Joinery, window & door production

The main advantage of the Twin over the standard machine is that a door can be simultaneously machined on both sides at the same time, without having to manually move or turn it. The result is a machined door with three hinge recesses, lock slot, face plate recess and handle/key hole in approximately two minutes.

In addition, it is possible to machine two linings/jambs – again, both at the same time. As standard, the Alfa Twin is equipped with six adjustable vacuum cups to hold the door in position while it is being machined. By utilising this system, both sides of the door can be fully machined without having to take into account the position of mechanical or pneumatic clamps, which, of course, are not needed.

For machining of the lock slot and drilling/ slotting for the handle hole/key slot, there is a router head that automatically works in either the vertical or horizontal, and has a travel distance in the X axis of 2800mm and in the Y axis of 150mm (although optionally this can be extended to 600mm). On the opposite side there is a horizontal milling head that is used for producing the hinge recesses – again with a 2800mm X axis travel.

On request it is possible to equip either one or both sides with an additional horizontal milling head that can be used to make the small pilot hole for hinge or lock screws and/or to machine a square corner hinge or lock recess. Another option is the automatic linear tool changer for the main router.

When processing linings/jambs, adjustable pneumatic clamps are fitted. Programming is extremely quick and simple, thanks to the latestgeneration 10in graphic colour touchscreen controller, with pre-installed electronic macro templates. Door width working capacity is maximum 950mm and minimum 650mm, but optionally this can be increased to 1100 and 800mm, respectively. Other options include motorised positioning of the door on driven belts, infeed and outfeed roller tables, and an up-rated router head motor of 5.6kW.

Exclusive UK agent JJ Smith has an Alfa Twin set up and readily available for demonstration in its Liverpool showroom. The company believes this competitively priced machine will prove ideal for the many companies which need a quick,

simple and efficient machine for processing doors and linings. Already machines have been installed at Arnold Lavers - Manchester Branch, Deanta UK, Ian Firth and Door Linings.com.

In addition to offering the Alfa and Twin models, JJ Smith also supplies a range of throughfeed, high-volume door production lines from specialist manufacturer Essepegi. 0151 549 1771 sales@jjsmith.co.uk www.jjsmith.co.uk

The pandemic highlighted the benefits of natural ventilation in helping support the safety of residents and preventing the spread of airborne viruses. The new guidance details the updated requirements for ensuring that buildings in the UK have adequate means of ventilation provided for people in the building. There are two approved documents – ‘Approved Document F: Volume 1 applies to dwellings’ and ‘Approved Document F: Volume 2 applies to buildings other than dwellings’.

One of these means of ventilation is background ventilation – usually provided in the form of trickle vents. Under the ‘Control of ventilation’ the regulations state various requirements including, but not limited to: • Ventilation should be controllable, either manually or automatically. • Background ventilators should be at least 1700mm above floor level, to reduce cold draughts, but still be easy for the occupant to reach. • Background ventilators with automatic controls should also have manual override. • All rooms with external walls should have background ventilators. If a habitable room has no external walls, ventilation can be met via another habitable room that has openings to the outside which provides purge ventilation and background ventilation of at least 10,000mm2 equivalent area. The guidelines highlight that a window with a night latch position is not adequate for background ventilation, due to the risk of draughts, security issues and the difficulty in measuring the equivalent area.

More detail on the minimum equivalent area of background ventilators for natural ventilation, the total number of ventilators required and the requirements for new and replacement windows is covered in the Document F guidelines. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in prosecution and an enforcement notice requiring the windows to be replaced or altered.

“The good news is that our new Timber Trickle Vents help you comply with the new guidelines without spoiling the look of your timber windows.” says Coastal MD, Loren Jenner.

“Our TVT Timber Veneer Vent Set fits over the TVA Trickle Vent enabling the vent to be finished flush and in exact same colour/finish as your window.”

The TVT Timber Veneer Vents bring many benefits to your timber window: • Available in three finishes – oak, pine or sapele – so whether you are staining or painting your timber windows the trickle vents will blend in perfectly with the finished window. • They fit flush to the surface of the window so they’re less obtrusive. • Made in two sizes to help achieve required air flow levels – the TVT242 Timber Vent Set combined with the TVA283 Trickle Vent provides an EA Air Flow of 3000mm2 and the TVT347 Timber Vent Set combined with the TVA389 Trickle Vent provides an EA Air Flow of 4300mm2 .

As Coastal head of marketing Neil Jones says, “Don’t devalue your carefully crafted timber windows by fitting any old trickle vent just to achieve compliance. These new TVT Timber Vent Sets are extremely subtle whilst providing background ventilation. They’re the ideal trickle vent combination for timber windows.”

To request a sample of the Timber Veneer Vent sets or for more information on how Coastal can help you comply with the new guidelines, contact 01726 871 025 or sales@coastalgroup.com.

Nationwide Delivery Installation & Commissioning Finance Available Service & Support 0845 274 3600 / 01744 754 127 rjwoodworking.co.uk

PENTHO COMPACT 3

PENTHO COMPACT 4

A modern heavy-duty single end tenoning machine suitable for both traditional and modernjoinery techniques, complete with a 7” touch panel for starting motors and job recipes. This machine is perfect for the modern joinery manufacturer looking for a superior, flexible tenoner that is incredibly easy to set up.

