Technology vs Growth
Often, the two seem intrinsically linked but why do so many manufacturers think this way? Take Strebig’s Compact vertical panel saw. The flexible, entry-level panel saw offers the precision and quality you’d expect from a Swiss-made machine but without a plethora of features you’ll probably never need.
In the words of Ian Sabin, Production Manager at Birmingham Joinery, the Compact is, “small but perfectly formed.” So, why did the Birmingham-based fire door manufacturer decide to replace its 20 year old Striebig Compact with its modern-day equivalent? The answer is simply, simplicity.
“Our business model has been slowly developing over the last few years,” explains Ian. “We’re putting more emphasis than ever on large commercial projects with universities, hospitals and schools. With this move has come the necessary investment in new machinery but for us, fulfilling larger orders like this doesn’t automatically require high levels of automation and technology. I’m a firm believer in keeping things as simple as possible and brands like Striebig are helping us achieve this.”
“Our old Compact was in use for a least five hours a day, every day – cutting 44mm and 54mm thick chipboard and solid timer door cores up to 8 x 4 in size,” explains Ian. “The saw was the starting point of our production and it was an essential part of our operation. It was easy to set-up – training took minutes, not days – and it required very little maintenance throughout its lifetime. But like everything, age simply caught up with it and it was time for it to go into retirement.”
New Generation Striebig Compact
Ian briefly looked at other saw brands and flirted with the idea of a beam saw but the new generation Compact was refreshingly simple to use and, with the added benefit of a digital read-out system for horizontal and vertical cuts, was a contemporary replica of the old saw.
“It just made sense to me,” admits Ian. “It included everything I needed and nothing that I didn’t.” He continues, “A beam saw would have taken up a lot more space and we’d have used no more than a third of its capacity. It would have also come with a lot of technology we simply didn’t need but would have ended up paying for. If you know you can invest in a smaller, cheaper machine like a Compact and still have the ability to increase productivity and efficiencies, why wouldn’t you?”
The Striebig Compact, which feeds Birmingham Joinery’s Homag Edgebander with new return system and new Homag CNC router, fits neatly into its predecessors blueprint and now fully calibrated, cuts anywhere between 30-50 sheets per day, with up to three cuts per sheet. Ian adds, “We installed new lifting equipment at the same time to reduce panel handling and speed up production. The operation is now easier from start to finish and we’ve seen big improvements in material waste.”
Simple Operation with a Vertical Panel Saw
The Compact also offers the fuss-free user experience Ian required. “We wanted to keep this part of our manufacturing as simple as possible, allowing us to hire entry-level workers to run the machine efficiently.”
Ian admits the digital read-out has also been a useful feature. “Of course we could have continued to perform each cut without one but it certainly helps keep mistakes and material waste under wraps. We train our team to measure, cut and measure again but mistakes happen and if they’re not picked up at source, it can be an issue. The digital read-out is a great secondary check. You know if the number shown on the read-out if wrong, the cut will be too. It couldn’t be clearer.”
Ian continues, “Although we’ve been using Striebig saws for over two decades now, it’s funny to think how few times we’ve needed to get in touch with TM Machinery. It’s a testament to the build quality of these machines. When we have needed something, we find TM Machinery to be very responsive and if a visit is needed, they come within 24 hours. That’s exactly the kind of suppliers we want to work with.”
Compact Saw Helps Manufacturer Grow
Ian adds, “The Compact has helped us to grow and modernise our production without overcomplicating it. We’re now easily fulling orders of over 1800 door sets at a time and we still have room to grow further. Like its predecessor, it remains a valuable workhouse for us and we look forward to many more years of use.”
Contact TM Machinery for More Information
Ready to transform your woodworking operation? Talk to TM and discover how the automation within Striebig’s range of vertical panel saws can help streamline production and increase your business’s potential.
