For two years now, Uniteam has been part of the Biesse Group. For the development of the CLT400 line for the CNC machining of large format CLT elements, the two companies pooled their competences in the field © Biesse
The CLT market has been growing considerably in the last years. In many cases, requirements are similar to those in the furniture industry where multiple machine concepts, contract manufacturing in small lot numbers and extreme optimisation of interleaving processes are required.
With the new generation of CLT400 machining centres, which have been developed specifically for CLT, Uniteam has taken a big step towards standardisation and modularisation. This machine platform is the first to be newly developed using the experience and resources of the Biesse Group. As it is customary at the Italian company, particular attention has been paid to the use of high quality standard parts manufactured by the Biesse Group, without neglecting Uniteam’s accomplishments in the field, though.
Silvano Maddalon, sales manager at Uniteam and CLT expert, explains: “Our CLT 400 series offers the most advanced technology and automation which are available for the high performance production of CLT. With two independent 65 kW five-axis aggregates with tool changers, numerous different configurations, lateral long drilling units and special tool magazines, this powerful system can meet even the most challenging application and production requirements of the sector. These machines offer a technical standard which goes far beyond all other known technologies available for the machining of CLT.”
Thanks to the double-spindle technology, for example, which is being used in many of Biesse’s product lines, time-consuming tool changing times can be reduced to virtually zero, because the machining heads are mounted on separate y-axes and can access their own tool changers: One head is in operation while the other changes the tool and vice versa. Simultaneous machining using both units is also possible.
The disposal of chips and shavings was another central aspect in the development phase. The numerically controlled and therefore automatically adjustable suction hood has been a standard at Uniteam for many years. In addition to this, there is a deflector system, which is directly attached to the milling spindle: Via the c-axis, a plate directs the chips and shavings upwards and into the suction hood. It is also possible to enclose the entire machine in a cabin structure.
Integration in the production process
Two 65 kW five-axis-aggregates work hand in hand thanks to the double-spindle technology © Biesse
CLT elements are often machined immediately after leaving the press. The speed is therefore determined by the presses: “With multiple machine concepts, the challenge is to do as much as possible on the first machine without exceeding the speed of the presses. The other machining steps are divided up among the following machines through the use of flexible software solutions, depending on the machine configurations”, explains Maddalon.
The CAM software solutions used by Uniteam can work with all common data formats, with BLT being the standard in many cases. There are interfaces between all leading manufacturers of 3D construction systems in the timber construction sector. The solutions used by the Italian company are independent of the machine manufacturer which allows the integration of other existing systems in multiple machine concepts.
HSD Electrospindles
Being a part of the Biesse Group has further encouraged Uniteam to do research into and and develop new products and solutions. Uniteam can access the entire motor construction kit of Biesse subsidiary HSD. According to Uniteam, HSD is a worldwide leader in the production of electrospindles and five-axis-aggregates for the machining of wood, aluminum, metal, stone and glass.
“Nowadays, customers often ask for specifically adapted solutions. We are able to optimise parameters individually for every tool and, most of all, to provide electrospindles adapted to them”, tells us Maddalon.
A strong combination
For a few months, Biesse and therefore also Uniteam are again being represented in Austria by Handl Maschinen of Wels. Managing director Dr. Peter Handl explains this step: “The integration of Uniteam in the Biesse Group was one the key factors in last year’s decision to return to the Biesse network. Since our service and support team has more than 25 years of experience with Biesse’s products, we can offer our customers the necessary local support. Uniteam is the technological market leader in the high end machining sector for timber constructions. Together, we are able to offer an innovative and customer-oriented package.”
