11/14/2019

Review: WEINMANN Treff 2019

Experience. Network. Inspire.

This year, the entire timber construction industry came together once again at the WEINMANN Treff in St. Johann, Germany. Around 300 visitors attended the in-house trade fair from November 7–8 and learned about the latest trends and technologies. A number of new technologies that will drive house construction forward were presented. Technical presentations from practice and the accompanying exhibition offered information on current market trends, as well as opportunities to exchange information and ideas. 

Technical presentations give an insight into exciting topics

In various technical presentations, three presenters provided information about the current trends and developments in timber construction. Benjamin Thum, Technical Manager at Zimmerei Stark, gave an insight into modular construction. He explained why Zimmerei Stark felt the need to expand its product portfolio with modular construction, as well as the potential he sees in modular construction. In the subsequent presentation, entitled "The future of construction – and how we can master it", Iris Dick (Die Wertschätzer) discussed not only the current challenges, such as digitalization, but also what companies need to do to deal with the challenges so that they can not only overcome them, but also be involved in actively defining them. On Friday, Frank Lewers, Authorized Representative of Terhalle Holzbau, reported on the changeover to automated prefabrication. Terhalle has changed its production from manual to automated. As part of this process, the company also integrated a WALLTEQ M-380 insuFill multifunction bridge to insert loose insulating material automatically. Frank Lewers gave insights into the changeover process, the production system and the positive effects on value creation.

Experience machine technologies live

WEINMANN presented a number of new technologies for house construction at the in-house trade fair – in particular, technologies for element construction. The newly developed technologies increase customers' flexibility and profitability. 

• WALLTEQ M-120 multifunction bridge
• WALLTEQ M-380 multifunction bridge
• WALLTEQ M-310 insuFill multifunction bridge
• BUILDTEQ A-500 carpentry table
• BEAMTEQ B-660 carpentry machine

FastenerSwitch — quick change of fasteners

The newly developed quick-change system for the multifunction bridge enables maximum flexibility in selecting and using various fastening devices. In addition to the devices available on the multifunction bridge, a separate station offers four additional fastening units. The multifunction bridge uses the data record to change the required fastening device fully automatically depending on the material. At 500 mm in length, the space required increases only marginally. It's the ideal solution for enabling even smaller businesses to achieve broad diversity in the selection of fastening devices.

The benefits:

• Significant time saving when changing fastening units. The automatic change process takes place within just one minute.
• Idle times and setup times are minimized and machine availability is increased by up to 15%.  
• High flexibility — the correct fastening unit for every material. The required angle of the clamping devices is set automatically between 0-90°.

5-axis technology

Visitors to the trade fair also had the opportunity to see new options in the area of five-axis technology for element construction. The five-axis unit increases the diversity of processing options and the areas of use – freely interpolating processing operations from different sides are established fully automatically. More processing operations are possible – and with fewer units.

Separator for loose screws

WEINMANN has developed an automatic separator for loose screws for situations in which screws are used as a means of connection. This separator is suitable not only for standard lengths up to 70 mm, but also for long screws, such as screws with a length of 160 mm, 220 mm or 250 mm. Even longer screws are also possible. There are automatic screw units for the frame work station and for the multifunction bridge. The automated screw process ensures correct and defined distances. This increases efficiency across the entire production process as manual activities are no longer necessary and the quality is increased. 

Automatic insulation with the WALLTEQ M-310 insuFill

The newly developed WALLTEQ M-310 insuFill enables greater performance and shorter cycle times. Integrated in production lines, it is used as a pure insulating station for inserting loose insulating material. The integrated blowing plate is moved to the respective cavity automatically and inserts the defined quantity of insulating material. Roof and ceiling elements can now also be insulated automatically; the blowing plate can be rotated 90° and ensures optimal distribution of the insulation to each cavity, with an even density, for wall, roof, ceiling and gable elements. 

Highlights:

• High profitability: the best price-performance ratio for the automated insertion of loose insulating material
• More possibilities: the blowing plate, which can be rotated 90°, means that roof and ceiling elements can also be insulated automatically
• Quality assurance thanks to complete documentation, verifiable fill quantities and a visual check
• Significant material savings: no material waste and simplified storage
• Humanization of work processes: significant reduction in the level of dust for employees

WALLTEQ M-120 multifunction bridge – low quantities in batch size 1

For the production of wall, roof, ceiling and gable elements, WEINMANN offers a machine that operates with maximum efficiency, even with small quantities – the WALLTEQ M-120. This carpentry bridge is equipped with holders for stapling and nailing devices and a routing unit to facilitate automatic fastening and processing of the sheathing. Openings for windows, doors and sockets, as well as free forms such as circles, curves or diagonal cuts can all be processed, resulting in finished elements with a high level of dimensional accuracy. With low acquisition costs, the WALLTEQ M-120 offers an excellent price/performance ratio and is the perfect entry-level solution for small and medium-sized carpentry businesses.

Universal application – the carpentry tables

The carpentry table is ideal for manufacturing wall, gable, roof and ceiling elements, as well as frame walls and gable elements. The integrated technology guarantees a high level of dimensional and angular accuracy. A higher level of prefabrication and the consistently high quality increase efficiency across the entire production process. You can see the BUILDTEQ A-300 flat-pack table and the BUILDTEQ A-500 carpentry table at the WEINMANN Treff.

BEAMTEQ B-660 carpentry machine

The BEAMTEQ B-660 carpentry machine is designed for complex beam processing at great speed and with a high degree of accuracy. This increases production efficiency. The compact machine design with integrated noise protection enables space-saving installation. The highlight of the BEAMTEQ B-660 is the integrated underfloor unit. All six sides of components are processed fully automatically in one throughfeed at any angle and tilt. Traditional block house joints, blocking grooves on rafters and dovetail connections on both sides of ridge beams can be created quickly and easily. In combination with the 12-part tool changer and the second integrated main spindle, the underfloor unit enables the highest possible beam processing performance at a consistently high quality.

smartPrefab – a vision becomes reality

Fully automatic, networked production lines offer the highest degree of prefabrication in prefabricated housing construction. Innovative technologies, integrated robots and digital modules enable efficient production processes, while the design of the production lines means that they can be used in a variety of ways and expanded with modules – a solution for the future. 
With smartPrefab, WEINMANN opens up new opportunities for the prefabricated house industry and offers highly automated and networked production solutions. From frame work production to panelization, right through to finishing – all process steps are combined in the production line. The use of robots means that the entire material-handling stage is automated and processes are simplified. The robot picks up heavy components and places them in the relevant position. For example, the robot assumes responsibility for the complete beam mounting process during the manufacture of frame works. To do this, the robot removes the beams from their respective collection positions and places them in the frame work at various angles. The process of positioning panels is also optimized thanks to the use of a robot. Panel materials are placed on the element in a fully automated process and are then attached and processed by the multifunction bridge. The entire process – starting with the unprocessed part feed and ending with the loading of the finished elements –is fully automated.

Timber construction 4.0 – digital and networked

Software, networking, digitization – these topics will have a major impact on timber construction in the future. As a complete system provider, WEINMANN offers fully integrated solutions for developing timber construction further and allowing businesses to take a step toward timber construction 4.0. An integrated data flow and the corresponding information flow enable an efficient and flexible production process. Software is increasingly becoming the decisive factor for the benefits of machines. At the WEINMANN Treff, visitors saw a wide selection of new, digital products which offer a clear advantage for everyday work with CNC-controlled machines. Experts from the software department were available for questions and advice
 

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