and supplier areas. New technologies and innovative materials can be tested right on the spot and talked over with colleagues. For us,

‘Discover, Experience, Do’ is much more than just a slogan. It pervades all the exhibition halls and the entire supporting programme.”

At the request of many exhibitors, the hall arrangement is being adapted and refined for 2024. Hall 8 is now fully available for HOLZHANDWERK. Alongside the existing

Daltons Wadkin’s Wood & Panel Machinery Show

Daltons Wadkin’s Wood & Panel Machinery Show, 3rd-5th October 2023, will provide an opportunity to see live demonstrations of the company’s latest machinery for processing multiple materials, from solid timber and wood-based panels to plastics, composites and metal.

Crosscutting

There will be a big emphasis on crosscutting, with automatic and manual models on show along with a range of tables and stop systems. The full range of Salvador optimising crosscut saws – including the ever-popular SuperPush 200, high capacity SuperPush 250 and versatile SuperAngle 600 – will showcase the huge production benefits these machines can deliver.

CNC machining

Kimla CNC routers and fibre lasers will be showing the multi-material processing capabilities of the range.

These are ideally suited to those working with sheet metal, panels, rubber or foam, for example. A range of optional cutting heads including high speed spindles (up to 60,000 rpm), oscillating knife and creasing wheel can be configured to suit almost any production requirement.

Kimla’s unique operating system and superior build quality deliver significant advantages and need to be seen to be believed.

Panel sawing

Daltons Wadkin is proud to claim that it offers the largest range of panel saws in the UK and Ireland. Working with leading manufacturers including SCM, Elcon and Altendorf, the company can call upon any one of over 40 models of sliding table panel saw, vertical panel saw, or beam saw to solve customers’ sawing requirements.

On show will be the latest Elcon wall saws with patented dust extraction technology, SCM

dimension saws with the new Eye-S touch screen control, along with further models to be confirmed.

Wide belt sanders

Key models from SCM and Houfek will highlight the many benefits modern wide belt sanders can bring to almost any workshop. Save time, improve calibrating accuracy and surface finish while protecting operators from exposure to harmful sanding dust. A choice of head configurations and working widths are available to satisfy solid wood and panel finishing demands.

Sold wood ripping

It wouldn’t be a show without the impressive Stenner band resaws. The latest ST100R model will be on demonstration with pitless installation, powerful feed mechanism, advanced operator safety features and modern guarding. Customers are increasingly trading in their old style resaws or more modern but light

machine halls 9, 10.0 and 11.0, this is where the products and services segment for woodworking and wood processing machinery will be found in future.

Potential exhibitors still have time to reserve a stand at HOLZHANDWERK 2024.

www.holz- handwerk.de

weight “equivalents” for this heavyduty workhorse. Come and see why.

More

Classical machinery from Wadkin and SCM, including planer moulders, thicknessers, spindle moulders, lathes and more will also be on show. Full details of makes and models will be confirmed soon. For the latest show news follow Daltons Wadkin on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok. Or, contact a member of the Daltons Wadkin team.

www.daltonswadkin.com

JJ Smith’s in-house machinery show approaches

Taking place between 1012th October, JJ Smith will be showcasing a wide range of equipment from some Europe’s leading woodworking machinery manufacturers and, for the very first time, visitors will be able to see first-hand how Robotics can transform the way in which a modern workshop functions.

With labour shortages and lack of skills a major concern within the woodworking industry, JJ Smith has partnered with Universal Robots – a world leader in Cobot solutions. Their compact size and weight mean they are safe to collaborate with operators/humans, without the additional floor space and safety requirements of traditional industrial robots.

The Cobot’s aim is to take on the dirty, dangerous and dull tasks, which in turn will allow staff / operators to be more productive elsewhere, performing tasks the Cobot cannot undertake.

Whilst incorporating the very latest in Robotics technology, potential customers may be surprised to learn that the Universal Cobot range starts from as little as £27,000. Four unique examples will be on demonstration, undertaking

tasks such as loading and unloading complete production cells, placing and screwing of parts, machine tending and assembling component parts.

The impressive line-up of CNC machines consists of an Intorex TMC 1500 five-axis CNC machining centre that can produce a wide range of traditional turned components, along with more complex shaped contemporary furniture or stair parts that can come off the machine finish

sanded. As standard the TMC is equipped with an automatic hopper feed loading and unloading system, milling / shaping head, horizontal sanding unit, saw blade for turning and an overhead router head with a 10-position rotary tool changer. Also, from Intorex will be a CNB 1500 CNC lathe.

From Comec there will be the very versatile MD TOP XL four-axis CNC that has an X axis capacity of 3350mm or 1500 + 1500mm in twin working fields. Programming and machine set up is easy and quick. This machine is ideal for producing parts for garden furniture, indoor furniture, children’s play equipment, bed frames and transport packaging etc.

CNC machines dedicated to door processing will include the ALFA NC milling and slotting machine – of which there have been 100 machines sold in the UK and Ireland to date – and the ALFA Twin through feed door processing centre. This can simultaneously machine both sides of a door, typically taking just two minutes.

Finally, there will be the all new ALFA Jamb through feed machine with automatic infeed loading and outfeed unloading systems, specifically designed for door linings.

Cross Cutting continues to be one of JJ Smith’s most important product ranges and there will be two Stromab programmable saws

on demonstration – the Matrix straight cutting saw and CT600 for straight or angled cutting. Making its debut will be the all-new Stromab programmable stop system which will be shown linked to an up cut Stromab TR501 saw. For the volume cutting of small blocks for furniture or for cutting stair wedges and glue blocks there will be the Camam TAC 1 automatic hopper fed crosscut saw. The crosscut line up is completed by three different radial arms saws from Graule, including the large capacity ZS200N which will be equipped with pneumatic clamping, LCD read out to the cutting angle and laser line. For trenching and notching a Graule QNF will be on show.

Other key machines on demonstration will include:

Deltawood multi head programmable swing chisel mortisers for doors, gates and general joinery, Fimal semiautomatic panel saw, Taylor JLT solid wood edge and face laminating clamps and the JJS range of heavy-duty hydraulic scissor lift tables.

To register your attendance please go to www.eventcreate. com/e/jj-smith-machinery-show

For further information, contact JJ Smith on 0151 548 9000, email sales@jjsmith.co.uk, or visit www. jjsmith.co.uk

“Visitors will be able to see first-hand how Robotics can transform the way in which a modern workshop functions”

INNOVATIVE WOODWORKING MACHINERY & EXPERTISE

JJ SMITH MACHINERY SHOW

Kirkby, Liverpool 10th – 12th October 2023

JJ Smith invite you to visit our biggest ever in-house machinery show, demonstrating the very latest CNC technology from world leading woodworking machinery manufacturers, including:

EXCLUSIVE! FOR THE FIRST TIME, SEE HOW ROBOT TECHNOLOGY CAN TRANSFORM YOUR PRODUCTION METHODS WITH AUTOMATION EXCELLENCE FROM UNIVERSAL ROBOTS!

→ 3,4 & 5 axis CNC machining centres for garden products, furniture, stair parts and more

→ Automatic through feed CNC line for doors & frames

→ Fully programmable crosscut saws

→ Automatic crosscut saws for stair wedges & glue blocks

→ Radial arm crosscut saws linked to programmable stop systems

→ Twin blade mitre saws

→ CNC tenoning, mortising & woodturning machines

→ Solid wood edge & face laminating clamps

→ All new machines for producing Georgian glazing bar joints

To register your interest and book a place at this year’s event, SCAN THE QR CODE

If your manufacturing challenges could benefit from a productivity boost, our event is not to be missed! Discuss your individual needs with our expert team of advisers.

Anticipation grows for SICAM 2023

Yet another sold-out edition of SICAM is set to take place between 17-20th October in Pordenone, Italy. This year, the fair will feature an additional 3000m2 of space for stands and services, as well as a new layout in the central area of the exhibition centre that will make for a smoother and more fluid visitor experience.

The characteristic refined and elegant atmosphere of the halls will remain unchanged, and will extend to the enlarged spaces in pavilion 5. Visitors from all over the world will find the usual services available for them at the fair, aimed at fostering new connections, even in moments of relaxation between one appointment and another, perhaps at the bar or restaurant.

The show enjoys a loyal audience of professionals, which are evolving year on year. The 2022 edition brought 8,475 registered companies from five continents to visit the 590 companies on display: over 42% of the professionals present came from abroad, from as many as 116 different countries. 72% of the total visitors came

from the main European markets, with Germany, Spain and France registering the largest foreign presences. Participations from Asian markets are also growing, among which (in a year in which health restrictions have kept Chinese operators away) the presence of Indian, Turkish and Korean buyers has emerged.

“This year we are about to open a SICAM which will be a moment of fundamental discussion within the furniture supply chain,” says Carlo Giobbi, organiser and founder of the Salone. “When we hear that ‘the world furniture industry that counts meets every year in Pordenone’ we have to make some considerations: once again this year the rate of reconfirmations of exhibiting companies is well over the threshold of 90% compared to the last edition, and at the same time the return to the fair of important companies in various sectors also clearly emerges; we cannot fail to think that it is clear evidence of how the market appreciates the validity of the Salone, the efficacy of its formula and the value of the people who meet in Pordenone.”

SICAM offers a valuable opportunity to discover new trends, and to get to know and identify the

most current innovations in terms of components and accessories for the furniture industry.

October marks an optimum to time to make the best choices for next season. Each year, SICAM showcases the latest innovations in materials, design and technologies, which will feature at the international furniture shows of the following spring around the world. As always, thousands of visiting professionals are expected in Pordenone next October, from over 100 countries; and the forecasts are for an increasingly higher turnout, especially from an international audience.

An updated exhibitor list, the online pre-registration form and all the information useful for organising a visit to the show are available on the exhibition’s website.

Commitment to FC Expo gathering momentum

Enquiries to exhibit at next year’s FC Expo in April continues at a steady pace and the organiser – the British Furniture Manufacturer’s trade association –says ‘support from manufacturing partners is a positive sign that it will be well-attended’.

The BFM is finalising the seminar program, which will feature topics such as regulations, sustainability, and regulatory frameworks. Sustainability has been highlighted as a subject of particular interest by exhibitors and attendees.

With headline sponsors Vita Group and BeA leading the way, those thinking of exhibiting should get in touch to evaluate the options available. Other sponsorship opportunities are up for grabs, which is a great way for businesses to reach a large audience of potential customers and partners.

Businesses can also book space in the seminar theatre to showcase their products or services.

Phil Spademan, BFM’s Managing Director said: “Overall, this event is shaping up to be a valuable opportunity for businesses in the manufacturing industry.

“The seminar program will provide insights into the latest trends and developments, the Innovation Trail will showcase new products and technologies, and the industry discussion will provide a forum for businesses to share ideas and best practices. I encourage businesses supplying the manufacturing industry to register their interest and make the most of the opportunity.”

Paul James from One-Call said: “At One-Call Furniture, we work very closely with our customers and are often approached to design new and exciting cabinet furniture, which incorporates new and innovative types of mechanisms. We research the market for these new components, which sometimes takes us overseas.

“We fully support the Furniture Component Expo, not only because we are continuously looking for innovation in the marketplace, but as it is hosted in a central UK

location, we can utilise our time more efficiently, reduce costs and have the potential to send more key staff to review the exhibitors in one place.”

Raf Klimek from Wren Kitchens said: “We are looking forward to attending the Telford International Centre for the Furniture Component Expo next April, to not only showcase our range of affordable luxury kitchens and bedrooms but to understand more about the latest developments from the supply chain sector. The format for the show looks well thought out and offers plenty of opportunities to Wren Kitchens. Currently there is a real gap in the market for this type of event.”

The Furniture Component Expo takes place 24-25th April at the Telford International Centre. Interested parties are advised to complete an enquiry form via the event website.

BFM’s Managing Director, Phil Spademan

The Telford International Centre will host the inaugural Furniture Component Expo in April 2024

Showcase will highlight strength of partnerships

Partnerships between Hill’s Panel Products (HPP) Ltd and some of the KBB industry’s leading suppliers dovetail to create a unique position in the marketplace for the Oldhambased manufacturer and supplier of board, doors, fittings and accessories.

Now HPP is building on its excellent relationships with the industry’s big-name suppliers by bringing them all together under one roof to showcase their latest products and initiatives for the benefit of its retail customers in the true spirit of partnership.

And HPP will be displaying the latest developments of its own – such as the updated handle range featuring some excellent new and on-trend finishes, including a new designer, along with some significant additions to its range of Avanti stock doors.

The day-long HPX event will take place at the Village Hotel, Manchester, on Friday, September 29th – an opportunity for its existing retail partners and any retailer who would like to learn more about HPP.

Some of the big names taking part include Blum, Kronospan, Egger, Sensio, Reginox, ArtiCAD and Vibo. They’ll be displaying existing and new products and showcasing their latest developments and initiatives.

“HPP is building on its excellent relationships with the industry’s big-name suppliers by bringing them all together under one roof”

Reginox - Miami Sink

Blum - REVEGO pocket door system

EGGER - TM9

Blum will be showing its eagerly awaited REVEGO pocket door system, which is new to the UK and is due to be launched with a big fanfare by the Austrian-based manufacturer and supplier of high-quality kitchen and bedroom drawers, furniture fittings, and accessories. Leading manufacturer and distributor of woodbased panels, Kronospan, is bringing along its newly launched Global collection and new worktop range.

EGGER, another leading manufacturer and distributor of wood-based panels, will be discussing its new decorative collection launching in 2024 and will have its TM9 supermatt product on display.

Lighting specialist, Sensio, will be bringing along some of its latest products and technology while HPP’s sink supplier partner, Reginox will be showing its updated range of finishes.

Wirework supplier Vibo will be heading in from Italy to showcase its upgraded collection focusing on an anthracite finish and the premium Lamina offering with minimalist sheet metal sides and superior quality movement.

ArtiCAD, meanwhile, will have HPP’s updated doors and décor catalogue on show on its

software visualisation platform.

The compelling package is a great opportunity for retailers to speak to senior representatives from HPP and the companies exhibiting, as well as networking with other retailers who will be attending.

The day will also highlight HPP’s charity partner, Mahdlo Youth Zone, which will have representatives there to explain about the organisation’s vital work in the Oldham community with young people aged from 8-19, or up to 25 for those with additional needs or disability.

Those wishing to attend should pre-register on the HPP website at www.hpponline.co.uk/hpx www.hpponline.co.uk

Kronospan - Global collection

Sensio

Vibo

ArtiCAD

HOMAG helps Sharps Bedrooms transform living spaces

Sharps Bedrooms is one of the UK’s leading fitted furniture companies, with an annual turnover in excess of £125m. Founded in 1973, the company prides itself on designing and manufacturing bespoke fitted furniture that doesn’t compromise on maximising space, style or storage solutions for bedroom, office and living spaces.

