Under the new global campaign ‘Building Living Spaces’, the entire portfolio - from HOMAG, SYSTEM TM, KALLESOE, WEINMANN, SCHULER Consulting, tapio and BENZ - came together in one place for the first time at the HOMAG stand in Hall 14. In conjunction with the global service network, pioneering software solutions and comprehensive consulting services, visitors were given an unrivalled portfolio for the sustainable design of living spaces.
On over 5,500 square metres of exhibition space, thousands of enthusiastic visitors from over 80 countries were able to experience first-hand how state-of-the-art technologies came to life. In addition to fascinating live shows, HOMAG impressively presented its inventiveness and future orientation in the InnovationCenter; right next to it, the machines were running at full speed and modern workpieces were created - right in front of the visitors' eyes. This concentrated innovative power created a unique platform for intensive technical discussions about greater precision, productivity and efficiency.
The 50-year success story of LIGNA is inextricably linked with HOMAG. For 50 years, LIGNA has been a platform and stage for numerous innovations with enormous impact. With the new digital platform HOMAG INTELLIGENCE, HOMAG presented a new milestone in the industry this year.
Against the backdrop of rising costs, a persistent shortage of skilled labor and growing responsibility for the environment and resources, HOMAG impressively demonstrated how sustainable solutions and efficiency go hand in hand. With digital and networked technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence, HOMAG demonstrated how machine learning can sustainably improve storage management or enable predictive machine maintenance, for example.
HOMAG INTELLIGENCE: The digital, modular platform for sales, configuration and production
An absolute highlight of the trade fair presentation was HOMAG INTELLIGENCE – the first cloud-based solution on the market that creates consistent and seamless networking of furniture sales and production processes. This open platform connects all the resulting data from the sale of furniture to production and interaction with the machines – regardless of the machinery, the existing software landscape or the size of the company.
Live shows and machine innovations
Another highlight was the daily live shows on the HOMAG Stage and the TEQtours organised several times a day for the public. Here, visitors were able to experience the latest technologies and machines live in action. From technical demonstrations to augmented reality content, the shows offered a varied program.
The new SAWTEQ S-200 flexTec was one of this year's machine innovations in the field of panel dividing saws. The robot saw for the trade opens up new possibilities in panel cutting for a number of companies. The first entry-level robot saw model makes high-tech automation accessible to medium-sized businesses by combining manual flexibility with robot-supported efficiency. Together with the STORETEQ P-310 second-level storage system, the result is a resource-saving and innovative cell with transparently managed stock levels in the smallest of spaces.
The DRILLTEQ V-310 continues along this path - but with CNC processing. The combined, smart robot system offers continuous 24/7 production during loading and destacking - with consistent precision. A decisive advantage in the context of the shortage of skilled labor is the chaotic stacking in batch size 1 operation.
Focused on the essentials - this is how the new CNC programming software woodWOP 9 turns practical feedback into reality. It impresses with an optimized user interface and operation: clear lines, a uniform color scheme, the reduction of work steps and new programming aids.
The latest generation of the CENTATEQ N-210 shone with a reduced footprint as a high-performance entry-level solution for nesting processing. The development focused on central nesting functions with high efficiency and a low investment.
The EDGETEQ P-200 has revolutionized the carpentry trade in the field of edgeband technology. Digital edgeband printing takes individualization, efficiency and creativity to a new level. It opens up new opportunities for carpenters to position themselves in the market and fulfil customer wishes even better.
Another edgebanding highlight: woodCommander 6 with HOMAG Select and edgeband reservation. With features such as customer-specific categorization, workpiece visualization and automatic program selection, the production software enables a more efficient production process.
Intelligent integration: digital added value in practice.
The digital job folder has now made the paperless organisation of orders transparent and clear in many companies. Now it's time to take the next step: With the new version, productionManager opens further doors and sets new standards for flexible workshop organisation combined with intuitive usability and integrated functions that make production processes even more efficient. The ControllerMES production management system is to industry what the digital job folder is to the trade. The new module for production planning enables, among other things, the dynamic grouping of production orders as well as daily updated detailed planning.
Innovative and improved service remains a strategic focus
One answer to the question of maximising machine availability is predictive diagnostics. HOMAG service provides trade businesses and industry with an AI-supported uptime prediction. The solution learns and provides maintenance impulses and consumption recommendations based on daily production data in order to save resources or order on time. In the event of imminent malfunctions, service contacts the customer directly by telephone. This prevents unplanned downtime.
The sR Bridge - the innovative remote service solution for much more secure remote maintenance - also contributes to secure production. This advanced solution enables an improved remote connection in accordance with the latest EU safety standards - even for older machines.
SYSTEM TM, KALLESOE and WEINMANN
The integration of SYSTEM TM, KALLESOE and WEINMANN on the HOMAG stand in Hall 14 proved to be a complete success and significantly expanded the technology portfolio with specialised system solutions for the solid wood industry. Among other things, SYSTEM TM presented its leading cross-cut saw technology at LIGNA. In addition to a wide range of system solutions, KALLESOE showed the new and efficient generator for high-frequency technology for faster gluing, while WEINMANN exhibited a flexible and collaborative production cell consisting of a FEEDBOT W-500 robot and a WALLTEQ M-300 multifunction bridge.
Another highlight at WEINMANN was the new CNC operating software wupWorks 5, which is gradually replacing the previous versions, starting with the WALLTEQ M-300 multifunction bridge. The focus of the new operating software is on maximizing support for the operator, so that in addition to guidance through current tasks, it also enables the planning and provision of new jobs. This results in an ideal combination of work preparation and manual support during operation.
HOMAG Cares
In addition to innovations, HOMAG also emphasised community involvement and social responsibility. Workpieces produced on HOMAG machines such as fruit bowls, clocks and small wooden helicopters as well as other HOMAG-branded items, were sold at the trade fair stand for a good cause. The entire proceeds, totalling EUR 3,500, went to the Aegidius House in Hanover, a facility that provides loving short-term care for children and young people with severe disabilities. HOMAG is thus strengthening families who count on this valuable support.
