April 2009 - Low Resolution - PAWPRINT PUBLISHING

PANEL, WOOD 

& Solid Surface 

Issue No. 11 April 2009 

In the news this month: 

SCM marks the opening of its new Nottingham showroom 

with the Spring In-House Exhibition: see page 4 

After sales service from Weinig: see page 10 

ECO-NT from Reichenbacher: see page 11 

Unitech invests in new premises and a new Giben Prisma saw 

from RW Machines Ltd: see page 12-13 

Plus: Sanding & Finishing pp 14-18 

Windows: Design & Manufacture pp 19-21 

Furniture Fittings, Components & Design pp 22-23

NEWS 

YEARS of steady growth in sales 

presented Kent-based T Cards 

Direct with a challenge: how to 

streamline the production of 

packing cases for their products 

despite the limited workshop 

space available. A space-saving 

vertical panel saw from Sage - 

tech Industries’ Koolkut range 

was the answer they were looking 

for. 

Established some 40 years ago, 

T Cards Direct has for many years 

specialised in T Card systems. The 

company supplies a full range of 

off-the-shelf and bespoke systems, 

as well as a comprehensive 

selection of accessories. 

The company ships its T Card 

systems in made-to-measure 

hardboard packing cases, built by 

workshop assistant, Ivan Stretten. 

“I was cutting the hardboard for 

the packing cases with a hand-held 

circular saw,” said Ivan. “While volumes 

were lower it was manageable, 

but even then, it wasn’t ideal. 

For larger cases, I had to make part 

of the cut, then reposition the sheet, 

sometimes actually having to climb 

onto the bench to complete it.” 

Partner, Philip Heine, realised 

Koolkut for T Cards Direct 

the only viable solution to these 

challenges was a vertical panel 

saw. 

On talking to UK-based 

Sagetech Industries, he was impressed. 

“The prices were attractive, 

despite the fact that the 

Koolkut saws are designed and 

built to high standards. I also 

found the Sagetech staff extremely 

helpful and knowledgeable: 

they invited me to see the 

saw in action, which I found very 

useful as I decided which machine 

was best for us.” 

T Cards Direct took delivery of 

its Koolkut Series 1 KK12 in early 

2007. The new machine immediately 

made its present felt. “I can 

cut up to four sheets at once,” 

noted Ivan. “And having set up the 

dimensions for a cut, I can repeat 

it as many times as I want, without 

further adjustment.” 

Philip is pleased, too. “The 

Koolkut has made the packing 

process more accurate, safer, more 

reliable and quicker. We were 

spending far too much time fiddling 

around with the saws – that’s 

time we can now spend on getting 

our products out to our customers.” 

Sagetech Industries Ltd 

Tel 0118 970 1950 

Email info@sagetech.co.uk 

www.sagetech.co.uk 

Updated website 

CR CNC 

Cost Effective Routing Solutions 

NEW CR CNC PANEL MATE SERIES 

This new range of CNC routers from CR Onsrud offers smaller bed 

sizes and linear tool change with the high quality build upon which 

CR Onsrud has established its long reputation. 

Model PM8 — 4 x 4 (1245 x 1245) 

Model PM8 — 4 x 8 (1245 x 2464) 

Model PM8 — 5 x 10 (3073 x 1550) 

Price includes Artcam Express 3D software, 

8/10 position linear tool change and toolholders. 

Full details available from 

ATA Engineering Processes 

Tel: 01442 264411 — Email: sales@ataeng.com — Web: www.ataeng.com 

GANG-NAIL Systems, which now 

incorporates Consultec UK, both 

part of Eleco plc, is encouraging 

discussion in the industry 

through the launch of its new 

website, which provides up to 

date timber engineering market 

information and news on products 

and services, alongisde an 

interactive user forum for timber 

trade professionals to air 

their views. 

The new site offers detailed 

product and software guides on 

all Gang-Nail Systems’ products, 

including StairCon, Framing, Ecojoist, 

Roof & Truss and Matrix, in 

addition to continually updated 

news items relevant to the timber 

engineering industry. 

Users are able to contribute 

their own views to the site with 

the addition of the Gang-Nail Systems 

forum. This allows visitors to 

the new website to post questions 

and replies, helping to gain and 

share industry knowledge and 

comment on Gang-Nail’s services. 

Paul Baron, managing director 

of Gang-Nail Ssytems, commented: 

“By redesigning the website, 

we are hoping to provide 

visitors with a clear and concise information 

base across all of our 

products and services. We hope 

the introduction of the forum will 

encourage the sharing of opinion 

and ideas in the industry, allowing 

users to ask questions directly relating 

to the trade.” 

Gang-Nail Systems specialises 

in providing timber engineering 

solutions by way of products and 

software technology. By supplying 

a variety of services, Gang-Nail 

Systems is able to offer its customers 

a complete service from 

one provider with additional support 

and training services available, 

if required, via the website. 

Gang-Nail Systems Ltd 

Tel 01252 334691 

Email gang-nail@eleco.com 

www.gangnail.co.uk 

Page 2 Panel, Wood & Solid Surface April 2009

CONTENTS 

Panel, Wood & 

Solid Surface 

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Editorial 

comment 

WHEN attending Ecobuild in 

London’s Earl’s Court early in 

March, I was struck by how 

many visitors there were: during 

my visit, most stands had visitors 

on them most of the time. 

Alex Fidgett, sales & marketing 

co-ordinator of Talbott’s Biomass 

Energy Systems Ltd, confirms this 

impression: he commented that 

enquiries were up to the extent 

that, by the end of the second day 

of the three-day show, his company 

had already received as 

many enquiries as they had in the 

entire three days last year! 

The stands represented a wide 

range of products, up to and including 

rooftop habitats for 

wildlife. Windows, doors, heating 

systems, finishes, surfaces, sustainability 

projects … whatever 

you were looking for, it seemed, 

there was something at the show 

for you. 

One thing that did strike me 

was that, with the notable exception 

of Talbott’s, a fair number of 

the wood to energy manufacturers 

at the show, even those aimed 

at commercial applications, were 

not in teres ted to promoting themselves 

to joinery workshops, who 

would have a ready source of fuel 

in the form of offcuts. However, 

their systems did seem to like to 

burn “half-log” shaped products. 

An enterprising workshop 

could therefore purchase a wood 

to energy system for their premises 

from one of the companies 

that have been featured within the 

pages of this magazine during the 

past year, who do have the needs 

of joiners and allied industries in 

mind, to meet their own requirements 

(reducing their heating bills 

while not using irreplaceable fossil 

fuels to heat their premises), 

and supplement this with a briquetter 

to turn any surplus wood 

waste into a marketable product! 

While it is true that it is fashionable 

to be “ecofriendly”, this alone 

cannot account for the success of 

Ecobuild at a time when many in 

the industry have been reporting 

difficult times. Despite the doom 

and gloom we hear in the press, 

the economy must recover: it is all 

part of the economic cycle. A successful 

show aimed at the construction 

industry must be part of 

a promise of better days to come. 

PMR 

Contents 

NEWS 

Koolkut for T Cards Direct .....................................................................2 

Updated website......................................................................................2 

SCM UK: New building opening and Spring show ......................4 

New MD at Becker Acroma...................................................................4 

In shape with Striebig.............................................................................5 

Speeding up workflow with Lamont ................................................6 

BLP future secured...................................................................................6 

Sign of the times: ArtCAM at CD&M..................................................7 

TDSL moves and expands with SCM.................................................8 

DCS locks out dust at Assa Abloy.......................................................9 

Weinig raises the bar on after sales service..................................10 

ECO-NT: the pinnacle of Reichenbacher technology ...............11 

Investing in the future: New premises and a new Giben 

Prisma 3000 saw for Unitech........................................12-13 

SANDING & FINISHING 

Complete denibbing solution...........................................................14 

High gloss polishing with QuickWood ..........................................14 

Gibbs drying racks.................................................................................14 

Kündig for Taylor Made Joinery Interiors Ltd........................16-17 

Abrasives for wood & metal...............................................................16 

Sanding with SCM.................................................................................18 

WINDOWS: DESIGN & MANUFACTURE 

Quoting made easy with JMS ...........................................................19 

New SCM window line for Sash Windows UK..............................20 

Street gets a makeover with new windows and doors .....20-21 

Innovation with Stegherr at Ligna 2009........................................21 

FURNITURE FITTINGS, COMPONENTS & DESIGN 

New from Euro-Fit .................................................................................22 

Extended range from Blue Diamond..............................................22 

Designing with Alphacam..................................................................23 

Hettinject connects ..............................................................................23 

TRADA one-day seminars 

TRADA will stage a further series of practical seminars highlighting 

the impact changes to regulations, codes and standards 

may have on construction companies and timber suppliers. 

Topics covered include Part L; Flooding; Zero Carbon definition; 

and Responsible Sourcing. Events will be held in Manchester (May 

12), London (May 13), Bristol ( May 21), Grangemouth (June 2) and 

High Wycombe (June 17). Cost is £10 plus VAT for TRADA members, 

£100 plus VAT for non-members. 

TRADA ● Email ncannings@trada.co.uk 

www.trada.co.uk/training/busplan.html 

Interbuild 2009: new dates 

INTERBUILD 2009 will now take place slightly earlier than the 

previously announced dates, running from 18 to 21 October. 

