Wood Industry US

The business side of woodworking

5G CNC working cell has brawn and brains

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CNC Factory’s 5th Generation Technology not only does all of the critical thinking, but it also eliminates manual lifting of parts.

Compact yet powerfully productive. Technologically advanced, yet super simple to operate. Loaded with the latest in CNC, laser, and robotic automation, yet affordable to own. These are just some of the hallmarks of the 5th Generation CNC Working Cell. The driverless cut, edgeband, and bore/insert system, requiring only a 24-foot by 48-foot block of space, is capable of cranking out more than 100 ready-to-assemble cabinets in a 7-hour shift. Making the working cell even more efficient is the addition of CNC Factory’s new robotic arm. 

Combined with automatic load/unload systems and motorized roller conveyors, manual material handling from feeding full sheets onto the machining center through unloading parts that have been edgebanded, is eliminated. The 5G working cell’s driverless technology not only does away with the heavy lifting, but it also does all of the critical thinking. Even a new hire with zero industry experience can learn to operate the large 21-inch touchscreen control in about an hour. The result is a highly reliable, lean manufacturing system that dramatically reduces errors and waste while assuring part quality and maximizing productivity.

The robotic 5G CNC working cell that CNC Factory demonstrated at the AWFS Fair was anchored by the Python XPR CNC machining center. Winner of FDMC’s Best CNC for 2020, the Python’s driverless technology seamlessly adjusts all critical functions of the machine when production calls for changing to a different substrate thickness, size, or nesting pattern. By simply pressing a short sequence of buttons on the command center touchscreen, the Python automatically makes precise adjustments to tool height and vacuum hold-down placement; raises or lowers the unique robotic dust hood to the optimal fixed position; selects the required tool from the 12-automatic tool changer; and more. In addition, the Python robotically affixes bar code labels to each part that includes downstream processing instructions.

The Python’s driverless technology kicks into full gear after completing the machining cycle of the first panel of a production run. After automatically unloading the freshly-sized parts onto a stacking table, the Python cleans the spoil board with a one-two punch of pressurized air and dust collection within 30 seconds. Simultaneously, the next panel is rear-loaded and positioned onto the Python for processing, with any or all adjustments again being made with no operator intervention.

While the Python continues to go through its paces, the new small-footprint robotic arm springs into action. The robotic arm can handle any size part up to 50 pounds. It is the latest example of a plug & play add-on CNC Factory developed that allows customers to expand their production capabilities as needed now or in the future. The robotic arm methodically places one part after the other onto a conveyor leading to the Badger 4600 edgebander. A return conveyor moves each piece to an unloading station upon exiting the versatile Badger 4600 with corner rounding capability.

Rounding out CNC Factory’s 5G work cell is the Scorpion LDR boring and dowel insertion machine equipped with an advanced wireless bar code reader. Upon scanning the bar code, the Scorpion’s laser-guided robotic measuring system precisely positions the dual 2-HP air-cooled spindle to drill two holes at a time. As a new pair of holes are being drilled, the Scorpion inserts dowels on the opposite side of the workpiece, further boosting productivity and more expeditiously preparing parts for cabinet assembly.

Rising to the Labor Challenge Today and Tomorrow

The COVID-19 pandemic did not create the critical skilled labor shortage. Still, it has undoubtedly magnified the challenges woodworking companies face moving forward, says Chris Corrales, owner and CEO of CNC Factory based in Santa Ana, CA.

“Good employees are hard to come by, and trying to find and keep an experienced person is especially tough,” Corrales says. “As a result, wood product manufacturers have to continuously strive to find ways to make more product with fewer people if they want to grow their businesses.”

Osborne Introduces Mid-Century Modern Collection

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Osborne Wood Products, Inc. is an international supplier of high-quality wood components. Their extensive line of products includes table legs, corbels, cabinetry, moulding, inlays, hardware, and more. Their newest addition is the Mid-Century Modern line featuring over 40 products ranging from table legs to floating shelf hardware.

“This facet of furniture design captures the feel of the ’60s along with the straight lines of contemporary style,” says Leon Osborne, CEO of Osborne Wood Products about the newly released collection. “You can easily achieve that look with our new selection.”

