Drilling technology: makes short order of small runs.

Boring and drilling machines are being designed with quick-change and other features that help wood products manufacturers produce short runs more cost effectively

Over the last 20 years or so, a more demanding and discerning furniture and cabinet buyer has emerged, prompting the woodworking industry to change the way it does business. No longer are buyers patient enough to put up with extended delivery periods - waits sometimes stretching into months. Yet, they also demand a wider selection and a greater choice of options, while expecting quality and a reasonable price.

"It used to be furniture manufacturers would build inventory, but now all of a sudden, industry has changed dramatically and everything is build to order," said Warren Wade, president of Servatek. "Today, customers will request one order to be processed or several orders with various differences. This has made a big impact on how furniture manufacturers produce their product."

The advent of new technology on all types of woodworking machinery has helped wood products manufacturers to keep their customers satisfied. Boring and drilling machines, for example, can come with any number of quick set-up enhancing features including automatic tool changers, multiple horizontal and vertical spindles, multiple station tool turrets, digital counters and computer controllers. Today's machines can also do much more than just drill a hole. Some can perform a variety of functions such as routing, grooving, profiling and even insertion of hardware. As Ase Stornetta of Ritter Manufacturing put it, "The 21st century has arrived."

"Point-to-point machines have evolved into flat panel machining centers," said John Mauro, vice president of sales for Tekna Machinery, Morbidelli. "Everything ranging from tool changers to four-axis programming are now standard."

Because of these and other available features, manufacturers are able to do short runs cost effectively. This allows them to build and ship the product quicker and gives them more flexibility in the types of product they can produce.

Walter Favrusso of Biesse America said, "Because of changing market requirements, you have to change your production schedule. You may have one hundred different consumers who want one hundred different things.

In order to be price competitive you have to work in just-in-time situations. To be competitive you need to go to a totally flexible system so you can satisfy the requests of your customers.

"Years ago there were feed-through boring machines that required a lot of changeover time to go from one pattern to another," Wade said. "Manufacturers would have to batch their parts until they had enough of them to justify changing over the machine to do a run. Point-to-point drilling has eliminated the need to batch parts."

Big demand for short orders

It is not just small companies that are getting orders for short runs, said Duane Griffiths of Stiles Machinery's Education Centers at a March 25 conference hosted by WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS' sister publication Custom Woodworking Business.

"The big off ice furniture guys are seeing shorter and shorter runs," Griffiths said. "The average run of the big boys is 3.2 parts before making a change on a machine. That is what the customer wants and the manufacturers have been forced to meet those needs."

With smaller lot numbers, set-up times for each of the runs is critical. To help reduce set-up times with non-computerized boring and drilling equipment, digital counters or LED readouts are often recommended.

"If you're not using point-to-point boring machines because they are computer programmed, then digital counters should be available and utilized," Griffiths said. "They allow you to very, very accurately go from one setting to the next and back to that setting in literally a few seconds and with split-hair accuracy. Without it, set-up times can far exceed your run times," Griffiths added.

Hans Meier of Koch Machinery + Systems, said the trend toward smaller production runs has led to mechanical digital readouts counter and LED readouts to be used to speed setups - added accuracy has become an "absolute must" on boring machines. "When the goal is producing quality components and minimum rejects, the use of machines that utilize digital readouts and/or NC technology is the only answer," Meier said.

According to Riccardo Azzoni of Atlantic Machinery, technology has helped shorten downtime for set-ups "in that you can get a middle range, fairly in-expensive machine with a simple micro-processor that allows you to program different cycles that are going to be needed. Changeover time between one set-up and the next is just really the time that it takes to recall that particular program in memory and possibly changing the drill bits."

Available equipment

The following roundup contains information on some of the available boring and drilling equipment. To obtain further information on one of these products, circle the appropriate number(s) on the Reader Service Card or consult the 1994 WOOD & WOOD PRODUCTS Red Book Buyer's Guide.

Multi-spindle machines

Force Machinery offers the Ayen SKB 50-2 swivel head multibore machine. The SKB 50-2 can drill holes for every type of dowel joint and European hardware and it comes standard with a large precision scale for angle boring and a 3-hp motor for heavy millwork boring. The Ayen machines are open sided to accommodate angle parts and to do vertical nailers. The patented swiveling gear box enables the operate to completely reset the machine from dowel drilling to shelf hole drilling in under one minute. Circle #410

Delta Int'l. Machinery Corp. offers a new line boring machine that accommodates 32mm accessory hardware systems from seven popular manufacturers for European-style cabinet construction. Features include four-point head mounting system with Lovejoy drive coupler, heavy-duty 3/4-hp 1,725-rpm induction motor, extra-long feed handle, 16-in by 32-in. table, and more. Circle #411

The DR-30 multiple spindle boring machine from Lobo Power Tools features three 3-hp motors, fully-casted components, air hydraulic operation and fine belt tension adjustment. Other features include magnetic switches and a wide selection of drill spindles. Circle #412