It is understood that this change is in response to visitor feedback 

and is intended to avoid any clash with half term week. 

Planned features include “Sustainability Street”, designed to 

demonstrate sustainble technologies in a variety of settings. 

Interbuild 

Tel 020 7728 4621 ● www.interbuild.com 

Panel, Wood & Solid Surface April 2009 Page 3

NEWS 

SCM UK: New building opening and Spring show 

THE COMBINED opening of SCM’s new building and Spring In-House Exhibition are to be held together 

in the company’s new Nottingham showroom between the dates of Wednesday, 22nd April 

and Friday, 24th April, inclusive, with new machines allied to joinery, furniture and panel production 

markets at the forefront and several UK launches of brand new models. It is a perfect opportunity 

to view the new facility and to see what is available for when the up-turn arrives. 

There will be a large display of the ‘L’Invincibile’ classical machines range, including the SI4000 sliding 

table panel saw, F5200 surface planer, S6300 thicknesser and TF1400 spindle moulder with 

vertical electro spindle. Nova panel saws, spindle moulders, surface planers and thicknessers, 

Sandya 3, 5 and 9S wide belt sanders, Startech borers, plus a wide selection of Mini Max and 

Tecnomax classical machines, with the ME15 and ME20 edge banders and MB21 borer, 

will also be on display. 

Several new machine models will be on show and fully 

working on demonstrations, including two Record 

‘Actionline’ CNC routing/machining centres, which will 

be showing their versatility on a complete range of 

products. A Record 132 NT TVN 5-axis Prisma machine 

will be machining curved hand rails as well as a range of 

window and stair components. 

The latest model Accord CNC machining centre will 

be on display. It comes with a generous table size of 3,650 

mm x 1,560 mm, 10 hp routing head at 12,000 to 18,000 rpm and 

options of many tool changers and drilling units. A larger table machine 

is already selling very well in the UK market, with a 7,250 mm x 2,280 mm table just becoming available. Standard flat bed CNC routers, such as the 

best selling Record Actionline 100 ALL will be nesting component parts from a full size sheet, as well as machining doors and furniture components. 

The ever popular Pratix 48NST will be fully operational and demonstrated with the outfeed unloading device now fitted optionally to many machines. 

SCM will be demonstrating its own CAD/CAM software packages including Doors and Windows. Other specialists will be on hand to guide potential 

new or existing customers with their latest software developments. Tooling suppliers will also be in attendance to give advice on their latest products. 

The latest SCM automatic panel beam saw, model Sigma 107C 3200, 

will be cutting a wide range of panel products. The panels will then be 

edge banded on a range of machines with melamine, PVC, 3 mm ABS and 

solid wood lippings being applied and trimmed. The new M80 and M80T 

contour edge banding and trimming machines will be demonstrated. 

The latest vertical space saving Cyflex F900 CNC drilling and grooving 

machine for panels will be in continuous demonstration and so far over 

35 machines have been sold since its launch. 

From the Solid Wood Division, the latest Windor 1 CNC window machining 

centre will be producing window elements to any required dimensions. 

SCM’s planer moulder range, including the latest models of 

the Superset class, Compact XL, and Sintex with the latest electronic controls, 

will be demonstrated on a wide range of profiles and mouldings. 

Customers can just turn up on any day, or telephone 0115 977 0044 for 

an invitation that gives full directions to the new extensive SCM demonstration 

facility near Nottingham. A buffet lunch is available to all visitors. 

SCM Group (UK) Ltd 

Tel 0115 977 0044 

Email scmgroupuk@scmgroup.com ● www.scmgb.co.uk 

New MD at Becker Acroma 

BECKER Acroma, the Swedish wood coatings manufacturer, has appointed John Woolmore 

as the new managing director of its UK operation. 

John, who was promoted internally from the position of finance director, has a strong background 

in wood finishing, having previously run the UK division of Junckers for 15 years. He 

will also oversee Becker Acroma’s Irish office. 

Ernest Hartley, sales director at Becker Acroma, said: “I am delighted to be working alongside 

John. We have similar backgrounds and exciting plans for the future development of 

Becker Acroma in the UK.” 

Becker Acroma has also promoted a number of other staff members. On the customer-facing 

side, Garry Drake has become technical service manager, Mick Strode has been promoted 

to the UK distribution sales manager and Steve Byrne has been appointed as Supply Chain 

Manager. Steve heads up a new customer service team: Paulette Fowler, Jackie Pruden and 

Tina Clark. 

Behind the scenes, Joanna Mitchell has been promoted to laboratory manager and Frances 

Armstrong has become global marketing co-ordinator. Frances will also retain her responsibilities 

as UK marketing manager. 

Becker Acroma Ltd 

Tel 01440 765400 ● Email info@becker-acroma.co.uk ● www.becker-acroma.com 

The Accord CNC machining 

centre will be just one of many models on 

display at the SCM Spring In-House exhibition. 

John Woolmore, new MD at Becker Acroma. 


NEWS 

In shape with Striebig 

SWITCHING to a Striebig vertical 

panel saw fitted with a router 

and groover has simplified the 

production of fascia signs made 

from plastic composite materials 

at Irish sign makers, Gaelite 

Signs. 

The Striebig Compact AV 5207 

is used to automatically size and 

route 3 mm thick composite 

panels. Formerly, after being sized, 

the panels were shaped using a 

hand router. 

The Compact’s operator simply 

switches from using the saw head 

to the grooving tool after sizing, so 

that the panels can be shaped. V- 

and U-shaped grooves are routed 

on the rear of the panels using 

special reversible carbide tipped 

profile cutters, with the aluminium 

top surface on the front and part 

of the plastic core remaining untouched. 

This allows the panels to be 

folded by hand, doing away with 

the need for a folding machine, 

with the shape of the groove 

defining the bending radius. 

The saw is also used to size a variety 

of other sheet materials including 

MDF, expanded PVC and 

solid aluminium panels, ranging in 

thickness from 2.5 to 20 mm. 

The Compact AV 5207 features 

an automated cut cycle and a digital 

readout for maximum efficiency. 

It has a maximum cut size 

of 4,600 mm x 2,070 mm and a 

maximum cutting depth of 60 

mm. 

As the operator does not have 

to move the panel once it has 

been placed on the saw, he can 

concentrate on preparing the next 

batch of panels to be processed, 

making the Striebig a big time 

saver. 

The Compact features central 

support and small parts support 

over the entire length of the saw, 

making the cutting of small work 

pieces much easier. An optional 

scoring saw is available to prevent 

laminate panel edges from tearing 

out, ensuring a neat cut ready to 

be glued. 

Dublin-based Gaelite Signs is 

one of Ireland’s largest and most 

successful sign design, installation 

and manufacturing companies. 

Managing director, Finbarr 

Clarkson, said: “The Striebig is an 

extremely versatile saw which has 

made the production of signs 

using composite materials far 

more efficient. 

“We have been able to dispense 

with hand routing and now have a 

consistency of cut that was impossible 

to achieve before.” 

The saw, together with an Al-Ko 

mobile extraction unit, was supplied 

and installed by TI Machinery, 

the Belfast-based sub-agents 

for TM Machinery Sales Ltd, the 

UK’s exclusive Striebig distributor. 

Striebig vertical panel saws are 

suitable for cutting practically all 

sheet materials including wood 

based panels, MDF, plaster board, 

plastics and aluminium panels. 

TM Machinery Sales 

Tel 0116 271 7155 

Email sales@tmservices.co.uk 

www.tmpartnership.co.uk 


NEWS 

Speeding up workflow with Lamont 

KITCHENS supplied by Chiselwood 

of Saxilby are so sought 

after, that the company has orders 

on its books covering the 

period up to Christmas 2009. 

The upmarket kitchens, which 

retail at £50,000-£100,000, are regularly 

featured in magazines such 

as Beautiful Kitchens; Homes & Gardens 

and Utopia. 

The seven displays in the company’s 

showroom feature materials 

such as high gloss solid acrylic 

Parapan, oak, walnut and granite 

combined with appliances from 

names such as Miele, Elica and 

Mercury. In addition, potential 

clients can view examples of Chiselwood 

cabinetry throughout 

neighbouring Fossdyke House, by 

arrangement. 

During 2008, the kitchens were 

so popular that the company found 

it was having to turn work away. A 

solution was needed to increase the 

workflow, and part of this turned 

BLP future secured 

THE FUTURE of a major South 

Yorkshire business has been secured 

following a management 

buyout (MBO) of a leading UK 

manufacturer of wood based 

furniture components for the 

kitchen, bedroom, bathroom 

and architectural markets. 

Bridie Warner-Adsetts and Andrew 

Thorpe have completed the 

MBO of the Profiles and Doors 

business of Kirk Sandall-based BLP 

UK Ltd, which secures the future of 

a business whose origins can be 

traced back 100 years. The new 

company retains the BLP name as 

BLP Furniture Components Ltd. 

Managing director, Bridie 

Warner Adsetts, said, “This deal is 

an important one for the region 

and also for UK manufacturing 

generally, as it secures a longstanding 

and well-regarded business, 

employing over 100 skilled 

workers in Doncaster. Through our 

continuing focus on manufacturing 

excellence, flexible service, 

product quality and design, we are 

confident that the business will 

flourish under its new ownership. 