“As a company, Sharps creates beautifully organised furniture designed specifically for each customer,” enthuses the company’s factory operations manager, Dave Lloyd. He continues, “To achieve this we have always invested in the best quality, most advanced woodworking machinery available. That is why we’ve been buying HOMAG equipment and software for more than 30 years.

“Our most recent purchases from them have been a SAWTEQ B-300 panel dividing saw and a DRILLTEQ V-200 vertical CNC processing centre. The B-300 is a replacement for a HOMAG saw which had reached the end of its productive life.

“With regards to the DRILLTEQ V-200, we already had two HOMAG BHX 055s – now called DRILLTEQ V-200s – which were real workhorses in the business. However, because we have changed the way we manufacture certain products we needed a third machine to cope with the demand.”

A simple selection process

“When it came to investing in another CNC drilling machine, we didn’t have to look further

than HOMAG,” continues Dave. “The two CNC drilling centres we already owned were simple to use, totally reliable, efficient and continued to deliver first class results, so it was an easy decision to opt for a third machine.

“Although we already had three different HOMAG saws, we didn’t just place an order for a new saw with them. Instead, we looked around the market to see what was available. After completing our due diligence, we were still of the opinion that overall HOMAG offered us the best option for a new saw.

“In addition to the comprehensive basic configuration of the SAWTEQ B-300, there is a wide range of optional features that enabled us to configure the saw to match our specific production processes.”

Living room by Sharps Bedrooms

HOMAG provides a complete package ”HOMAG may not be the cheapest option in the market, but ultimately you get what you pay for, and with HOMAG you get an enormous amount for your money,” asserts Dave. “The machines are technically advanced, extremely robust and reliable, and the aftersales service is brilliant.

“Everyone we deal with at HOMAG is a true professional. From area sales manager, Matt Long, and the installation engineers and trainers, to the sales and support teams at Castle Donington, they go out of their way to help. To a person, they are friendly and easy to deal with which makes doing business with them so much more productive and enjoyable.

“Freddie, the HOMAG engineer who installed and commissioned the machines at our factory, is a case in point. He is an absolute perfectionist. Before training our operators

on site, he made sure that everything with the machinery and software was spot on. He was diligent and thorough, dotting every ‘i’ and crossing every ‘t’; there was no way you could fault anything he did.

“The new SAWTEQ B-300 and DRILLTEQ V-200 have made a big impact on our manufacturing capabilities. Their reliability, speed and quality have definitely made our manufacturing facility more efficient. The machines are doing exactly what we had expected and HOMAG continues to provide us with first class support. What more could you ask?” concludes Lloyd.

For a demonstration or further information on HOMAG woodworking machinery or software, contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424 or email: info-uk@homag.com www.homag.com

“In addition to the comprehensive basic configuration of the SAWTEQ B-300, there is a wide range of optional features that enabled us to configure the saw to match our specific production processes”

DRILLTEQ V-200 vertical CNC processing centre

SAWTEQ B-300 panel dividing saw

Indigo Cabinets transforms with Microvellum – efficiency and accuracy enhanced

Founded in 2003, Indigo Cabinets excels in crafting functional furniture, offering a diverse range that includes bespoke in-frame kitchens, wardrobes, bookcases, media units, and much more. The company offers a diverse range of products for those who seek classical or contemporary design. Indigo Cabinets takes pride in its custom approach, ensuring attention to detail and superior craftsmanship, resulting in enduring pieces.

But unfortunately, in 2021, Indigo Cabinets’ workshop was devastated by a fire, and the team witnessed two decades of hard work gone. Nevertheless, the company bounced back in 2022, moving to a new 7500ft² shop with cutting-edge machinery and staffed by a team of nine talented members. Even with this revival, some challenges persisted. Inefficiency, inaccuracy, long processing times, and human errors were obstacles the team realised they needed to overcome.

Recognising the need for a change, Indigo Cabinets delved into researching software options, which is when it discovered Microvellum. This software seamlessly connects with Indigo Cabinets’ SCM Morbidelli X200 and Felder H08 nesting machines, automating the entire process. By enabling the company to do everything on a single platform, it has witnessed a surge in efficiency, accuracy, and speed, while significantly reducing human errors.

Ever since Indigo Cabinets adopted Microvellum, it has experienced a remarkable boost in processing speed and precision. This comprehensive software empowers the company to create 2D drawings, 3D models, cutting lists, budget reports, nesting reports, and every tool necessary for running an efficient cabinet making business. Since switching to Microvellum, the number of errors during assembly has significantly decreased, and the time it takes to put the components together has also drastically improved. Notably, the shift to the dado construction method has reduced CNC processing time, eliminating the need to place each piece back on the machine to end bore dowel holes. As a result of using Microvellum, the company is experiencing a significant boost in productivity, allowing it to take on more projects and expand its business operations. While some may perceive it as a complex software to learn, with dedication and leveraging the support offered by Microvellum, the rewards are undoubtedly worth it.

When asked what sets Microvellum apart from other software, Matt, manager of Indigo Cabinets, exclaimed, “Microvellum is my dream software, I have spent hours upon hours over the past 20 years creating cut lists for solid face frames, solid wood doors and carcasses before we got CNCs! I have tried several different 2D

CAD software, 3D software, cut list software, but this really is an all in one”.

With Microvellum, the streamlined flow to its production environment has enabled Indigo Cabinets to plan for growth and expansion. Matt revealed their intention to boost production capacity and hire a dedicated designer to secure many projects, driven by the newfound efficiency and opportunities presented by the seamless data integration.

Indigo Cabinets finds Microvellum to be a true game-changer, completely transforming its manufacturing process to be more efficient and precise. “I couldn’t recommend Microvellum highly enough!” Matt shares. “Anyone hesitating about buying it should make the leap; they won’t regret it.”

With its dedication to using cutting-edge technology and delivering extraordinary products, Indigo Cabinets is set up for ongoing success in the woodworking industry.

www.microvellum.com

“Indigo Cabinets finds Microvellum to be a true game-changer, completely transforming its manufacturing process to be more efficient and precise”

HPX 2023 - KBB TRADE EXHIBITION

Friday 29th September from 9:30am - 4:00pm

The Village Hotel Manchester Pamir Drive, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 0LY

Some of the biggest names in the industry for a special one-day event

Latest developments and initiatives from both HPP and leading partners

GET YOUR FREE TICKETS AT WWW.HPPONLINE.CO.UK/HPX

Fastmount’s revolutionary panel mounting solutions

Panel mounting to walls and ceilings is an increasingly well-used design technique in both domestic and commercial spaces. The clean finish that can be achieved, alongside the flexibility and ease of fitting, make panel mounting a practical and versatile interior design method.

The Fastmount range of panel mounting clips was originally designed for fitting decorative panelling in super yachts, where the high-end finish calls for a discreet fastener that’s robust enough to cope with the stresses of life at sea. The range has developed to include very lowprofile clips, a metal version (particularly useful for fire-proof applications) and textile clips which can be sewn into upholstered panels and cushions. Over time, the Fastmount system has been used in many diverse situations including

motorhomes, public transport, upholstered panels for furniture and acoustic screens.

Jet Press has a wide range of resources available on its website to help with product selection, and has technical expertise on hand to answer any questions customers may have regarding the Fastmount range.

Whatever the application, Jet Press can provide support through the design process and will manage stock and delivery schedules for long-term projects. Whether it’s a small, one-off project or an opportunity to integrate Fastmount into a finishing process, the Jet Press team will work with customers to get the job done.

For more information, search for Fastmount at jetpress.com, or call the Jet Press team.

01623 551 800

www.jetpress.com

“Whether it’s a small, one-off project or an opportunity to integrate Fastmount into a finishing process, the Jet Press team will work with customers to get the job done”

ADHESIVES A WIDE RANGE FOR EVERY APPLICATION

We offer an extensive selection of different hotmelt, PUR, contact and special adhesives, white and wood veneer glues, plus the appropriate application devices and cleaners for your project. In addition, you will also nd practical user tips from our experts.

For further information, go to www.ostermann.eu and type in

#adhesives

SERVICE, DIVERSITY AND SPEED - THAT IS OSTERMANN.

WORKSHOP & ADHESIVES

Drawer systems for every home

Titus’ furniture hardware solutions have been improving homes around the world for decades. They increase the quality and facilitate assembly of furniture, giving a significant competitive advantage to manufacturers and improving the consumer experience. One of Titus’ most popular components is the Tekform family of drawers.

The Tekform family of double wall drawers are simple to mount and come with integrated soft closing with a lifelong reliable performance. Tekform Slimline drawers – the second generation of the double wall drawers – have sleek sides and increase the interior drawer space.

The Slimline double-wall drawer has now

been upgraded with a new Tacto touch opening system for handleless drawer fronts – an ideal choice for kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes, living rooms.

Tekform Slimline Tacto drawers incorporate runners with an integrated Tacto activator that ensures effortless touch opening. All components remain the same as the standard version, as do drilling and fixing positions. This makes it easy to update and enhance existing designs to offer convenient and reliable opening of drawers with handleless fronts. The installation is simple and precise, further supported by a non-handed Tacto mechanism that is intuitively placed into the correct position without the need of predrilling.

Titus Tekform Slimline - inside out

Drawers are fast and easy to assemble, thanks to the EasyFix locking system used for the front-panel connector, which requires only hand insertion and a quarter of a turn with a screwdriver to lock the panel securely in place. Reliable life-long ‘ConfidentClose’ soft closing is assured by the use of the renowned Titus single-direction precision engineered hydraulic dampers. These smoothly slow down the linear movement of the drawer as it reaches the closed position, but offer minimal resistance to movement when the drawer is being opened.

Installation of the drawers within the cabinet is fast and straightforward. Extended tolerances in cabinet construction can be accommodated without compromising accurate alignment, smooth and silent operation and excellent stability in the open position. In addition, variations of up to ± 1 mm in bottom panel width size are acceptable.

www.titusplus.com

Tekform drawer slimline glass side

Tekform slimline drawer

Tekform Slimline in action

OVVO partners with ProEdge Technology to deliver CNC insertion machine for OVVO parts

OVVO recently announced a strategic partnership with ProEdge Technology – a leading vendor in CNC insertion machines.

OVVO is proud to claim that the PET CNC OVVO is “the only machine in the industry with vertical routing capabilities on the bottom surface of the panel”, guaranteeing accuracy of +/0.05mm of router depth by making the bottom of the panel a true zero reference point. This machine removes the need for expense floating head aggregates or a live Z-axis laser measurement device on a flat table router.

OVVO products are a range of cleverly engineered, awardwinning, invisible connectors that make joining wood simple. The connectors are installed during the manufacturing process so the enduser can simply click/push together cabinets, shop fit-out components, door frame assemblies or furniture without the need for tools, screws, or glues.

The result is an accessible, sustainable product that saves time, money and effort for consumers and manufacturers alike. Manufacturers can also benefit from significantly reduced shipping costs, as items can be shipped flat-packed.

The latest addition to the OVVO product family is the impressive OVVO DOWEL (OD30) which is specifically designed to work in standard drill patterns. The OD30 is inserted into the panel without any glue to form a permanent joint in 15mm panels and above. These new connectors make it even easier for manufacturers to incorporate OVVO into their standard processes, saving time and money by eliminating glue and case clamping time. No additional equipment or capital are needed to deliver tools free assembly

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products to the end customer.

This new self-clamping, glueless, invisible OVVO Dowel (OD30) is designed for connecting cabinet parts and all types of furniture using standard drilled holes on both sides of the joint, thereby simplifying the panel processing operations while continuing to provide all the benefits of OVVOs’ proven tools-free assembly methodology.

Established in Ireland in 2014, the OVVO brand has gone from strength to strength, picking up numerous highly regarded industry awards along the way. Most recently awarded “Outstanding Furniture Accessories” award at Interzum-Guangzhou in April 2023 for the innovative connection system, the relentless quest to make life easier for people ensures that simplicity is at the heart of every new product. With each new product developed, the OVVO range has become more accessible to manufacturers, with the ability to be integrated into existing production processes, and suitable for a wide range of production capabilities.

All OVVO connectors are designed for high-volume, automatic insertion, and ongoing partnerships with leading software providers – Cabinet Vision, TopSolid, iFurn, Swood and Cabinet Sense – ensure that manufacturers can easily

incorporate OVVO into their existing processes, and also into new product design and development.

All OVVO connectors can be installed into a variety of materials ranging from high-quality hardwoods to low-grade particle board, and its recyclable plastic means any waste is put back into the production of the product. OVVO works best in boards >12mm thickness and is available in a range of sizes to perfectly match customers’ requirements. All connector sizes are available in both permanent and releasable options, extending the range of materials and opportunities to inspire creative design and innovative development.

Consumer demands are shifting more and more towards convenience and sustainability. OVVO helps customers meet those demands and gives their products a competitive edge. Furniture Assembly made simple – no need for tools, glue or screws. Simply push, click and connect.

Find out more at www.ovvotech. com, or for more information on the OVVO CNC PET contact sales@ovvotech.com

“The latest addition to the OVVO product family is the impressive OVVO DOWEL (OD30) which is specifically designed to work in standard drill patterns”

Everything. Except ordinary.

Until recently, the very idea of reducing a drawer side to 8 millimetres and, above all, making industrial production commercially viable would have been unthinkable. With Vionaro V8, this vision has now been turned into reality. The new slim drawer system not only offers the only 8-millimetre one-piece steel drawer side in the world –Vionaro V8 is also the first pure-metal drawer side with no plastic elements. All parts are made of steel and joined using cutting-edge laser welding technology. That produces maximum stability plus longevity and ensures an almost 100 per cent recycling rate.

Vionaro V8 Slim Drawer System.

The result of three years of global research and development, Häfele’s Metalla hinge range was created with quality and long-term performance firmly in mind. But even better than that, customers who’ve swapped their usual hinge for the Metalla 310 have reported saving up to half of their usual spend, making it one of the most valuable fittings in the toolbox. Specially designed to give kitchen manufacturers and installers a high-quality choice, whatever the application, the Metalla 310 offers a large assortment suitable for wide angle openings, post hinge, and 30- or 45-degree openings. It’s available in a soft-close or a non-soft close variant, and is ideal for standard installations such as common 110˚ angle openings.

The Metalla 310 hinge has been tested to at least 40,000 cycles and 48 hours against corrosion resistance in accordance with EN 15570 level 2 / LGA quality certification. It also comes with a 25-year guarantee, meaning furniture joiners and installers can be confident they’re providing customers with complete reliability, ease of use and enduring quality.

