New machines mean increased efficiency

The same success criteria apply, when Skovby Møbelfabrik makes investments in new machinery. The Skovby purchase for two new Biesse CNC machines was based on wishes for increased functionality and everyday efficiency. The first machine, a 5-axis Biesse Rover B 1650, was delivered in February 2017, followed by a 5-axis Rover B 1638, equipped with a Synchro in- and outfeed robot.

The configuration of the 5-axis Rover B 1638 is with two independent milling motors, which ensures perfect tool change without stops and downtime. When one of the tools is working, the other is prepared to continue the machining, when the first tool has finished its work on the panel. This saves 8 to 12 seconds on each tool change, which sums up to minutes and hours during a working day.

The new Synchro infeed robot has also streamlined their production. Now the machines are running non-stop from 7 am to 6 pm, without downtime during shifts and breaks. The robot also ensures perfect infeeding and outfeed stacking of work pieces, which gives a continuous work flow on the machines, without time waste. Moreover, the Skovby employees no longer do manual liftings, an improvement of the working environment.

150 % increased feed speed with new Leitz tools

When purchasing the new Biesse CNC machines, Skovby also bought new collets with reusing some of the existing tools in mind. Nonetheless they eventually chose to invest in new Leitz profile tools to be able to exploit the many functionalities and the higher machining speeds of the CNC machines.

The choice was made in cooperation with tools specialist Preben Kristensen and fell on cutting heads from the new ProfilCut Q series from Leitz. These tools are made specifically for use with CNC machining centres and can do several different cuttings in the same machining cycle due to the shape of the profiles. Premium ProfilCut Q tools can work at peripherals speed up to 120 m/sec, which again enables a higher feeding speed. The tools are weight optimized and extremely durable. The cutting heads are designed for changing inserts quickly and easy, thus reducing waste time.

Assisting foreman and CNC operator Ulrik Saaby at Skovby Møbelfabrik is monitoring the performance of machines and tools closely. Ulrik has been personally involved in the selection process of the tools and is 100 % familiar with the many functions of the tools. He and Preben Kristensen form Junget developed a calculation sheet for documentation of the tools productivity and exploitation. The calculation sheet shows that:

• The feeding speed has increased by 150 %
• The tools lifetime has increased by 614 %.
• The tool changing time is cut down to the half.

These numbers are showing a very positive result and at Skovby no one doubts the fact, that investing in Leitz tools was a good decision.

Ulrik Saaby concludes that one saving not was considered in the sheet.

- The new Leitz tools provide a smoother finish of the surface, despite of the higher feeding speed. This means fewer changes of sandpaper in the machine and less time usage for polishing and work piece check. We haven't put this increase of efficiency into numbers. But we know it's there - Ulrik states with a nod towards Preben Kristensen from Junget.

Good tools earn good money