The hl 1 concept enables highly efficient cutting of parts at higher shift outputs.

Optimally suited cutting concepts make a decisive contribution to the economic success of a furniture production line. With its high-performance, material-friendly, and resource-saving panel saws and cut-to-size plants, the IMA Schelling Group has the ideal solution for every production strategy and performance class – from standard to high-performance units for cutting to size.

IMA Schelling has developed the hl 1 machine concept for an output of up to 6,000 parts per shift. In this process, a rip-cut saw for generating strips from the raw board is combined with a cross-cut saw that generates individual components from the strips. "This in itself is nothing new, but there are a few complementary factors that add up to a significant increase in performance", explains David Schelling, Product Manager Cut-to-size at IMA Schelling.

Higher Speed, Proven Technology

Since a hogging unit is positioned before the rip-cut saw, this results in a saving of one cutting cycle per strip. This has the advantage of relieving the strain on the cross-cut saw. In contrast to solutions previously available on the market, the hl 1 does not feature more processing units, but rather more feeding components. In up to four lanes, strips are thus fed to the cross-cut saw independently of one another and cut together. In this way, four components can be produced every twelve seconds with just one unit. This not only reduces energy and tooling costs, but also makes maintenance much easier.

Flexible Modular Solution

"As a modular solution, the hl 1 cutting solution offers our customers great flexibility", emphasized Schelling. Depending on the production strategy and available setup space, the modular system allows the company to respond to any and every requirement their customers may have. The area after the rip-cut saw can be provided with a buffer track or with a strip buffer. Likewise, it does not matter whether the transfer of the strips to the cross-cut saw is to be realized with a repositioning gantry or with an industrial robot.

The cross-cut saw can be designed with three or four lanes in different widths, depending on the component spectrum. The saw lines can be arranged relative to each other just as flexibly: in line, at an angle, as a U, or even on two levels, one above the other. Workpieces that require re-cuts are returned upright, thus saving space, and fed to the cross-cut saw again. For projects where an output of up to 3,000 parts per shift is sufficient, strip and part production can also be implemented on one saw line.

Feedback from the field inspired IMA Schelling to develop the product. "We have found that there is a lack of suitable concepts in this performance class. In the past, many customers – when space was available – made do with multiple plants of lower performance classes. But that makes little sense in our eyes", Schelling said. "With the hl 1 high-performance unit for cutting to size, our customers now have the opportunity to make their automated production processes even more efficient." Several customers have already ordered the cutting solution and the first systems will be delivered in the next few months.