As well as proving itself to be one of the highest quality hinges on the market, the Metalla 310 also has huge commercial benefits for businesses in the sector, making it the hinge you shouldn’t be without.

www.hafele.co.uk

“As well as proving itself to be one of the highest quality hinges on the market, the Metalla 310 also has huge commercial benefits for businesses in the sector”

Metalla 310 – the hinge you shouldn’t be without

New innovations from Italiana Ferramenta

Italiana Ferramenta specialises in the production of high-quality accessories and ironmongery for the furniture industry. Its portfolio encompasses products for the assembly of almost any type of furniture, from hinges and opening systems for doors, through to cabinet hangers and shelving systems. Here, we explore two of its most recent innovations ...

K-line Tech shelf support

The K-line Tech shelf support has evolved from the company’s ever-popular and still available K-line shelf support. Perhaps the most important and unique feature of this concept product is that it is formed from a folded piece of steel. This sets it apart from the vast majority of solutions available on the market, which are typically made of the typical Zinc-alloy injection. This new building system – for which Italiana Ferramenta has an invention patent – is completed by plastic covers in various colours, with and without vertical retainer and – for glass shelves – with a rubber pad. Italiana Ferramenta

is proud to claim that it provides up to twice the load capacity when compared to the Zincalloy versions, easily passing the FIRA Gold Certification Level H.

This remains a concept product at present, whilst Italiana Ferramenta surveys the global market to understand the requirements and response of all potential customers.

In fact, drilling (for shelves) in Ø 3mm is still a small part of the company’s sales (mainly covered by Ø 5mm drilling) but is constantly growing. The feedback of its existing and potential customers will determine Italiana Ferramenta’s next steps and production options. However, having a much stronger solution with a captivating contemporary design, in its opinion, might encourage the industry to switch from bigger to smaller holes – “a clear touch of elegance that makes all the difference”.

PK2 PRO

An evolution of the well-known PK2, the PK2 PRO is a shelf support that has recently been

redesigned to improve its aesthetic. Offered in a number of finishes and versions, the new design includes a plastic cover that hides the internal mini fix, emphasising its attractive form. The product embodies the time and energy Italiana Ferramenta invests into combining technical features with exclusive design.

+39 0434 428211

info@italianaferramenta.it

www.italianaferramenta.it

IronmongeryDirect enhances its exclusive ranges

IronmongeryDirect has added an array of new products to its exclusive ranges, including the Old Forge, Hampstead and Touchpoint brands. The new additions comprise door and cabinet hardware in a wide variety of styles, as well as shelving and storage systems, giving customers even more choice.

The leading trade supplier has introduced 30 new items to its exclusive Old Forge range of traditionally styled ironmongery. This includes lock, lever and bathroom door handles, escutcheons, door stops, bolts and pull handles – available in polished iron and smooth black finishes. The comprehensive Old Forge portfolio allows a consistent look to be achieved in all areas of traditional and period properties.

IronmongeryDirect has also launched Hampstead Zodiac – a collection of 11 different cabinet pull handles and knob designs, each inspired by the signs of the zodiac. The Taurus, Gemini, Leo and Libra products provide smooth minimalist lines, while modern yet classic styles are offered by the Aries, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces handles. For customers

looking for a traditional yet eyecatching and luxurious finishing touch, there are the Capricorn and Aquarius Lines T-Bar Cabinet Pull Handles. The Hampstead Zodiac range is available in various sizes and a variety of finishes, including satin brass, matt black, satin nickel and polished nickel. Additionally, all products in the Hampstead range come with a 25-year guarantee for added peace of mind.

Also added to its portfolio of over 18,000 products are new products in the Touchpoint, Altro and Klug ranges. Highlights include Touchpoint Victorian cabinet knobs in polished brass, Altro shelving and wardrobe storage solutions and Klug single and double bi-folding door kits.

Commenting on the launch of the new products, Roland Etheridge, category manager at IronmongeryDirect said: “Our exclusive ranges offer customers a wide selection of high-quality solutions to suit all budgets, whatever the need and desired style. These new additions further enhance what we can offer and mean these ranges, which are consistently highly-rated by customers, deliver even more

choice to suit a wide range of projects.”

IronmongeryDirect is proud to claim that it is the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, with over 18,000 products in stock for those looking to renovate or embark on a new project, including everything from front door furniture and door & cabinet handles, to storage solutions, bathroom accessories and

outdoor hardware. Customers can choose from a range of flexible delivery options to meet the needs of their busy schedules, including next day delivery and click and collect from 6,500 pick up points across the UK.

To find out more about these and other new products recently added, visit: www.ironmongerydirect. co.uk/our-brands.

www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk

“These new additions further enhance what we can offer and mean these ranges, which are consistently highly-rated by customers, deliver even more choice to suit a wide range of projects”

GRASS presents Vionaro V8

GRASS is ringing in the next generation of drawers with Vionaro V8 – an 8mm slim drawer system that is minimalist in design and masterfully engineered.

After the concealed hinge and the doublewalled drawer, the specialist for movement systems has developed another innovation that sets the standard for the future. The company is proud to claim that the Vionaro V8 slim drawer system is “the slimmest steel drawer side in the world”. With Vionaro V8, GRASS has demonstrated that a drawer side can be slimmed down to a thickness of eight millimetres and still be suitable for cost-effective production.

“Technological progress means pushing boundaries,” comments Harald Klüh, global brand manager at GRASS. “With Vionaro V8 we have created a pioneering product that challenges physical frontiers, pushing the limits of what is possible. You can’t make a drawer side any thinner than that.”

“An experience for the senses” Drawer side, back panel, interior front – all the individual parts are just eight millimetres thick and lend the interior of the furniture a resolutely minimalist elegance.

“Vionaro V8 is an experience for the senses,” continues Harald. “The absence of anything superfluous gives Vionaro V8 a breathtaking simplicity. Its clear, monolithic form will outlast time and trends. Both in terms of design and movement, Vionaro V8 will redefine the benchmark for all other systems.”

Harmony in furniture and beyond With Vionaro V8, GRASS offers the perfect solution to equip kitchen, bathroom and living room furniture with the same movement system. The purist design allows Vionaro V8 to become a cohesive link between the individual living areas – and at the same time enables optimum use of storage space.

What has been saved in terms of material width has been placed into the height of the drawer sides several times over. The V8 drawer side is 5mm narrower, but up to 20mm taller than other drawer systems. The V8 therefore not only offers up to 16 percent more storage space, but also, most notably, aesthetically pleasing proportions with respect to the height of the furniture front.

Under the Vionaro V8 drawer, the Dynapro guide system ensures excellent running characteristics, precise movement and a stable construction. Dynapro is one of the world’s most successful concealed slides for full-extension slides and can be used in different versions, such as with the integrated soft-close damping system or for handle-free Tipmatic soft-close applications.

Endless design options

The Vionaro V8 Slim Drawer System is available in five drawer side heights, from the cooker plinth drawer to the 250mm drawer. In terms

of the drawer options, the high glass drawer side stands out thanks to not needing front and back panel clips. With a variety of additions and design options, the slim drawer system can also be customised even further.

Sustainability in mind

Vionaro V8 is a drawer side made solely of steel, which the brand is proud to claim is “the only one in the world that does not require any plastic elements at all”. All components are joined using the latest laser welding technology. This ensures maximum stability, durability and guarantees almost one hundred per cent recyclability.

“Vionaro V8 is a drawer revolution,” summarises Harald. “There hasn’t been a greater step in development in a long time. Despite all the enthusiasm for innovation at GRASS, with Vionaro V8 we have also created a product that offers our customers real opportunities for differentiation.

“For those looking for a drawer that offers Zenlike harmony, a luxurious movement experience and timeless design character, Vionaro V8 is a product that will define the state of the art for the next decade.”

German Design Award for Vionaro V8

This year, the innovative Vionaro V8 was one of the entrants that the German Design Award jury selected to receive an award in the “Furniture” category. The reasoning for this being that, “until recently, the very idea of reducing a drawer side to 8 millimetres and, above all, making industrial production commercially viable would have been unthinkable.”

“The Vionaro V8 marks another milestone in GRASS history,” says CEO Albert Trebo. “The fact that GRASS’s extraordinary achievement has been recognised by the jury for the German Design Award confirms that we were right in our enthusiasm for this unique drawer system.” www.grass.eu

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All lending is subject to status and our lending criteria. The right to decline any application is reserved.

Weinig’s Cube 3: plane & simple

For many manufacturers, time and money are two of the biggest factors to consider when running a profitable manufacturing business. For Reigate-based Boxhill Joinery, their continual quest to increase productivity and tackle the growing labour shortage influenced the decision to purchase a Cube 3 four-sided planer from Weinig UK and, in the process, become the first company in the UK to have the new model installed in their workshop.

“I have always seen Weinig as a brand to aspire to and, as such, their machinery has always been on my radar, but when I started Boxhill Joinery with my business partner, John, we only had £5,000 to spend on machinery,” begins Ashley Hook, Director of Boxhill Joinery. “We could only afford an old sliding table saw, a spindle moulder and a manual planer and thicknesser. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to get us started. As we made more money, we’d reinvest it into the business and upgrade our machinery. Three years later, we purchased our first Weinig – a 35-year-old Profimat moulder. It might have been old, but it ran smoothly, and it helped us make huge strides in our production capability. Results were good and its build quality was exceptional, but like all machines from the 1980’s, it required a lot of manual set-up and a certain level of skill and understanding to run effectively.”

In 2022, the decision was made to upgrade the Weinig Profimat to a brand-new Cube 3 foursided planer – a model that’s been proven to be 10 times faster than conventional machines and requires minimal skill to operate. “Thanks to the level of automation, we experienced immediate time-savings,” admits Ashley. “We no longer had to contend with manual levers or old synchro units that made dimension changes long and laborious. Instead, to plane a piece of material on all four sides in one pass, we simply had to punch in the finished size and how much we wanted to take off the bottom and side. The machine did everything else for us.”

Whether machining one-off pieces, small batches or a complete project with varying size and material requirements, the Cube 3 offered the joinery company much-needed flexibility and performed the tasks easily with just one operator.

“The Cube 3’s large standard working dimensions were a big selling point for us as we machine a variety of sizes,” says Ashley. “Our solid wood drawer boxes measure up to 200mm wide and 13mm thick. Other furniture designs require a width of up to 260mm. The Cube 3 can work with working heights of 8-160mm and widths of 15-260mm where our old planer was restricted to a width of 210mm. This meant we would often have to join two pieces of wood together. A slight step in the join was all it took for one of my team to waste time sanding it down when they should have been moving on to the next job. We’ve easily saved more than 30 minutes per piece by not having to flush up a joint or put it thorough a drum sander, and we’ve reduced labour.”

Due to its simple set-up, the joinery’s batch run times have been halved as oak draw boxes and Shaker door components are planed perfectly on four sides in a single pass. Intuitive operation has also made the machining of multiple sizes quicker and easier.

“You don’t need to wait for a piece to exit the machine before programming the dimensions of the next piece and that speeds up the operation,” says Ashley. “The machine only actions the new size once the existing piece has been completed and because the process is automated, we don’t have any size discrepancies that, in the past, could have led to material wastage.

“To make life even easier, the Cube’s memory function stores common sizes so we don’t need to re-enter the same dimensions over and over again. And, if you think the laser is more of a gimmick than a functional feature, think again. It speeds up the measuring process no end.”

The variable feed speed of 6-12m/min means it’s easy to achieve a high-quality finish. “The finish you get off the machine is really nice,”

confirms Ashley. “We tend to run most things through on the slowest speed to minimise any chatter. This ultimately reduces the amount of hand finishing needed and increases the volume of work we can complete in a shorter timeframe.”

When it comes to running costs, the plug and play machine offers excellent low-maintenance credentials. “There’s next to no maintenance required – just some regular greasing and a service from Weinig once a year,” says Ashley. “On the rare occasions we do need to do something, like change the reversible knives, it’s really quick. We would have had to spend half a day changing the knives on our old machine, but we can replace all four sets in under 30 minutes thanks to the Cube 3’s EasyLock system. This doesn’t just save on labour; it gives us extra machining time. It’s a huge double saving.

“Like many workshops, we’re struggling to employ the right people, but high-quality machines can compensate for the labour shortage, ultimately shaping your workforce while increasing productivity. The Cube 3 does this exceptionally well. I have a great team of experienced joiners. I don’t want their time being spent running or maintaining machines for long periods of time unnecessarily.

“The quicker and more efficient the machine, the better the outcome. If we get to a point where our machines are needing to be run more frequently, the opportunity to employ a lower skilled worker is now a viable option thanks to the Cube’s automated machining and ease of use.

“As a small business owner, Weinig is only ever a phone call away,” Ashley adds. “Weinig’s service throughout the buying process was quick and easy and the continual support and guidance we continue to get from their aftersales team is great. We have every confidence in our Cube 3 and equal amounts of confidence in Weinig’s staff. They know their products and they know what they are doing. This makes them a great manufacturer to invest in.”

For more information, visit https://cube3.

weinig.com

“Whether machining oneoff pieces, small batches or a complete project with varying size and material requirements, the Cube 3 offered the joinery company much-needed flexibility and performed the tasks easily with just one operator”

Ashley Hook, Director of Boxhill Joinery

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The Cube 3 is the best Cube ever. It o ers significantly expanded standard scope as the automated stacker or the return be conveniently retrofi tted at any time. years. Come what may.

It’s here. The third generation ‘plug and play’ Cube 3 offers bigger time savings, even simpler operation and more flexibility than ever before thanks to performance-enhancing features that can be retrofitted to the compact planer if/when your production requires. From automated stackers to return conveyors for safe one-man operation, your Cube 3 can be tailored to suit your production needs now and in the future, whilst always guaranteeing perfectly right-angled workpieces.

More at cube3.weinig.com

More at cube3.weinig.com

EMO 2023: sharpening technologies for tool production

From the 18th-23rd September, the EMO trade fair will take place in Hannover and Biberachbased sharpening specialist, Vollmer, will be showcasing its latest sharpening machines and services.

In Hall 6 at Stand F32, the machine builder will be presenting automated grinding, eroding and laser machines that can be used to machine tools made of ultra-hard cutting materials such as PCD, CBN or carbide. Vollmer will also be providing information on its maintenance and training services and its digital V@dison solutions. In addition, Vollmer’s subsidiaries Loroch and ultraTEC Innovation will be exhibiting their products on the Vollmer EMO stand.

As a world-leading production technology trade fair, EMO is increasingly focusing on the interlinking of products and services. This makes EMO the ideal place for Vollmer to showcase its machines, services and digital solutions. As a full-line supplier, Vollmer covers all production technologies with which rotary tools, as well as circular and band saws, can be machined –regardless of the cutting material used.

