Striebig evolution boosts efficiency at Crompton joinery

Crompton Joinery has invested in a Striebig Evolution vertical panel saw which is delivering a host of benefits including increased accuracy, ease-of-use and less dust.

The busy Stevenage general joinery produces a large variety of bespoke products including doors and door frames, windows and staircases for building contractors. It also fits out office reception areas and carries out shop fitting work.

Formed in 1982 by joiner Steve Haskins, the business has grown from a one-man operation to employing around 24 staff. The Striebig Evolution 5224, which replaced an elderly German-made version, has brought efficiencies to both panel cutting work and the sizing of door blanks. One of nine different sized models in the Evolution series it has a maximum cutting size of 4300 x 2240mm.

Striebig Evolution simplifies the process

It has simplified the sizing and cutting of MDF, plywood and veneered plywood sheets, whose thicknesses range from 3mm to 35mm. In addition, it has greatly improved the cutting of standard door blanks to the specific sizes specified by clients. With a depth of cut of 80mm, the Evolution has no trouble slicing through the 44mm or 54mm thick chipboard or plywood faced solid core door blanks.

Said Steve Haskins: “I could have gone for a less expensive model but I opted for the Evolution as I knew from the quality of its build that we would not outgrow it in a hurry. With so many advanced features fitted as standard, I can see why Striebig is considered the market leader.”

The Evolution represents the cutting edge in vertical panel saw technology. Technical features that are optional extras in other saws are included as standard. They include a digital measuring system, accurate to 0.1 mm, and an adjustable precision display that can be set to an accuracy of 1.0, 0.5 or 0.1 mm, according to the thickness of the panels being sized.

It has a fully automatic roller locking function, an auxiliary stop section with its own tape measure, three additional auxiliary stops for repeat cuts and small work piece support, and automatic moving backing support.

A wide range of accessories is available to increase its productivity still further. One unique option is four-sided trimming, which enables the bottom trim cut to be carried out automatically without having to lift or turn the panel.

Highly experienced joiner Michael Barsley is one of the saw’s regular users: “The accuracy it gives us is so much better than we had before,” he said. “As a board or door blank sits perfectly flat on the saw bed at all times, everything it cuts comes out perfectly square and straight. All the joiners prefer it as it’s so easy to set up and use.”

Among the features he particularly likes are the Evolution’s easy-to-use push button controls and the fact that the head is locked firmly into position when it’s cutting.

It has also proved extremely dust-free thanks to the integral TRK dust and chips extraction system, fitted as standard, that ensures dust levels are kept well below permitted European limits.

Said Michael Barsley: “With the old saw we suffered from a lot of dust blow-black that settled on the blade, reducing its efficiency and slowing it down, especially when sizing door blanks. This does not happen with the Striebig.”