Weinmann Holzbausystemtechnik GmbH is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of machinery for producing prefabricated timber housing and is hoping to increase its business in the UK. The company, part of the Homag group, sells a large range of technology, from simple assembly tables for craftsman enterprises through to fully automatic production plants for industrial operations. Modular construction is Weinmann’s basic concept.
Two of its biggest customers to date are Century Homes in Ireland and Westbury plc in England.
Joerg Gross, Weinmann product manager for UK & Ireland, said only Westbury (Space4) and Stewart Milne at Witney have so far invested in automatic production lines in the UK, although the latter is not its customer. He said prospective UK customers “need lots of time to decide whether to automate or not”.
“It’s very traditional here. There are many timber frame companies in Scotland because it’s a large market. But the companies there seem to be working with traditional manual methods,” said Mr Gross.
Short payback
He hopes there will be more take up of more automated production methods and claims the payback on investment can be as little as two or three years.
In Ireland, which Mr Gross said is a big market for timber frame, Weinmann has about five companies on its order books.
The UK market, he said, is very different from mainland Europe where it is common to have full CNC controlled machinery for producing timber frame homes. Companies also tend to favour a closed panel system and Mr Gross estimates that more than 50% of Europe’s timber frame industry have so far opted for this type of product. Small craftsman enterprises, as well as the big firms, are opting for closed panels.
The advantages of this type of construction, Mr Gross added, is the erection a of a watertight structure in just one day and the ability for people to move in within two weeks. “You can control quality within the factory,” he said.
New machines
Weinmann introduced several machine models at this year’s Ligna. Its updated Optimat WMS 100 and 120 multi-function bridges are now equipped with a five-axis vector unit, featuring a 400mm saw blade for automatic cutting of any angle.
The vector is designed to be flexible for processing solid wood components or sloping wall parts for items such as bay windows. Work previously done manually, such as cutting of drips or mitre cuts for wall outlets, is now handled by the unit.
Another new model is the WBZ 150 beam processing station, which is equipped with a tool changer. The machine is aimed at a wide range of users, from home builders to carpentry operations – anybody who needs cutting work for producing wall, roof and flooring elements.