Producing tools with grinding, eroding or lasering

This year’s product highlight at EMO will be the VHybrid 260 grinding and eroding machine, which can grind and erode 100 cutting tools. It features multi-level machining, which is realised via two vertically arranged spindles. Here, the lower spindle is designed for both grinding and EDM. With a new V@dison booster solution, the

VHybrid 260 achieves a surface quality of up to 0.05µm Ra (micrometre/centre roughness value) when eroding PCD tools. Thanks to the digital application, EDM can be integrated as a complete manufacturing process into tool production. With the Vpulse EDM generator, even the smallest micro tools with diameters of 0.5mm and smaller can be produced with the highest precision, performance and surface quality.

High-precision machining is achieved via the integrated ‘Laser Check’ measuring system, which achieves required tolerances of ±2µm in fully automatic closed-loop round machining.

Automation for all sharpening machines

The VGrind 360S tool grinding machine at EMO also features the concept of multi-level machining. At the show, Vollmer will focus on the machining of CBN tools and how tool manufacturers can use the machine to individually configure and equip their production – regardless of whether they manufacture special tools or produce tools in high volumes. With appropriate automation such as the new HP 170 pallet magazine, the HPR 250 free-arm robot or the HC4 chain magazine, the VGrind 360S is suitable for unmanned machining around the clock. With the HP 170, optical detection of the cooling channels is optionally integrated. In addition, up to eight grinding wheel packs, including the coolant supply, can be changed fully automatically.

The Vollmer laser machine at EMO will be the VLaser 370. It can machine ultra-hard materials directly in the pivot point thanks to patented kinematics that effectively produce tools with high precision thanks to fewer compensating movements.

In addition to its machines, Vollmer will also be presenting the products and services of its subsidiaries Loroch and ultraTEC Innovation.

Loroch manufactures machines for sharpening circular saw blades. UltraTEC Innovation offers ultrasonic deburring systems that can be used to deburr components made of metal or plastic without contact and in a resource-saving manner.

Services and digital solutions from Vollmer Vollmer’s stand at EMO will cover its services for maintenance, repair, training, financing and digitalisation. These offerings include the digital initiative V@dison that incorporates the V@ boost solution ‘Performance Package for the VHybrid 260’.

“The positioning of EMO as the world’s leading trade fair for production technologies coincides with our corporate philosophy because we are the world’s full-liner for sharpening technologies to manufacture tools with high precision and automation,” says Jürgen Hauger, MD of the Vollmer Group.

“We don’t just offer a very specific process, but the exact process that customers need. In addition, we flank our machines with individual services and digital solutions to optimally support tool manufacturers and sharpening services in automated and cost-efficient production.”

0115 9491040 www.vollmer-group.com

“This year’s product highlight at EMO will be the VHybrid 260 grinding and eroding machine, which can grind and erode 100 cutting tools”

NOW LAUNCHED FULLY AUTOMATIC LOAD AND UNLOAD CNC NESTING FROM TECHNOS

• Auto load system with height detection

• Panel loading fully automatic with align system

• 24 position tool changer

• C axis aggregate for faster panel production times

• Auto cleaning of worktable

• Auto o loading

• FULLY AUTOMATIC

TECHNOS ECO

• Less expensive (dip your toe in the water machine)

• Various table sizes, including Euro sheets

• Nesting, automatic loading and unloading

• Standard 9Kw spindle

• Automatic tool changers

• Minimum of 250cm/hr vacuum pumps

• Hand-held controller

• Fully guarded and light beams on the working side

Embrace future technology now

Introducing the new MAKA STB series, designed to meet the needs of door manufacturers. With its modular design, this programme offers optimal conditions for today’s requirements and prepares you for the future.

The German CNC specialists are primarily a team of service engineers who design and build, service and support the end-user, creating application-specific solutions, focused on the individual producers’ requirements. The results are ‘special’, individuallycustomised machines to meet

each customer’s unique and special requirements.

With its cutting-edge design, the STB series provide the optimal solution for door manufacturers today and tackles head-on the complex manufacturing challenges tomorrow.

STB-series are developed in cooperation with their customers, the manufacturers in the commercial door industry. With the STB series, door manufacturers can stay at the forefront of technology and embrace the power of advanced high-speed CNC processing capabilities.

The STB series is a wholly new range of CNC door lines in the form of multi-axis through-feed machining centres.

The STB-FLEX combines the benefits of the Universal five-axis CNC router, with through-feed selfsetting auto-tables, for machining contract doors, requiring a wide variety of processes (seals, closures, lights, as well as locks and hinges), with ever-varying batch sizes, and an even wider variety of hardware types and sizes.

Productivity is achieved by a variety of novel innovations, most notably Maka’s auto-clamping thru-

feed table.

The complete process also takes care of waste and offcuts, machining out the inside of the doors too. With the FLEX, offcuts are lowered, and frames raised, separating the apertures and frames so they can be machined independently. Offcuts are separated and removed too. Even more novel, the transport works at different levels (below the line), saving time and space.

07836 29543

01952 607700

info@makauk.com

www.makauk.com

Down the Line, the unique STB-SPEED-FLEX door processing system

The STB SPEED transports and clamps doors, enabling Lock and Hinge operations to be undertaken simultaneously

Precision Cutting Simplifi ed

Shaper’s

The HOMAG and Heesemann partnership delivers advanced sanding solutions

In 2022, HOMAG announced a landmark partnership with Karl Heesemann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG. The deal guaranteed HOMAG customers access to the latest wide-belt sanding machine technology, along with a full support and spare parts service. The agreement, which sees all the sanding machines branded as ‘Heesemann’, brings together the very best in terms of people and sanding technology.

“From our perspective,” explains HOMAG UK managing director, Simon Brooks, “it means we can continue to offer both our existing and new wide-belt sanding customers the very best solutions for their particular sanding requirements.

“Heesemann is a great company to work with and by merging the best of both companies, we can now offer first class Heesemann branded sanding machinery across the board; from entry level to industrial sanding solutions.”

Heesemann SWT-100 entry level wide-belt sander

For small to medium sized kitchen, bedroom, office and solid wood furniture manufacturers, the Heesemann SWT-100 provides a versatile sanding solution. It has a working width of 1,100mm, and an electro-pneumatic pressure beam eps® to guarantee perfect sanding results.

There are five models available in the SWT-100 range, including the 114 C Performance and Advanced, and the twin-head 124

RC Standard, Performance and Advanced.

The 2 in 1 C-head with eps® is a fine sanding head with a calibration function for intermediate lacquer, fine and veneer sanding of wood, wood-based materials and lacquered surfaces. The R-head provides precise calibration of wood and wood-based materials with high stock removal rates and roughening of surfaces for glue preparation. It also features a wear-resistant profiled contact roller to avoid the so-called

‘wash-out’ effect which is possible when sanding wood with large differences in density.

Heesemann HSM Compact – your entry into automated sanding With a footprint of just 4.5m2 , the HSM Compact is a universal surface sanding machine for craft businesses. It is capable of handling applications ranging from calibration, intermediate veneer and lacquer sanding, structuring and cleaning panels, solid wood or veneered workpieces.

Heesemann SWT-100 entry level wide-belt sander

Available with one or two heads, it is equipped with the patented CSD magnetic pressure beam as standard, a 15.6” touchscreen control display, automatic workpiece thickness setting and measuring, and stepless variable cutting speed control.

The HSM Compact has a range of optional extras to enable machine customisation for specific needs. These include a vacuum clamping system, a powered finishing brush, and profiled contact rollers made of steel and rubberised in different Shore hardness (a measure of the resistance a material has to indentation).

Heesemann HSM New Edition

The HSM New Edition is an automatic surface sanding

machine designed for small and medium-sized craft and industrial companies. In its standard configurations it has either two, three or four units to handle effect sanding, cross sanding, lacquer or high-gloss sanding for panels, solid wood or veneered workpieces.

The New Edition model features a disc brush unit (DB-S) which produces a flawless surface. It consists of five satellites (six for a sanding width of 1,600mm) with each satellite holding two 150mm diameter disc brushes. The direction and speed of rotation of the satellites and discs can be adjusted independently for maximum flexibility and performance.

The DB-S brush unit enables creative finishes to be achieved

such as a ‘vintage’ look, random depressions to create a ‘planed’ appearance or a ‘sawed’ finish. As with all Heesemann sanders, it is controlled via an industrial PC touchscreen.

Heesemann HSM .2/.3 Surface Sanding Machine

The HSM series offers the ideal machine for handcraft businesses and is particularly relevant for carpenters and interior designers. Available in predefined standard configurations, it is equipped with either two or three units.

Whether for effect sanding, cross sanding or lacquer and high-gloss sanding of panels, solid wood or veneered workpieces, it is a powerful and versatile machine. Both variants have a working width

of 1,300mm and a variable feed speed of some 3 -15 m/min.

“We are delighted to be working with Heesemann,” concludes Simon Brooks. “Their professional, yet friendly approach matches the culture created here at HOMAG.

“The arrangement enables us to provide high quality sanding solutions for our customers in the UK and Ireland. It is great to have their knowledge and expertise supporting us in this specialist market sector.”

For a demonstration or more information on the range of Heesemann wide-belt sanders or any HOMAG machinery and software, contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.

info-uk@homag.com

www.homag.com

“Heesemann is a great company to work with and by merging the best of both companies, we can now offer first class Heesemann branded sanding machinery across the board; from entry level to industrial sanding solutions”

Heesemann HSM New Edition

Sanding, calibration and planing: where micrometres matter

Biesse has pioneered solutions for sanding, calibration, and planing of timber-based sheet materials such as blockboard. Its sanding experts will recommend the optimal machine configuration for each customer with the aim of achieving target material removal within the minimum number of passes.

Calibration: know your rollers

Most sanding machines will incorporate at least one roller unit. The core of the roller is always steel, but the coating can be made from a variety of materials – from steel to hard or soft rubber. For calibration, very hard rollers such as steel, 60SH or 90SH rollers are recommended, whereas softer, more forgiving 20SH or 40SH rollers are better suited to sanding.

Calibration rollers also have a smaller diameter than sanding rollers, with good reason: concentrating the pressure on a small surface area allows more material to be removed without applying excessive force. This is important, because generally, during calibration, machine operators are looking to remove up to 0.5mm.

To buy or not to buy calibrated panels? That is the question…

Where manufacturers need to remove more than 0.5mm, it is time to look at a planing unit rather than a roller unit. Removing larger amounts of surface material with a roller unit requires several passes, impacting productivity.

A planing unit, by contrast, is a far more efficient way of removing extreme amounts of material –up to 3mm can be shaved off in a single pass. Whether or not the case for a planing unit adds up will depend on where the company is in the value chain and the quality of the wood they are buying. Unprocessed panels can be very rough, requiring removal of 2-3mm of material to eliminate variability. Companies will need to do their own calculations to establish whether it makes more sense to spend on a planing unit and buy cheaper uncalibrated panels or buy more costly calibrated panels that do not require planing.

As the price of timber continues to rise, shorter payback periods are contributing to an increasingly compelling case for investing in planing capabilities.

HPG: the benefits are ‘plane’ to see Biesse’s solution for extreme material removal on solid wood panels is a planing unit with a helical profile and durable tungsten cemented carbide cutting inserts. The helical design promotes non-aggressive contact with the panel, preventing over-calibration and splintering and ensuring an even surface finish. The cutting inserts are square-shaped to prolong the life of the unit. Each insert can be rotated 90 degrees when worn rather than having to be replaced.

Pressure shoe stamps out inconsistencies

Key to the performance of the HPG planing unit is Biesse’s pressure shoe feature. This simple

but ingenious device comes into its own when the panel being processed is warped or has significant variations in thicknesses.

As the name suggests, the sectioned pressure shoe applies pressure across the panel, pushing it down to eliminate variations in thickness and ensure even calibration across the width of the panel. Without this feature, what tends to happen is that the planer removes too much material from some areas of the panel (usually the sides) and not enough from others (usually the centre).

A secondary benefit of the pressure shoe is that it extends the life of the cutting inserts –without this feature they would wear out more quickly and at different rates.

Programmed for productivity

Operation is simple and intuitive – the user selects the target thickness based on the machine’s assessment of the panel’s dimensions. Up to 3mm can be removed in one pass. If more than 3mm needs to be removed to achieve the target thickness, the machine can be programmed with two passes.

The unit also incorporates a preset removal function which instructs the planer to remove a set amount of material regardless of the panel’s thickness. This dramatically increases production speed as it eliminates the need to measure every single panel. It is particularly useful where two passes are required, as the first, less critical pass can be carried out quickly.

“Where manufacturers need to remove more than 0.5mm, it is time to look at a planing unit rather than a roller unit”

Robotic Sanding by Mirka

Mirka® AIOS.

Designed by dedicated surface finishing professionals, this automated industrial orbital sander is easy to integrate and suits the requirements of different manufacturing industries.

For further information or to arrange a consultation, please contact Customer Services on 01908 866100.

State-of-the-art sanding with SCM

Gone are the days when a wide-belt sanding machine only worked on a single flat surface. The market requires finishes that can surprise visually and by texture, and offer a unique personal touch to a design product. Quality finishes typical of artisan work but achieved using high-tech solutions. Sophisticated aesthetic results like the saw cut, gouging, 3D surfaces, as well the most varied brushing and rustification effects...

With regard to sanding, SCM is in the vanguard with a continuous R&D path aimed at increasing production flexibility, efficiency and quality standards.

DMC SYSTEM

The new dmc system tc automatic sanding and calibrating machines are ideal solution thanks to an exclusive CO2 laser unit that allows you to make three-dimensional scorings on parquet, wooden elements, MDF panels to be veneered, in fibre cement and solid surfaces.

This unit represents a completely new sanding technology thanks to the flow working mode. The main advantages of this solution are increased productivity and the possibility to machine parts of any length: all with a truly compact solution because the laser unit, being integrated into the machine, does not increase the amount of space used.

Another important advantage comes from Self-Refilling technology, a distinctive plus to the SCM laser unit and developed by EI.En, one of the main businesses in the sector. They are sources known as Never Ending Power, which are reloaded via the use of a cylinder that is replaced

when the gas source runs out, guaranteeing the same process parameters and the same power over time, without work interruptions. With this reloading innovative technology, you can have a source laser which is always on full power. The quality of the laser ray will always be at maximum levels and the laser source will have an endless life cycle.

Another significant advantage comes from

the “eye-M” PC panel with which it is possible to manage, program and set the laser work parameters, thanks to a simple and userfriendly graphic interface. With just three work parameters which can be changed, the useful brand level to guide the operator easily and intuitively can be defined. All this with the further advantage of achieving machining monitoring in real time via a webcam.

