For manufacturers under pressure to produce more, faster, without sacrificing precision, the Comec FRT double-ended machining centre has become one of the most valuable additions to the joinery shop floor. The Comec FRT CN, available in the UK through JJ Smith, is a compelling case study in what this category of machine can do for producers of furniture components, garden boxes, shutters, fencing and more.
At its core, the FRT CN is built to tenon, shape, slot, cut and drill in a single automated cycle, tackling operations that would otherwise require multiple machines and multiple handling stages. Because it processes both ends of a workpiece simultaneously, using twin 7kW lateral electrospindles with ISO 30 quick tool change, it effectively halves cycle time on components that need consistent, mirrored machining at each end. For anyone producing components in volume, whether that’s chair and table frames, cabinet doors, window and door frames, garden gates or fence panels, that kind of throughput gain goes straight to the bottom line.
The machine’s frame, welded from thick solid steel plate, keeps the structure rigid under continuous heavy use, while a fixed left-hand shoulder and a manually adjustable right-hand shoulder, complete with LCD width readout and pneumatic locking, make it straightforward to switch between component lengths without lengthy resets. Three-axis CNC control governs spindle movement, and parametric programming assisted by 3D models and macro templates means new jobs can be set up quickly, cutting the downtime that so often erodes the benefit of automation.
Feeding and unloading are automated too. A hopper feed system loads pieces automatically, and lower piece-return conveyors keep finished parts moving without operator intervention. That matters as much for garden product manufacturers running long batches of fence posts or shutter slats as it does for furniture makers producing repeat runs of frame components. A safety enclosure built to CE standards keeps operators protected throughout.
What makes the FRT CN particularly interesting for UK manufacturers is its flexibility. Bespoke configurations, including increased length capacity and side-mounted piece return, mean the machine can be specified around a particular product mix, whether that’s high-volume furniture components, garden joinery, or a combination of both.
For production managers weighing up where to find real capacity gains without adding floor space or headcount, a double-ended CNC centre like this is worth serious consideration. Machines of this type are increasingly the difference between meeting demand and falling behind it, and the FRT CN is a strong example of what the category now offers.
To find out more about Comec’s range of CNC machining centres, contact JJ Smith on 0151 548 9000 or email [email protected].
