November 1999 - Tech Update

Conception RP: Conception RP Inc. introduces its millennium finger jointing systems, the CRP-2000, the CRP-2500 and the CRP-3000. The CRP-2000 is the solution for the remanufacturing industry, with production of more than 40,000 linear feet per shift in any dimension from 3/4" to 8/4" thick and two to eight inches wide. It also accepts blocks from five to 32 inches long and produces quality value-added products, says the company. The CRP-2500 is designed mainly for 2x3, 2x4 and 2x6 production. It has an infeed capacity to take blocks or planks from 10 inches up to seven feet in length and, with its continuous flow crowder press section, can produce up to 325 linear feet per minute of finger jointed studs or structural goods. For saw mills and large plants, the CRP-3000 produces 450 linear feet per minute of structural timber up to 60 feet in length.

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GreCon Dimter: The series HS 120, manufactured by GreCon Dimter, is a high-capacity finger jointing line that provides a compact solution to horizontal jointing. Equipped with a Siemens S7 control system, the operator terminal OP7 includes GreCon Dimter software for easy input functions, automatic adjustment in case of cross section changes in all areas, retrievable statistical information on the capacities, cycles, cycle times and interruptions, as well as plain text error display. The modular design of the machine components makes it possible to combine lines of medium capacity (80 pieces per minute) and high capacity (120 pieces per minute). All tool spindles (shaper, hogger and scoring) have a belt drive for optimum tool speed, while high-capacity reserves of hogger and scoring spindles are pro vided through an 11-kW central drive. The shaper spindle can be adjusted radially so that the tools can always be adjusted in reference to the counter profile. The axial adjustment of the cutting spindle reduces adjustment times during replacement of reground tools. All tool drives are equipped with brake motors. The scoring units are also used for edge trimming and have a saw blade diameter of 200 mm. The infeed area has continuous top pressure. The exhaust units of the tools are jointed in one connection piece, ensuring easy access to the single components. Both tool carrier units and the chain bed are mounted onto the solid steel construction, eliminating single component alignment. The HS 120 also has automatic and permanent alignment control of each chain carrier pair so that, if necessary, only the indicated maladjusted chain carrier pair must be aligned. Other features include clock gauge control at the height adjustment of the shaper spindle, depth adjustment of the hogger spindle and the scoring spindle and central motor height adjustment of the top pressure-to be opened wide- for fast tool change.

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Short Wood Systems: The Rotary Singulator finger joint block feeder from Short Wood Systems Inc. allows for the automation of the finger joint machine's infeed. The Singulator unscrambles and feeds up to 120 blocks per minute onto the finger jointer's infeed chains or belt. Blocks are singulated and delivered onto the jointer's infeed with aligned ends. Block width changes are pneumatically controlled and the Rotary Singulator has a unique "automatic unjam" outfeed. The feeder is capable of handling nominal two-inch material from eight inches to 48 inches in length and three inches to 10 inches in width.

Doucet Machineries: The new Doucet DJ-8-75 complete "in-line" finger jointing system includes an assisted infeed device, a dual profiling unit with machining centres on both sides of an eight foot wide transport table, an automated interface from profiling to press, as well as the CP-300 continuous assembly/press. Designed to joint material 10 inches to 96 inches long to 1 3/4" to six inches wide and 3/4" to three inches thick, this high-capacity profiling system features dual cast iron chains. Traverse bars with chip breaker are spaced nine inches on centre and machining centres are equipped with trimming/ scoring units, 25-hp cutter heads and automatic adhesive applicator. Throughout machining operations, material is held in place by a pneumatic hold down system with interlocked flexible guide. Three 36" roller conveyors are used for alignment, lateral transfer and outfeed of material. An optional inline adhesive mixing device is available for resorcinol glue applications. Pieces exiting the profile machine are automatically transferred onto a lateral conveyor leading to the accumulator/sequencer device. The ATR-12 relies on a top-mounted brush to align pieces against the assembly tunnel's entry gate. The gating process is controlled by an optical detection system. The automatic assembly system, designed to produce joist rails at a speed of up to 300 feet per minute, comes complete with preassembly tunnel, a crowder and retard device, an optional drying tunnel, a flying cut-off saw and a material exit facility. The CP-300 assembly/press operates as a one-step press, relying on the crowder and retard principle to apply adequate pressure onto pieces to be jointed. A control panel with a programmable microprocessor is equipped with sensors to move ramp assembly speed up or down depending on volume. A modem allows for remote monitoring and intervention.

