Woodmex does the business

With such big-name customers as S Silverman & Sons, James Latham and Boise Cascade using its multi-directional forklifts, Combilift is pretty well-known in the UK timber handling market.

At Woodmex, the Irish firm underlined its ambition to boost its share of the business further with a new four-way sideloader.

The indoor/outdoor all-wheel drive C5000 SL “looks like a conventional sideloader”, said Combilift’s managing director Martin McVicar, but, he added, there are key differences.

“It incorporates our four-directional technology, enabling the truck to operate easily in narrow aisles,” he said. “Also, we’ve designed it so that the mast tilts rather than the cab and deck. This means that we can achieve a 750mm deck height, which is considerably less than the norm for side-loaders and enables operators to use their storage more economically. It also means that the cab isn’t continually banging against racking or timber in narrow aisles.”

The direction of the cab can also be changed to customer specification. “We’ve found in trials that most drivers favour having the cab facing the forks, rather than the traditional side-loader direction,” said Mr McVicar.

Talbott’s targets country estates

Appreciation of the benefits of using timber co-products and biomass generally as a source of heat is clearly spreading.

One of the focuses on the stand of combustion and heating systems specialist Talbott’s was a biomass boiler aimed at bigger country hotels and estates.

“This is a market with a lot of potential for us,” said Talbott’s Chris Hughes. “A growing number of sectors are realising the value of converting biomass to energy – especially with the rising cost of landfill.”

Underpinning the optimism of the business – which was also highlighting modifications to its T75 combustion system, with the addition of a wider flue and thermostatically-controlled fan – it is planning to open an office in North America.

Moulding options

Perhaps the centrepiece of the Trymwood Machinery Sales stand was the Woodmex debut of the HolyTek throughfeed moulder range.

The company bills the machines as “the first real, quality alternative for moulder options in a decade”. At the show Trymwood also emphasised its commitment to back-up, service, spare parts and training.

The moulders are based on proven design with a heavy-duty cast iron construction and independent motors for each head, cardan drive and quick-dial set-up.

The HolyTek machines are available in head configurations from 4-10 and come standard with chromium plated beds.

Wise decision

Unimerco was confirmed at Woodmex in the wisdom of its investment in “one of the most advanced tooling production plants in Europe”.

The company is moving to the new site in Lichfield to keep pace with rising demand for its customised tooling and tool servicing. At the NEC, said sales director Terry Manning, the business kept on coming.

He added that the company did especially well with its new UM Top-Fix window tooling system which, it says, offers 80% faster knife changeover.

CNC is the key

There’s a growing appreciation that CNC and the software to drive it are key to maintaining a competitive edge, says Licom Systems following a Woodmex where it had “an exceptional flow of good quality visitors”.

Licom used the event to highlight that it now offers a complete woodworking software package: AlphaCAM, AlphaDOOR, AlphaCIM and AlpaSTAIRS.

Masterwood has the ABC of CNC

Masterwood presented three uprated CNC solid wood and panel machining centres all featuring a new workpiece positioning system which removes the need for costly laser devices.

The apparatus, fitted as standard to the Atlas XL, Project 320 and Winner 3.2 models, comprises aluminium supports and vacuum cups which are pneumatically locked and unlocked. An electronic display shows the position of the supports and cups and once the operator calls up a program, the ideal configuration is transmitted to the handle displays.

Each of the three machines serves a particular sector of the market. The Atlas XL is designed to accommodate the bulkiest joinery pieces and is designed for processing components for staircases, doors and windows.

The cantilever Project 320 gives the operator flexibility to handle both panel and joinery work, while the Winner 3.22m is an entry level model designed for small and medium-sized panel and joinery firms.

The company also unveiled its Masternest software program, which optimises the number of components per sheet of material, and demonstrated updates to its Masterstair program.

It also dropped broad hints that another significant CNC software development was just around the corner.

Woodtech unveils a world first

“You saw it first at Woodmex” was a justifiable claim from Woodtech Machinery at this year’s show.

The well-known agency was giving the inaugural showing of a brand new product from Paul of Germany, the XXL Push-Cut.