It is a testament to the goodwill of 

our customers, suppliers and employees 

that the business has 

traded through administration to 

out to be a new clamp and a refurbished 

gluesetter purchased from 

Alan Lamont as a result of a visit to 

his stand at W8 last October. 

“Our premises are a certain size, 

so we cannot get any more bodies 

in here: spending on equipment 

was the best way to get the 

throughput flowing more quickly,” 

design director, Martin Holliday, 

told PW&SS. 

With that in mind, he attended 

W8, where he made several purchasing 

decisions. Among them 

was the Lamont clamp and refurbished 

gluesetter. 

“I was aware of Alan’s work before 

attending W8, as I have seen 

him over the years at quite a few 

trade shows: so we went there 

with him on our shopping list. 

“Alan’s equipment seemed to 

be the best thought out product 

of its sort, and I trusted him: he 

didn’t oversell the product, he simply 

told us what it could do. Trust is 

important to us as a company: we 

tend to be quite loyal to people 

a successful outcome with little or 

no disruption to customers.” 

External equity and debt funding 

for the MBO was provided by 

South Yorkshire Investment Fund 

and Centric Commercial Finance. 

David Fletcher, former Chairman 

once we have got them on board, 

and it pays off.” 

Martin told PW&SS that the new 

clamp and refurbished gluesetter 

have brought definite advantages 

to the workshop. “They are great. 

All the lads in the workshop love 

them, as they make life easier.” 

Not only do the clamp and 

gluesetter speed up the glue curing 

process significantly, but the 

work is “physically less demanding, 

which is very good at the end 

of an eight to ten hour day!” 

When asked if he would recommend 

it to others, Martin replied 

“Certainly I would recommend it: 

it is a very good product, and very 

well serviced by Alan.” 

With its kitchens in such demand, 

the future looks good for 

Chiselwood. Martin concluded, 

“Investing in Lamont allows us to 

take on more work.” 

Lamont 

Tel 01461 40017 

Email aalamont@hotmail.com 

www.lamontclamping.co.uk 

and Chief Executive of Sheffield 

Forgemasters, joins the Board as 

non-executive director. 

BLP Furniture Components Ltd 

Tel 01302 890555 

Email mail@blpuk.com 

www.blpuk.com 


NEWS 

Sign of the times: ArtCAM at CD&M 

IT TAKES a certain spirit to give 

up a lucrative career and dive 

headfirst into a new industry, 

but that’s exactly the scenario 

that gave birth to one of the top 

US sign companies. 

Classic Design and Manufacturing 

(CD&M) near downtown Pensacola 

(previously known as 

Classic Sign & Mirror), was opened 

22 years ago by Michael Sheehan. 

At the time, Mike was a licensed 

aircraft technician in Louisiana for 

a company that leased helicopters 

to the oil industry. However, Mike 

wanted to break free from his job 

and to take his hobby as a sign 

maker to a commercial level. 

Nevertheless, Mike’s background 

in aviation came in handy 

in the “everyday” inner workings of 

the business. It allowed CD&M to 

appreciate the newest, state-ofthe-art 

technology and this includes 

ArtCAM, artistic computer 

aided design and manufacturing 

software (CAD/CAM) from Delcam, 

based in Birmingham. 

“We were one of the first Art- 

CAM customers in the US because I knew straight away that it was so much more than just a design product. It’s the output to whatever you are going 

to make from the beginning to end. It’s the whole package.” 

Mike began changing the business’s focus towards manufacturing when a hurricane hit, leaving total devastation. However, Mike saved a lot of his own 

frequently used shapes, symbols and logos in ArtCAM by using the Relief 

& Vector Library, which allowed CD&M to continue producing quality designs 

quickly, even in a reduced capacity. “Good comes out of everything,” 

Mike said. “With ArtCAM we were able to expand upon the products and 

services we offered, as well as it being a big part of rebuilding our facility.” 

One project to benefit from ArtCAM was the Varona’s sign. “To create 

the flamenco dancer, I first did a quick clay model to work out the flow of 

the dress. Using the clay model and the logo provided by the customer 

as a visual aid, I modelled the dancer in ArtCAM. Some people start with 

a sketch, but I prefer to work with clay. Even if I was carving these with 

chisels, I would still make a clay model.” Once happy with the model, Mike 

created and exported the necessary toolpaths to machine the piece and 

then added the finishing touches by hand. 

Backed with 30 years of CAD/ CAM development experience, Mike feels 

confident in his ArtCAM investment. Mike said, “Delcam has implemented 

many changes that I have suggested over the years and continually brings 

out features that people feel are important to improving the software.” 

Delcam Plc 

Tel 0121 683 1000 ● Email 2009@artcam.com ● www.artcam.com 


NEWS 

TDSL moves and expands with SCM 

IN THESE uncertain times, it is very good to hear 

of two companies doing well and continuing their 

expansion plans after successful moves during the 

last few months — TDSL and SCM Group UK Ltd. 

TDSL, or Timbmet Door Solutions Ltd, was a result 

of a merger and joint venture between Timbmet 

Doors of Oxford and M & V Woodcraft, situated in 

Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. M & V Woodcraft was a 

business owned by Ash Malhan, now CEO of TDSL. 

He has purchased several machines for his door manufacturing 

business, almost exclusively from the SCM 

Group, that includes CNC machining centres, wide 

belt sanders, edge banders and beam panel saws, 

plus classical woodworking machines. 

Ash Malhan comments: “Our previous factory, 

south of Mansfield, was becoming very inefficient as 

we were literally running out of space and we needed 

to increase our output and production of our doors. 

Production was separate to our warehousing, so 

when the opportunity arose to consolidate all our facilities 

under one roof and build a new factory, we 

grasped it with both hands. The complete move, with 

assistance from our suppliers, took less than four days 

to complete with minimal disruption to production.” 

Indeed, the new 60,000 ft 2 facility is located in an impressive building on the Millennium Business Park north of Mansfield, with excellent communication 

links with the M1 motorway nearby. Jim Gibson, TDSL’s technical director, states: “Due to the foresight of the Board of Directors, and with the considerable 

investment in the new building and additional machinery from SCM, we have already managed to increase production by over 50 per cent. 

Where we previously struggled to produce the required number of doors to meet our increasing order volumes, with the new CNCs, wide belt sanders 

and edge banders, we have now reduced our lead times by a significant amount. We have an 

excellent relationship with SCM UK’s Ian McCarthy, their local area sales manager, and Dennis 

Carpenter of SCM’s distributor, Denwood. Before we moved, we called them in to advise on 

their latest machines to meet our requirements, and we ordered two more CNC machining 

centres, making a total of five machines, with a sixth CNC due in shortly. A further SCM Sandya 

20 wide belt sander was ordered, plus a second Sigma 105C automatic panel beam saw.” 

TDSL now produces in excess of 1,700 doors/wk and this figure is increasing month on 

month. The company supplies doors to many market sectors, but educational and healthcare 

sectors provide their main customers. The door core is manufactured from either high performance 

particle board or laminated softwood materials. The core is cut to size on the Sigma 

Beam Saws, then lipped on two SCM N300 single sided edge banders complete with PU gluing 

facility supplied by Nordson, fitted by Nordson and SCM engineers working alongside 

each other. The doors are calibrated for thickness using SCM Sandya 20 wide belt sanders 

fitted with heavy duty calibrating rollers, the first roller being of helicoidal steel that is a speciality 

of SCM calibrating sanders, with increased stock removal and dimensional accuracy. 

After pressing, the doors are polished or painted on a UV finishing line, with an SCM 

Sandya 20 denibbing sander at the infeed to the line. This provides an excellent surface for 

the subsequent lacquer or paint to be applied to the doors. 

Gary North, TDSL’s manufacturing director, commented: “We have an excellent supplier in 

SCM UK, who supply top quality CNC machines to service our doors prior to glazing and a rigorous 

inspection procedure before despatch. We do work them very hard, but due to their 

high specification, including an independent Universal K horizontal machining head with 

two outlets for hinge and lock recessing, we are very satisfied and look forward to the next 

CNC machine due in shortly.” 

The SCM CNC machining centres consist of two Record 132 TVN’s and 

two Record 100AL Actionline machines, with a Record 120 for frames. The 

Record 132 machines have 6,300 mm long beds with fast setting bars 

and pods that allow for unloading and loading of a door while another is 

being machined at the other end of the bed. All machines have, as standard, 

automatic tool changers that supply the tools to the SCM manufactured 

heavy duty routing heads, with programmable variable spindle 

speeds depending upon the materials being machined, feed speeds, etc. 

Jim Gibson concluded, “TDSL is a market leader in the supply of top 

quality doors made to high specifications and dimensions: therefore, we 

insist upon purchasing the best machinery available in the market to 

meet our own increasing demands. SCM fits the bill, and also, we have 

an excellent relationship with SCM’s Service Division down the road, both 

during the installation of machines and the servicing of them thereafter, 

with an immediate response to our requirements.” 