The biggest highlight of the Mid-Century Modern line is the Wheeler legs and furniture feet. The Wheeler is a highly functional and versatile design because of its slim dimensions and round profile. The simple tapering effect allows this piece to stand out without the need for ornamentation. Osborne carries the Wheeler leg in heights ranging from 6″ to 29,” accommodating anything from a sofa to a dining room table. The classic leg is a 100 per cent wooden tapered leg, but variations include a brushed metal ferrule at the base and a top block. These unfinished legs are available in nine wood types, including cherry, hickory, maple, mahogany, and walnut.

“We understand that current furniture trends appreciate the dynamics that characterize
Mid-Century Modern design and have expanded our inventory to promote this style,” says Osborne about the line.

Other leg styles offered in the collection are the Brighton and Weston designs. The Brighton leg appears traditional but can easily enhance a mid-century modern room because of its geometric elements. The leg features a top rectangular block, a tapered cone base, and a sphere in between. It’s available in dining table, end table, and coffee table heights. The Weston leg is a square piece with the gorgeous juxtaposition of a wooden leg and brushed metal base.

The distinct lines of this design highlight minimalism and elegance. At 29,” 34 ½,” and 35 ½” tall, the Weston is ideal for dining room tables or kitchen islands.

Osborne offers multiple ways for designers and builders to achieve the mid-century modern look effortlessly. It’s simple to attach table legs straight to the floor or at a 12-degree angle with the Leg Mounting Plates, which eliminates the need for a table skirt. These sets feature four mounting plates, threaded inserts, bolts, and plenty of wood screws to build a contemporary table quickly.

Another option for attaching table legs is the Leg Mounting Cleats. These cleats are available in straight and angled versions with sizes ranging from 12″ to 36″ in length. Made out of hard maple and cherry, the stylish build of the cleats makes them an asset to the overall table design.

“For over 40 years, we’ve been providing components for woodworkers from the DIY group to the industrial manufacturers,” says Osborne. “Our customers are confident in our components because they remain structurally strong, accommodate industry trends, and are readily available.”

This innovative line is an exciting expansion to Osborne’s current selection.

Five-piece door frame production machine

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The model HP5D five-piece door frame machining centre from Pillar Machine is designed to machine parts used in TFL (thermally fused laminate), TFM (thermally fused melamine), paper wrapped, vinyl wrapped or thermofoil doors.

The model performs horizontal point-to-point bore and dowel insertion and panel grooving. It is designed to CNC position a drill spindle, bore a hole, then CNC position the dowel inserter, inject glue or water (for pre-glued dowels), and insert the dowel into the hole.

As well, it cuts a panel groove in the centre section of the inside edge of the door stile and the entire inside edge of the door rail material. Operations begin when a part is placed into the work zone referencing the back and side fences.

The palm button is pressed, and the clamps secure the part into place. The machining is now ready to begin in the work zone. There are two fixed zones and two pop up zones standard in the base model unit that allows for pendulum processing.

While the one part is being machined, the other zone(s) can be loaded and queued for machining.

Flexible edgebander for small to medium shops

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Designed for small to medium shops, the Casadei Flexa 27 automatic edgebander comes equipped with the MEGA 200 PLC controller.

Available from JKL Machinery, the edgebander features an industrial feed track, two motor end trim, double top and bottom trim, and scraping and buffing units.

It can apply tape, PVC, laminate or wood banding on panels with a standard thickness up to 50 mm.

Vertical drying ovens

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With the patented Flexpro function, the new Omnidry range of vertical ovens from Cefla provide a passage height that can be automatically varied on the basis of piece height.

The range is not only suitable for very high output lines, but also for robotic application lines, where greater flexibility is required, the company says.

The oven series is said to maintain all the characteristics of the company’s standard vertical oven, since it can carry out flash off, drying and cooling all-in-one (even for paints that need longer drying times), while minimizing the use of floor space.

The ovens can be equipped with a roller conveyor system combined with “rack” trays for piece collection and cyclic transportation inside the oven, or with conveyor belt systems, combined with motor-operated “belt” trays.

Units can also be expanded with an additional 2, 3 or 4 sections.