The high-performance cutting hl 1 from IMA Schelling - a convincing concept for shifts with up to 6000 components in batch size 1. Image: IMA Schelling

The strips are inserted into the lanes automatically on the hl 1 high-performance unit for cutting to size. Image: IMA Schelling

Ideal cutting concepts make a significant contribution to the economic success of a furniture production system. With its powerful material and resource-conserving board saws and cut-to-size plants, the IMA Schelling Group offers the perfect solution for every production strategy and performance class, from standard to high-performance cutting.

IMA Schelling has developed the hl 1 machine concept for processing up to 6000 components per shift. Here, a rip-cut saw for the production of strips from the raw board is combined with a cross-cut saw that produces individual components from the strips. "This in itself is not new, but there are a few complementary factors that add up to a considerable increase in performance," explains David Schelling, Product Manager Cut-to-size at IMA Schelling.

Increased speed, proven technology

Unlike solutions previously available on the market, the hl 1 does not multiply the machining units, but instead the fed components. Strips are fed to the cross-cut saw independently of one another in up to four lanes and split jointly. In this way, four components can be produced every twelve seconds with just one unit. This not only reduces energy and tool costs, but also makes servicing significantly easier.

Flexible modular solution

"As a modular solution, the hl 1 provides our customers with a high degree of flexibility," highlights Schelling. "Therefore, depending on the production strategy and available setup area, we can respond to any of our customer's requirements." To do so, the area downstream of the rip-cut saw can be equipped with a buffer track or a strip buffer. It also does not matter whether the strips are transferred to the cross-cut saw with a repositioning gantry or a robot.

The cross-cut saw can be designed with three or four lanes in different widths depending on the component range. The arrangement of the saw lines relative to each other is also flexible: in a line, at an angle, in a horseshoe or even on two levels one above the other. Workpieces that require re-cuts are guided back to the cross-cut saw vertically, saving space. For projects achieving an output of up to 3000 parts per shift, strip and component production can also be performed on one saw line.

New offering for the performance class

IMA Schelling has been inspired by feedback from practical use. "We have found that there are no suitable concepts in this performance class. In the past, many customers – if they had the space – made do with several plants with lower performance classes. But we thought there had to be a better way," says Schelling. "With the hl 1 high-performance unit for cutting to size, our customers now have the option to make their automated production process even more efficient."

The first plants are already being commissioned. Additional machine concepts have been commissioned and are currently being prepared by the specialists at IMA Schelling.