Pentho Compact 3 key features: • 150mm cut-off capacity Saw • Top and Bottom Tenon heads installed • 200mm vertical spindle with Prolock • 7” touch panel for starting motors and job recipes • Total table swivelling +60° / -60 • Tenoning and scribe heads with mechanical digital displays • Digital length-fence 2.4 with 1 x large swivelling backstop

Make tenoners intelligent

Use your set up time as production time

• Electronic positions indicators with LED feedback • Clear visualisations of all axes • Easy storing and recalling of regular machine settings • Programming by teach-in Increase your production time.

• All axes set themselves simultaneously and automatically in the correct position • Graphic application available for easy entry of new axe settings • Automatic recalculation of the length-fence position • Programming by teach-in • 300mm x 50mm Scribe Spindles

The Vertongen Pentho COMPACT 4 Advanced tenoner brings classic woodworking techniques into the 21st century.

The COMPACT 4 combines a cut off saw, two tenon heads and two vertical spindles,complete with a 7” touch panel for starting motors and job recipes. The COMPACT 4 advanced tenoner has the same standard features of the Compact 3 but an additional Vertical scribe shaft

Pentho Compact 4 key features: • 150mm cut-off capacity Saw • 7” touch panel for starting motors and job recipes • Top and Bottom Tenon heads installed • Total table swivelling + 60/ -60 deg. • 2 Vertical spindles 200mm with Prolock • Tenoning and scribe heads with mechanical digital displays • Digital length-fence 2.4 with 1 x large swivelling backstop

The electro-pneumatic scoring system is ideal when working with faced material to prevent chipping and breakout. The system allows pre-scoring of the panel using the main blade, crucially without the need for a separate scoring unit and the headaches that come with setting it. The system can be engaged and disengaged from conveniently positioned push button on the plunge arm.

Effective and efficient dust can be hard to achieve on traditional wall saws. The patented and award winning Limpio extraction system from Elcon greatly reduces dust emissions by simultaneously extracting waste from both the front and rear of the panel. The saw blade runs in an almost completely enclosed area reducing dust emission values to less than 0.5mg/m3 . The system is particularly advantageous when cutting large volumes of fibrous or cementitious material minimising airborne waste entering the operating area.

Traditionally with any vertical panel saw sheets are processed from the top down, with horizontal strips first cut prior to a secondary operation of crosscutting to finished sizes. The operator must use their trailing hand or wedges to support the strip during the horizontal cut to stop it falling back onto the blade.

The Advance system turns the cutting process on its head. Once the machine is loaded, clamps descend and grab the panel(s) from above, taking the full weight and allowing a single operator to work the material from the bottom up. Horizontal strip cuts sit on the base of the machine needing no additional support. Each strip can then be immediately crosscut while the rest of the board remains in the clamps minimising repeat panel handling.

For more information on the Elcon range of vertical panel saws contact sole distributors, Daltons Wadkin, on 0115 986 5201, info@ daltonswadkin.com or www.daltonswadkin.com.

Privately owned and managed since it was founded in 1989 by Mr Roger Stevens, Stairways has rapidly grown to become one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of carpentry and joinery products. Starting as a small family business, it now boasts three midlands-based factory units that offer over 85,000ft2 of bespoke and mass production capacity using innovative machinery and a team of skilful, passionate workers. The second generation of the Stevens family, Mr. Neil Stevens and Mrs. Karen Wood are now sole directors.

Stairways is continuously looking for opportunities to improve and expand the services it offers; this includes the investment in new machinery to enhance and innovate the manufacturing process, with the aim to shorten lead times and increase overall in-house capacity whilst ensuring their process remains as efficient as possible from start to finish. The company found answers to these challenges in Hoffmann Machine Company.

Stairways Midlands first became aware of Hoffmann Machine Co. about 22 years ago at the Woodmex Trade Show, buying its first machine in 2000 for its Southam Door Division. Following consultation with Hoffmann UK and Hoffmann’s design team in Germany, the chosen machine was the Hoffmann MS35-SF. This combination machine not only cuts the perfect mitres but simultaneously routers the dovetail slots to join the mitres with Hoffmann Keys.

The machine also has an integrated crosscut saw which makes the square cut and controls the length of the upright section of the architrave. This machine configuration enables the production of the three elements of the architrave set, two uprights and one header, from a 6m bar length. Each machine cycle for these three elements takes approximately one minute.

Following the delivery of a second Hoffmann machine, Stairways now has the capacity for 1000 door-sets per week. The company was so impressed with the quality, accuracy and speed of these machines that it has expanded the range to include additional machines at its Welshpool Door Division to mitre glazing bead and at its Walsall Stair Division to mitre and join the handrails.

Using Hoffmann machines is the more efficient way to mitre and join these products and is therefore a good selling point. It improves the finish and provides a stronger quality product.

Stairways has recently replaced the original machine at Southam, which was still operational after 20 years in service and having been used nearly every working day since it was installed. The machine at Welshpool has also been updated by a new model, also with an integrated chop saw.

Stairways continues to grow in both capacity and stature, acting as an industry leader with its level of innovation and investment. 01524 841500 info@hoffmann-uk.com www.hoffmann-uk.com