For the ultimate in high quality edges

IMA Schelling has further optimised its edge finishing units.

IMA Schelling is known as a specialist in efficient, automated edge processing. The company also offers a comprehensive product portfolio for the edge finishing of edges. IMA Schelling has now further developed and optimised its machines and solutions for this final machining step, in which any overhanging edging material and impurities are removed and special profiles are attached. „We have made many adjustments to improve the quality of automated edge finishing yet further,“ explains Dennis Reddig, Product Manager Edge Processing.

MODULES ADJUSTED

First the plant specialist consolidated its modules and standardised all static edge finishing units. This reduces the parts variation and therefore the number of spare parts the customer needs to keep in store on their premises. The stiffness of all units has been increased and high-precision linear guides are also now used. Both significantly improve the quality of edge finishing on the workpiece.

LOWER VACUUM

Chip extraction has been optimised in terms of energy and now manages with less of a vacuum. This reduces the power consumed by the fans and saves energy. IMA Schelling also converted the edge finishing units to absolute value axes. „This means that the axes are aware of their position at all times and do not have to be referenced first. This saves time when positioning, reduces downtime and increases reliability,“ continues Reddig.

NEW UNIT FOR J-PROFILES

Another optimisation benefits batch size 1 production in particular. „With batch size 1 and its associated mix of parts, experience has taught us to include a tolerance in the thicknesses of the workpieces. A 19 mm workpiece is sometimes 18.5 and sometimes 19.3 mm thick,“ explains the edge expert. IMA Schelling therefore now equips the units with a vertical adjustment motor and decouples them from the top pressure tracks. In this way, the unit can always be in the perfect position for the workpiece, with an identical sensing path and sensing pressure in each case.

IMA Schelling has even developed a new edge finishing unit for edge finishing on handle-less cabinet fronts that are currently very on trend. The I-KFA contour milling unit also allows profiles with inside contours in the corner area to be edge finished automatically, even if the profiles on the front or rear edges are transverse to the processing direction. As such, it can be used for high-quality edge finishing of J profiles on these workpieces.

EASIER TO USE AND MAINTAIN

IMA Schelling has made its edge finishing units easier and more convenient to use. The units are now supplied as a plugand- play solution allowing for faster replacement and, as far as possible, receive all the necessary supplies over a single interface. In addition, the horizontal adjustment of entire units is possible, allowing for better accessibility for maintenance. All runner blocks are lubricated for life, meaning that no manual lubrication is required over the life cycle.

RETROFITTING SENSORS

„We deliver our edge finishing units fully pre-tested and pre-set,“ Reddig is keen to point out. „This allows for quick installation and commissioning.“ The option of retrofitting the supports with various sensors represents a further new feature. The sensors permit condition monitoring for the transient response or pre-sensing, for example. This makes it easier to trace the cause if edge manual adjustment is needed or increased wear is observed.

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