Input Joinery has become the first company in the UK to take delivery of a multi-function Conturex window-making line from Weinig.
The Conturex is described by its manufacturer as “a revolutionary new concept”. Designed for making bespoke doors and and conservatory elements as well as windows, it is highly automated, requiring one operator and only 25% of their working day.
Input’s model, the C124, comprises a portal frame with two vertical machining heads and a universal spindle. It handles components up to 4500mm long and averages a two to five minute cycle time per component, including positioning and all machining operations: cutting to length, profiling and ancillary operations such as drilling mortice and dowel holes for mullions and transoms and cutting hinge recessess and vent slots.
The machine features a five-axis head for drilling and sawing, the patented “PowerGrip” clamping system, collision management and tool recognition by bar code.
According to Weinig, the Conturex can also work 90% of the day, as opposed to the industry machine average of 50-80%. This is thanks to a buffer infeed unit which can hold 20-30 minutes’ worth of components, enabling the unit to continue to operate unmanned through work breaks.
Managing director Gerald Ruddick said that before purchasing the Conturex, Input undertook a feasibility study of the machine producing sliding sash windows, doors and frames.
“The results were very encouraging, so I also looked into the cost of tooling and software required to run it and [subsequently] placed the order last July,” he said.
After a “short settling in period” he said the Conturex “is doing everything Weinig says it would”.
“One of the biggest advantages it provides is enabling us to take products from the outfeed table, where they’re assembled, straight into the paint shop and final assembly,”
Other models in the Conturex range include the C226 which averages 48 seconds per component.