The machine combines Paul’s Push-Cut feed technology with a brand new scribing saw and is designed for precision CNC cross-cutting of laminated boards, MFC or other products where there is a risk of breakout, including post-formed material. Workpieces can be up to 75kg, 6m long, 100mm thick and 650mm wide and the infeed and outfeed can be manual or fully automated.

The machine, summarised by Woodtech, offers “a cheaper, faster and more accurate alternative to conventional manufacturing techniques involving break-out-prone materials”.

Buoyed by 12 months of growth generally and a record year for sales of Holtec machines, Woodtech took a large stand where it also showed the new Paul CX Push-Cut machine, complete with touch screen, web-server linkable control, the K34 multi-rip saw, Avola’s 65S GaMA cross-cut saw and Nardi’s range of heat sterilisation kilns.

Dalton renews old acquaintances

Visitors to AL Dalton’s stand were apparently greeting the Wadkin machines on show like long-lost friends.

Woodmex was the first exhibition opportunity Dalton’s has had to convey the message that Wadkin is back manufacturing machines, including five models of moulder. Wadkin, of course, had a brief brush with receivership in 2001 and was bought out by Dalton’s (the company’s distributor for 40 years) and a management team. At the same time the service operation hived off to become Wadkin Ultracare.

“Although Wadkin’s production has been picking up for some time, there are still people out there who don’t know the brand is back,” said Dalton’s director Francis Dalton.

Dalton’s also featured the Wadkin classical range and highlighted new developments to its auto cross-cut, and panel saw. “We’re moving the range forward,” said Mr Dalton.

Alongside, on a sizeable stand, were display’s from the com-pany’s other principals. These included Elcon panel saws (with Elcon managing director Peter Meijer on hand to give advice) and the brand new Stenner ST130 auto-setting resaw which attracted considerable interest next to its ‘junior’ the ST100.

Stacking up nicely

There were two noises coming from the stand of System TM – the clatter of its new high capac-ity opti-stack 3000 timber stacker and the patter of visitors’ feet.

The new stacker can handle 80 workpieces per minute and is designed to work alongside a range of woodworking machines including moulders, band resaws and double-end tenoners (at the show it was taking timber from Denmark-based System TM’s new opti-kap 2002 optimising cross-cut saw).

Birgitte Berg of System TM said visitors lured to the stand by the stacker’s remarked on its capacity and price. “It costs about the same as the average Danish worker’s annual salary,” she said.

Irion clad

Irion Sideloaders Ltd launched four new models at its stand – three of which are aimed at the timber/panel processing and merchant industries.

David Cooper, managing director (pictured) said the launch followed a period when Irion had been “feeling” the market to see what industry required.

The new timber sideloaders are the DFQLL, the DFQ 50 nP, expected to become Irion’s volume seller, and the Quaddro – which attracted the lion’s share of enquiries at the show. Irion hopes the Quaddro will take market share from forklifts. It is a four-way machine, with four wheel drive and steering which, says the company, blends manoeuvreability and stability.

Whole new Format

Austrian-based Felder Group took the opportunity of its Woodmex debut to make a big show of its Format4 range of sliding table saws.

The company, known for its planer/thicknesser range, established the Format4 operation as the vehicle for a move into the panel saw business.

“We have three models, the Kappa 315 and 450 and the Kappa X-motion, a completely CNC 3-axis machine, but all use the same basic frame construction, giving economies of scale,” said the company’s Bernhard Plattner.

He added that all the machines feature a specially-designed hollow sliding table construction which gives up to 30% higher loading than standard designs. All also include a telescopic fence which stretches up to 3200mm.

Felder also displayed its new AD741 surface thickness planer.

Service key at Wadkin Ultracare

Woodmex was the first opportunity that Wadkin UltraCare has had to present its services and products to the mass of the wood machinery sector, and it made the most of it.

Nigel Smith said that UltraCare had got off to a strong start following its creation last year, with turnover to December 2001 reaching nearly £3m pre-tax profits of £475,000 and sales up 19% this year. It is now looking to establish a US subsidiary.

“Our aim is to change our image from a machine maker with a servicing arm, to a service business that makes machines,” said Mr Smith.

