Innovation meets tradition - The next generation of nesting solutions from HOMAG
The demands on modern machines are large and extensive. On the one hand, they should be efficient and help save material and resources.
On the other hand, they
should provide increased performance and be highly flexible. These machines must
fulfill a wide range of requirements and expectations. It is precisely these demands
from the nesting market that HOMAG has responded to by launching a new
generation of machines for nesting applications, where sustainability, flexibility and
performance are highlights.
The two new models, CENTATEQ
N-210 and CENTATEQ N-510, will
be presented to the public and
launched to the market on
November 15, 2021.
In the area of flexibility, 5-axis
processing needs can be met,
in addition to the classic nesting
tasks. To be able to implement
this flexibility, the maximum total
height in the Z-direction on
these new machines has been
extended. This means material thicknesses of up to 260mm can be processed within
this generation of HOMAG nesting machines. The new generation of machines is
available in both stand-alone and automated configurations and carries updated
matrix table configurations to increase both performance and flexibility.
In addition to the table structure, the vacuum, air cushion concept, and material
handling components have been rethought and further optimized. To optimize nonproductive times and setup, the tool changing system has also been adapted. The
machines were developed under the guiding principles of lower investment amounts
for the customer, HOMAG quality standards, and reduced assembly times within our
factories, resulting is greater availability for our customers.
Grow with the HOMAG Group –14 Automation concepts
Performance requirements often change as our customers grow their businesses.
After starting with the basic version, the machine can be upgraded to meet the
current needs of the customer. In line with the motto "Growing with the HOMAG
Group," lifting tables can be added for easier loading of material, automatic belt
conveyors for pushing out finished parts, and even complete integrations in saw and
storage-system combinations or with material handling robots.
High Efficiency Production Through Automation
High volume processing is also a focus within the new CENTATEQ N-210 and
CENTATEQ N-510 programs. HOMAG offers a lifting table on the left-hand side and a
belt conveyor on the right-hand side. The lifting table always moves to the desired
height and the feeding of the panel onto the processing table is enabled
automatically. Depending on the depth of the machine, this infeed device can
consist of an increasing number of suction cups, which can be extended if when the
panels to be processed carry a higher weight. A new feature is the integration of the
infeed device into the machine housing. In addition to the advantages of protecting
the components from dust and debris, this is also an absolute added value in terms
of long-term reliability.
After completion of the machining operation, the finished nest is pushed out onto the
belt conveyor and, at the same time, a new panel is pulled from the lifting table onto
the machining table. New within this program is the ability to effectively handle leftto-right or right-to-left machine operation to better meet the workflow demands of
our customers.
Dynamic Shuttle Operation
The well-known pendulum
operation is extended using a
separate vacuum supply and
ventilation of the table sections.
This highly efficient and seamless
alternation between the left and
right table sections is extended
by "dynamic pendulum
operation". Similar to our console
table machines, the vacuum
fields are assigned to the table
sections and can be controlled
individually and is not fixed. In
addition, we have created the ability to dynamically control our air cushion function.
This means that individual work pieces of different sizes and surface finishes can be
processed in pendulum mode without any problems.
Material Yield Utilization and Part Identification Drives Production
Sustainability is also at the forefront of the utilization of these machines. The aim is to
generate as little material waste as possible. Thus, the nests are optimized via
intelligent software solutions in such a way that the available material can be
optimally utilized. The intelli Divide Nesting solution, Cut Rite Nesting software
solutions, and the Nesting Production Set provide support here.
To ensure that the parts are identified for secondary processing, such as edge
banding, and for assembly after production, barcode labels can be utilized. These
labels provide valuable information for moving parts through the production process.
For example, the type of material, edge banding information, part size, order
number and even part-related graphics and company logos can be added. The
labels can be applied automatically on the lift table before processing, or they can
be added manually by the machine operator at the end of the outfeed belt.
Depending on the equipment level of the machine, HOMAG offers individual
solutions here.
Active Vacuum Solutions -New valve technology and machines optimized for dust
extraction
In the new generation of nesting machines from HOMAG, there are many different
table sizes available based on specific needs and requirements. Independent of the
table size, three configurations of the automated vacuum field layouts are offered:
Classic, Advanced and Premium.