TDSL 

Tel 01623 420664 ● Email enquiries@tds-l.com ● www.tds-l.com 


Tel 0115 977 0044 



NEWS 

DCS locks out dust at Assa Abloy 

ENGINEERS from Dust Control Systems Ltd recently demonstrated their ability to 

provide effective dust extraction solutions for two wholly different production 

processes at Assa Abloy’s UK manufacturing operation at Willenhall in the West 

Midlands. 

Assa Abloy is believed to be the world’s biggest lock maker, with brands that include 

such well known names as Chubb, Union and Yale. The company’s Willenhall manufacturing 

centre produces a wide range of locking systems and is home to Safeguard Doors, 

a leader in the manufacture of high security, bullet resistant and bomb blast doors. 

DCS Ltd was called in to fully evaluate the company’s requirements and come up with 

dust extraction solutions for the security doors woodworking shop and also for extracting 

dust generated in the brass polishing workshop. 

Recent investment in new woodworking machinery, and a decision to relocate the 

Safeguard Doors operation from Wednesbury to Willenhall, prompted the company to 

consider replacing its old wood waste extraction plant with a more efficient system capable 

of meeting current and future dust extraction requirements. 

Extraction was required for a total of seven woodworking machines plus four joiners’ 

benches and, like most systems today, energy saving was an important consideration. 

The system proposed and installed by DCS comprises an externally sited, high-efficiency 

modular filter unit designed to handle large volumes of material contamination. 

The system has an airflow capacity of over 16,000 m 3 /hr and is fitted with the patented 

Superbag polyester filter bag. Superbag employs a patented weaving technique, in tubular 

format, that gives the filter bag a surface which can cope with varying filter loads 

with all types of wood dust and chips. Collected waste is discharged ‘pressure-free’ via a 

rotary valve into a container housed beneath the filter. 

Running costs are reduced through the use of variable speed technology, which automatically 

adjusts fan speed to suit the actual volumes required. Volume is ramped up 

when dampers on specific machines open and lowers when dampers are closed. The 

project also involved the installation of a Hi-vac extraction system for four joiners’ 

benches with ductwork linking back to the filter unit. 

A further energy saving benefit comes in the shape of return air ductwork, which enables 

filtered warm air to be fed back into the workshop in winter to reduce heating costs. 

An efficient ‘capture at source’ solution was required in the polishing 

workshop to extract brass/zinc dust and mop fibres generated during the 

linishing and polishing of mortise lock components, cylinders and night 

latches. Each twin-headed lathe station and automatic polisher has been 

fitted with a custom-designed hood that captures and entrains the dust 

for transportation, via ductwork, to one of three separate internally located 

filter units. Automatic shaker filters, suitable for potentially explosive 

dusts, have been installed to handle air volumes in excess of 11,000 

m 3 /hr. The filters are fitted with a pre-separation section to provide added 

volume below the filter bag, particularly beneficial when dealing with 

higher loadings of very fine dust. An efficient cleaning mechanism has a 

short, three minute off-line cycle time and dust is discharged into quickrelease 

dust bins located at the bottom of each filter unit. 

Dust Control Systems Ltd 

Tel 0800 040 7116 

Email sales@DCSlimited.co.uk ● www.DCSlimited.co.uk 

DCS high-efficiency modular filter deals with wood 

dust and chips from seven woodworking machines 

and four joiners’ benches. 

Automatic shaker filters, suitable for potentially explosive dusts, 

have been installed in the brass polishing workshop. 


NEWS 

Weinig raises the bar on after sales service 

Neal Reid, service manager (front right), with some of the 22 personnel 

in the Weinig UK service team. 

Weinig Group service: always there for you. 

AFTER Sales Service has always been a vital part of any decisions to 

purchase a particular piece of machinery. Downtime is costly both 

in profit and the ability to meet deadlines. These days, this is more 

important than ever and the Weinig Group has continually raised the 

bar on service. 

Weinig UK has always recognised this need and has gained a reputation 

for giving service the highest priority and there are numerous customers 

who will bear testament to this. Today, Weinig Group has 

substantially further strengthened and increased its after sales service 

portfolio to include not just engineering and spares service, but also tailored 

preventive maintenance; comprehensive training; optimisation to 

boost efficiency; project management; machine refurbishment; risk management 

on health and safety; tooling template manufacture; and 

spindle exchange. 

Out of 31 staff at Weinig UK, 22 are dedicated to service and many have 

over 20 years’ experience. Every engineer is factory trained and given two 

weeks a year training on new technology and concepts. ‘Next day’ service 

is often not good enough, so many service problems are solved instantly 

on the phone — from the UK office or from Germany through the advanced 

Weinig CRM system. 

Preventive Maintenance/ 

Service contracts 

Weinig’s flexible and cost-effective 

preventive maintenance 

programmes for all 

Group machines help to ensure 

that they work to requirements, 

year in, year out. 

The level of service is designed 

specifically for each 

customer and an agreed 

costed work schedule is produced 

to suit the customer’s 

maintenance needs, after an 

initial survey. Most importantly, 

it gives a sense of security 

on machine performance 

and Weinig commitment: and 

an increasing number of customers 

are now signing up. 

Over £800,000 of critical 

parts for machines are held in 

stock in the UK, so the need 

for the customer to hold 

spares is reduced. 

Training 

Training of operators has al- 

Steve Prewitt (left): training. 

ways been part of the commissioning 

process on all 

Group machines and all tool 

room activities, including day 

to day machine maintenance. 

Weinig UK will also be 

launching a new initiative to 

help customers achieve better 

productivity, operator 

motivation, increase health 

and safety awareness and 

other important production 

activities, including risk management 

to maximise efficiency 

— free of charge. 

Further details will be announced 

during the course of 

April & May regarding Weinig 

UK’s closer collaboration with 

technical training colleges 

and the availability of training 

courses. 

Project Solutions 

Project work is commonplace 

on new turnkey installations 

but now Weinig UK has extended 

its project services to 

include the refurbishment and 

the movement of stand alone Group machines and complete mills, between 

locations. Attached to the Service Department is an experienced specialist on 

projects, Steve Johnson, Project Manager. He is responsible for the implementation 

and management of any work involving the complete movement 

of a mill from one factory to another and/or the movement of individual machines 

and bespoke refurbishment, as required. Non-Weinig Group machinery 

is also included, as his experience covers all makes of machinery. 

Template manufacture 

Among its many and varied tooling and tool room equipment services, 

Weinig UK provides a profiling service on templates for customers, with 

fast turn round times. A large data base is held for repeat orders on a wide 

range of standard profiles. 

Spindle exchange and refurbishment 

Weinig UK offers a special service on moulder spindles. To minimise 

downtime, they can be exchanged or quickly refurbished with a fast turnaround. 

Any parts that are required over and above the bearings are mutually 

agreed before hand. 

Michael Weinig (UK) Ltd 

Tel 01235 557600 ● Email sales@weinig.co.uk ● www.weinig.co.uk 


NEWS 

ECO-NT: the pinnacle of Reichenbacher technology 

THE ECO-NT series is the latest addition to the new breed of CNC machining centres from leading German producer, Hamuel Reichenbacher. 

The five-axis machining centre is already proving to be a great success with nine units installed since it was first unveiled last summer. 

The ECO-NT series features a new low-vibration, fixed gantry concept with fixed machining 

table on a rugged frame, together with a high Z-axis,, which enables all classical 

routing processes to be carried out. The fixed gantry concept, with reduced 

machine movement, means speed is increased, absolute contour accuracy is achieved 

and the highest surface quality and precision is guaranteed. 

The ECO-NT has been designed with operator safety in mind and was recently 

recognised by the German Machinery Institute as the safest CNC machine on 

the market. Components are machined from all sides, and the coordinate table 

with setting bushes and fixing holes allows a safe and quick changeover 

of work pieces. With the 3D-measuring pin, reference 

points are read and 

memorised in the 

controller, ensuring 

accuracy of 

machined components. 

Thanks to 

the ECO-NT’s fiveaxis 

capability and 

its rigid construction, 

extremely 

demanding freeform 

machining is 

possible. 

The machine is 

completely enclosed 

and the 

loading area is accessed 

via two sliding 

doors. 

For reciprocal loading, each door can be 

opened separately. 

When machining long components, the middle partition can be removed 

and the whole working area utilised. 

The ECO-NT has an integrated tool changing system with eight tool 

places, mounted on the moveable X-slide. Tools with a length of up to 

140 mm and a diameter of up to 40 mm can be utilised. The high performance 

frequency spindle with up to 60,000 rpm is equipped with a 

blast nozzle or a minimum greasing unit, both of which can be activated 

and deactivated by the NC control. 

The highly sophisticated task of control is 

provided by Sinumerik 840D solution 

line (sl) by Siemens. Operation and 

programming of the machine is 

carried out quickly and simply by 

user friendly on screen graphics. 

Hamuel Reichenbacher 

Tel 01226 761799 

Email 

info@reichenbacher.co.uk 

www.reichenbacher.com 

The ECO-NT five-axis machining centre is 

completely enclosed and the loading 

area is accessed via sliding doors. 

Z-slide 

with 1,000 mm Z-stroke. 


NEWS 

Investing in the future: New premises and 

KEVIN Crouch’s business colleagues 

(even his best friends!) 

advised him against a move to 

new premises amid news of 

deepening economic gloom. 