At Woodmex, Wadkin UltraCare launched its ServiceCare fixed price package for firms requiring regular preventative wood machine maintenance and PremiumCare, which includes out-of-hours servicing and breakdown attendance.

The company also showed its new Windows-based Outline 3-axis template maker.

Quality and quantity for Homag

Homag UK has logged Woodmex 2002 as one of its most successful shows, netting a “high volume of quality enquiries and orders”.

The vast group stand was divided into three sections – industrial, craftsman and joinery – with key machinery for each market backed with associated options and accessories.

A special emphasis was how Homag has engineered its products to offer a “very high level of technology” at affordable prices. This, said a company spokesman, has been achieved through “batch production of key machine components and a co-ordinated planning and manufacturing strategy”.

Homag UK managing director Kelvin Wilkins commented that the UK market increasingly recognised that investing in quality was the most cost-effective option. Proof of this was that 11 top-end Martin joinery machines were sold at the show.

Other show sales included Ligmatech Boomerang panel return devices, single-sided Brandt edgebanders, Homag Machinery NBT 100 throughfeed drilling machines and a BAZ 232 stationary processing centre.

Enquiries were also taken for Butfering sanders, the Friz 3D profile wrapping machine, Homag Sawtech CH03 beam saw and the Holzma angle plant.

BeA offers hot melt hot shots

Among the beneficiaries of the UK’s timber frame revival is BeA Fastening Systems. Its tools have been extensively used for a long time in a range of timber-using sectors, from packaging and pallet making to shopfitting and decking. But, according to Brian Lund, the company has experienced increasingly strong demand from the timber frame industry, both for static nailing and stapling systems and portable tools.

At the show, BeA had several new products suited to the timber frame market, including recently redeveloped and redesigned R-series strip nailers. The new tools are lighter and quieter and have ergonomically angled handles and magazines. “These allow easier access into difficult nailing areas and are much less tiring to use,”said Mr Lund.

BeA also highlighted modular ‘skate’ systems and a new mini portable hotmelt gun, the Gas-Tec 300, which uses lighter fuel and heats in seconds. In conjunction with automation specialist ABB, BeA additionally unveiled its Flex Fastener robotic arm system which can be mounted with BeA nail, staple or glue guns on an automated joinery production line.

AIM puts on a show of strength

Associated International Machinery Ltd (AIM) surprised a lot of people at Woodmex, including itself.

This was AIM’s first Woodmex and it gave a good account of itself with a wide spread of products on a 220m² stand.

“The level of interest we received far surpassed our expectations,” said Joe Dowling.

One stand highlight was Uniteam’s high spec, 5-axis, Windows NT controlled CNC machining centre. Another was the Sprint, which had two operating units, demonstrating how higher productivity can be achieved by processing workpieces simultaneously.

From Steton there were planer moulders, panel and beam saws, and a wide range of traditional machinery.

MCR edge banders, SbF sanders and Tomassini panel handling systems also featured.

Robot draws

A robot in action always draws the crowds at an exhibition, and the display from Biele at Woodmex was no exception.

The eye-catching bright orange Kuka robot was teamed with Biele’s recently developed Kompakt panel feeding and transfer system. Aimed at furniture, door and other panel products users, the robot has a suction cap head which can handle a range of different materials and panel-sizes, transferring them from any machine onto the Biele conveyor system.

Alongside and also making its UK exhibition debut was the high speed “Concept” panel feeding system which has the option of a double infeed for extra high productivity.

“The model at the show can achieve 15 cycles per minute and it’s attracting a lot of interest,” said Biele export director Jésus Telleria.

DISA on display

One of the largest machines on display was DISA Airmaster Ltd’s Cycloplex Cyclofilter.

It is the first time the company has promoted cyclone dust extraction technology in the UK. Its stated advantages include longer filter bag life, and a smaller filter and footprint. A total of 95% of waste is pre-separated by the cyclone while emissions levels are said to be less than 1mg/m3. It can waste volumes of over 300g/m3 and has pulse-jet cleaning.

Kronospan enters a new dimension

Kronospan marked its ASFI debut with a massive stand. It was something akin to a Star Trek set, which was quite appropriate given the company’s exhibition theme was about taking visitors to the “next dimension” in decorative panel products.

