During the last edition of Homag Treff, the annual event organized by the Homag Group, which took place from 25 October to 19 November through a series of hybrid events (physical and digital), the German giant highlighted and presented many novelties, from panels cutting to edgebanding, including also cnc technology.
Plenty of news that closed a very successful year 2021 and opened the year 2022, which promises, based on data, to be another year full of satisfaction and novelties.
CUTTING
Homag’s main cutting novelties include the “Power Concept Classic” system, designed to optimize the production, the software assistant “materialManager Advanced” and the cutting quality measurement system “Msq”.
“POWER CONCEPT CLASSIC”
“Power Concept Classic” is a cutting system designed by Homag. This product, thanks to the separately movable collet chuck, allows the output to be significantly increased, making it easier to manage production peaks and slowdowns, and furthermore, two strips with differing cross-cut divisions can be cut to length at the same time.
To ensure that the machine operator can cope with the increased material throughput quickly and safely, the combination with intelliGuide Classic is recommended. This operator assistance system uses LED light signals at the cutting line to guide the operator safely, easily and quickly through the cutting process.
“MATERIALMANAGER ADVANCED”
The “materialManager Advanced” is a software assistance system which ensures that the optimal machine parameters are automatically set depending on the selected material, the saw blade used and the required cutting quality.
This means that the processing quality always remains at the same high level, even with a wide variety of materials and different machine operators. Using the optimal settings also increases tool life and ensures simple and efficient operation. The machine settings are provided by HOMAG and are constantly being refined and improved via a cloud-based system, so that users have the option to individually adjust the recommended machine parameters at their own discretion— meaning they retain complete freedom in customizing the machine settings.
A further advantage of the software assistance system integrated in “cadmatic” is the warning function, which alerts the operator when a saw blade that is unsuitable for the material to be processed is used. In addition, the software offers full transparency with regard to the relevant saw blade stock and the service life status.
“MSQ”: ASSEMBLED WITH THE “SAWTEQ B-300 FLEXTEC” FOR THE FIRST TIME
In order to be able to make optimum use of the machine concept, especially in robot mode, HOMAG has developed the Msq. Thanks to this new development, the cutting quality and tool life can be monitored in the best possible way even during automatic production and destacking.
Monitoring wear automatically allows for tool changes that are more needs-based, easier to plan and can be implemented in a timely manner. This improves process reliability and increases machine output while also reducing scrap. The MSQ also reduces operator interventions to a minimum and thus maximizes the technical availability of the machine.
At the last edition of Homag Treff, the “Msq” system was combined with the Sawteq b-300 flextec robotic panel. This panel is equipped with an industrial robot that performs cutting in batch size 1 operation over long lines without a human operator, producing up to 800 parts per shift. Additionally, if required the operator can simply switch the saw to manual operation.
“WOODSTORE 8”
“woodStore 8” is a Storage Management System for transparent flow of information and material, which can be described as the “brain” of the storage system. The ordering system is linked to order processing, materials are managed through to the panel offcut, movements are analyzed, the material flow is controlled, and all material movements are optimized through constant self-monitoring.
In the new woodStore 8, it will be possible to integrate significantly more processing machines and deposit positions into a storage system in the future, and it will also be easier to link two storage systems next to each other, for example. This makes layout and process design much more flexible for the customer. In order to better manage the higher number of processing machines, it is now also possible to divide the machines into multiple groups, each of which is assigned its own pool list for processing.
Scanning panel codes, the suppliers’ option, order items or order numbers for easy recording of master data during storage of panel materials.
EDGEBANDING
Among the edgebanding innovations presented by Homag, during the last edition of “Homag Treff”, we can find the quick glue changeover system, the edgebanding machines “Edgeteq S-500” with the “Loopteq O‑600” return conveyor and the new generation of “woodCommander”, the new programming assistant, designed by Homag group.
“EDGETEQ S-500” AND THE RETURN OF “LOOPTEQ O-600”
One of the biggest news in the edgebanding machinery world is the Wz14 workpiece feeding system; previously only available for higher series, it is now also available for edgebanding machines in the Edgeteq S-500 series. The extended push catches of the Wz14 guide the workpieces safely below the top roll pressure unit. The moving gantry ensures precise parallel cuts — a prerequisite for achieving correct angles. This means that even rough-edged workpieces can be processed perfectly.
A perfect supplement to the Edgeteq S‑500 is the Loopteq O‑600 gantry return. This all-rounder serves as a workpiece return and stacking system. Intelligent automation forms the basis for a high-performance, interlinked material flow. This means that 800 to 1000 parts can be processed per shift. A process-oriented return is realized by the defined rotation when the workpieces are moved. Finished workpieces can be ejected or stacked.
“WOODCOMMANDER”, THE NEW GENERATION
“woodCommander 5” is the new programming assistant for Homag Edgeteq S-500 series edge banding machines, a well-known name in the field of edgebanding machines, but with some updates. This version ensures reliable operation and can be perfectly adapted to customer requirements. A high degree of reliability is ensured in programming thanks to the graphical representation with 3D workpiece simulation and the testing for permissible parameter combinations. The customizable user interface, fewer clicks, and quick orientation ensure an increase in efficiency. Furthermore, the intuitive programming with realistic simulation capabilities fosters a high level of user acceptance.
CNC TECHNOLOGY
In the Cnc market, Homag presents a new series for nesting applications, that aims to the complete manufacturing of the pieces, the new models the Centateq N-210 and Centateq N-510, in response to the market’s demand for increased flexibility and performance.
The latest generation is automated and works in single operation, from three-axis technology to five-axis technology and on table sizes ranging from 1.25 x 2.5 m to 2.1 x 7.4 m in half-sized or full-sized format.
The result is a nesting platform that takes advantage of innovative functions and the guiding principles of energy efficiency in equal measure. The main components are a highly modular, switchable vacuum and air cushion table concept as well as newly designed suction components that have been optimized using CFD flow simulation (method that uses numerical analysis and algorithms to solve and analyze problems in fluid dynamics, ed.). There are also innovations in the area of workpiece handling.
“WOODWOP 8.0”: NEW FUNCTIONS
Homag has also developed new functions for “WoodWop”, the historic cnc programming system designed by the group and now in its eighth version. The focus of the easy-to-use workpiece-oriented-programming (WOP) system is its innovative large graphical area, in which the workpiece is displayed in three dimensions. Trimming, bore holes and saw cuts can be programmed quickly and easily by entering the processing parameters, and can then be checked immediately in the graphics area.
The next version, 8.0, offers plenty of new functions that have been developed together with woodworkers to ensure a more convenient processing. In this new version, the contour assistant provides comprehensive support for beginners when programming non-rectangular workpieces and it can detects not only bore holes but also pockets and grooves in a 3D workpiece model.
Furthermore, with the new gluing wizard, workpieces for edge banding can be programmed even more efficiently. Last but not least, to simplify and increase efficiency, tried and tested settings can be stored in the CAM plug-in for similar applications.