They also drew breath through 

clenched teeth, he says, when he 

told them he was investing in a 

new Giben Prisma 3000 SP panel 

saw from RW Machines in the 

opening weeks of 2009. In both instances, 

though, he is proving 

their wrong-thinking about both 

himself and his business. 

Kevin is managing director at 

Unitech Oxon Ltd, a kitchen design 

and manufacturing company 

which he has owned with his wife, 

Valerie, since 1994. Unitech is a 

prime example of sound corporate 

building on solid foundations that 

has given Kevin and Valerie the 

confidence they need to drive their 

strategy forward, even in the teeth 

of the worst recession for decades. 

“We’ve managed our growth 

very carefully down the years,” says 

Kevin. “In fact, we started out as 

designers and suppliers under the 

name Creative Interiors and we 

didn’t actually move into manufacturing 

until 2001, when we had 

positively identified that the demand 

was unquestionably there.” 

When Unitech was originally established 

as a manufacturing entity, 

it was in a factory north of 

The Giben Prisma 3000 SP replaces an older saw, also supplied by RW Machines: David Thompson-Rowland 

and his team have always provided top notch service and support for Unitech as the business has grown. 

Banbury in Oxfordshire, where 

Kevin turned to local wood-based 

panel specialists RW for the machining 

technology he needed. 

“Making the commitment to 

manufacturing was a significant 

step for us,” says Valerie Crouch. 

Unitech’s Giben Prisma 3000 is fed from the front and new software technology makes it easier to program. 

“We needed a supplier we 

could rely on for machinery to a 

standard necessary for the quality 

of output we are targeting at 

Unitech and also for the reliability 

and service to back it up — downtime 

on the shop floor is something 

we are determined to rule 

out of our production scheduling. 

“David Thompson-Rowland and 

his team at RW Machines gave us 

the confidence we needed and he 

has always provided us with top 

notch service and support for our 

business as it has grown.” 

The move to new premises 

came in September 2008 and 

brought a number of new efficiencies 

to the business. For the first 

time, the whole operation moved 

under one roof with no more need 

to move materials around between 

smaller individual units. 

Also, the new location is better 

placed logistically, being situated 

just off junction 11 of the M40 at 

Banbury. 

“We previously had about 7,000 

ft 2 inside two buildings,” says 

Kevin, “and now we have 11,000 ft 2 

all under one roof. As well as 

streamlining the production 

process, we’ve been able to open a 

trade showroom that really 

demonstrates the diversity of our 

range — we offer over 400 door 

designs and we now have the 

manufacturing versatility and software 

technology we need to offer 

a truly bespoke service.” 

At the same time, the Giben 

Prisma 3000 SP has brought a 

much greater production volume 


NEWS 

a new Giben Prisma 3000 saw for Unitech 

Unitech began as designers and suppliers and didn’t actually move into manufacturing until 2001, 

when demand had been positively identified. 

capability to the business. It replaces 

an older model, which was 

also supplied by RW Machines and 

which had reached the end of its 

working life. 

“The new Giben has slotted 

seamlessly into our production 

line,” says Kevin, “and it is giving us 

greater precision working. It’s easier 

to program and it loads at the 

front, so that the operator can run 

the panel sizing operation single 

handedly.” 

Prisma 3000 SP is from a world 

leader in beam saw technology 

and features the heavy duty construction 

that the market has 

learned to expect from Giben. The 

Unitech machine specifically is a 

single line panel sizing centre that 

was developed by Giben for the 

wood-based panel processing sector 

and particularly for use by 

small to medium sized cabinet furniture 

makers. Front loading of the 

stacks is facilitated by a panel 

pusher with grippers featuring 

double bottom floating appendices, 

which block the stack during 

the whole cutting cycle and 

until the last trim cut is made. Support 

tables under the pusher bar 

are equipped with roller modules 

to protect the board surface from 

any damage: saw blade projection 

is to a maximum height of 132 

mm and the split pressure beam 

ensures maximum stack control. 

Unitech produces around 250 

cabinets/wk, of which most are 

sold ready assembled and with 

doors in position for trade customers. 

Kevin Crouch estimates 

that the Giben will enable a doubling 

of this throughput due in 

large part to the significant improvement 

in materials handling 

that it represents. This has eliminated 

the need for manual removal 

and turning of workpieces 

between passes, allowing panels 

to be loaded, cut, turned and finished, 

all in one sequence. 

Unitech’s focus on smaller trade 

customers has proved invaluable 

during the economic downturn. 

Says Valerie Crouch: “We are not 

dependent on one or two big customers 

for the majority of our 

business. A good mix of smaller 

specialist buyers makes us less vulnerable 

to big swings in the trading 

climate. 

“Our customers are not dependent 

on large-scale building 

projects and have been less affected 

than bigger operators by 

the slow-down in the building sector. 

We are confident, but not complacent, 

that we will have enough 

demand to see us through the 

worst of the recession. 

“A new factory and new machinery, 

like the Giben Prisma 

3000 SP, will make us more efficient, 

avoid down-time and it will 

also help us to make the most of 

the opportunities that will arise 

when the economy starts to recover 

and grow again. We feel we 

are about as well placed as we 

could reasonably hope to be in 

the circumstances!” 

RW Machines Ltd 

Tel 01869 244943 

Email sales@rwmachines.co.uk 

www.rwmachines.co.uk 

Manufacturing versatility on the Giben allows Unitech to field a truly bespoke service. 



Complete 

denibbing 

solution 

QUICKWOOD has reported a 

number of sales of its profile 

sander/denibber range, with recent 

deliveries of a PRO 1400 and 

several CD2-300 profile denibbers, 

as well as a CD2-1300. 

Success stories are scarce these 

days, but QuickWood’s ability to 

supply a complete affordable solution 

has placed the company in 

a strong position to offer denibbing 

solutions. 

QuickWood UK 

Tel 01920 822922 

Email info@gibbsfinishing.com 

www.quickwood.co.uk 

High gloss polishing 

with QuickWood 

Gibbs drying racks 

QUICKWOOD has recently 

launched a range of machines 

for high gloss polishing of 

lacquers. 

The system involves the Special 

PRO Power range, which polishes 

the lacquer with a fine polishing 

paste, which is applied automatically 

to the heads of the machine 

during operation. 

With a one pass operation 

through the PRO Power and a 

simple operating systems, high 

gloss doors and components are 

now easily achievable. 

The Quick High Gloss system 

has been installed with customers 

in Germany, Italy and in the UK. 

QuickWood UK 

Tel 01920 822922 


www.quickwood.co.uk 

The QuickWood PRO 800 Special for the high gloss polishing of 

lacquers. 

GIBBS Sandtech has introduced 

a new Heavy Duty Expanding 

Rack to its extensive range of 

spray shop drying racks and 

spray tables. 

This new rack is suitable for 

large panels and fire doors up to 

60 kg in weight. 

The new rack can be supplied 

as two, three or more up-rights, 

depending upon the customer’s 

specifications. 

Gibbs Sandtech Ltd 

Tel 01920 822404 


www.gibbsfinishing.com 



Kündig for Taylor Made Joinery Interiors Ltd 

TAYLOR Made Joinery Interiors 

Ltd, based in Suffolk, is arguably 

one of the UK’s most prolific and 

specialist joinery and interior 

fit-out manufacturers. 

Established in 1981 by Gordon 

and James Taylor, TMJ started with 

just two joiners, with initial trade 

being dedicated to the local building 

companies who they serviced 

with made to measure joinery work 

including windows, doors, stairs, 

kitchens and general cabinetry. 

From those early days, TMJ has 

evolved into one of the largest 

joinery manufacturers with a 

workforce in excess of 130 personnel 

and a manufacturing facility 

consisting of some 36,000 ft 2 . The 

clients of today not only include 

Stephan Kündig & James Taylor in front of the Kündig Botop 1350. 

Abrasives for wood & metal 

KLINGSPOR Abrasives has made further advances in its Advanced Coating Technology, 

used with abrasives suitable for use in both the wood and metal industries, 

the company tells PW&SS. 

The ACT for Woodworking programme offers 40% higher performance and 

longer life compared to con ven tional abrasives, according to a company 

spokesman. Klingspor also reports that users are impressed with the finish that ACT 

products provide. 

The woodworking programme includes J-flex backings, paper backings and 

polyester backed products to suit all abrasive belt applications. 

In addition, Klingspor is making available its ‘Sanding of Wood’ handbook to 

those working with wood. The book is full of information about timber, abrasives 

and applications, and includes an easy to use cross reference table, ensuring the 

correct product is selected. There is also a trouble shooting guide with information 

concerning fault finding in an application. 

ACT metalworking materials are described as showing “aggression and excellent 

grain retention”, resulting in long product life. 

There are currently several new materials available for abrasive belts to suit 

aggressive grinding on non ferrous materials, cast iron, steel components and 

additional products for aggressive grinding on high alloy and stainless steel 

components. Klingspor fibre discs are claimed to offer 25% higher performance 

work from refurbishment to the 

private residential customer but 

also many of the ‘blue chip’ companies 

from the financial, investment 

and banking and software 

industries. Common to all is the 

stringent requirement for quality 

workmanship, actual completion 

timescales with project management 

and, of course, more bespoke 

designs. 