‘An exclusive CO2 laser unit allows you to make threedimensional scorings on parquet, wooden elements, MDF panels to be veneered, in fibre cement and solid surfaces’

dmc system tc with laser unit

An exclusive CO2 laser unit that allows you to make three-dimensional scorings on parquet, wooden elements, MDF panels to be veneered, in fibre cement and solid surface

SCM laser technologies have numerous applications.

The parquet machining allows you to achieve geometrical and abstract scorings with an advancement speed of up to 3m/min. and to also score gouged surfaces thanks to a dynamic focusing system of the ray.

On the veneered effect, the SCM laser unit is particularly well suited to customising and veneering cupboard doors.

On MDF panels, relief scoring before painting or plating with PVC can be achieved with the sergiani 3d form 3D lamination press.

When machining fibre cement, the laser unit is ideal for producing walls and flooring. In particular, it allows you to veneer surfaces with abstract and/or geometrical design scorings or by replicating the wood veneer effects.

As part of the solid surfaces, it is possible to achieve attractive veneering and customised effects like Corain.

dmc system tm with transversal unit

The dmc system tm 1350, a configuration dedicated to the furniture industry and third parties requiring sanding machines and systems for heavy-duty work, used to create excellent finishes on both unfinished and painted panels.

A distinctive plus comes from the transversal unit designed to achieve superior quality finishes and simultaneously maximise the duration of abrasive belts.

The sanding machine also offers maximum precision and sensitivity in machining each application, from the removal of glue and joining paper residues to surface sanding with a very small amount of paint. This occurs thanks to the “Epics” electronic pad and the innovative PWM system patented by SCM that allows you to vary the electronic pad’s working pressure in real time adapting it instant by instant to the different areas of the panel.

Another exclusive plus is the planetary unit, a unique unit of its kind, both for the numerous types of machining work it can be used for and for the exceptional finish that can be achieved. The multi-directionalism of its work is ideal for creating extremely smooth finishes.

DMC EUROSYSTEM

The dmc eurosystem, a highly modular automatic sanding-calibrating machine that stands out for its ability to perform a variety of machining work on both unfinished and painted panels.

The new planetary unit is ideal for structuring, rounding and sanding the crossgrain to achieve a precise finish on any surface, while the GSI-200 interchangeable brush unit has been designed for companies looking for maximum production flexibility. Lastly, the combined action between the rollers and the “EPICS” electronic sectional pad allow you to achieve the best possible finish.

eye-S 15in display console for dmc system and dmc eurosystem

The eye-S 15in display console replaces the Maestro prosand 10in control panel. The new eye-S control panel allows you to manage all the sanding functions directly from the touchscreen monitor both manually and via work programs that can be configured directly by the user.

The new control panel stands out for its tool storage Function (no sanding program on the market has this function) which allows you to draw up an inventory of all the tools in stock, observe the belts and prepare the graph reports to monitor their status and warn the operator when they need to be replaced.

New HMI maestro active sand

The new eye-M HMI on the dmc system and dmc eurosystem models feature completely new functions. These include implementing the tool storage function, that also offers the chance to indicate the amount per type of belt and give an automatic warning when they are about to finish.

These new HMIs also mean the bar code can be controlled by reading the client code and an automatic association of the program and work thickness to be used can be made.

Furthermore, the option to have a webcam at the exit from the machine to monitor the work and apply the principles of Industry 4.0.

www.scmgroup.com

‘The new eye-S control panel allows you to manage all the sanding functions directly from the touchscreen monitor both manually and via work programs that can be configured directly by the user’

dmc Eurosystem

GSI-200 Interchangeable brushing unit Planetary unit

Panel unit

Trends in the sanding and abrasives market

How would you summarise the sanding and extraction tools market today – and what’s Mirka’s medium-term outlook?

The UK Health and Safety Executive has significantly increased the number of inspections at woodworking sites in the last year or so, specifically looking at dust extraction. There are very serious medical implications caused by dust inhalation, and it is an urgent responsibility to reduce these risks. Sanding processes generate a lot of dust which is why Mirka has placed dust effective extraction at the heart of our wood sector strategy for the last 30 years.

The key to dust extraction is having enough holes in the surface of the abrasive to allow dust to pass through and into the extraction unit. Mirka® Abranet was the first abrasive to use mesh technology to maximise dust extraction

and the second-generation version, called Abranet® ACE, has improved this further. Even our non-net discs such as Galaxy and Iridium have innovative dust extraction features due to their multi-hole pattern.

As always Mirka is constantly looking into new developments, and we have some exciting projects in the pipeline.

What are the main trends in the wide-belt abrasives segment?

The star product for us is Ultimax. This abrasive features a series of tiny cavities designed into the abrasive material which work efficiently to prevent clogging. Its innovative technology, along with special abrasive grains, produces aggressive performance and excellent edge wear resistance while keeping the sanding surface cool. The combination of these features ensures a longer lifespan and reduced material usage per job.

There are two key issues that our customers are concerned about. The first is a need for a consistent high-quality finish. This is because with new substrates and coating systems, very smooth surfaces are achieved, creating a risk for visible micro dentations that the end user wants to eradicate, so businesses are looking for alternative abrasives apart from paper, film and cloth that can do this. One option is ‘softtouch’ abrasives and like any good business, our research and development team is doing the work behind the scenes to ensure the customer has access to the products that meet Mirka’s high standards and the needs of the end user. The second is sustainability. This push comes in the form of the EU wanting sanding tools and abrasives to be long lasting. To address sustainability, Mirka is constantly investing in research and development to ensure its customers, whether they are using wide belts or other abrasives from our product portfolio,

Neil Newbrook, business sector manager wood for Mirka UK shares his insight with editor John Legg on the trends of the sanding and abrasives market.

‘Mirka Abranet was the first abrasive to use mesh technology to maximise dust extraction and the secondgeneration version, called Abranet ACE, has improved this further’

Mirka Abranet was the first abrasive to use mesh technology to maximise dust extraction

Neil Newbrook, business sector manager wood for Mirka UK

Mirka’s sanders and polishers

have access to products that have a long lifespan and provide a consistent cut from the first use to the last. Mirka’s vision over 15 years ago was to research and invest in sustainable technology, and, as a result, new products have been launched to meet the upcoming EU Green Deal as well as for belt sanding. This investment is here to stay and will lead to customers moving away from the ‘cheap’ abrasives, which are typically constructed from lesser quality raw materials and affect the quality of the finish and the time taken to complete a job.

When it comes to products in development there are some in the pipeline your readers will have to wait until they are launched to find out more.

Looking at automation, Mirka has established itself as a reliable partner in this space, what further developments and collaborations are you looking at moving forwards?

As robotics and processes are continuing to evolve, we are seeing users looking for a complete solution for automated manufacturing processes. To ensure we can provide this, our robotics line-up launched with the Mirka AIROS and has now grown with the addition of the Mirka AIOS sanding head and the Mirka AIROP polishing head. We are now seen as the market leader in this area.

In addition, the developments in the line-up have opened doors to new business and we are constantly looking to evolve the offering to ensure we meet the needs and requirements of the users.

Alongside this, we are seen as a reliable partner for several reasons. The first is that our technical team is regularly talking to customers about their automated processes, so we can provide them with the right tool for the job. The second, and probably most important, is that our tools help businesses increase the efficiency of their processes, which, in turn, increases their production levels.

With a restructured sales team in place, how is the ‘boots on the ground’ agenda working for Mirka customers?

We believe it’s important to maintain contact with the customers that use our products on a day-to-day basis or new customers that are thinking of adding Mirka products to their inventory and having ‘boots on the ground’ allows us to do this.

It has served us well and we have gained the respect of the joinery and furniture companies in the UK by being able to visit them in their workshops and showcase relevant products and how they are best employed to ensure the highest possible end result.

Mirka’s first-class sales training facility has been enjoying regular use by clients from across the furniture and joinery sector - how has this worked out for your customers and how have the sessions evolved since this facility was set up?

Our training centre has been in constant use since it opened its doors in 2018. We see it as an asset for the business and it is a key part of the full service offering we provide our customers. In addition, it enables our team to

stay up to date with the latest processes in the furniture and joinery sector.

The sessions we offer are bespoke to customers’ needs and requirements and we work with them to maximise their productivity and the finish they can achieve. This ensures that when they go back to their site, their team has the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the processes using our products.

Outside of the training facility, where and when can customers catch up with Mirka to find out what’s happening and where Mirka is looking towards?

The obvious answer as to where customers, whether they are current or new, can catch up with what is going on at Mirka is through our experienced technical team who can be contacted by emailing enquiries.uk@mirka.com, our various social media accounts and at shows we will be attending throughout the year. www.mirka.com

‘The UK Health and Safety Executive has significantly increased the number of inspections at woodworking sites in the last year or so, specifically looking at dust extraction’

Mirka’s impressive Ultimax

Mirka is seen as the market leader in automation for our sector

The Altendorf Group has built a firm reputation for itself over more than a century of operation. Most recently, the brand has launched HAND GUARD – a globally unique and AI-controlled safety assistance system with two cameras. Following on from its successful appearance at this year’s LIGNA, Furniture & Joinery Production caught up with Ansgar von Garrel, head of marketing at Altendorf to find out more ...

Altendorf Group presents ‘new face’ at LIGNA

Did you find LIGNA as busy as you anticipated?

LIGNA was a very good show for us. It was our first opportunity in over four years to present to our global audience of customers, partners and dealers in person, due to COVID.

So many good things have happened within the Altendorf Group over the last few years. The company has a very different face to that at the last LIGNA. Therefore, it was great to present the “new” Altendorf Group and to emphasise the “Power of Partnership” and how long-lasting and trustful partnerships can be the foundation for a successful future. In terms of visitor numbers, our booth was very busy throughout the entire show and we had customers from all parts of the world.

Can you tell me about Altendorf’s approach to sustainability?

Every day in Germany alone, there are up to five reportable accidents with sliding table saws. Work safety as a requirement for a sustainable work environment is a big challenge in our industry. Our HAND GUARD system, globally the first and only BG-certified, AI-controlled and camera-based safety assistance system for sliding table saws, makes a valuable contribution to increasing work safety for our customers, from small workshops to large industrial production environments all over the world. Due to the unique technology, HAND GUARD can even contribute to safer working environments in the processing of aluminum or plastics.

Could you share any new innovations you have?

Our HAND GUARD system lays the foundation for Altendorf’s efforts to globally increase work safety.

In addition, we are shipping our new Hebrock edgebanding F- and K-series next edgebanders to customers across the world.

What sets Altendorf’s products apart from others in the market?

Product quality. Everyone who has worked with an Altendorf Group product before can understand and feel the superior build quality of our machines. The quality of the material, the finish and the precision in cutting and edgebanding are a clear differentiating factor to all other products on the market.

Altendorf has always been at the forefront of bringing innovations to the market that make a difference to our customers.

Service. Our customers don’t only invest in machines; they invest in production safety and availability. Our outstanding global service network ensures the highest support structure to our customers in case there is a problem. Future orientation. Our products, such as HAND GUARD, are open to future innovations and developments. Investing in an Altendorf Group product also means that your investment is future-proof. HAND GUARD already uses AI technology that helps to prevent accidents completely.

Customer experience. We are all about customer centricity. We are already enabling our customers in Germany to be even closer to us by using the myALTENDORFGROUP App. All communication on a new machine purchase, as well as a direct line to our service department including chat and video support can already happen with one swipe on your mobile phone. We are currently preparing to increase the availability of our app to other regions. The

Altendorf Group aims to be the digital enabler for our customers to support them with digital solutions that make their work more efficient and enjoyable.

Overall, we put our heart into everything that we do and that is reflected in our products and services for our customers.

What is the future of Altendorf in the European, global, and UK markets?

Globally, the awareness and need for safer working environments increases and we see a huge potential to help our customers to work more safely and more sustainably. This can be seen in our traditional markets such as Europe or the UK. Our UK Dealer R&J Machinery has a large showroom with great possibilties to demonstrate machines. We also see high growth potential in markets like the US, India or Australia.

www.altendorfgroup.com

“It was great to present the “new” Altendorf Group and to emphasise the “Power of Partnership” and how longlasting and trustful partnerships can be the foundation for a successful future”

Ansgar von Garrel, head of marketing at Altendorf

ON THE EDGE

• SERVING THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY FOR 30 YEARS

CAMCO ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST SUPPLIERS OF EDGE BANDING MATERIAL IN THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE OVER 3 MILLION METERS IN STOCK MATCHING ALL MAIN BOARD SUPPLIERS AND WE CAN SHIP ON A NEXT DAY BASIS NATIONWIDE.

• ANY WIDTH SPLIT TO ORDER

We have probably the largest selection of veneer edgebanding from stock, here in the picture you see Tom preparing an order of 30,000 meters of 2mm Ash from stock on a next day service to one of our valued customers.

• NO MINIMUM ORDER QUANTITY

• NEXT DAY DELIVERY

Our edgebanding can be slit to any width required in any thickness and all our edgebanding is full FSC certified.

• PERFECT MATCH TO COLOUR AND SHEEN

We can handle large volume orders as well as single rolls, so if you use ABS, PVC, Melamine or Veneer edge banding material why not add value to your supply chain by adding Camco to your preferred list of trusted suppliers?

• COLOUR MATCHING TOOL ON WEBSITE

Lamello – from concept to creation

From concept to creation, the use of Lamello’s extensive P-System range has become an integral part of the design process for many furniture manufacturers and with social media brimming with inspiring furniture designs created using Lamello’s awardwinning fixings, it’s no wonder creative makers look to the Swiss manufacturer for simple and effective solutions when joining complex components.

“With Lamello, the only limitation is your imagination,” says Shaye Chatfield, sales manager International at Lamello UK. “Our P-system fixings offer a range of unique and flexible solutions that save time and simplify even the most challenging projects. To demonstrate just how versatile our fixings are, we actively encourage our customers to put our

connectors to the test and show us their exceptional designs.”

Recently, a Lamello Zeta P2 user was looking for a quick and easy solution for inserting angled shelves into an entertainment unit after it had been lacquered. “Traditionally, the process would have involved the gluing and lacquering of the complete unit but the design was made up of multiple components and included some narrow angles,” says Shaye. “The process would have been painstakingly slow and would have required a certain level of skill to complete.”

For a P-System user, the solution is much simpler. Shaye explains,

“By assembling a carcass using Lamello’s Tenso fixings – a selfclamping gluing aid – a furniture manufacturer can assemble the unit independently of its shelves and, once painted, the shelves can be fitted using the Clamex P-14 Flexus.” Thanks to Clamex P-14 Flexus’ flexible positioning pins, each workpiece can be tilted in both directions for ease of use and, with no limitations on the sequence of assembly, its ideal for the joining of corner connections, dividing panel joints and angles. It’s also fully detachable, offers considerably stronger results than traditional joining techniques and, because it can go into thinner materials, it’s suitable for use on mitres from 22.5180 degrees on surfaces, corners and dividing panel connections.

