| 53
“Customers have all been suffering from the skilled labour shortage and we have listened,” said Mr Cuthbertson. “Two areas have come into focus, the toolroom and the moulder itself. In the toolroom the Rondamat 1000 CNC profile grinder has been a star performer as it changes skill requirements, moving it from the actual grinding to the profile creation using Moulder Master software. We also now have a range of automation that can turn moulders into efficient one-man operations.” Weinig has also followed the trend in the mouldings market to MDF.
“Our machines can now be very specifically tailored to this abrasive material,” said Mr Cuthbertson. “Weinig has developed an ‘MDF package’ for performance moulders that optimises the machine specification for MDF. Numerous tweaks and enhancements to basic specification ensure a well-specified machine running MDF day in, day out. Recent installations have included MDF moulders running at 120m/min and others processing 345mm-wide window boards.” Last year, SCM focused on development of a new moulder with additional features and new functionalities for medium and high-end users. “At Ligna 2025, we will present the world premiere of this machine, the topset xxl automatic throughfeed moulder,” said SCM UK managing director Gabriele de Col. “In terms of performance and solutions incorporated, it’s positioned above the current superset nt model, our iconic throughfeed moulder. It has increased working sections, spindle speeds of up to 12,000rpm, customisable compositions and feed worktables with micrometric settings for optimal tooling set-up. And those are just some of the innovative features.” A moulder these days, said one manufacturer, is also only as good as the software driving it. Hence year-on-year advances in system capabilities. “In recent years we’ve focused on development of new software functions and HMI interfaces capable of facilitating use of the machine and simpler maintenance operations,” said Mr de Col. “We’ve also introduced the IoT Maestro connect in the moulder, which allows monitoring of operating and productivity data, reducing down-time and guaranteeing performance.” Weinig has made its Weinig Machine Control (WMC) available across its complete range of performance moulders, giving, it says, “tangible benefits to the operator”. “The touch screen system is now so easy to use that many high-value, high-performing moulders are being operated by semi-skilled workers with no detrimental effect,” said Mr Cuthbertson.
“WMC is now completely linked with Moulder Master software that functions
as one single database for profile and tool management. So, Moulder Master, complete with an integrated 2D CAD package, becomes the beating heart of the moulding mill, ensuring reliable data to run one or multiple moulders.”
The next development from Weinig is a production planning tool for moulding mills fully integrated with Moulder Master, so manufacturers will be “able to plan accurately and run a mill through one piece of Weinig software”.
Backing up the “continuous software improvement programme” of Leadermac Taiwan, Leadermac UK is also currently working with a software developer “to refine and enhance specific aspects of the software to improve efficiency and ease of use”. Rising manufacturing costs clearly have had to be taken into account by moulder manufacturers, but they’ve tried to minimise the consequences for customers. “Raw material prices have increased so our market prices had to be adjusted,” said Mr Cuthbertson. “However, there was no blanket increase. Each model was considered individually with appropriate adjustments made. Some machine prices actually reduced.” SCM says that maintaining production in Italy has given it greater control of prices. “Our commitment to provide a product that is authentically made in Italy is important,” said Mr de Col. “Prices increased in 2021- 23 because of the adverse conditions of the pandemic but have not been touched up to now in 2025.”
Leadermac has had to adjust prices due to raw materials and transport costs. “However, we have kept increases to a minimum to maintain our competitive edge,” said Mr Morris.
Further developments have additionally been introduced by manufacturers in their maintenance and service offer. Leadermac reports further growth in demand for remote diagnostics on machines. “To meet this, we’ve expanded our maintenance engineer team and extended our services to include both machine and associated handling relocations,” said Mr Morris. “Additionally, we’ve launched a new website that provides customers with comprehensive details on our machines, services, and parts availability. Our spares department has also undergone significant expansion, to maintain a wider stock of critical components and provide next-day delivery for many.” Weinig describes online diagnostic tools as now commonplace, and they and their application continue to develop. “We’re rolling out a digital solution for our engineers servicing machines,” said Mr Cuthbertson. “Every machine model has a checklist like a car service report that is completed by the engineer during the service
with a digital report available immediately for the customer to review and discuss any further action required.”
SCM said that via its constantly evolving Maestro Connect digital platform customers have access to functionalities to support machines through their lifecycle. “Smart Maintenance allows customers to find all the tools to plan machine maintenance and prevent downtime and, thanks to intelligent, intuitive documents, Maestro connect guides operators through the procedures of maintenance activities,” said Mr de Col. “If needed, a ticket can be opened quickly and easily to get further support from our expert engineers.” Asked to pick out a particularly interesting and demanding installation over the last year, for Weinig Mr Cuthbertson highlighted a mechanised line in a log sawmill processing green timber. “Everything, including the fully automatic infeed system, the moulder itself and the stacking system was optimised and designed to work with this challenging material,” he said. “The line is designed to run around 40m/min handling short lengths as well as long, small sections and large as either planed product or profiled sections. It highlighted our approach of selling solutions rather than individual machines.” For Leadermac, Mr Morris cited the recent installation of an HSK Speedmac for a high-speed production line, which “further underlined its presence in the high-performance moulder sector”. He also highlighted the introduction of Leadermac’s new Compact moulder in the market. “This stock machine is an example of the advancements we’ve made over the years in technology, efficiency, and build quality,” he said.
More broadly, SCM flagged up the level of sales of its seven and eight-head moulders with automatic return systems to door makers for profiling frames.
“The use of Maestro Connect has also allowed the integration of these moulders into customers’ ERP-MES systems for control of production and maintenance, a game changer for users,” said Mr de Col.
Looking forward, Leadermac is positive, as underlined by expansion of its Taiwan factory to increase spindle building capacity and overall production.
SCM reports indications of a period of slowdown, but says it is confident the launch of its new machine at Ligna will “build new business opportunities”. At Weinig, Mr Cuthbertson said prospects “look positive but challenging”. “But promised expansion of house construction will be a significant factor in larger companies’ forward strategy development and could be a meaningful boost to the machinery sector if it materialises,” he said. ■
www.ttjonline.com | March/April 2025 | TTJ
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69