TMJ is a forward thinking company, 

which has excelled in all 

areas and has consequently been 

awarded such lucrative contracts 

as the refurbishment of Windsor 

Castle following the fire in 1992, 

and also refurbishment work to 

the Royal Festival Hall as well as, 

more recently, the specialist join- 

▲ 

A graph supplied by Klingspor demonstrating the benefits of ACT. 

compared to conventional 

fibre discs. The SMT656 is an aggressive flap 

disc using abrasive material specifically designed to work at 80 m/s. It is 

suitable for all conventional angle grinders. 

“Typical improvement benefits are gained from extremely low vibration 

levels, low noise levels and reduced dust in the atmosphere, making 

this one of the best abrasive tools to fit onto an angle grinder,” Klingspor 

told PW&SS. “What does this mean for the user? Longer life from the abrasive 

pro duct and more aggression in application, resulting in improved 

process, more parts per hour and less fatigue on the operator.” 

Klingspor Abrasives Ltd 

Tel 01909 504400 

Email sales@klingspor.co.uk ● www.klingspor.co.uk 



▲ 

ery packages for Unilever, Henderson 

Global Investors and DTZ. 

The secret to this success is 

down to the ethos of the company, 

which is “To actively invest in 

employees and resources is to 

maximise quality and output.” 

In 2007, following much deliberation 

by management and production 

personnel, it was decided that 

one area which was in need of addressing 

to improve productivity 

and quality was on the calibration, 

pre sanding and finishing of both 

joinery and panel based products. 

The result of this was the key figures 

including Mr James Taylor and 

production director, Mr Pat Coll, visiting 

the international woodworking 

machinery exhibition in 

Hannover, Germany. The purpose 

of this visit was to view and assess 

the relevant machinery which 

would be most suited to the strict 

criteria as set out by TMJ and which 

would be able to perform within 

the company’s busy environment. 

One of the companies TMJ visited 

at the exhibition was Kündig, 

who had on display a number of 

wide belt sanding machines which 

were initially demonstrated by Mr 

Stephan Kündig. 

TMJ was already familiar with 

the Kündig machines, as the company 

had a twin belt sanding machine 

installed in 1996, which was 

used by any of the 35 members in 

the joinery workshop and which 

had proved both easy to use and 

exceptional in terms of reliability 

and accuracy. 

The machines demonstrated 

not only consisted of the traditional 

sanding heads for both calibration 

and for veneers, but also 

the Oblique sanding heads. 

Following these demonstrations, 

a meeting was arranged for 

the following morning with a view 

to a more in depth discussion regarding 

the actual requirements 

of TMJ. As specialist manufacturers 

and innovators of wide belt and 

edge sanding machinery, Kündig 

was able to assess what was required 

from a machine to fulfil the 

requirements of TMJ. Following 

this assessment, it was decided 

that the main machine requirement 

was for the veneer workshop, 

which needed o be able to 

calibrate raw MDF and door 

blanks prior to veneering and also 

to be able to pre sand the veneered 

panels prior to lacquering. 

In June 2007, key members 

from TMJ visited Kündig’s main 

manufacturing headquarters just 

outside Zurich in Switzerland, 

where further trials were carried 

out on actual samples which were 

sent from TMJ prior to the visit. 

These were then returned to TMJ 

for examination and test once 

lacquered. 

The initial assessment for a five 

head machine was wholly justified 

and would offer TMJ the flexibility 

and time saving which they were 

looking to achieve. 

The machine consisted of: 

1st head: cross belt for the 

removal of veneer tape. 

2nd head: calibration roller. 

3rd head: segmental pad for 

veneer sanding. 

4th head: oblique segmental pad 

for fine finishing. 

5th head: bottom calibration 

roller. 

Following the trials and demonstrations 

of the machines with 

Oblique sanding, a meeting was set 

at TMJ’s head office in Bildeston, Ipswich, 

where not only an order was 

placed for the new five head 

Kündig Botop machine, but also for 

a further lacquer sanding machine 

for the spray shop. This second 

order was the result of the demonstrations 

and final finish achieved 

from the Oblique sanding heads, 

which offered a far flatter and fibre 

free surface without any oscillation 

marks or inherent flaws of the abrasive 

being transmitted to the finished 

surface. The second machine, 

known as the Kündig V-Max 1350, 

was equipped with two oblique 

sanding heads, one set at +10° and 

the other at –10° to the travel of the 

workpiece and both giving a shear 

sanding action from two different 

directions. 

Both machines were manufactured 

to exacting Swiss standards 

and incorporated a range of features. 

These include a static bed, 

whereby the sanding group raises 

and lowers accordingly and gives 

a fixed working height, so that the 

appropriate support can be offered 

to the infeed and outfeed of 

the machine, hence reducing the 

need for a second operator. Also 

included was the patented electronic 

Enormatic setting function, 

which measures the thickest part 

of the workpiece, then the machine 

sets itself to the desired finished 

size with the conveyor 

starting automatically, all without 

the need for the operator to return 

to the control panel. 

The new machines were delivered, 

off loaded, positioned and 

commissioned to the timescales 

set out by TMJ along with a large 

quantity of abrasives also manufactured 

by Kündig to ensure the 

utmost in surface finish. 

Kündig Ltd 

Tel 0845 833 0565 

Email info@kundig.co.uk 

www.kundig.co.uk 

The reception at Eversheds: just one example of the high quality of Taylor Made Joinery’s work. 



Sanding with SCM 

MODERN woodworking and furniture buinesses that own an automatic 

calibrating wide belt sanding machine have often found combined 

roller/pad units to be an ideal blend of versatility and 

machining quality that also meant low investment costs. 

Because there is a growing need among small businesses to satisfy an 

ever-more diversified demand, SCM has developed the innovative System 

Five unit, available on the Model Sandya 5S (pictured left). 

This new machining unit consists of two rollers (the second is of an increased 

diameter) and an intermediate pad, also available in the sectioned 

electronic version, all with independent positioning. 

This solution ensures exceptional versatility, thus allowing manufacturers, 

for an investment only slightly higher than that needed for traditional 

combined units, to meet even the most diverse machining 

requirements. 

The new unit can, in fact, carry out five different machining tasks. The 

first roller only for calibration, first roller and pad or first roller and second 

roller for calibration and subsequent sanding, second roller only or 

pad only for a wide variety of sanding tasks. 

All this done on a single machining head, the application range of 

which spans from solid wood to veneered and painted surfaces, ideal for 

doors, windows, kitchens, furniture and fittings, etc. 

The Sandya 5S also allows the System Five to be preceded by a roller 

unit to broaden its application range even further. 

The new Sandya 5S with System Five is considered perfect for small 

workshops and companies looking to satisfy an ever-more varied demand 

that requires extremely versatile machining solutions 

of outstanding quality. 


Tel 0115 977 0044 

Email scmgroupuk@scmgroup.com 

www.scmgb.co.uk 

● DMC, a division of the SCM Group, is a world leading 

name in the manufacture and supply of all types of 

high quality sanding machines, with innovative and 

high tech products to meet the most demanding requirements 

from companies that need the very best 

finish that a sander can offer. 

Continuous innovation and a strong focus on customer 

production processes are the main factors 

which led ot the development of the “Masterbrush” 

range of automatic brush sanding machines (pictured 

left). 

This is considered an ideal solution for finishing assembled 

five-piece timber cabinet doors, moulded MDF cabinet 

doors, frames and similar profiled parts. The machine is suitable 

both for rough and base coated work pieces. 

Masterbrush has a modular design and can therefore be 

equipped with various types of brush sanding units, including both linear and 

rotating units to meet all sanding requirements (illustrated below, left). It is also possible to 

add a traditional roller or pad sanding unit, to realise what are claimed to be the most complete and 

flexible sanding solutions available on the market today. 

DMC: where Quality and Finish count, from SCM’s Hi Tech Panel Division. 

SCM Group UK Ltd (Hi Tech Panel Division) 

Tel 0115 977 7818 

Email hitechuk@scmgroup.com ● www.scmgb.co.uk 

SCM sanders will be on show at the 

In House Exhibition at SCM’s new 

Nottingham showroom, April 22-24: 

see page 4 for more details. 



Quoting made easy with JMS 

THREE years ago, Fallowfield 

Projects was faced with a very 

high level of demand for joinery 

quotations. As with many small 

businesses, time was in short 

supply and turnaround time for 

pricing was longer than desirable, 

leading to peaks and 

troughs in production. Investment 

in Joinerysoft’s Joinery 

Management Software (JMS) 

has transformed the company’s 

quoting process, resulting in a 

speedier customer response and 

a more consistent flow of orders. 

Based in Staveley, near Kendal, 

Fallowfield Projects was set up 14 

years ago, by two brothers, Jim 

and Ward Fallowfield. Concentrating 

on building up their reputation, 

based on good service, 

reliable delivery times and quality, 

they take on a diverse range of 

work, including windows, doors, 

staircases and occasionally shop 

fitting and interior work. Fallowfields 

has concentrated on efficiencies 

in production to speed up 

the workflow, with a greater emphasis 

on window production 

over the last eight years. Investing 

in Masterwood CNC machining 

centres has improved efficiency 

and the implementation of quality 

systems has enabled the company 

to achieve two prestigious British 

standard Kitemark licences for 

their window manufacture. 