“It’s also easy to disassemble and reassemble on site,” admits Shaye. “To disassemble, you simply release the lever and remove the component. The complete process

is shortened by over 50% and the results are exceptional. It’s a great example of what can be achieved and the exceptional timesaving benefits of using Lamello’s P-system on a design that features multiple complex joins.”

To be in with the chance of winning a brand new cordless Zeta P2, share your most inspiring Lamello designs on Facebook and Instagram. Simply tag the Lamello channel and use the hashtag #winlamello when sharing your project. T&C’s apply.

“With Lamello, the only limitation is your imagination”

Do you have worn out and chipped tooling laying about?

LET US EXAMINE YOUR TOOLING FOR SERVICING OVERVIEW

We offer sharpening and reconditioning of any manufacturers tooling such as:

PCD ROUTERS, TCT ROUTERS, SOLID CARBIDE ENDMILLS, SOLID CARBIDE SPIRALS, BORING BITS, PCD & TCT GROOVERS, BLOCKS, SAW BLADES, EDGEBANDING TOOLS, BESPOKE TOOLING and many more …

A TOOL SERVICED REGULARLY WILL:

Reduce the need for costly repairs

Extend production runs between sharpens

Reduce machine down time

Improve the surface quality of the workpiece

Reduce material waste

Provide financial saving on new tooling

THE BEST AT WHAT WE DO!

With over 40 years of experience... who better to send your tooling to for the ultimate in tool pampering.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR TOOL?

Prior to servicing all tools are inspected for damage and any work required is quoted. If new tips are required we will replace these, measure the tool and sharpen all of the tips.

RETURNING THE TOOL TO YOU!

The reconditioned tool is then balanced and packaged before being sent back to you as new, with some reduction in the diameter.

Re recognise that speed is of the essence, so we aim to turn your PCD servicing round within 1 week. We advise our customers if this will take longer depending on the type of tool and amount of work required.

CONTACT US

Take control with Striebig

If you’re looking to manufacture your own kitchen cabinets, where do you begin? For award-winning kitchen retailer, Stoneywell Kitchens, the process of bringing its complete manufacturing cycle in-house began with the purchase of a Striebig Compact vertical panel saw from TM Machinery.

“I’ve been designing kitchens for over 20 years and during this time, I’ve always outsourced my kitchen cabinets from a large-scale cabinet maker,” explains Paul Durant, MD of Stoneywell Kitchens and Stoneywell Cabinetry. “For smaller businesses and start-ups, it makes sense to do this. I was getting a good quality product and reliable service but as my kitchen designs became more bespoke and demand for unique cabinet sizes increased, my supplier could

no longer accommodate my needs. Massproduction cabinet makers are simply not geared up for what my business needs and as a result, I had to pay a premium and wait longer to get it.”

Paul and his team were not the only ones in this position: “We knew several kitchen fitters and independent retailers who were experiencing the same problem and needed a more flexible

service that offered premium quality, bespoke sized cabinets more quickly.”

It was this that led Paul to start a second company, Stoneywell Cabinetry. “It was clear that I needed to gain more control over my production,” he explains. “I needed continuity and the guarantee of quality products that worked around my schedule. This could only be done by manufacturing my own kitchen cabinets.”

“After reading about Striebig’s vertical panel saw range and watching videos of the machine, I knew I wanted one before I saw the machine in action at TM Machinery’s showroom”

The shift towards cabinet manufacturing required the Staffordshire-based company to source new machinery. “I’m fastidious when it comes to researching products,” admits Paul. “I want to know everything there is to know about a product before I buy it. I started looking at sliding table saws, but I soon realised that space in my 1800ft2 workshop would be an issue and the team would struggle to handle and cut jumbo Egger boards easily due to their size and weight.”

A vertical panel saw seemed like the best option for the business. It not only fit into a 70ft2 space, but would cut 18mm-50mm thick boards quickly, accurately and cleanly thanks to a rigid, self-supporting frame, powerful 3.9kW motor and scoring unit.

“After reading about Striebig’s vertical panel saw range and watching videos of the machine, I knew I wanted one before I saw the machine in action at TM Machinery’s showroom,” says Paul. “Like my kitchens, Striebig is a premium brand and that comes at a price, but my customers are buying a high-end kitchen in the region of £45,000 and expect a high-end finish and service to match. I had no intention of skimping on the machinery I was buying because I didn’t want it to impact on the quality of product I wanted to produce.”

Installation and training on a Striebig Compact soon followed. “It’s extremely simple to use,” says Paul. “My team has little-to-no experience using woodworking machinery, but they picked this up extremely quickly. It’s second nature for them now to cut jumbo sheets to size on the Striebig before feeding each panel through an edgebander and performing horizontal and vertical drilling on a Blum MiniPress.

“It’s an extremely effective, streamlined production cycle that allows us to complete two kitchens a week and still have time to fulfil cutting lists for smaller companies looking for a high-quality cutting service.

“After my own experience, the idea of offering smaller retailers a design consultancy and cutting service made complete sense and has proven to be a great revenue source. After all, I have become well versed in the design and manufacturing of my own kitchens purely because there wasn’t a more personal service available to me.

“Now, thanks to the introduction of machinery like the Striebig, I can deliver standard and custom cabinetry, cut-to-size in a concise

timeframe for both myself and others. What’s more, the service I offer is human. In the past, if a part got damaged or a mistake was made, waiting for a replacement panel could delay the completion of a kitchen by three to four weeks. I understand how costly this can be. That’s why I offer a flexible service and help to rectify any problems quickly. It’s the service I always wanted and its proving to be very successful.

“By investing in a Striebig vertical panel saw, I now have control over my manufacturing processes and I’m busier than ever,” Paul concludes. “The saw is certainly not running to capacity, but it doesn’t need to be machining constantly to be a cost-effective addition to my workshop. It’s a great piece of machinery that requires very little maintenance. It’s well built, accurate and is helping me create beautiful, bespoke kitchens to an exceptional standard.” www.tmmachinery.co.uk

“By investing in a Striebig vertical panel saw, I now have control over my manufacturing processes and I’m busier than ever”

Simple and effective measuring

Scoring blade

Woodworking machinery – did you know?

The Woodworking sector relies heavily on machinery to create the many and varied products it offers to customers. In this article, Close Brothers takes a closer look at the manufacturing of machinery in the UK …

Key statistics:

• The UK’s machinery manufacturing sector is the fastest growing in Europe, followed by Bulgaria and Romania

The revenue of the machinery manufacturing industry is expected to increase by 9.2% p.a. from 2020 to 2025:

• 2020 - £30.6bn

• 2021 - £34.7bn

• 2022 - £39.4bn

• 2023 - £45.7bn

• 2024 - £46.6bn

• 2025 - £47.7bn

• 7,500 firms in the sector

• Total revenue of the sector is £35 billion, making it number 19 on the list of industries with the highest income. This places it ahead of pharmaceutical manufacturing (21), computers and electronics (24), and plastics and rubber (25), but behind food manufacturing (8), automotive manufacturing (13) and

chemicals manufacturing (17)

• 225,000 people employed in the sector 37.2 hours – average hours worked per week

• Average wage for men is £40.8k, while for women it is £33.2k – a discrepancy of 18.6%

• The manufacturing machinery industry, in the main, experiences a negative trade balance each year of anywhere between 2% to 6%. What this means is the UK imports more than it exports, but not by much.

• Our machinery exports go primarily to non-EU countries, although the European Union still makes up a large percentage of our overseas market:

• European Union: £14 billion

• Rest of the world: £18 billion

In general, the number of firms in the machinery manufacturing sector has decreased very slightly, from 8,140 in 2012 to less than 7,500 today. Each year, more firms are ‘born’ than ‘die’, but by a relatively negligible margin. Despite the many reports about the decline in UK manufacturing, this is not borne out by the employee numbers, which have been on the

increase in recent years as the sector has once again come to prominence. Today, there are over 200,000 people employed in the sector, with 14% being women and 86% men. Full-time jobs make up 95.1% of roles with part-time the rest. At 37.1 hours per week, working hours in the industry are above the private sector level of 32.4.

Looking at wages, women earn, on average, 18.6% less than men; this difference is especially marked for those in production management and directorship roles.

For more information, visit closeassetfinance. co.uk/woodworking

SAVE ENERGY REDUCE COSTS

In many manufacturing facilities, extraction fans operate continuously, at full power, throughout the working day.

Even when some machines are not in use, and often during factory breaks, the powerful, energy-consuming fans continue to run at full speed – wasting valuable energy... and money!

With ECOGATE, the extraction system responds in real-time to variations in machine use. When a production machine is switched on, the greenBOX Controller opens a motorised damper to provide extraction for that particular machine.

With ECOGATE technology installed, an extraction fan will consume the minimum power required to provide optimum extraction – reducing electricity bills by 68% on average. www.ecogate.co.uk

Compression tooling for routing and edgebanding

There are many different types of cutting tools available for machining wood-based materials, composites and laminates, and the choice can be overwhelming. Straight bits, up-cut, down-cut, compression. HSS (High Speed Steel), TCT (Tungsten Carbide tipped), STC (Solid Tungsten Carbide) and PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond). Each type has its place with associated advantages and disadvantages, so Prima Tooling is bringing its expert knowledge to the table to explain the differences in more detail ...

The most common style of tools used in engineering for the machining and drilling of metals has the flutes ground in an up-cut spiral pattern. The angle of the spiral, or helix, varies depending on the type of metal the tool was designed to cut, as well as the number of flutes.

Conventional end mills are up-cut, and the spiral cutting action of the tool as it is rotating forces the chips up and out of the cut. While this is great for firmly clamped rigid metal workpieces, thin materials like plywood tend to be pulled up and may distort the cut, making it inaccurate. Also, the up-cut action of the tool will tend to leave a rough edge on the top side of wood-based materials, which will be even more pronounced on melamine-faced panels as the melamine coating is quite brittle.

Although, in the case of woodbased materials, the up-cut action aids extraction of the chips on CNC routing machines.

Conversely, a down-cut spiral tool will tend to push the workpiece down on to the machine table –great for keeping the panel firmly

clamped, but the disadvantage is that the chips are also being forced downwards into the cut, which can make extraction of the chips more challenging and possible clog the tool.

Machining a double-sided melamine-faced panel (MFC) with an up-cut tool will achieve a good finish to the bottom edge of the panel, while the top edge of the board will have a poorer finish with the fibres pulled upwards and chipping out of the melamine coating. Whilst this may be acceptable if the rough edge is not visible, generally both sides of the panel will be on show and this is where the compression tool can help.

Compression tools come in a variety of styles and budgets to suit a small joinery shop right through to large kitchen and bedroom furniture manufacturers using router bits and pre-milling cutters for edgebanding machines.

Most Solid Carbide Spiral compression tools used in woodworking are either one, two, or three flute, and have either a standard length up-cut of around 10-12mm for general work and thicker workpieces or a short upcut portion of the tool for nesting operations or very thin materials.

PCD-tipped compression tools are manufactured as Z=1+1, Z=2+2, Z=3+3 and Z=3. The more tips you have, the faster your feed rate can be, but each type gets progressively more expensive.

A compression tool is essentially an up-cut and down-cut tool merged together. The flutes go one way at the bottom of the tool and the opposite way on the top end of the flute.

Compression cutters are for use on melamine-faced panels, wood veneer, plywood, composites and laminates.

Due to the design of the tool, the chips are pulled towards the middle of the tool. This eliminates the chipping to the top and bottom of the panel, resulting in a clean edge on both sides, and helping to reduce de-laminating.

Solid Carbide and PCD tools can be custom made to suit the desired application. While a conventional compression cutter will have a mainly down-cut portion of the flute, some tools are manufactured with a long up-cut and short downcut for improved performance.

Tools can be re-sharpened a number of times and, in the case of PCD tooling, damaged tips can be replaced, saving money over the lifetime of the tool.

Of course, not all tools are created equal. There will undoubtedly be price differences between tools from different manufacturers that look identical. Solid Carbide comes in various grades of hardness, but cheap tools will invariably be made with a low-quality grade of Carbide and manufactured as quickly as possible.

A properly designed and engineered tool will last longer and perform better, although be prepared for the higher price tag.

PCD tooling is no different. A lower price for a similar looking tool will most probably be due to a reduced sharpening area of the PCD tip or lower quality PCD. Over the lifetime of the tool, the initially cheaper tool can work out costing more due to having to be replaced sooner than the more expensive one. Because PCD tools can only be sharpened by reducing the cutting diameter every time, the area of the PCD that can be re-sharpened is an important factor when considering tooling costs.

PCD-tipped edgebanding premilling cutters offer the same compression style cutting action advantages as their router bit counterparts for milling MFC furniture board, available in a variety of standard diameters, cutting widths and tooth configurations. Prima Tooling can also manufacture custom tools to improve your process.

“Compression tools come in a variety of styles and budgets to suit a small joinery shop right through to large kitchen and bedroom furniture manufacturers using router bits and pre-milling cutters for edgebanding machines”

INTERESTED? LEARN MORE!

Detachable furniture connector with quick P-System anchorage

– Simplifies everyday tasks

– Saves time and money

– Connections for all angles

AMS continues to offer certified training courses for all woodworking machinery brands and models across the UK

Woodworking is a craft that demands precision, skill, and a deep understanding of the machinery involved. At AMS, along with the Wadkin Bursgreen Training Academy, a comprehensive selection of certified courses is on offer, tailored to suit all brands and models of woodworking machinery, chainsaws, straight knife, and profile grinders.

“We are dedicated to providing comprehensive woodworking machinery training, regardless of the operator’s experience, machine make and model,” explains Simon – a dedicated trainer within the Wadkin Bursgreen academy.

“Our daily efforts are focused on providing the best safety training on woodworking machinery in the UK. We train on panel saws, spindle moulders, crosscuts, bandsaws, rip saws, planers, thicknessers, grinders and planer moulders. Our expertise encompasses a wide range of brands like Wadkin, Weinig, Leadermac, SCM, Gau- Jing, Wadkin Bursgreen and much more.”

Access to the AMS training is available across the UK

Normally, the trainer travels to the client’s workshop and delivers the training in their facility on their machines to make sure that the trainees understand them perfectly. Alternatively, the client can travel to AMS in Skeffington for training at the Wadkin Bursgreen Academy – a choice that AMS offers to all its customers.

At AMS, every training program is customised to match each client’s unique requirements. They begin by understanding the specific business and machinery in use, along with the operators’ experience. This enables AMS to design a training program that precisely fits each company’s needs.

