Arnold Laver Timber World has a rolling programme of investment in new technology to keep its cutting edge in the market. In line with this, it recently installed a new generation Weinig Powermat moulder with a 12in capability – the first of its type in the UK – at its Manningham Sawmills in Bradford.
Currently operating from 13 locations around the country, Timber World depots offer one of the most extensive product ranges in the market. It imports its own timber from across the world and specialises in both softwoods and hardwoods, in addition to covering sheet materials, joinery products, timber mouldings, floorboards and kitchens.
The company also undertakes a large volume of milling work and its stocks include internal and external mouldings, stairs, doors and window components, as well as cladding.
Today, on timber linear mouldings in particular, customer demands are changing – faster deliveries, superior quality, shorter runs, and a growing number of special profiles are regularly requested. These are now vital requirements to satisfy customer needs.
The company’s operations director Mark Hay visited Tauberbischofsheim, the home of specialist moulder manufacturer, Weinig, to see if the Powermat moulders could help him to deliver his customers’ needs. He was given a tour of Weinig’s manufacturing plant and shown the new range of Powermat moulders and toolroom equipment in its demonstration showroom.
He ordered a Powermat 1000 and supporting toolroom equipment – a Rondamat 960 profile grinder, the PowerCom tool setting system, together with new PowerLock tooling.
The Powermat 1000 has seven tool holders and is able to machine 12in-wide timber. The use of PowerLock tooling enables speeds of up to 12,000rpm, making it possible to run production at up to twice the feed speed of conventional moulders, so doubling output without affecting finish. Thus, it reduces the cost per finished workpiece and shortens delivery times.
Improved quality
As a result of the higher production rates from the Powermat, Arnold Laver is replacing both of its conventional moulders and is able to use machine operators more effectively.
“Our 12x6in moulder and smaller quick-set machine had to be replaced, as new health and safety regulations made it impractical to upgrade,” said Mr Hay. “We looked at replacing them both with one machine that could meet all requirements. We checked with a number of different manufacturers that make 12x6in moulders, but Weinig was the only one that could offer it with the added advantage of PowerLock capability.”
“We are already seeing an improvement in moulding quality,” he added. “And the investment will benefit customers by giving them a competitively priced service and ability to respond quickly to their demands – providing a superior finish on 12in width timber”.
According to Weinig, the PowerLock tooling on the Powermat is smaller and lighter than conventional tooling, faster to fit and remove, and simple and more comfortable for the operator to handle.
“At a push of a button the tooling can be unclamped and removed and a new tool inserted and clamped into position by just another push of a button,” said the company. “All the tooling heads can be changed in five minutes – as opposed to 45 minutes or more on conventional moulders.”
Versatility
Weinig says that the Powermat also benefits from the PowerCom setting, memory and tool management system: “It is very versatile and provides the quickest and the most accurate method of setting moulders – ensuring the first piece through the moulder after setting up is perfect. It reduces setting up time because chip-breaker and pressure shoe positions are part of the memory system, so more job changeovers can be accomplished in a shift, with minimum downtime.”
PowerCom records all measurements for future reference and instant recall. So if a repeat order is required, all the individual tool settings are readily available – not only the size and settings, but also the timber species and the customer’s previous profile details and requirements. It builds up a comprehensive record on each customer.
By installing the Powermat 1000 and the supporting toolroom equipment, Arnold Laver says that its moulding capabilities will not only provide existing customers with superior products, but also help its moulding business to grow in an increasingly competitive market.
