The turning devices are able to gently and safely turn panels weighing 7 t
Demand for cross-laminated timber for multi-story timber buildings is growing rapidly, as are production volumes. Joining capacities, on the other hand, are lagging behind. Balteschwiler therefore decided to be proactive in tackling this issue. The company has more than ten years of experience in the joining of solid wood panels, and has recently invested around €9 million into its joinery center, which was officially inaugurated after just 15 months of planning and construction.
Impressive dimensions
The heart of the new plant is the Technowood TW-Concept Line, which impresses with the sheer size of the maximum processing space of 72 m by 4.3 m by 1.2 m.
Designed for the processing of cross-laminated and glue-laminated timber elements, the line is equipped with two portal robots (TW-Mill M and TW-Mill E), two turning devices (TW-Flip) and a longitudinal conveyor (TW-Flow X).
Hardly any limits to processing
Markus Fuhrer, CTO of Balteschwiler, who is responsible for the expansion, explains: “In processing, we hardly have any limits anymore. We can join panels with a maximum width of 4.3 m and a thickness of up to 1.2 m. In terms of length, transport is really the only limiting factor. Drilling, milling, grooving, rebating and making simple rectangular cuts as well as five-axis processing of free forms, and nesting are possible thanks to the flexible Lignocam CAM system and the TW-Control machine control system. Even gypsum fiber board cladding, for example, can be attached using CNC.”
“Balteschwiler sees itself as an extended workbench for its customers from the timber construction sector,” managing director Jörg Langheim emphasizes. “On request, we also offer our customers other services, for example the surface treatment of panels, the prefabrication of timber construction elements and modules, such as elevator shafts, and the organization of logistics,” Langheim adds.
Demonstration of the TW-Concept Line during the inauguration ceremony for Balteschwiler’s joinery center
Reliable suppliers
At the inauguration ceremony for the new joinery center, machine manufacturer Technowood was awarded the “Top Supplier” award in front of 350 invited guests.
Despite the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, all the deadlines mentioned at the beginning were met, which played a crucial role in the success of the investment project.