Safety, quality, and reputation are paramount in any business

“Beyond being a legal mandate by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), training gives significant benefits for your company,” explains Steve, AMS training director. “It improves safety standards, elevates quality, and fortifies your reputation.

“Through the General Woodworking Machinery Training course, your operators will acquire extensive knowledge about the machines they use daily. This specialised training program not only emphasises safety but also empowers your team to understand how the machinery works, optimising the quality of the process, preventing breakdowns and production stoppages.”

Notably, reports suggest that the vast majority of woodworking-related accidents could be avoided with appropriate training.

For over 15 years, AMS has been dedicated

to providing woodworking training courses, collaborating with schools and colleges. In 2022, the company proudly introduced its independent training academy in Leicestershire, equipped with its own trainers, machinery, materials, and methodologies.

“Opting for a respected training provider such as Wadkin Bursgreen ensures that your employees receive training of the highest quality and guarantees your business’s adherence to UK law,” says Luke, trainer at Wadkin Bursgreen.

Renewing and certifying operators’ training stands out as one of the most potent methods to ensure the safety and protection of employees and businesses.

For more information, contact a member of the AMS team at training@advancedmachinery. co.uk. AMS guarantees a formal quote within 24 hours.

www.advancedmachinery.co.uk/woodworkingmachinery/training.asp

“Opting for a respected training provider such as Wadkin Bursgreen ensures that your employees receive training of the highest quality and guarantees your business’s adherence to UK law”

Amazing performance, extensive battery life and unrivalled ergonomics combined with all the advantages of the Combi-CB range make the CB70E the most powerful, compact multidirectional forklift yet.

The new COMBi-CB70E electric multidirectional forklift is the most compact 7,000kg counterbalance truck on the market. Multidirectional ability enables the handling of both long and bulky loads, maximising the safety, storage & efficiency of your logistics.

The CB70E is loaded with a host of ergonomic features that greatly enhance operator comfort, including excellent all-round visibility, a spacious gas-strut suspension cab, independent electric traction and our newly developed Auto Swivel Seat which intelligently swivels 15 O in the direction of travel.

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To find out how Combilift can help you unlock every inch of your storage space.

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Choosing the right material for your ducting system Nordfab’s guide to optimal performance

In the dynamic world of woodworking, efficiency and precision are key factors that contribute to the success of any operation. A crucial yet often overlooked aspect of woodworking facilities is the ducting system, which plays a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe, and productive environment. Selecting the right materials for your ducting systems can greatly impact their overall performance and longevity. As such, we spoke with Nordfab, a world-leading manufacturer of ducting systems for process ventilation and dust collection, who has put together an expert guide to achieving optimal performance in your woodworking ducting systems ...

Material selection – the foundation of efficient ducting systems

When it comes to the materials used in joinery ducting systems, it’s essential to consider a variety of factors. The nature of woodworking processes often involves the circulation of dust, chips, and potentially hazardous particles. Therefore, the chosen materials must exhibit durability, resistance to abrasion, and the ability to handle the specific types of particulates generated by your joinery. Here are some aspects to take into consideration:

1. Galvanized steel: a time-tested choice

Nordfab recommends galvanized steel as a prime material for ducting systems located in different joineries. Renowned for its robustness and corrosion resistance, galvanized steel ducts are capable of withstanding the wear and tear associated with wood dust and other by-products. The smooth interior surface of galvanized steel ducts minimises friction, preventing particle build-up and ensuring optimal airflow. This results in better extraction efficiency and prolonged system life.

2. Stainless steel: the ultimate in durability

For joineries that demand a higher level of durability and resistance, stainless steel ducting is a formidable choice. Stainless steel offers exceptional corrosion resistance and can handle even the harshest conditions. This makes it suitable for woodshops dealing with humidity, chemicals, or extreme temperature variations. By selecting stainless steel, woodworking facilities can ensure longevity and consistent performance in their ducting systems.

3. Nordfab quick-fit ducting: streamlined efficiency

Nordfab Quick-Fit ducting system is a

game-changer in the woodworking industry. Constructed from galvanized or stainless steel, the Quick-Fit system boasts a unique cliptogether design, allowing for rapid installation and modifications without the need for special tools or welding. This not only reduces downtime but also facilitates easy reconfiguration as woodworking processes evolve. Nordfab QuickFit ducting minimises air leakage and maximises extraction efficiency, contributing to a cleaner and safer workspace.

4. Combating static electricity: anti-static ducting

Wood dust is notorious for its potential to generate static electricity, which can pose a significant safety hazard. Nordfab offers antistatic ducting options that mitigate this risk. Nordfab Inline Spark Trap is engineered to effectively reduce the likelihood of sparks that could ignite flammable dust particles. By integrating anti-static ducting into your woodworking facility, you enhance safety measures while maintaining efficient extraction.

Choosing the right materials for your ducting system not only ensures longevity but also safeguards the well-being of your workforce and the integrity of your joinery. Nordfab’s expert guide emphasises the importance of materials such as galvanized and stainless steel, along with innovative solutions like the Quick-Fit ducting system and anti-static options. By adhering to these recommendations, woodworking professionals can create an environment that promotes optimal performance, safety, and success in their endeavours.

“Choosing the right materials for your ducting system not only ensures longevity but also safeguards the well-being of your workforce and the integrity of your joinery”

CS 860 & CSF 860.

SIMPLE, FLEXIBLE, ABSOLUTE.

Simple, Flexible and Absolute are three words that describe the CS 860 & CSF 860 from VOLLMER. Perfect for machining the sharpest clearance angles and sides, the new arrivals are easy to use and incredibly flexible. This gives you outstanding grinding results with optimal processes for all your circular saw blade requirements. The CS 860 & CSF 860 deliver the highest level of quality, productivity and user-friendliness with maximum flexibility.

New look for CAD+T

A new look marks a new era for Austrian CAD/ CAM and ERP specialist, CAD+T. Following the introduction of Thomas Schwarz and Martina Schwarz as joint CEOs 18 months ago, the second-generation business has continued to embrace change and push the company to new heights both at home and overseas.

The new branding, which still gives a resounding nod to its 33-year heritage, has been designed to represent the company we see today. A company that has subsidies across the world and employs over 95 members of staff with dedicated teams focused on the UK, UAE, India, South Africa and Australian market. It’s also a company that has launched its largest and most comprehensive range of fully integrated software solutions to date and features over 60 software applications based on AutoCAD® and Autodesk Inventor® for batch size one production and serial production.

To reflect its growing portfolio and strong international sales, the software specialist has launched a new, interactive website that includes a wealth of features, including a remote support function, product videos and informative downloads. A widespread social media presence on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, as well as a growing YouTube channel, is also a sign of the company’s intent to promote its products on a wider scale and engage and educate a new generation of furniture designers.

Plus, the continual investment in international trade shows - including the UK’s KBB Birmingham and new Materials & Finishes Show 2024 - and promotion of the company’s annual Talent Camp – a competition designed

to encourage school leavers and apprentices aged 16-28 to follow a career in the furniture design and manufacturing industry – is a clear indication that CAD+T’s sights are very much on the future.

Martina Schwarz, CEO of CAD+T says: “When Thomas Schwarz and I became CEOs in 2021, we wanted to continue to build on the success our father, Anton Schwarz, had and not stand still. After all, the industry is constantly changing, so we too need to evolve and adapt to remain on top of our game. Our latest branding exercise is part and parcel of this. We welcome change. In fact, we actively encourage it, and it continues to empower me and the people inside my company.

“With the digital age firmly upon us, we want to present our decades of experience and knowledge to a larger audience in a clear and concise way, whilst helping our customers to not only understand the power of digitalisation but how they can reap the rewards it can bring.

“With an ambitious team of talented professionals working together to enhance our offering and new and improved branding that reflects our ambitions for the future, now is the right time to cement our name as a leading bespoke software provider for the furniture design market and invest in the future, today.”

www.cadt-solutions.com

HOMAG software solutions – Clever. Easy. Fast.

The demand for bespoke furniture items, and ever shorter manufacturing and delivery schedules puts significant pressure on furniture manufacturers. Recently, this has been exacerbated by delays in the supply of raw materials and components. Together, these issues have made the challenge of maintaining an overview and control of production increasingly difficult.

“Software solutions have become a critical element of furniture manufacturing,” says HOMAG UK managing director, Simon Brooks, “Without intuitive and powerful software it is almost impossible to provide the level of service demanded by customers.

“HOMAG has always been at the forefront of software development in the woodworking industry. From the early days, the company has invested heavily in the development of programs that improve the efficiency and performance for furniture makers. The latest software solutions, including SmartWOP, productionManager and productionAssist Feedback, integrate with the industry market-leading woodWOP control software from HOMAG.”

SmartWOP – The simple way to design furniture

Designing bespoke furniture items requires a software application that is not only easy to use, but also offers total design flexibility. The latest

SmartWOP software from HOMAG is a simple ‘drag and drop’ solution that enables the fast and straightforward design of furniture items.

The individual components of a cabinet are simply drawn into a previously selected volume. As well as the standard rectangular shapes, special designs such as sloping ceilings or corner cabinets are also available. Existing furniture designs can be stored in a library and called up or changed at any time.

A ‘room planning’ feature enables the user to quickly design entire layouts for bedrooms, offices or kitchens. The beauty of SmartWOP is that a user doesn’t need to have any previous CAD knowledge or skills, it is that easy to use.

The opening of doors and drawers can be simulated, avoiding potential collisions with neighbouring components. The scope of delivery includes a large library with all common fixtures from the well-known manufacturers. Even customers’ own woodWOP components can be added to the furniture without any problems.

Visually, SmartWOP offers a realistic view of the furniture items being designed. An integrated material library with a range of designs for panel and edge materials enables the user to assign the corresponding material to each component quickly and easily. This gives a realistic representation of the piece even during the planning stage.

Powerful software duo –woodWOP and SmartWOP

The interaction between woodWOP and SmartWOP offers a special feature of selecting single parts of an individual item of furniture in SmartWOP and opening it directly in woodWOP. Processing steps can then be added and saved in woodWOP and, importantly, any changes made in woodWOP are transferred directly to SmartWOP and visualised there. So special parts and standard parts can be designed and then manufactured with ease.

The CNC programs and cutting lists for a HOMAG beam saw are generated directly in SmartWOP and contain all of the processing steps from both software programs. This unique CAD/CAM feature opens up a range of possibilities in the design stage and, above all, on the factory floor.

An end to endless paperwork: all the job information is constantly up to date

Production data such as CNC programs, parts lists for panel cutting, fixture lists or technical drawings are generated at the touch of a button. The data generated can then be passed seamlessly to the HOMAG apps and the digital assistant, productionManager and HOMAG’s nesting and saw optimising software.

As soon as a job has been transferred to productionManager, the parts lists and drawings can be accessed from anywhere. This means that all employees working on the job have access to all the job details, at all times. The

“Without intuitive and powerful software it is almost impossible to provide the level of service demanded by customers”

HOMAG productionManager

days of issuing and then re-issuing paper-based changes and revised designs to the shop floor are over. By equipping each employee or station with a tablet, the shop floor always receives the correct information for the job in hand.

Furthermore, by equipping the nesting machine and/or beam saw with a label printer, the combination of SmartWOP, label printing and productionManager can control all downstream operations of the production process. SmartWOP can output the edge data required for each part and each edge, and this is printed on the label along with a barcode. Downstream drilling machines equipped with a barcode scanner can then select the necessary programme automatically, saving time and money.

If at any time the operator is unsure about a part, he can always refer to the specific part data – in both a single and an exploded view –using the tools provided in productionManager. This saves time for both the operator and the production staff as it reduces the mistakes made on the shopfloor. The volume of reworks is reduced and efficiency is improved, resulting in increased output and profitability.

The digital job folder in productionManager clearly shows the progress of every single part or the entire job, bundling all the important information about a job in one place. The user can report single parts as ‘finished’ for each process step (e.g., sawing, CNC, edge, assembly). HOMAG machines with a connection to tapio have the option of reporting production progress back to productionManager automatically.

With HOMAG’s optimisation software, the cutting patterns for the saw or the nesting patterns for the CNC machine are calculated automatically.

The software can then calculate several alternative solutions simultaneously, for example, optimised for minimum waste, minimum material costs or minimum production time. The user simply selects the result that is right for them.

All jobs at a glance

The productionManager job management system allows jobs to be displayed clearly and ensures that the job details are quickly and easily visible. In addition, the job status is displayed directly for each component and each item for both HOMAG and non HOMAG machines or stations.

To give an even better overview of jobs, the job archive is in the navigation area of productionManager. One or more jobs can be moved from job management to the archive with just a few clicks. All information relating to a job, including information from production, is archived and made available to view at all times and for all employees. This makes job management clearer; for example, completed jobs are removed from this view and placed in the job archive.

Entire jobs or individual parts can also be

reproduced. For example, if further production is required, the selected job is simply copied from the archive and is then ready for further processing.

Flexible use in any workshop

The digital job folder can be integrated into any existing workshop environment with very little effort. No significant adjustments are necessary in the software landscape or in the machine portfolio. Although machine portfolios are usually made up of machines from different manufacturers, this is no obstacle to using the software.

“HOMAG has developed an all-encompassing range of software apps that make the control of furniture manufacturing easy and fool proof,” finishes Simon Brooks. “All the details are kept up to date across the various digital apps so that everybody in the organisation always has the very latest information about a job.

“If you haven’t yet considered HOMAG’s software solutions, now really is the time to do so. They will make a significant impact on the performance and profitability of any furniture manufacturing business.”

For a demonstration or more information HOMAG’s software solutions or machinery, contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.

www.homag.com

“HOMAG has developed an all-encompassing range of software apps that make the control of furniture manufacturing easy and fool proof”

HOMAG SmartWOP furniture construction software

Understanding storage and racking options

For over 55 years, family-run firm Stakapal has produced storage and racking for warehousing and manufacturing industries across the UK. Nick Betteley, technical director at Stakapal, advises what to consider when choosing racking for your warehouse.

When it comes to selecting the correct storage option there can be numerous challenges. In furniture and joinery manufacturing there are many different lengths and quantities of products which are difficult to store.

From panel products and sheet materials to softwoods and hardwoods, you need to maximise the available space in your building, increase throughput and also minimise stock damage. You need to consider the type of mechanical handling equipment you are using, plus the available storage options for any handloaded product ranges.

Stakapal’s own in-house design and project teams have provided a range of turnkey solutions for the industry. We are the only manufacturer to produce cantilever racking and pallet racking, as well as a full range of warehouse racking systems, from within the UK. Whatever you are storing, we offer a solution:

What type of racking do I need?

