June/July 2009 - PAWPRINT PUBLISHING

LIGNA REVIEW
Someone has turned the light on!
“WHAT did we expect from the
Ligna 2009 Exhibition in
Hanover? Not a lot!” John Penny
of John Penny Woodworking
Machinery Ltd told PW&SS.
“Very surprisingly, orders were
being placed on the Stegherr
stand and enquiries were better
than expected, there were two
KSF2-E fully automatic closed
halving joint machines ordered for
Canada, as well as a machine for
Scotland.
“The KSF2-E was again the star
of the stand, the model shown
was the KSF2-E/8 with eight working
heads. This machine is able to
drill, joint, scribe and angle cut all
types of glazing bars and beads.
Efficiency
IN THE TEETH of the recession, new approaches
and techniques are emerging to exploit natural resources
more efficiently and economically.
Typical is a series of innovations based on the thin
kerf technology devised by Wood-Mizer 25 years
ago. Its benefits have included high output, low energy
consumption and minimal operating costs.
Now the company is taking it a step further. In response
to the difficult trading conditions being experienced by producers
and consumers alike, it has worked on its own manufacturing
process. By concentrating on engineering redesign and through
the application of ‘lean’ manufacturing principles, it has reduced product
costs and thereby its sawmills’ price without detracting from the functions
of its timber processing machinery.
Semi-industrial wood cutting was represented at Ligna by the LT70 series
(illustrated). High capacity, increased productivity, reliability and safety convert
this sawmill into the basis of the next level: industrial cutting. In 2009,
Wood-Mizer is launching an LT70 remote controlled sawmill into European,
Asian and African markets. The LT70-Remote has a remote operator control
stand, enabling the operator to site himself in the optimum sawing position.
Compound angle cutting on the Stegherr GLS-2 bead saw.
“This machine was fitted with a
remote measuring unit allowing
each set of bars to be precisely cut
to fit individual frames.
“The machine is controlled from
an easy to use touch screen programmer
which can accept information
by manual entry, via
Bluetooth or on line from the window
design computer.
“The Stegherr GLS-2 glazing
bead processing centre generated
some interest, this machine can
produce angle cuts from –45° to
+45° in both vertical and horizontal
planes. Both saws’ angles and
the cutting stroke are controlled
by servo drive, so any material can
be cut. The material is fed and positioned
by an NC pusher and the
machine can be fully automated
by the addition of customised
work piece feeders.”
Full information on all Stegherr
equipment can be obtained from
John Penny Woodworking Machinery
Ltd.
John Penny Woodworking
Machinery Ltd
Tel 01235 531700
Email john.penny@btconnect.com
Normally, with the addition of an optional log deck, inclined conveyor
for board removal and transfer table, the sawmill repeats a lot of features
of Wood-Mizer’s most productive mill, the LT300. However, the Ligna machine
reflects engineers’ incorporation of less costly components and the
conveyor and transfer table are replaced by manual roller ‘out-feed’
tables. Another example is manual- instead of electrically-operated hydraulic
valves, to cut costs without compromising functions.
In terms of overall operation, the LT70-Remote is similar to the LT300
but costs 40% less. Productivity is about 30% less.
Wood-Mizer UK ● Tel 01622 813201
Email info@woodmizer.co.uk ● www.woodmizer.co.uk
‘Dancing’ at Ligna
A HIGHLIGHT of this year’s
Combilift stand in the outside
area at Ligna was the hourly
performance of the Combi-CB
“dance”, which attracted large
crowds and perfectly demonstrated
the manoeuvrability of
Combilift’s latest model.
Combilift drivers, Sam Moffett
and Phillip Condell, left onlookers
in no doubt of their expertise as
they deftly manoeuvred the two
Combi-CBs within inches of each
other in a routine set to Irish music.
The Combi-CB is a compact,
four-way counterbalance truck,
launched in the autumn of 2008
and designed for operations that
handle a mixture of longer and
shorter loads. All three power options,
LP Gas, diesel and the new
electric version, were on show at
Ligna for the first time.
“Sales of this model are going
very well, in spite of the current
economic situation,” says managing
director, Martin McVicar. “We
put this down to the excellent
value for money it represents, as
using just this one truck is an economical
solution, particularly when
you factor in the extra overheads
for maintenance, insurance and
training that are incurred when
using multiple types of forklifts.”
The wide range of the other
models on show proved that Combilift
has the ideal four-way solution
for the varying requirements
of the timber sector.
Martin sums up: “We established
some good new contacts,
met up with familiar faces and had
some orders signed and sealed at
the show. All in all, it was a very
worthwhile week in Hanover.”
Combilift Ltd
Tel 07815 314990
Email info@combilift.com
www.combilift.com
Page 14 Panel, Wood & Solid Surface June/July 2009