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Western Machinery Group: The high production finger jointing system from Western Machinery Group offers a heavy duty flying cut-off saw with a 7 1/2-hp motor and carbide-tipped saw blade and comes with an adjustable fence for varying widths of wood. The drive rolls presqueeze joints to prepare them for cutting to length and final squeezing on the 16-foot board press. The machine is equipped with an AC variable frequency drive with the capability of adjusting speed to accept the required material flow. Other features include a built-in 7 1/2-hp chop saw with rapid stop and cut cycle, a low pressure requirement with air cylinder activation and a built-in adjustable shock absorber that limits mandrel swing and reduces machine noise. A high rim speed of the 14"-diameter saw blade assures clean cut capability. With a frame made of heavy steel welded construction with cast iron columns, it offers a single lug chain with lugs on nine-inch centres and a variable speed lug chain drive at 106 lugs per minute, an adjustable speed crossover arm assembly and an Apquip glue system. The Motor Control Centre (MCC) is fully assembled with a programmable logic controller, while a modem provides instant feedback from Western Machinery for proper adjustment of finger jointer control functions

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Coe/Mann-Russell: The Mann-Russell electronics division of Coe Manufacturing specializes in finger joint gluing lines that utilize RF curing of the glue. The lines are used primarily to produce structural grade finger jointed lumber for beam laminates, I-beams, truss cords and dimension lumber, as well as to produce non-structural finger jointed lumber for exterior applications such as siding. Each line is tailored to meet individual plant requirements and consists of an infeed makeup (manual or automatic) crowder, RF curing tunnel, travelling cutoff saw and outfeed side transfer. Options include a bending proofloader, PET and several models of stackers. Cold-set finger joint lines can be built to allow for the future addition of RF curing. For structural applications, the company offers a package-type vertical finger joint shaper. Specialized RF gluing lines are available to cure finger joints in 4x8 sheets of LVL and plywood. These lines typically consist of an automatic joint makeup station, the RF gluing press, a stationary or travelling cut-off saw, trim saws and stacker.

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Kitcam Inc.: The finger jointing system from Kitcam Inc. includes the Model FJ-728 finger joint machine with automatic glue applicator, the Model AP 28 manual, air operated assembly press and the Model GA 20 separate disc glue applicator. With a capacity for material up to two inches thick by eight inches wide and six inches long (with three-inch thick optional), the system has a production rate of up to 10 cycles per minute. The 7 1/2 hp motor (10 hp optional) delivers a spindle speed of 6,000 rpm's, while the two-hp trim saw has an eight-inch diameter, 60-teeth carbide blade with a one-inch bore. The air switch operated glue head has a glue flow regulator and on/off switch, 15mm fingers for two-inch thick stock (three-inch optional) and a glue pressure pot. The control panel has fusible disconnect NEMA 12 enclosure panel-mounted push buttons. The eight foot air operated assembly/ press has an automatic sensor operated cycle with variable speed controls, emergency return on/off button, glue pressure, sensor pressure and system pressure gauges.

Comact: A fast and accurate flying cut off saw- operated at a production speed of 450 feet per minute with an accuracy of +/-1/ 8"-is the main feature of the Ultimac finger jointer from Comact. A high-speed automatic feeder, a unique profiling system that allows effortless and quick head changeouts and a technically advanced crowding section for accurate pressures at a wider range of speeds, using self-monitoring controls, are among its other features. Built on a heavy-duty frame and components to ensure rigidity and precision, the finger jointer produces a high quality end product, the company says. The low maintenance Ultimac, designed for continuous operation, is available in optional modular sections to accommodate specific customer needs. Comact is a North American leader in sawmill and value-added equipment, specializing in turnkey projects.

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Auburn Machinery: The Auburn/End Pro-a combination finger jointing and end matching sys-tem- is an automatic sliding spindle shaper designed to produce tongues, grooves, fingers, tenons, copes and other profiles on both ends of random length materials. The system produces preci-sion joinery that can produce everything from rough green dimension stock to high quality architectural millwork products. Horizontal, vertical and mitered fingers can be generated with the End Pro shaper. In a finger jointing system, a cutter head, glue applicator, assembly press, cut-off saw and outfeed conveying system are added to the shaper. Its compact size requires less floor area than lateral systems, while its flexible layout can fit different sized and shaped spaces. Its fast setup allows it to efficiently handle short production runs. Material as short as five inches in length can be processed and long stock can be converted into longer products with a minimum number of joints. It handles narrow, 1/2" strips up to wide, 12-inch stock (with option package), as well as profiled materials such as dowels and moulding in recovery operations. The assembly press can be equipped with a 14-inch diameter pneumatic cutoff saw, activated by a foot switch located at the press operator's work station. Depending on the length of the stock, four or eight cycles per minute should be attained, says the company.

Sunhill Machinery: Sunhill Machinery distributes the fully-automatic Kikukawa finger jointing system, a high-speed, heavy-duty chain feed system that offers performance and reliability. The Kikukawa system, manufactured by Kikukawa Iron Works Inc., offers high output, producing both male and female finger-shape joints on both ends of individual and random-length pieces of stock. Designed for easy maintenance and reduced operating costs, the system features right and left endless feed chains with rubber hold-down belts and 40 to 120 cuts per minute, infinitely variable by inverter control. Rotation of the glue roll is synchronized with the feed speed, while the digital control system programs and stores various length-cut patterns. A spiral cutter head virtually eliminates ripout and tearout.

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