Cantilever racking

When storing long lengths of product, cantilever racking offers the perfect solution. This type of racking consists of vertical upright columns with arms attached at variable heights. Arms can be adapted to accommodate specific load bearing requirements and designed to suit any pack size to fully maximise the available area.

Single-sided racks can fit flush against the wall, while double-sided configurations create storage on either side of the central column. Our full range includes conventional, free path and guided aisle cantilever racking.

Pallet racking

Our Stakrak SR2000 series pallet racking offers a low budget alternative for storing low volumes of panel products and sheet materials. Our comprehensive range of rack frames and beams ensure that there is a solution for any storage challenge.

A-frame/vertical racks

For hand-picked items, you could opt for our A-frame/vertical racks. This type of racking system stores vertically with the item’s length resting on a sloped frame shaped like an ‘A’. It can be configured as single-sided for storing against a wall or double-sided if you have available floor space.

Pigeon hole racking

For relatively small, hand-loaded quantities, our pigeon hole racks make it easy to access specific product ranges which are stored horizontally in separate compartments. The pigeon holes are divided by vertical beams which can either be fixed in place or adjustable dependent upon storage needs.

Safety first

The manufacturing industry is safety conscious, and we support this through our membership with SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association) – a leading voice within the warehouse industry.

As full members of SEMA, our products are independently tested, which guarantees they have been designed, manufactured, and installed to rigorously defined standards.

Stakapal’s commitment to safety continues by ensuring that our in-house installers working on your site are registered and put through SEIRS (Storage Equipment Installers Registration

Scheme) – a unique initiative from SEMA which trains on the safe and correct way to install racking.

Racking systems qualify as work equipment and, under PUWER, it is your responsibility to ensure they are in good working order. The HSE recommends using a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI) who is trained and continually assessed to industry standards. Following the installation of our racking, our own in-house SARI’s offer this facility to our customers on an annual basis. We visit each site to undertake a comprehensive inspection and prepare a detailed report.

01543 278123

sales@stakapal.co.uk

www.stakapal.co.uk

Timber business invests in wood waste heater to save money on energy bills

A timber products manufacturer in the South West of England has purchased a wood waste heater from Wood Waste Technology to save money on heating and waste disposal.

Face Edge Ltd manufactures bespoke timber products for retail and office refits. Its manufacturing operation is split across a number of individual units at its head office in Bideford, North Devon.

With the increasing energy bills, Director at Face Edge, Des Brown, decided to look into other options to heat the workshop. “After some research, we realised that investing in a wood waste heater made good business sense, as our manufacturing process results in lots of wood offcuts,” he explains.

“Feeding these offcuts into a wood waste heater would not only save money on waste disposal and prevent more waste going to landfill, but would also create

free heating for the factory in the process, reducing our energy bills and benefiting our bottom line.”

The team at Face Edge ordered a WT10 wood waste heater, which was installed by Wood Waste Technology’s experienced engineers.

Des explains: “In today’s economic environment, businesses need to operate as efficiently as possible. Investing in the wood waste heater will help us to control our costs and save money, whilst maintaining a comfortable temperature in the workshop.”

As the wood waste heater is perfectly located to serve all the individual units, including the offices and machine shop, goodsin-and-out areas, canteen, stores, assembly, materials storage and spray shop, the heat generated will benefit not just the people working in the business, but also help to offset the damp atmosphere in

the cold winter months that can negatively affect any stored wood and spray-painted items.

“Whatever the primary reason for purchase, whether it’s to generate heat, reduce waste disposal, or both – a wood waste heater is a cost effective and productive solution for companies that generate waste wood, and the investment can pay back in less than 12 months,” says Kurt Cockroft, MD of Wood Waste Technology.

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 that it proudly claims are up to 60%

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.

01785 250400

www.woodwastetechnology.com

www.grossuk.co.uk

The exclusive distributor of Striebig vertical panel saws

NORDFAB QUICK-FIT DUCTING a perfect solution for any growing joinery

For 50 years, Nordfab ducting has been used around the world in dust collection application in wood shops. From oneperson shops in home garages, to large manufacturing plants.

Let’s take a closer look on why Nordfab ducting is one of the preferred solutions within the woodworking industry.

Benefits using Quick-Fit ducting

Easy & Fast to install

Quick-Fit ducting systems clip together. No rivets screws, or welding are needed, cutting installation and downtime by more than 45% compared to flanged ductwork installation.

Re-Useable

Quick-Fit ducting is easy to uninstall and relocate as you move machinery or have other changes in work areas, providing one of the lowest life cycle cost of any ducting product.

Fits most applications

Quick-Fit components are adaptable to existing ductwork.

The imperative of effective dust extraction in the woodworking industry

Woodworking is an art, a skill, and for many, a livelihood. Yet, amidst the delicate whir of machinery and the rich aroma of freshly cut timber, lurks an oft-underestimated threat: wood dust. This fine particulate matter, a by-product of virtually all woodworking processes, not only impacts the quality of finished products but also poses substantial health and safety risks to those in the industry. The importance of effective dust extraction, therefore, cannot be overstated, and the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines around Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) and woodworking dust stand testament to this fact.

The hidden hazards of wood dust

At first glance, wood dust may seem benign, but prolonged exposure to these tiny particles can lead to a variety of health complications. Inhalation of wood dust has been linked to respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and nasal cancer. Certain wood

types, like oak and beech, have even been classified as carcinogenic to humans when their dust is inhaled. Beyond the immediate health threats, a thick layer of accumulated dust can also become a fire hazard, especially in the presence of sparks or high temperatures.

HSE’s stance on dust extraction

Recognising these potential risks, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has laid down specific guidelines concerning woodworking dust and its effective extraction. Central to HSE’s guidance is the implementation of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems. These systems, when correctly designed, installed, and maintained, effectively capture and contain wood dust at the source, preventing it from dispersing into the workshop atmosphere.

The HSE recommends regular inspection and testing of LEVs – at least once every 14 months – to ensure their continued efficiency. This not

only safeguards the health of woodworking professionals but also ensures that businesses remain compliant with the law. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in heavy penalties, showcasing the gravity with which the HSE views this issue.

Benefits beyond health and safety

While the primary motivator for effective dust extraction is undeniably the health and safety of individuals, there are secondary benefits as well. Proper extraction can significantly improve the quality of finished wood products. Dust-free environments ensure that paint, varnish, and other finishes are applied smoothly, free from unwanted particles that might mar the surface. Furthermore, machinery lasts longer and functions more efficiently without the persistent wear and tear caused by dust accumulation. This translates to cost savings in the long run, an aspect every business in the woodworking industry can appreciate.

How Daltons Wadkin can help

As one of the UK’s leading support providers for the woodworking industry, Daltons Wadkin service engineers are trained P601 LEV testing engineers. LEV testing can be scheduled as part of complete workshop maintenance program so customers get the most efficient and safe service possible.

The company also offer a range of dust extraction solutions. To serve individual machines, iVision units are special highpressure systems which are especially effective when extracting from vertical panel saws and CNC routers, dealing with different types of airborne contaminants, not just woodworking dust, but also plastics, composites and metal.

For larger set ups, a fully integrated LEV system is ideal. These are stand-alone, purpose-designed, extraction systems with externally located collection bins complete with purpose-built ducting and manifolds to suit each machine.

Flow rate gauges can also be installed at each machine to give operators a quick visual indication of whether the system is working optimally.

In conclusion

Woodworking, as a profession, brings forth many joys and challenges. The menace of wood dust, however, is one challenge that can and should be efficiently addressed. Through rigorous adherence to the HSE’s guidelines and by investing in effective dust extraction systems, the woodworking industry can carve a path that is not just creative and profitable, but also safe and sustainable.

Remember, a clear, dust-free environment is not just a regulatory mandate; it’s an investment in the health of those who breathe life into wood.

0115 986 5201

info@daltonswadkin.com

www.daltonswadkin.com

“As one of the UK’s leading support providers for the woodworking industry, Daltons Wadkin service engineers are trained P601 LEV testing engineers”

Maintaining your Renewable Heat Incentive Payments in the UK woodworking Industry

Chris Franklin, MD at Ranheat Engineering – a leading UK manufacturer of wood combustion equipment – continues his series of exclusive articles for Furniture & Joinery Production. This issue, he looks at some of the problems that have previously occurred and those that still exist with plants on the NDRHI. (Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive)

The Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive closed for new applications in 2021. The scheme started in 2011 and would make payments for 20 years for producing heating using Biomass renewables. For many within the UK wood-working industry, the scheme still has many years of payments to go.

In the early days of the RHI it seemed as if Ofgem (who administer the scheme on behalf of the Government) just wanted as many people on the scheme as quickly as possible. This was to get the scheme up and running. It is also likely they were not aware of the permitting regulations covering the burning of wood “waste”.

Many companies and agents of wood-burning equipment manufacturers (particularly non- UK based companies) did not make their customers aware of the rules and regulations (or did not know themselves) associated with installing a wood waste burning boiler in the UK. Industrial wood waste is regulated differently to wood pellets and wood chips, which are considered wood fuel, and not a waste. They become a “waste” when they are a by-product of a wood manufacturing or wood machining process. Many of these imported boilers were in fact pellet burning boilers and not designed or able to burn extracted wood-waste from man-made

boards such as Chipboard MFC and MDF. Ofgem realised that it had allowed unsuitable equipment onto the scheme that did not meet the legislative limits already in place, including the need for local authority permits and independent testing being carried out. (Plants burning more than 90kgs per hour)

In Northern Ireland, the RHI scheme was implemented with many serious flaws, allowing business owners to make a profit from heating properties that were previously unheated. Often the buildings were not occupied or even used. The political fallout led to the Renewable Heat Incentive scandal. The scheme was closed completely for new applicants from the 29th February 2016. The scheme in Northern Ireland was labelled the “Cash for Ash Scandal” and had serious political implications for the politicians involved.

“Now, the entire UK scheme is also closed to new applicants, and Ofgem are visiting accredited installations and carrying out compliance checks”

Replacement Ranheat Boiler and ceramic filter in purpose made building, but re-using existing extraction and storage silo from “other” manufacturer that the boiler had failed

Now, the entire UK scheme is also closed to new applicants, and Ofgem are visiting accredited installations and carrying out compliance checks. If any of the permissions or permits are not in place, Ofgem is stopping payments under the RHI, as a non-compliant installation.

So, what needs to be in place to be compliant with your local authority? And hence compliant with your ongoing obligations under the RHI? Following is a list of requirements to remain in receipt of payments:

1. You must have planning permission for any industrial chimney or written proof of permitted development, from your local authority planning department.

2. You must have submitted a chimney height approval form to the local authority as to the emissions from the chimney, the efflux velocity and the chimney height.

3. You must have a permit to burn waste or have applied for an exemption if less than 50kgs per hour. Again, this applies to all sizes of plant. This can be as a SWIP (small waste incineration plant) up to 90kgs per hour. Over this size you need a full part B permit, and the boiler must

be tested annually by an accredited test house.

4. All wood waste, even virgin timber, needs a permit to burn waste, if the wood waste is a by-product of a wood machining or manufacturing process.

5. No wood containing Halogenated Organic compounds or heavy metals can be burnt. (Normally these are only found in demolition timber)

6. All heat meters must be re-calibrated every 10 years or be replaced. Ofgem has recently sent out communications that require every RHI participant to recalibrate all heat meters at least every 10 years (or in line with the manufacturer’s instructions where available, whichever is sooner). The 10-year start date begins from when your meters were first installed, most recently recalibrated or replaced. To comply with this requirement, you can choose to either recalibrate or replace your meter. Failure to comply will be considered a breach of your ongoing obligations and could result in payments being suspended or permanently withheld.

Any deviance from the above will result in RHI payments being stopped until the installation becomes compliant.

All Ranheat installations on the RHI are already fully compliant. Ranheat also includes – free of charge – the help needed with permits and permissions. It’s included with the service that Ranheat gives to its customers. This avoids the need to employ expensive “consultants” or so called “experts”, many of whom have no formal qualifications.

Not all the companies selling Biomass equipment made their customers aware of the need for permits and permissions. The need for permitting came into force in 1990, so have been a requirement for 33 years.

Chris Franklin, of Ranheat Engineering, has been in the industry for almost 40 years, so grew up with the legislation.

The other problem is that some of the equipment supplied will not last the 20 years of the scheme. In many cases, the original supplier has closed down, or is unwilling or incapable of carrying out repairs.

The scheme allows you to repair a boiler, or if not viable replace it with another better-quality make. If replacing a boiler, the installation then must meet the emission requirements in place at the close of the scheme, not the requirements in place at the time of joining the scheme. This can often prove expensive, but it does however mean that the RHI payments will be re-instated. The payments not made during non-compliance periods are lost forever and cannot be claimed back.

So, what has replaced the NDRHI?

The answer is nothing – there is currently no financial incentive from the Government. However, ever rising energy bills and land fill costs continue to make installation of a wood fired heating system very attractive to anyone who has an on-site supply of wood-waste.

The only difference without the RHI is that you don’t need to fit heat meters and you can install warm air variants as well as boilers.

However, you are still legally required to obtain planning, chimney height approval and permits to enable you to legally burn wood-waste.

For further information on all types and sizes of Industrial Woodburning equipment, from 150 kW upwards, contact Ranheat on 01604 750005, email sales@ranheat.com or visit www.ranheat. com. Ranheat also make spares and service and repair other makes of woodburning boilers and heaters.

“Ranheat also includes – free of charge – the help needed with permits and permissions”

A non-Ranheat boiler being retubed and fitted with new end plates

+31 (0)620 418767 / info@modecor-international.com

www.modecor.info

Hohe

USED EQUIPMENT

2016 Altendorf WA80 Panel Saw £9500 +VAT

2017 SCM Minimax ME25 Hot Melt Edgebander £6950 +VAT

2021 Felder F900Z Spindle Moulder with F38 Power Feed £9250 +VAT

2022 SCM Morbidelli n100 CNC 8x4 £58,950 +VAT

2019 SCM Olimpic K560 Edgebander top spec £34,950 +VAT

SCM Sintex NT 4 Sided Planer, Tersa Heads £8950 +VAT

Sedgwick 2 Head Tenoner, 3 Phase, £3950 +VAT

NEW EQUIPMENT

Minimax ME20 Hot Melt Edgebander, 230v and 3 Phase from £7600 +VAT

SCM Nova Ti105 ‘PS’ Spindle Moulder, Mk4 Shaft, Tenone Hood £11,750 +VAT

SCM Class Ti120e, LL Version, 7kw £14,495 +VAT

SCM DMC SD30 1100 ‘B Version” Twin Belt Sander £22,750 +VAT

SCM Minimax CU410c combination, 2.6m saw, tersa £10,950 +VAT

Inventair Dust Extraction single, 3 and 4 Bag units in stock