For over 20 years now, Homag and Holzma have opened their factory doors at the end of September every year to the global market for what is probably the largest, most comprehensive and informative open house that the woodworking industry has to offer. This year’s Homag Treff promises to be bigger and better than ever. With further developments from the exciting revelations seen at Ligna 2013, the open house known as Treff (meeting place), offers the opportunity to experience machines, plants, services and software across an area of over 10,000 sq m. The open house event will be held at the Homag headquarters in Schopfloch and Holzma’s impressive factory in Holzbronn, Germany from 24th-27th September 2013.
Simon Brooks, sales and marketing director of Homag UK talks us through some of the highlights, “Following on from Ligna 2013, the group will be showcasing some of the key developments from each of its brands at this year’s Treff.”
Technology at your fingertips
“Visitors will be able to experience the new operating system powerTouch. The recently unveiled system standardises all Homag Group machines so they can be operated using the same interface. With a widescreen HD multi-touch monitor, powerTouch combines design and function to create a user friendly system controlled entirely by direct touch.
“Using Homag Group brands as standard across a factory floor creates a simple yet efficient work process. The ultra-modern user interface offers an array of help and assistance functions, designed to radically simplify the work experience. Now, with the introduction of powerTouch, it’s even easier for personnel to operate every machine on the factory floor, making it simpler to transfer skills and thus provide better utilisation of the workforce.”
Invisible joints – see it with your own eyes
The demand for zero joints continues unabated and naturally this has been a key development for Homag. The group already has its well-established laserTec solutions for industrial-sized producers and has seen immense success across Europe and particularly in Italy since Homag pioneered the laserTec concept and bought it to market.
LaserTec is now available across the complete range of throughfeed edgebanders and it is also possible to use the same technology on the BAZ range so that users can produce invisible joints on both straight and curved edges. Homag will be demonstrating the superb results that can be attained with laserTec during the Treff.
“In much the same way as technology filters through the car market from Formula 1 to the family saloon, Homag Group has been keen to provide the benefits of invisible joint technology to the wider woodworking market.
“Towards the back end of last year, Brandt developed a revolutionary edgebanding technology for the mid sector of the market, airTec. Visitors to W12 may remember the excitement and interest this technology caused when it was premiered in the UK last October.
“We already have equipment in build for UK customers and airTec is proving to be a huge step forward in edgebanding technology for small- to mid-sized manufacturers. At the Treff this year, customers can see the quality of airTec on both Brandt and Homag edgebanders.”
Technology for volume production of one off parts – batch size one
“With batch size one production taking over traditional volume production methods, it’s important that machinery manufacturers can supply the market with products and supporting technology to fulfil the challenging pressures of make-to-order production. Homag and Holzma engineers have designed new innovations to meet these targets for the production of furniture, windows and doors. Treff visitors will be able to see the very latest equipment for this type of work with live demonstrations throughout each day of the event.
“The Homag KFL 350 Flexline edgebanding cell, for example, enables rapid changeover between set-ups on the run – machine settings are amended accurately ‘in the gap’. The machine can adjust itself without stopping the track choosing the appropriate program, settings, tape type and even the bonding technique for the next panel. Using a barcode system, Flexline can determine whether the edge of the next component will be applied using the laserTec method or with conventional hot-melt glue – superb technology from Homag.
New technology from Holzma
“Holzma has also responded to batch size one demand with new standards of machine versatility. The company has radically revamped, streamlined and simplified its range of products in its 3 and 4 series saws enabling quicker production and lower costs.
“Whether it’s a single line saw or angular system, Holzma’s 3 and 4 series have everything a panel saw needs. What’s more, customers can tailor the machines to their needs with a wide range of optional features at extremely competitive prices,” says Simon.
With technological advancements such as these, Homag Group is helping businesses cut lead times and meet consumer demand. Treff will be showcasing the KFL 350 and Holzma saws among many other advanced machines including processing centres and robots, designed specifically for batch size one production.
Holzma will also be displaying its completely revamped 2 series saws which can be personalised to a company’s needs. This enables the customer to specify precisely the right machines for its business.
“Complementing the range of saws from Holzma are the new destacking (including robot technology) and Dust
-Ex systems,” continues Simon. “Launched at Ligna 2013 to provide additional efficiency for manufacturers, visitors to the Treff will see how these new concepts enhance the output of a saw.
“Alongside the new models from the 200 and 300 series, Holzma will be introducing its new ‘concept saw’ which includes a routing and drilling unit. Capable of impressive speeds up to 45m/min on the X axis and 20m/min on the Y axis, this new machine can saw, router and drill in just one cycle.”
On-trend market developments
“The eSolution experts have been busy since developing woodCAD|CAM 10.0 . Updates include 3D modelling with Boolean operations for complex geometries, graphical programming of five-axis processing with 3D simulation of individual processing steps, plus other advancements in tools for presentations and sales.
“Our software specialists will be on hand to provide advice and their expert knowledge of this powerful front end design and manufacturing software package which can drive a whole factory from one workstation.”
Robots on the march
“Ligmatech will be displaying some of its latest developments for assembly, handling and packaging with a range of equipment on demonstration. Homag Group’s specialist for the ever-growing robotics market, Ligmatech will have experts on hand to talk to customers about the advantages of robot technology which can be used with almost every machine in the Group’s portfolio.
“Of course, all Homag Group brands will be showcasing some of the most popular machines on the market including the TLF 210 storage system from Bargstedt, linking board storage directly to the manufacturing process,” explains Simon.
CNC solutions for every application
Both Homag and Weeke will presenting their latest innovations for the CNC market with machinery for both the joinery and panel processing sectors. The group’s world-renowned WoodWOP software takes another leap forward with the launch of WoodWOP7.0 which has even more developments for five-axis machining without the need for expensive third party software systems.
A huge and diverse range of CNC machines will be operating throughout the Treff demonstrating Homag’s knowledge and expertise at all levels of production with stand-alone machines for nesting and single part machining all the way through to automatically fed machining cells for high end productivity and optimum efficiency.
Proving Homag’s experience across a wide range of market sectors, machinery will be on display for the plastics and composites market with the BMG512 five axis router as well as the window and door markets with four- and five-axis models as well as the BMB923 powerProfiler for high end bespoke window production.
The furniture industry will be well represented with the flagship BAZ range of CNC processing centres – EVA and Lasertec bonding – which have been further developed to incorporate edgebanding of bevelled edges as well as the traditional curved edge.
New products
“A Homag open house wouldn’t be complete without new revelations from its expert engineers. Treff 2013 will be meeting customers’ expectations with revolutionary edgebanders, processing centres and saws on demonstration.” says Simon.
“There’s so much to mention. It’s just not possible to list everything that will be on show at this truly amazing event. With well over 50 machines being demonstrated, the Treff is not to be missed by anyone looking to improve their production processes.
“Whether you’re a small business or a large industrial manufacturer, there will be something there for you. Homag UK representatives will be on hand to ensure you get the most out of Treff 2013,” ends Simon.
To find out how you can attend this year’s Treff, contact Homag UK.
T 01332 856424
[email protected]