Woodworking Machinery Distributors USA offers the multi-spindle boring System 2232 that is equipped with one boring unit, 22 spindles; a pneumatic cylinder for vertical or horizontal positioning; 2.5-hp, 2,800-rpm motor; table size of 35 in. by 21 in.; and overall dimension of 40 in. by 39 in. by 51 in. Also available is the system 2932 with 29 spindles and System 3532 with 35 spindles. Circle #413

The MB63 boring machine from SCMI Corp. is a multi-purpose boring machine equipped with one horizontal head and two vertical heads. Each head has 21 spindles fitted with quick change adapters. The MB63 can be used for construction and line boring with minimum changeover time. A standard microprocessor controls the sequencing of the boring heads and the pneumatic stops. Circle #414

The R-1800 CNC horizontal boring center from Ritter Mfg. Inc. is designed to fill a need for heavy-duty applications requiring horizontal boring with holes up to % in. diameter and countersinks up to 1.125 in. diameter. Interior and exterior doors, furniture components parts, cabinet face frames and window frames are a few of the applications the machine can handle, according to the company. Circle 415

Available from Eric Riebling Co. Inc., the Masterwood Speedy 207 is designed for small and medium-sized shops. The gantry-type machine features a boring head with five vertical and two horizontal independent chucks, vacuum pump with hold-down cups to keep the panel in the working position, and three support tables. Circle #416

The Byrnes/Scheer Model BFC1000 boring and routing center from Richard T. Byrnes Co. Inc. features quick setup, functional versatility and repeatable precision, the company says. The machine can hole bore, groove cut and surface route without changing tools or repositioning the workpiece. Circle #417

The Sicotte Model J-20 heavy-duty horizontal boring machine from Doucet Machineries Inc. features quick set-up times, an easily readable rule to position the spindles, three hold-downs and a choice of three different horsepower motors. Circle #418

The Vitap SIGMA 2TO semi-automatic boring machine is available from Atlantic Machinery. The design of the tilting horizontal group allows end boring of panels exceeding 2,000mm in length. Circle #41 9

The Gannomat Model 280 boring machine from Tritec Assoc. drills, glues and inserts six or more dowels in a few seconds, the company says. The individual inserting units are switched and movable to 32mm centers along the 23-spindle boring head. Circle #420

The Model 56 vertical boring machine from Nichols Machine Co. features up to eight spindle heads that can be mounted on a 72-in. beam with crossline adjustment. Other features include belt-driven spindles, a 15-in. by 60-in. table that has 4 in. of stroke, and an airdraulic cylinder feeds the table to ensure smooth travel and adjustable stroke speed. Circle #421

The Octo-Control Machining center from Hoiz-Her U.S. Inc. reportedly can do the work of six or more machines including horizontal and vertical boring, line boring, back panel grooving, hinge inserting and optional door hinge hole boring. Other features include a color-coded revolving turret, and eight-way programmable fence, centralized dust extraction and air floatation table. Circle #422

Macoser Inc. offers a bed post boring machine that it says solves the problem of boring in-center premachined parts. Direct boring is accomplished by 2-hp spindle motors with variable speeds, ranging from 600 to 2,400 rpms, Tolerances are held to 0.025 in., regardless of part diameter, the company says. Maximum depth of bore is 2 1/4 in. and parts can range from 5.6 in. in diameter to 63 in. in length. Circle #423

The Bridgewood Model BW-12BM two-spindle horizontal boring machine from Wilke Machinery Co. features pneumatic spindle movement/clamping action via a shielded foot pedal and is equipped with a 2-hp single phase motor and magnetic starter. The adjustable head has a range from 3/4 in. to 3 1/2 in. between centers and can be easily removed to allow use of a single, fixed boring tool. Circle #424

The Model MIA Balestrini automatic double end trim and bore machine available able from Solid Wood Systems trims and bores both ends of various chair and case goods components. Workpiece parameters can be entered on-site and off-site using any IBM compatible PC. Movement of the working units is activated by DC servo drive motors, directly controlled by the computer. Circle #425

The BL-G universal boring machine from Koch Machinery + Systems can perform vertical boring, top and/or bottom boring, end boring and more. Digital readouts make setup easy and CNC setup is an available option. The machine can be equipped with manual loading of parts or with outmatic hopper feed. Circle #426

The J.S. Richardson Co. offers the Type LB single-end, angular trimming, chucking or boring machine. Compound angular setups made in less than one minute including the running of the test piece, are possible on the LB, the company says. Feed rates are up to 30 pieces per minute. Circle #427

Danckaert Woodworking Machinery Co. offers the Maka STV series of four models of boring equipment. The STV 160 is geared for the millwork and furniture industries, the STV 160 B is geared toward the furniture industry, the STV 160 F is geared toward the window and door industry and the STV 160 VZ is geared toward the door industry. Circle #428

The TSM-20 pocket cutting machine from Castle Tool can rout a pocket and then drill a clean pilot hole from the material edge to the pocket on a six-degree angle. The machine can be used for panel assembly, face-frame assembly, drawer assembly, backsplashes to tops and many more uses. Circle #429