The Classic layout is the standard for our current nesting machines. The field sizes are
designed in such a way that the underlying vacuum zones can be utilized to
concentrate vacuum pressure to any number of common panel sizes. Advanced
layout creates a more balanced machine. The vacuum field sizes are engineered at
both the front and back of the machine to allow for flexible fixturing of a wide range
of panel sizes, as well as smaller pre-formatted parts. Premium consists of many small,
symmetrical vacuum fields that are controlled individually. With this variant, in the
future HOMAG will allow the ability to activate only one field, for even more flexibility
and efficiency. New valve technology has been installed in the table for this
purpose. It generates the vacuum output required for nesting work pieces and
precisely maintains that vacuum pressure throughout the nesting process, so that no
excess energy is required.
The matrix table consists of a “raised island” and groove pattern that has a consistent
grid dimension to provider for optimal vacuum flow. The transition between the
individual matrix table sections has been re-designed so that this transition point is
always constant and suction cups can be positioned across these segments without
restriction. This is very relevant, especially for5-axis machining!
As important as fixturing parts to
the machine table is during
production, the subsequent
removal of the processed
materials, both the nested parts
and the waste, is just as
important.
The re-designed extraction and
ejection device has a modular
design and is integrated into the
machine housing. Combining
processes such as ejecting the
nest and cleaning the spoil
board within a shared machine
cycle, reduces non-productive time in the plant. The extraction unit has been also
been studied and optimized as part of a CFD flow simulation. The diameter of the
machines dust ports and the arrangement of the integrated compressed air nozzles
leads to an optimum dust collection result. The required amount of dust collection
volume is managed exactly to the point.
For short changeover times, the 8-placetool changer riding along the X-axis of the
machine will often be selected as standard. Depending on the variety of machining
and application requirements of the customer, versions can also be selected in
which 14 or 22 tools can be accommodated. The previous benchmark for tool
changing times of the HOMAG nesting machines have been significantly reduced
and our chip-to-chip tool change times improved. Within some of the automated
configurations, the changing of the tools can also be carried out in parallel with the
loading of panels, saving additional time. For those looking for advanced tool
changing technology and speed, an X/Y ride-along tool changer is available that
can also be paired with a second tool changer provide a combination of speed and
flexibility.
The new nesting series from HOMAG offers a wide selection of drilling gears to meet
the demanding drilling requirements of today’s nested based manufacturer. Up to 21
different drilling gear units are available. Various combinations of vertical and
horizontal drilling, as well as grooving, can be handled by these units without the
machine requiring a tool change. HOMAG’s patented quick change system for drill
bit changes remains available.
5-axis Processing on the CENTATEQ N-510 –bringing added value to the application!
The proven HOMAG DRIVE5CS 5-axis head is now available to the CENTATEQ N-510
series, bringing extra versatility to our customers. In addition to traditional nesting, this
series can also be used as a traditional machining center. Parts can be elevated,
referenced, and machined on five sides.
In addition to typical nesting operations including part sizing, shaping and vertical
drilling, additional processes such as horizontal drilling for dowels, miters can be
created with a 350mm saw blade and solid wood components such as stair stringers
and door components can be machined without challenge. For some of these
processes, parts are placed on the suction cups, which are attached to the grid
table by means of a vacuum. When pods are utilized on a nesting machine, they are
supported by HOMAG's high-precision reference fence and reference pins systems,
which can be set to different levels depending on the application.
Sustainability
In addition to the machines being configured to meet the technical and functional
applications for the customer, these machines are also engineered with a high
degree of focus on conserving resources and achieve sustainability. Times for tool
changing have been shortened. The extraction of dust and the cleaning of the spoil
board has been optimized. The creation and optimization of the nests for processing
is efficient, increasing yield and decreasing waste. Engineering measures have also
been employed to optimize the use of electricity, compressed air, and dust
collection. Where possible, machine movements and operating sequences have
been combined and share to increase the service life of machine components.
HOMAG has truly redefined nesting with the new CENTATEQ N-210 and CENTATEQ N510 Series CNC machines. Clever revisions, creative engineering, modular machine
executions, flexible workflow configurations, active vacuum solutions, dynamic
pendulum operation, advanced tool changing and drilling gear configurations, the
addition of5-axis processing, and a focus on global resource management and
sustainability significantly increase the value position of these machines for our
customers.
For more information, please visit: https://www.homag.com/en