Going Vertical is The Best Solution for Panel Saws

Matt Pearce, sales director of T.M. Machinery Sales, the UK agent for Striebig machines, says that vertical panel saws occupy a specific niche in the market. They are the most suitable machines for sizing panels in all but the most high production environments.

Leicester, UK, May 07, 2011 -- Matt Pearce, sales director of T.M. Machinery Sales, the UK agent for Striebig machines, says that vertical panel saws occupy a specific niche in the market. They are the most suitable machines for sizing panels in all but the most high production environments.

While a beam saw is the right piece of machinery for use when a large number of boards need to be cut to set sizes on a regular basis, and a flat bed saw is ideal for angles, mitres and small-piece work, a vertical panel saw is the perfect tool for almost every other panel sizing operation.

Where individual panels or small batches need sizing, a vertical panel saw can be much quicker than using a beam saw due to the shorter set up times. For sizing square panels a vertical panel saw is also much more efficient than a flat bed version, allowing multiple sheets to be cut and reducing materials handling.

Consider these two common workshop situations where having a vertical panel saw brings distinct advantages.

Firstly, in a low to medium volume production environment. My experience is that given the choice, operators like to cut all their large panels on a vertical panel saw, with only very small pieces or angle work carried out on a small flat bed or dimension saw Secondly, in a high volume production environment it’s best to use a beam saw for all the large batch work. A vertical panel saw is commonly used in conjunction with the beam saw to cut the smaller batches of work that would block up the beam saw and severely decrease its efficiency.

Here’s a summary of the main benefits of a vertical panel saw over a flat bed saw for square panel work:

* Space saving. It takes up a much smaller footprint compared to a flat bed panel saw for cutting the same size panels;

* Labour saving. You only need to handle the full sheet once. It’s then just a one-man operation to cut the boards;

* Accuracy. There’s no reliance on the operator to keep the board square to the fence;

* Safety. Vertical panel saws are extremely safe. The blade is always covered and its incorrect use is prevented;

* Reveals. These can easily be cut in a board by a vertical panel saw;

* Cut quality. You have the option of a constant feed speed automatic cut cycle to give superb edges on the most difficult of material.

So what are the main benefits of a vertical panel saw over a beam saw for square panel work? They are:

* Space saving. As already mentioned, they require a much smaller footprint compared to a beam saw for cutting the same size panels;

* Set-up time. A fast set-up makes a vertical panel saw much quicker for cutting individual or small numbers of panels;

* Price. A high specification fully automatic vertical panel saw, such as a Striebig, is cheaper than a quality entry-level beam saw. Striebig saws are suitable for cutting practically all sheet materials, such as wood-based panels, plaster board, plastics and aluminium panels and offer impressive dust limit values well below 1mg/m3.

The current product portfolio consists of four machine series catering for all sizing needs. There’s the entry-level Compact, the Standard, the Evolution and the high-tech Control vertical sawing centre. Each is available in nine standard sizes with an extensive selection of options available to improve the saws’ effectiveness still further.

Machines can also be built in special sizes and fitted with specialist equipment to suit individual requirements.

The Striebig Compact comes in frame sizes starting at 10 ft x 5 ft. (3100mm x 1644mm) and includes an automated cut cycle version, the Compact AV, while the ever-popular Standard – the original heavyweight, tried and tested over decades - is the perfect saw for companies of all sizes.

The fully-automatic Control now offers an optional Electronic Positioning System (EPS) on both axes for the automatic positioning of both the length stop and saw head. This increases the saws’ productivity by delivering automatic repeat strip and upper trim cutting.

New standard features include a laser-supported display for totally accurate horizontal cuts, another industry ‘first’ for Striebig. There’s also a cutting list input function, provided via a USB memory stick.

The Control offers every possible option for automatic operations. With manual feeding of the saw unit eliminated the operator’s job is made easier, giving him ample time to prepare the next job.

The Striebig Evolution has many similar features to the Control, making it one of the most advanced manual panel saws available. Where high levels of panel throughput are needed, the Control and the Evolution now offer an optional 100mm cutting depth instead of the previous 80mm.

Both series feature as standard Striebig’s user-friendly “touch and saw” operating system. This delivers easy and convenient machine control through a touch screen panel that operates all of the machine’s functions.

Other standard features include a digital measuring system, accurate to 0.1 mm, and an adjustable precision display that can be set to an accuracy of 1.0, 0.5 or 0.1 mm, according to the thickness of the panels being sized.

A unique option on both models is four-sided trimming, which enables the bottom trim cut to be carried out automatically without having to lift or turn the panel.

Strong customer demand for all four models is being helped by Striebig’s decision to hold existing price levels for the third year in a row. By not imposing price increases again this year the Swiss manufacturer is doing everything it can to help manufacturers who decide to take the vertical panel saw route.

Contact:
Matt Pearce
T.M. Machinery Sales
49 Iliffe Avenue
Oadby Industrial Estate
Leicester LE2 5LH
0116 271 7155
sales@tmservices.co.uk
http://www.tmmachinery.co.uk

This release was published on openPR.