The company’s highly efficient 

production only served to highlight 

inefficiencies in other areas of 

the business, not least of which 

was the quoting ability. Almost all 

joiners can relate to bottlenecks in 

quoting. Fallowfields was no exception 

to this: with orders constantly 

building up, the company 

often resorted to answering 

quotes in batches, resulting in delays 

and less chance of winning orders, 

further contributing to peaks 

and troughs in production. 

Joinerysoft’s Joinery Management 

Software (JMS) for windows, 

sliding sash, doors, screens, stairs, 

CNC and bill of materials, provides 

a comprehensive solution for joinery 

companies wishing to improve 

efficiency and control costs. Providing 

quick and professional 

quotes, as well as cutting lists, 

glass and timber orders, JMS saves 

administration time, allowing joiners 

to return to the workshop. 

Viewing JMS two years ago, Fallowfields 

instantly recognised that 

this was what they were looking 

for, and purchased straight away. 

Administrator, Annette Graves, 

says: “We really needed to get a 

more consistent flow of orders 

and JMS has enabled us to do this 

really well. Even with a limited 

knowledge of joinery, I am now 

able to do much of the routine 

pricing, where as previously it had 

to wait for a production joiner.” 

Purchasing initially to improve 

pricing. Fallowfields is keen to 

utilise JMS further, including possibly 

linking with the company’s 

Masterwood CNC machining 

centres in the future. 

Servicing both the general public 

and trade, Fallowfields’ customers 

have noticed a big 

difference, too. Customers can 

now walk in off the streets and receive 

a quote there and then. 

Fallowfields’ quicker response 

leads to a better chance of winning 

the work, and the professional 

quotes reassure customers. 

“The visual true scale image really 

helps, particularly when selling to 

someone who doesn’t know joinery,” 

Annette says. “The itemised 

layout and clarity of price reassures 

customers and gives them 

more confidence about what they 

will get, providing a good first impression 

for us.” Another feature 

enjoyed by Annette is the ability 

to email quotes directly from JMS. 

Two years on, Fallowfields is still 

pleased with the investment. 

Annette says, “JMS is fairly easy to 

learn It helps that we use it a lot. 

After our training we have had 

very little need to call support. We 

are quite good at finding out the 

answer for ourselves and that’s basically 

how you learn. Joinerysoft 

are helpful and approachable, 

though, and I would definitely not 

hesitate to call if I needed to.” 

Fallowfields finds it easy to update 

prices with JMS, protecting 

the company’s profit margin and 

keeping control of costs. 

JMS’s contribution has not only 

speeded up quoting but has also 

impacted on production, by allowing 

joinery staff normally involved 

in pricing to be free to return to the 

workshop. Annette believes, “JMS 

is definitely a strength in the current 

economic climate. I would not 

like to be without it.” 

Fallowfield Projects 

Tel 01539 822700 

Email info@fallowfield.co.uk 

www.fallowfield.co.uk 

Joinerysoft 

Tel 01608 643302 

Email enquiries@joinerysoft.com 

www.joinerysoft.com 



New SCM window line for Sash Windows UK 

YORKSHIRE-based Sash Windows 

UK has invested in state-of-the-art 

manufacturing facilities for its timber 

range of bespoke doors, 

windows, conservatories and 

orangeries. 

The company has purchased 

new engineering technology from the 

SCM Group (UK) Ltd. 

Sash Windows UK’s new facilities include 

SCM’s Windor 20, a CNC machining 

centre for window frames 

which provides maximum versatility, fast production 

and an efficient work cycle to minimise downtime. 

SCM has also supplied and installed its Superset XL, an automatic 

throughfeed planer moul der providing powerful and versatile performance, with an 

innovative and patented SETUP system that makes set-up times up to 20 

times faster at component changeover. 

“Consistent delivery of high quality has been the foundation of Sash 

Windows UK’s success over many years,” said director, Julian Payton. 

“Our new manufacturing resources from SCM take this consistency to 

an even higher level whilst enabling us to provide a faster turnaround for 

customers’ orders. Combined with our existing quality management system 

and the expertise of our team of technical engineers, the investment 

will allow Sash Windows UK to provide a better service than ever as a supplier 

of engineered timber products to the trade market.” 

“As a manufacturer of both timber and PVCu products, Sash Windows 

UK is one of the first British companies of its type to invest in SCM’s woodworking 

technology,” said Colin Simmons, area sales manager for SCM’s 

solid wood range. “We are delighted to have established a direct partnership 

through which we provide full installation, training and guaranteed 

ongoing service to maintain operational efficiency.” 

Sash Windows UK 

Tel 01274 607711 

Colin Simmons, area sales manager for SCM’s Solid Wood Range, 

introduces the newly installed Superset XL to Sash Windows UK 

director Julian Payton (left). 

Email info@sashwindowsuk.co.uk ● www.sashwindowsuk.co.uk 


Tel 0115 977 0044 


Street gets a makeover with new windows and doors 

TENANTS of Accord Housing Association 

in Halesowen in the 

West Midlands are reaping the 

benefits of new composite 

doorsets and timber windows, 

supplied and installed by one of 

the UK’s leading joinery manufacturers, 

JELD-WEN. 

Work began back in February, 

when 33 semi-detached and terraced 

houses, all built in a classic 

Regency style, had their front and 

back doors refurbished, under the 

Government’s Decent Homes programme. 

As part of the contract with Accord 

Housing, Jeld-Wen also supplied 

Regency-style timber 

windows, which were provided 

fully finished to provide low maintenance, 

and factory glazed to ensure 

thermal performance. 

The contract also involved the 

replacement of timber windows 

and external doors in a nearby 

apartment block. 

Accord Housing chose attractive 

four panel composite doors in 

a sympathetic style to replace its 

existing timber entrance doors. 

JELD-WEN’s composite doorsets 

are believed to offer six times better 

insulation than other materials, 

as well as enhanced sound and 

heat insulation. 

Their manufacturing process 

means the door panel is resistant 

to movement with changes in 

temperature, so tenants won’t experience 

their doors warping, 

splintering or cracking due to 

weather conditions. 

Each door was produced at 

JELD-WEN’s factory in Sheffield 

and supplied to individual plot 

numbers and with all ironmongery, 

including door number and 

a gold-effect letter plate. 

All JELD-WEN’s timber windows 

were produced from FSC Chain of 

Custody certified timber, which 

ensures they originate from well 

managed forests with stringent reforestation 

programmes. 

Mark England, Head of Asset 

Management at Accord Housing, 

explains: “We chose timber windows 

as they were sympathetic to 

the style of the homes and also 

because of their environmental 

benefits. Composite doors were 

perfect as they made a home 

much more energy efficient.” 

Security was an important part 

of the refurbishment and JELD- 

WEN’s timber windows and composite 

doorsets were therefore 

supplied to meet with Secured by 

Design standards. This is the standard 

set by the Association of 

Chief Police Officers (ACPO), which 

provides tenants with an enhanced 

level of security and protection 

against break-ins. 

Sam Cross, Public Sector Representative 

for JELD-WEN, explains: 

“Our expertise in the social housing 

sector means we were able to 

come up with a solution that met 

Accord’s requirements exactly. We 

made the whole process of refurbishment 

as simple and straightforward 

as possible by carrying out 

consultations with tenants, right 

through to supplying and installing 

the windows and doorsets. 

“Windows and doors make a 

huge difference to the overall condition 

of a property and the tenants 

should benefit from greater 

efficiency and peace of mind for 

years to come.” 

Jeld-Wen 

Tel 0845 122 2890 

Email marketing@jeld-wen.co.uk 

www .jeld-wen.co.uk 

Page 20 Panel, Wood & Solid Surface April 2009 

▲


Innovation with Stegherr at Ligna 2009 

“IT’S the economy, stupid!” 

James Carville, Bill Clinton’s political 

strategist in the 1992 election, 

placed this sign on his 

desk. 

Turning that slightly, one thing 

that will help all of us get out of 

this downturn in our economies is 

Innovation, and over many years 

Stegherr has grown and developed 

its business with this talent. 

Some examples of this talent 

will be shown by Stegherr at the 

Ligna exhibition in Hannover this 

May on Stand E68 in Hall 12. 

Stegherr is represented in the UK 

by John Penny Woodworking Machinery 

Ltd. 

Of particular interest on the 

stand to all existing and new window 

producers will be the KF-W 

machine, which was able to produce 

a perfect corner joint in preprofiled 

stock without tenons. The 

KF-W is a perfect example of an innovation 

being developed and refined 

to produce a machine able 

to give exciting new manufacturing 

possibilities to the wooden 

window industry. 

Another machine to be shown 

is the closed halving joint machine 

KSF-2/8. Although the KSF-2 has 

been around for many years selling 

in great numbers all over the 

world, more than 1000 to date, it 

has now grown into a bar processing 

centre. 

The KSF2/8 has the ability to cut 

both parts of the closed halving 

joint, end scribe without breakout, 

end trim at varying angles and 

drill, producing a completely finished 

glazing bar ready for 

assembly. 

Other machines that will generate 

new thinking are the GLS head 

saw and KF1 scribing/drilling machine. 

