Shortage of skilled workers and rising material costs - the wood industry is also currently facing major challenges. At LIGNA 2023, Mosca GmbH from Waldbrunn wants to demonstrate possible solutions in its field. With the SoniXs M-RI, the end-of-line expert is presenting an advanced machine that uses ultrasound to securely strap wood products and is also prepared for digital transformation thanks to state-of-the-art PLC. The KOV-111 pallet strapping machine combines high performance with large buffer magazines for consumables and can thus work through an entire shift without downtime. Mosca has also kept an eye on the consumables themselves: Due to narrower edge protection angles, the KOV-111 saves companies both material and costs.

Strapping solutions for all automation levels

When a neatly bundled package of roofing battens makes its way to the construction site, it is hardly apparent to the user how different the packaging process may have looked: While in some companies many steps are still done manually, others already rely on fully automated lines in which machines handle products independently. Still other companies are already using Industry 4.0 options such as preventive maintenance to operate their lines with as few unplanned downtimes as possible. Mosca GmbH will be showcasing strapping solutions for all automation levels at LIGNA. For example, with the further development of the SoniXs M-RI, the company is taking the strapping machine, which has been tried and tested for decades, to the next level in terms of digitalization: it now has a WebHMI as standard, which can be used to call up data on machine performance and adjust strapping settings. Thanks to an OPC/UA interface, for example, the machine can be integrated into fully automatic lines and controlled via a control center. The optional Mosca digital package offers users the possibility to control and check the machine via a mobile device, independent of time and location.

Ultrasound for the wood industry

The SoniXs M-RI is also equipped with the latest standard 7 SoniXs narrow unit, allowing it to strap products as small as 60 millimeters wide without generating heat or steam. This eliminates any risk of fire and products such as wooden slats are strapped safely, quickly and efficiently. Thanks to its ring-shaped strapping frame, the machine is maximally flexible: products can be placed on the table from all sides and then strapped. For particularly long wooden products and slats from four to eight meters in length, several machines can be arranged in parallel and strapping is triggered simultaneously.

Space-saving all-rounder

The SoniXs MP-6 T exhibited at the show is also equipped with Mosca's SoniXs narrow unit. Thanks to its space-saving design, it also fits into tight production environments and is suitable as an all-rounder for a wide range of applications. As a table-top model, it has proven particularly suitable for manual use; strapping is triggered by hand or via a foot switch. However, it can also be quickly integrated into fully automatic lines with external transport via an interface.

Save on consumables and store them directly at the machine

In addition to strapping machines, Mosca's portfolio also includes the KOV-111, a strapping system for large-volume wood products. The machine uses a fully automatic edge protector feeder to secure the top edge of a product with an angled edge protector made of solid board. This edge protection can now be significantly narrower than before. "Edge protection is essential for sensitive wood products," explains Christian Zwieb, Sales Manager Mosca Engineering. "Discussions with customers have shown that they need an enormous number of angles when using the KOV-111 extensively - we are talking about up to 200,000 angles per year. We therefore looked at how we could reduce their size without sacrificing production reliability." The result: where previously an edge protector with a size of 200 millimeters in length, 100 millimeters in width and three millimeters in thickness was used, an angle from a size of 35/35 to 50 millimeters can now be used. The smaller format can save customers up to 80 percent in costs. The angles are also a standard format according to DIN EN and are therefore available everywhere in the trade. For use, the edge protectors are filled into large magazines directly at the KOV-111. These hold up to 150 angles and can thus serve the machine during a complete work shift without the need for refilling.

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