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Precisely sawn to the point
Flexibility meets precision: robot integration for a new generation of saws
HOLZMA Plattenbautechnik GmbH is a leading global manufacturer of panel saws and specializes in tailor-made solutions for cutting wood, wood-based materials and other panel materials. The company develops innovative and high-precision machines for the furniture and woodworking industry that impress with their quality, efficiency and reliability. Based in Germany and with decades of experience, HOLZMA offers state-of-the-art technologies and sets standards in panel construction technology.
HOLZMA is part of the HOMAG Group, a leading global supplier of machines and systems for the woodworking industry.
Mechanical engineering / wood cutting
HOLZMA Plattenbautechnik GmbH
The challenge
HOLZMA’s aim was to develop a completely new generation of saws with automated panel handling and integrated robot technology within a tight timeframe.
In order to provide the HOLZMA team with the best possible support, the development project service provider Krehl & Partner specifically sought out experts in robot handling. Time was of the essence: just one year before the important industry trade fair LIGNA in Hanover, the company was faced with the task of developing an innovative solution that would exploit the full potential of the new generation of saws. An ideal partner was finally found in robomotion – a specialist in robot integration, gripper technology and robot control and software. Together, they were to successfully drive the project forward and launch a pioneering solution.
The solution
The development of a flexible, lightweight gripper that can efficiently handle panels of different sizes and weights was the key to the successful automation of panel handling.
The gripper has been designed to safely handle sheet sizes of up to 3000×4000 mm and small saw cuts of just 100×100 mm. In order to minimize the dead weight and not overload the robot’s load capacity, it was designed as a lightweight sheet metal construction, as the panels can weigh up to 300 kg.
In addition to the gripper development, the selection of suitable kinematics and the simulation of the motion sequences were of crucial importance. The process was optimized so that the sheets and saw cuts are processed efficiently. In the automated application, the robot takes over the complete handling of the panels: it removes them from the panel storage, performs the necessary cuts and removes the saw cuts. If necessary, these are fed in again for further cuts. The choice of robot was made in close consultation with the customer, with robomotion taking on the technical validation of the decision. In addition, robomotion integrated the necessary sensor technology to ensure precise handling and continuous quality monitoring.
Thanks to robomotion’s expertise in robotics and many years of experience in the implementation of practical solutions for series machine construction, the project was successfully realized in a short development time. Experienced project staff specifically supplemented HOLZMA’s development team, while the rapid proof of concept was carried out in robomotion’s robot laboratory.
