HOMAG highlights their 25 years of excellence in window production solutions

 Tuesday, April 16, 2024

HOMAG – one of the foremost creators of woodworking innnovation is proud to offer amazing 25 years of automated window production solutions. HOMAG has also been known as the pioneer window production solutions. The solutions they offer comes with the advanced CNC technology and has demonstrably left its mark since 1990s.

The trigger for binging these solutions to the market was the requirement at that time to be able to handle the diversity in window construction without time-consuming manual tool changes.

Windows and glass doors serve as a barrier between a building’s interior and the exterior environment. They provide multiple functionalities, including ventilation, entry, and protection against heat, cold, weather, noise, and burglary, while also facilitating interior lighting. The objective was to minimize additional tasks such as rebating, mounting hardware with templates, or drilling handle foils. The goal was to consolidate all processing steps into a single machine at one workshop location.

Gradually, the perception and acceptance has shifted in such a way that complete processing of window parts with CNC technology is more economical, especially when the number of variants increases. Added to this is the trend for the machine to run as autonomously as possible, i.e. without personnel. Right from the start, HOMAG was able to implement complete table loading with up to half an hour of autonomous production. This was made possible by an integrated HOMAG software module for interfacing with the customer’s window construction software.

The beginning of HOMAG’s window production

The first HOMAG machine for the production of individual window parts, in this case in particular for wood-aluminum windows, was a profiLine BOF 311/40/PM. A machine length of 4.80 m provided the basis for clamping several pairs together. It could already boast a very high degree of automation. Automated individual console positioning, the ceiling laser for dynamically correct alignment of the workpieces and an 18-position tool changer for high flexibility in tool selection were available here. An initial connection to an office software program, KLAES, was also implemented.

In addition, many applications were automated as part of the production process, such as profile machining, drilling for handle slide holes, corner and shear bearing drilling, dowel hole drilling or milling for strike plates and shears. This generated high machine efficiency thanks to automated complete machining. Non-productive time for this machining could be used by the operator for other value-adding activities. The profiLine BOF 311/40/PM in 1999 was therefore the first complete CNC window production center. The first powerProfiler was installed in 2008. The machine celebrated its premiere at HOLZ-HANDWERK 2008 – and even there the CNC experts from HOMAG described the all-rounder as a machine that is “fit for the future and flexible in everyday use” and has window production “under control” with the new clamping technology.

A small glimpse at the present day- customers now have a choice

Today, the CENTATEQ P-310 or P-510 series, equipped with various clamping systems (semi-automatic/automatic), remains prevalent for manual production steps in smaller firms or mixed operations based on specific needs. For automated solutions, the 3rd generation powerProfiler BMB 800/900 (now rebranded as CENTATEQ S-800 and CENTATEQ S-900), available since 2014, serves the market. It introduces innovations such as new clamping technology for narrow profiles, a sizable “Tooltower” for tool storage, and scalable performance capabilities. Depending on the configuration, we offer solutions ranging from single-engine to 5-engine machines to meet the diverse requirements of every customer.

In order to achieve th desired performance it is essential to clarify and discuss the product range in detail with the customer in advance. All parties involved in the project, such as tool manufacturers or industry software providers, must be involved. The performance-influencing variables such as tool layout or the new type of corner joints must be worked up and then set out in detailed drawings and processing sequences. If larger window lots are required per production shift, HOMAG relies on redundancy, i.e. the sensible and flexible interlinking of several machines.

The result is a package of window profiles individually tailored to each customer in combination with the right performance for the respective operation. HOMAG machines are precisely tailored to the customer’s needs, from the smallest performance class right up to maximum performance. For high performance requirements per shift, HOMAG relies on the combination of several machines to achieve redundancy. Bulky machines, as used to be the case with throughfeed systems, are a thing of the past due to the required flexibility and availability.

HOMAG has set a milestone on window production solutions. Nowadays, the woodworking industry professionals are heavily influenced by the HOMAG’s advanced innovation.

Read more news on: HOMAG and window production solutions

Tags: CNC Technology, window production, wood, wood and panel, woodworking, woodworking and manufacturing, woodworking industry