Wood Industry 4.0 Dominates Technology Trends in 2015

Nov 24, 2015

Technology for Batch One wood products manufacturing is finally catching up with what custom woodworkers and cabinetmakers have been doing for years. Now it’s possible to do it on a factory production-line — right down to one-off edgebands of varying thicknesses and robotic hand sanders.

Under the name “Industry 4.0,” this production makeover has been sweeping across all manufacturing segments, enabled by advances in enterprise-wide computer systems. Now every production cell, machine function and employee can be linked in real-time through blue-tooth wireless, tablet computers and smart phone apps. Coupled with automated machining technology, this levels the playing field so big firms can go custom, and small firms can produce products on par with the large shops.

The rapid adoption of lower-cost hot air edgebanding for zero-joint edges, automated materials handling, and simplified CNC operation — with improved human interfaces — also means more consistent and productive output.

Batch One Edgebanding

For runs of one table or cabinet — the essence of Batch One production — perhaps no other technology is as complicated as edgebanding. Its set-up times were historically long, as were warm-up times for the glue pot. That doesn’t work when the changeover must take place from workpiece to workpiece.

Hot air edgebanding solved half the problem. It was a big deal at the LIGNA show two years ago, and even bigger for LIGNA 2015. Its ability to start up fast is a natural fit with Batch One production. Scm showed its first entree in the field, while Holz-Her showed a quick changeover rail system to move between conventional and PUR. Also big: Scm, Biesse and Homag showed edgeband mechanisms that adjust for panel thickness.

Wood Industry 4.0: Think Different

Industry 4.0, the long-term full factory automation strategy that was the talk of LIGNA 2015, was also among the major themes for conference sessions at the 2015 Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo in Toronto in November.

Industry 4.0, as described by Lignum Consulting, is a comprehensive strategy for automating factories, embracing organizational structure, data, product development, logistics and human resources. Lignum Consulting Inc. President Georg Frey, based in North Carolina, and Sepp Gmeiner, partner, who heads the Toronto office, operated the first stop on LIGNA 2015’s Industry 4.0 Technology Tour in Hannover.

Robotics To Mimic Human Woodworkers

At AWFS Fair 2015, smaller-scale robots took up hand finishing. Biesse and Prime Heat each showed Fanuc robots that sand or finish doors and furniture parts. Biesse’s Opera R sanded doors with a conventional hand-held orbital sander, swapping out a square sander for getting the corners on a recessed cabinet door panel, then selecting a round orbital for rails and stiles, just like a human operator.

5 Apps that Woodworkers Must Try

Smart phones are ubiquitous, and their ability to capture and compare colors is amazing. Also, from levels to plumb bobs, free smart phone apps for woodworkers are like a virtual toolbox.

3D Wood Laser in Kickstarter Record

Glowforge, a 3D laser cutter and etcher for wood, metal, leather and other materials, reports a Kickstarter crowdfunding record, raising more than $28 million in the last month for pre­-orders of its scanner and cutter. A consumer version sells for $1,995, while a more robust Pro model sells for $3,995.

CNC Machining 101: Batch One List

What is the difference between a CNC router and a machining center? What role does Batch One processing have in your plant? A  panel of experts explain the technologies and the role these machines have in creating a flexible work environment. They also share purchasing considerations along with machining tips for processing not only solid wood and panel products, but also advanced materials. It was our most popular webcast in 2015.

Lowe’s Adds Holoroom 3D Visualizer

Lowe’s Holoroom, an augmented reality room visualizer that lets customers walk right into a virtual kitchen cabinet design, will be rolled out in 19 U.S. stores. First launched in Toronto, it is combined with Oculus Rift and Google 3D viewing technology.

Read more: Woodworking Network