The GLS 2 saw is able to end 

trim beads in most materials, 

wood, plastic and aluminium with 

any angle between +45° and –45° 

in both planes with an automatic 

and programmable infeed system. 

The KF1 is able to end scribe 

profiled bars without breakout 

and drill and insert a fixing dowel 

for connection to the outer frame. 

On show for the first time is the 

new DS drilling and dowel insertion 

machine, which has recently 

found favour in the Netherlands, 

Germany and France, working 

alongside the many Weinig Conturex 

window processing centres 

installed in those countries. 

Also on show is the very well 

KF scribed joint 

and closed havling joint. 

proven FD-E2 machining centre 

for windows and doors with working 

units for recessing, profiling, 

drilling and dowel insertion. 

“If you are involved in the manufacturing 

of windows, you must 

visit the Stegherr stand at Ligna 

and get your ideas turned into reality 

and let’s all get innovating!” 

said John Penny of John Penny 

Woodworking Machinery Ltd. 

John Penny Woodworking 

Machinery Ltd 

Tel 01235 531700 

Email john.penny@btconnect.com 

www.stegherr.net 

▲ 

Jeld-Wen supplied and installed these door sets and windows. 



New from Euro-Fit 

BASED in Beverley, East Yorkshire, 

Euro-Fit Systems Ltd has been 

providing furniture fixtures and 

fittings to the kitchen, bedroom 

and office industry for many 

years. With over 2,000 products 

listed at the 55,000 ft 2 warehouse 

and office complex, the company 

continues to endeavour to be ‘The 

Fiting Solution’. 

Recently added to the range are 

the new Drawer Soft Close systems 

(“a” in image). Firstly, they 

have a soft close slide to compliment 

the precision ball bearing 

drawer slides already on offer from 

Euro-Fit. Having the same hole positions 

as the standard Euro-Fit 

slides enables a simple upgrade to 

the unit without any modification 

to drilling. As standard with all the 

company’s slides, they are manufactured 

to stringent industry 

standards and can be custom designed 

in partnership with clients 

to meet specific requirements. 

Euro-Fit is also introducing a 

retro fitted soft closing (“b” in 

image). The universal mechanism 

is easily mounted on the cabinet 

side between cabinet and drawer 

wall, which means it can be added 

to an existing unit at any time. The 

smooth soft closing effect of this 

new system is compatible with a 

wide range of runners and slides, 

having installation width dimensions 

of 9.5 to 13.5 mm, giving a 

silent closing motion for the 

drawer. 

Euro-Fit Systems Ltd 

Tel 08701 296030 

Email sales@eurofitsystems.com 

www.eurofitsystems.com 

Extended range from Blue Diamond 

BLUE Diamond Technologies, the company that specialises in the 

global sourcing and supply of high quality components from cost 

saving manufacturers, has now extended its scope to cover a wide 

range of fabricated metal items. 

This includes many of the custom parts that are used by manufacturers 

of office furniture and partitioning systems, examples of which may 

be feet for screens and partitions, shelf holders and screw clamps. 

All too often, manufacturers will devote considerable resources to the 

efficient sourcing of aluminum extrusions, glass, veneer and wood, but 

overlook the smaller engineered components which can also be needed 

in significant quantities, Now Blue Diamond can supply a wide range of 

these fabricated metal components to individual specifications at greatly 

reduced cost. 

Blue Diamond is not just a component supplier; its team of specialists 

may take control of every aspect of the supply chain to provide all the 

benefits of global procurement with the reliability and convenience of a 

single UK source. This comprehensive service includes order scheduling, 

packaging and stockholding, if required. 

Blue Diamond also offers a complete 

design and engineering service to ensure that components are not over 

engineered and are designed for production by the most cost-efficient 

methods. 

Before manufacture, the engineers at Blue Diamond can evaluate a 

customer’s design and suggest improvements, ie the changing of material 

specifications or finishes to reduce costs while improving or maintaining 

functionality. Engineering drawings can be originated or modified 

and quality standards set to ensure that components will exceed the demands 

of the application. 

Blue Diamond has a wealth of experience in the assembly and supply 

of a wide range of finished components. 

In addition to fabricated components, Blue Diamond also supplies all 

types of plastic moulded components, turned parts and casings, all manufactured 

to the highest standards. 

Blue Diamond Technologies Ltd 

Tel 023 8025 8966 

Email bdsales@rolwey.com ● www.blue-diamond.co.uk 

Custom parts for manufacturers of office furniture and partitioning systems produced by Blue Diamond. 



Designing with Alphacam 

FOR MORE than four decades, 

Arthur Lloyd Furniture Ltd has 

been designing and manufacturing 

bespoke furniture for a 

wide client base. 

Although the demands of the 

various markets have changed 

considerably, the company has always 

been able to rely on its Alphacam 

CAD/CAM software to 

support new business initiatives. 

For Stourbridge-based Arthur 

Lloyd Furniture Ltd, the education 

sector represents a significant proportion 

of its business, with between 

30 and 50 per cent of its 

turnover coming from this market. 

In fact, the company has recently 

completed over 1200 student 

bed spaces in various 

developments, including a mixture 

of up to five bedroom flats 

with communal kitchen and double 

studio bedrooms, as well as 

bespoke furniture for private 

schools and colleges. “It is a very 

competitive market sector and 

customers demand the quality 

and service we can deliver,” explains 

director, David Nicholls. 

Planit supplied the company 

with its advanced Alphacam software 

package complete with its 

Windoor module, which was used 

for nesting out the high volume 

runs required for the student furniture. 

“Alphacam offers extremely 

powerful nest capability and its 

material utilisation is very efficient,” 

confirms CAD/CAM operator, 

Ian Cox. 

However, the recent investment 

in a CNC beam saw has removed 

the need for this nesting capability. 

Today, thanks to the functionality 

of Alphacam, the software is 

used for designing the bespoke 

furniture. 

David Nicholls adds: “In the current 

economic climate enquiries 

CAD/CAM operator, Ian Cox, using Alphacam software. 

Hettinject connects 

HETTINJECT from Hettich, the 

“Best of the Best” at the Interzum 

Intelligent Material & 

Design awards, has been 

launched in the UK. 

Hettinject is a component system 

for lightweight panels which 

is suitable for both volume manufacturers 

and fitters with hand 

tools. It is considered an ideal solution 

for mounting drawer runners, 

hinges and connecting 

fittings to hollow core or honeycomb 

panels. 

These lightweight panels reduce 

transport costs, save valuable 

timber and other resources, 

and allow individual fitters to perform 

tasks which would normally 

require two people. They also give 

the designer the opportunity to 

specify greater thicknesses of 

table tops, for example, without 

adding undue weight. 

Hettinject is based on a 

patented dowel-gluing technology, 

which provides the strength 

for secure use of fittings, even on 

panels with 4 mm ‘skins’ (the lightweight 

standard is 8 mm). 

Hettinject also promotes design 

flexibility — frameless designs are 

possible thanks to the strength of 

the bond, and Hettinject is compatible 

with a variety of materials, 

including plastics, aluminium, 

Plexiglas and Flax in addition to 

wood-based panels such as MDF. 

The secret of Hettinject 

strength is the flow ducts, which 

Arthur Lloyd uses Alphacam to produce intricate bespoke panel 

channel dowel adhesive to the 

contact surfaces on the top and 

bottom panel. This minimises adhesive 

consumption and cuts 

cycle times. 

Existing processing machinery 

designs for customers. 

for bespoke furniture, especially 

kitchens, have increased because 

people have realised that they can 

specify exactly what they want.” 

By investing in flexible machinery, 

the company, which employs 

13 people, is just as able to cope 

with large production runs or bespoke 

small volume orders. As well 

as solid and laminate wood finishes, 

spray booths are used to 

offer coloured coatings on units, 

with the doors constructed from 

MDF centre panels and American 

hardwood frame edges. Using a 

two-pack spray applied acrylic 

coating gives a superb surface finish 

that will last and is resistant to 

the cleaning chemicals used in 

kitchens. 

With the increased demand for 

bespoke products, the company is 

currently installing a display area 

in a new retail shop in the West 

Midlands, at Halesowen, just a 

short distance from its manufacturing 

facilities. As David Nicholls 

says, “Customers don’t just have to 

choose from a square panel or a 

glass fronted door: using Alphacam 

and our production knowledge, 

they can have pretty much 

whatever they want.” 

Ian Cox is currently designing 

some very intricate engraved door 

panels that will demonstrate what 

the company can do, and provide 

the customer with a greater 

choice. 

“We are showing customers 

that they can have a ‘wow’ factor. 

We can produce it for them without 

a significant cost penalty and 

this is where the strength of Alphacam 

is for us. For specials and 

one offs, the software is fantastic,” 

he concludes. 

Alphacam 

Tel 024 7671 3434 

Email 

Alphacam_sales@planit.com 

www.alphacam.com 

can be retro-fitted with the adhesive 

metering system. 

Hettick UK 

Tel 0161 872 9552 

Email info@uk.hettich.com 

www.hettich.com/uk 


SCM GROUP (UK) Ltd 

Blenheim House, Camberley Road, Bulwell 

NOTTINGHAM NG6 8UW 

Tel 0115 977 0044, Fax 0115 977 0946 

www.scmgb.co.uk scmgroupuk@scmgroup.com

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