With a history spanning more than 60 years, Bütfering is an innovative world leader of wide-belt sanding machines. As part of the Homag Group, it has a policy of continuous product development to meet the ever-changing customer demands. To maintain its position as the benchmark of the industry it has recently invested in a new state-of-the-art production line.
In a period which has seen radical changes due to the worldwide economic situation, the decision to move the manufacturing facility from the original location in Beckum, Germany to Herzebrock just 20km away, was a bold one. Herzebrock is, of course, home to Weeke, another Homag Group company employing more than 680 people in a modern factory producing technologically-advanced CNC, drilling and assembly machinery.
Integrating the Bütfering brand into the Weeke plant not only necessitated a significant redesign of the production halls, but also the construction of a completely new Competence Centre Showroom. Needless to say, this project required a substantial investment.
The Bütfering product mix is extensive. At the entry level, there are simple standardised machines offered in 950, 1100 and 1350mm working widths with one, two or three heads. In Homag parlance, these are referred to as Optimat machines.
To address more specialised needs, a range of tailor-made solutions is offered under the profiLine banner. These cover single through to six head machines in working widths of 1350 and 1650mm with a comprehensive choice of head configurations and options. It was with these criteria in mind that the new production was conceived.
The end result is that today, Bütfering boasts the most modern and advanced manufacturing and assembly line for wide-belt sanders in the world. Occupying some 1600m2, the new line has been designed to optimise production and ease of assembly.
Machine frames are positioned on huge precision surface plates that move on rails down the production hall. These rails are precisely levelled and have a capacity in excess of 20 tonnes, in particular to accommodate the heavy
Sorbtech bases used in both the SWT 500 and 900 series of sanders. This system has the significant advantage that there is no longer the need to re-level the machines as they pass down the production line.
Simon Brooks, Homag UK’s sales and marketing director concludes: “With a faster throughput and streamlined processes, the new facility will produce more machinery than ever before whilst maintaining Bütfering's stringent quality standards. The factory move and investment in this state-of-the-art production line is a clear indication of Homag’s long-term commitment to the surface technology industry.”
