Two years ago, those responsible at the Setra Group’s wood industry hub in Långshyttan/SE asked themselves how they could increase the efficiency of the production process. In 2023, the five-axis Vision-III-TT machining center from German special machine manufacturer Reichenbacher was installed. With a working area of 20,000 by 3,100 mm, the steel support table with wood panel stacks and a conveyor system, this machine is ideal for the processing and prefabrication of large-format CLT panels. Cross-laminated timber is a tried-and-tested building material thanks to its excellent structural and mechanical properties. It has a high load-bearing capacity and strength. CLT is also fire-resistant and comparatively light in weight and in terms of sustainability, it offers numerous advantages over traditional materials such as concrete and steel.
Full automation for an increase in efficiency
The new CNC machining center impresses with a fully automatic process. Thanks to nesting, elements can be optimally extracted from solid cross-laminated timber panels, and material waste can be reduced to a minimum. CNC machining is used to create precise holes and cutouts for doors, windows and cable ducts in the construction elements, which are tailored precisely to the specific requirements of each construction project. “This machine is not only remarkable in terms of its speed, fully automatic process and torsion-resistant machine structure. Its innovative extraction system and effective chip management also stand out,” factory manager Hans Messing emphasizes. Seven extraction points and a floor extraction system automatically capture the chips and sawdust during the milling process or in the area around the machine. The system has an extraction volume of around 38,000 m³/h of chips and sawdust. The remaining wood waste is disposed of by chip conveyor belts. “This ensures smooth operation since we don’t have to constantly clean the machine,” Niklas Karlson, head of technology and maintenance at Setra, explains.
“The Vision-III-TT also has a significantly higher performance than comparable machines on the market. We achieve feed rates that are up to four times higher – both when sawing and milling and when formatting,” Messing says. “This is exactly what leads to a significant reduction in production times,” Daniel Halvarsson, Executive Vice President of Setra, adds. And Davis Müller, head of international sales at Reichenbacher, adds: “Our CNC machining center processes CLT components with the same precision as furniture parts. The components are sawn and milled with the highest precision so that they fit together perfectly. This is crucial for the modular construction of buildings.”
The numerous large-scale machines and plants installed at timber construction companies are proof of Reichenbacher’s expertise in developing special solutions which are tailored to each customer’s needs. For Setra, the Vision III-TT represents an important step forward in terms of the efficiency of the production process. The machining center also makes it possible to further expand existing capacities and achieve the company’s ambitious sustainability goals across the entire value chain. The integration of CLT elements plays a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry – another step towards a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient future in timber construction.