The centrepiece of the display was Kronospan’s Kolorband “programme”, a portfolio of more than 275 colourways and surface effects in melamine-faced chipboard and MDF which customers can order in small quantities on a rapid turnaround.

“ASFI was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Kolorband – it’s ideal for furniture manufacturers and designers,” said product manager Lara Woolf.

Kronospan also unveiled a “new dimension” in its Tycho melamine range including new colours, metallic and wood grain finishes.

Completing the picture was the just-launched Natural Finish collection which has a non-reflecting, flat wood effect.

Kronospan marketing manager Paul Duddle summed up the company’s first ASFI experience as a “tremendous success”. “We’d definitely do it again,” he said.

Morrells has cause for celebration

Morrells Woodfin-ishes was determined to make a splash at ASFI with a bigger and redesigned stand.

One reason was because it was the last chance to mark its century (1902-2002) of making finishes for furniture and joinery.

But there were other factors behind the high profile stand too. One was the alliance with Italian coatings technology giant Sirca, formed to bring new water-borne exterior coatings to market. The first fruits of the collaboration are the Morrells-Sirca Pigmented Colour Range and Woodshades, which are microporous, fungicidal, UV-resistant and compliant with BS EN 927.

Morrells marketing manager Jamie Marsden said the company was doing well in the joinery market generally. “Which is why we’ve got a specific joinery display on the stand,” he said.

Another Woodemex focus was the new Morlux UV curable lacquer range. The products have already won over leading Scots furniture producer Morris.

The final cause for celebration was an 8% sales rise this year and increasingly healthy export growth, especially in the Middle East.

Lathams gives flavour

  Timber importer and merchant James Latham plc, exhibiting at ASFI for the third time running, gave its stand a touch of the Mediterranean to reflect the Italian origin of its Texwood and Texplus panel products.

The company, TTJ’s Timber Trader of the Year, laid on Italian chef Vincenza Scialpi to cook tempting food for visitors while they checked out the panel products, both produced at the Venice factory of Piarottolegno.

Texwood is a laminated hardwood panel used in furniture, including kitchen surfaces, doors and bathroom fittings. Texplus is a three- or five-layer product for kitchen and furniture panels.

Lathams also distributed its new FSC guide and its first CD-ROM.

Cabinet Vision offers support

UK furniture manufacturers using Cabinet Vision software now have the ability to get free, problem-solving advice from thousands of their US counterparts through an e-support service launched at ASFI 2002.

Managing director Ray Semadeni said one of the UK’s leading furniture manufacturers had tested the service, until now only available in the US. At 9am the company posted a question on the manufacturers’ forum, the most popular feature of the service, and by lunchtime it had seven responses from US users.

The forum attracts around 2,000 queries a year in the US with an average of four replies to each question.

Other features of E-Support include a reference centre and quick tips on using Cabinet Vision software. About 200 companies in the UK and Ireland use Cabinet Vision.

SCM in demand

There was a buoyant air about SCM’s stand at this year’s show, with UK sales director Mike King saying the level of interest in machinery had necessitated a call to its factory to increase orders.

Machinery launched at Woodmex included DMC Technosand and Unisand wide belt sanders; three SCM Sandya machines for sanding veneered and solid wood; and the Record 125 machining centre, which has been on the UK market for a couple of months.

Mr King said the company had experienced a good year, generating about another £1m in sales on last year.

He said: “The joinery industry has woken up to the fact that they have to spend money.”

TM’s evolving control

Leicester-based TM Machinery Sales Ltd is looking to two new models of the Striebig vertical panel saw to add further sales growth.

The launch of the Control and Evolution machines onto the UK market at Woodmex is seen by TM Machinery’s managing director Tony Morris as another important step following the opening of a new facility earlier this year. “The company is going from strength to strength,” he said.

The company says the Control and smaller Evolution saws have both been tested on the European market and feature digital measuring systems, accurate to 0.1mm, as standard.

They come in a variety of frame sizes with cutting areas ranging from 3300x1680mm up to 5300x2240mm, allowing them to take the largest panels.