The Model BD9015-2 two-station, single operator boring and doweling machine from Alexander Dodds Co. has digital readouts, a compartmentalized dowel hopper for three separate dowel lengths, full coverage glue application and automatic glue system cleaning. Circle #430

Altendort America offers the Jonsdorf JBE 10/25 dowel drilling/inserting machine. According to the company, the JBE 10/25 quickly drills, injects glue and inserts dowel pins. The machine can be a complement to a point-to-point boring machine. Circle #431

The double spindle face-frame assembly system from Unique Machine & Tool Co. drills two holes an inch apart in one operation. The 12-ft table features individually-controlled clamping cylinders controlled to hold the part square while inserting screws. Circle #432

Tyler Machinery Co. offers the Tyler Drill Unit that can be used for drilling two holes with a variable center distance. The unit is comprised of a Model 2111 adjustable drill head and a TEFC spindle drive motor arranged for mounting to machine supports. The Model 21 11 is available with two spindles having an adjustable spindle distance of 1 in. through 6.6 in. The spindles are designed for standard screw shank bits, thus eliminating need for collets and assuring proper drill position, the company says. Circle #433

Hanger Bolt & Stud offers a self-feed drill that is used on the company's line of automatic hanger bolt insertion machines. The independent self-feed drill unit is driven by an electric motor and employs a pneumatic feed system. Various motor sizes and stroke lengths are available to satisfy specific applications. The units may be mounted vertically or horizontally. Several units may be controlled simultaneously for multi-boring applications. Circle #434

Julius Blum offers the Pro-Center 2000 production center. Features include: short set-up times because the drilling head can be changed quickly, error prevention because interlocked operations are marked with the same color, and flexibility because holes can be drilled vertically and horizontally. Circle #434

Cemco offers the MHB Series horizontal boring machine. Features include a heavy plate and tubular member mainframe construction. The table is made of 1 1/2-in.- thick alloy steel. The hydraulic system for operating drill feed is self-contained and includes an oil reservoir. Spindles are direct drive with individual motors and spindle speeds are 3,600 rpm. Circle #436

Point-to-point / machining centers The Rover 346 point-to-point boring machine from Biesse America features vertical and horizontal drilling on four sides of the panel, heavy duty routing with 9-hp router motors, automatic tool changing, edge sanding, grooving and hardware inserting capabilities. Circle #437

The Morbidelli U550 point-to-point boring machine from Tekna Machinery features 29 independently-controlled spindles. Optional equipment includes routers with automatic tool changing capability, disc saw attachments and horizontal boring. The machine can be programmed off-line in the off ice with newly developed customized American CAD/CAM software. Circle #438

The Weeke Bp-15/Optimat point-to-point boring machine center from Stiles Machinery Inc. features a 22-spindle vertical boring and horizontal boring with five individually selectable spindles. Other features include solid-state frequency converter, X and Y programmable grooving saw, a one-piece assembly that combines the motor rotor, tool chuck for precision, and upward moving panel feed rails. Circle #439

The Alberti Edit 2000, available from GPM Technologies is a CNC point-to-point machine designed for case goods and cabinetry. The machine can perform both vertical and horizontal boring and features 18 separate drilling heads. Maximum feed speed is reported to be 130 feed, according to the company. Circle #440

Thermwood Corp. offers the point-to-point CNC machining center Model 715 that features AC brushless motors, universal hold-down on a 30-in by 96-in table configured with six precision-aligned pop-up part positioning pins. All axes ride on trackways and are driven by recirculating ball screws. Programs can be changed rapidly, often with no set-up, according to the company. Circle #441

Wisconsin Automated Machinery offers a variety of boring machines including the CNC 405 thru-feed vertical boring machine. It features four drilling heads and four spindles and can handle workpieces up to 48 in. Circle "2

Servatek Inc. offers the Brema vertical thru-feed machining center that can fully machine both sides of a panel simultaneously. The eight-station turret accepts boring, mortising, sawing and high-speed router heads with 15-hp motors. Machining functions are controlled by an IBM 486 computer that can control up to 17 axes of movement and features graphics programming. Circle #443

SGA offers the Busellato SuperMaster machining center. Three different head configurations are offered with 19 to 50 independent vertical spindles, horizontal spindles and up to four 9.5-hp routers. The machining center features the use of Star brand guides for heavy-duty routing, an inverter and IBM MS-DOS PC programming. Circle #444

Roger Stiles & Assoc. offers the Komet-Super SP/N series of drilling machines. The systems have a capacity of up to 30 pieces a minute. The machine drills all holes in one cycle including into the workpiece's bottom surface, into lateral, left and right edges and into the workpiece's top surface if required. Drilling from below allows for chips to fall out of the hole and helps to eliminate possible workpiece damage. Circle #445

The Reichenbacher RANC 210 AM from Duespohl USA Inc. can be provided with up to three milling, sawing, drilling or sanding aggregates and can also be equipped with the RANC ASW-Sprint, a 5-axis controlled machining center for stair production, the company says. Circle #445