The innovation is plane to see!
REX Maschinenfabrik is at LIGNA 2019 to unveil its new SPEEDMASTER planing calibration machine series focused on the "potential for saving raw materials".

The Schwarzenbeck family develops, manufactures and distributes wood processing machinery under the brand name REX. Besides a great many tools and grinders, the company predominantly specializes in planing machines. REX's high-performance planing machines are used in the production of glue laminated timber, solid structural timber and cross laminated timber, as well as in sawmills and planing mills, and even in the construction of timber houses. Organizing its machines into the TIMBERMASTER, BIGMASTER, SUPERMASTER and SPEEDMASTER ranges, the company caters to mid-size workshops right through to large enterprises in all sectors of the industry. Given this impressive scope, it's only logical that REX is taking part in LIGNA in Hannover, the world's leading trade fair for woodworking and timber processing. This year, REX is training the spotlight on its new SPEEDMASTER series of planing calibration machines.

Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of requirements in the timber industry conducted by REX's design department, this machine series centers on the "potential for saving raw materials". The machine on show has been equipped with the "REX Equalizer" system, the predecessor of which was unveiled at the last LIGNA and has since been delivered and brought into operation for numerous customers across the globe. An added special feature in the 2019 model is the feed system, which can be used to convey material through the machine without planing it. The goods to be transported can be raw or pre-planed. By exhibiting this new efficient addition to the SPEEDMASTER machine series - which features state-of-the-art machine control technology and is designed to meet the latest safety regulations and guidelines - REX aims to show the international visitors to LIGNA 2019 its ever-growing experience in optimizing wood resources.

Georg Schwarzbeck GmbH & Co. KG – REX Maschinenfabrik (25421 Pinneberg, Germany), Hall 27, Stand C40
Contact: Joachim Schwarzbeck
Tel.: +49 4101 704-128
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High energy costs? What high energy costs?!
The "Smart Heaterpump" project from NESS Wärmetechnik GmbH is being premiered at LIGNA 2019 in Hannover. From this June, this pioneering technology is set to help significantly reduce energy consumption when operating thermal oil heaters.

NESS Wärmetechnik GmbH is one of the leading German plant engineering companies in the industrial process heat sector. NESS systems are used in a whole host of industrial areas, ranging from the manufacture of wood-based materials, plastics production and processing, and paper manufacturing to aircraft construction, the chemicals sector, energy generation from biomass and environmental technology.

Wood is enjoying a resurgence as a source of energy, which is why NESS is once again at LIGNA this year from 27 to 31 May to show an international audience what lies ahead for the wood working and processing industry. As a partner for professional process heat solutions, NESS is using the trade fair to showcase innovations that help make thermal oil systems run even more reliably, sustainably and efficiently. One such exhibit is the R&D project for the "Smart Heaterpump", which is about to be launched onto the market.

Using the technology that has been available until now, thermal oil heaters have always had to be run at their full volumetric flow rate, even when their full heating output is not required. However, as the amount of electricity consumed by pumps is proportional to the cube of the volumetric flow rate, this leads to vast quantities of energy being completely wasted. "Smart Heaterpump" from NESS is thus designed to monitor the heater's load point and adjust the volumetric flow so that over-consumption is a thing of the past. Even at a medium capacity utilization of 80 percent, running costs for electricity are expected to fall by around a half. What's more, "Smart Heaterpump" has been developed with a firm focus on maximum functional safety. Thanks to its redundant design, the pump meets Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL 2) and is certified to DIN 4754-2 as a flow limiter.

NESS Wärmetechnik GmbH (73630 Remshalden, Germany), Hall 26, Stand F78
Contact: Dietmar Ness
Tel.: +49 7181 9675-21
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These software arrangements become part of the furniture!
DPS Software GmbH is inviting cabinetmakers, shopfitters and furniture manufacturers at LIGNA 2019 to explore the software arrangements it compiles, develops and installs with its customers' projects in mind.

Founded over 20 years ago, DPS Software GmbH currently has 40 locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic, employing some 600 staff. The company is now the largest independent SOLIDWORKS reseller in Europe and the largest Sage reseller in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. DPS is the sole distributor of the ERP software RPS in the German-speaking world, and its portfolio also features CAM products from SolidCAM in addition to the SOLIDWORKS range. What's more, DPS has also developed a number of its own in-house modules and solutions to offer its customers. It distributes the SOLIDWORKS-based software solution SWOOD for the furniture industry throughout Central Europe. This comprehensive portfolio currently supports over 11,000 customers across the entire process chain - from designing, calculating and manufacturing to data management and mapping the associated commercial processes. To round off its customer-centric approach, DPS also provides software and interface developments along with training and consulting services.

DPS Software GmbH is at LIGNA 2019 to showcase its sector-specific solutions, which are designed to cover the entire process chain and drive forward wide-reaching digitization in the furniture industry. It is offering one-on-one consulting sessions and holding talks every day of the fair at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in German and at 11.30 a.m. in English. A key focus of these specialist presentations, in collaboration with DPS Software customers, regards the transition into secure furniture production - all thanks to a software that focuses on secure, error-free production right from the design stage to ensure users don't encounter any nasty surprises while working at the machine. Another question high on the agenda is how furniture can be manufactured more quickly and without errors. To answer this, DPS Software is showcasing the entire digital furniture production process at LIGNA, illustrating the steps users can already take at the design stage to ensure their machines create flawless furniture. Of course, SOLIDWORKS itself takes center stage in a number of talks to demonstrate how this software, which six million users already benefit from, and SWOOD, the tool specially designed for furniture production, can be used to optimize the manufacturing process and ensure reliability - even with a batch size of just one.

DPS Software GmbH (70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany), Hall 15, Stand F70
Contact: Nicole Rubbe
Tel.: +49 711 797310-72
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There's always room for integration!
halstrup-walcher is the first drive technology manufacturer to supply integrated direct drives with IO-Link interfaces. This comes as part of the company's endeavor to develop networked machines with integrated drives - an important step in the journey toward Industry 4.0.

halstrup-walcher supplies complex mechanical, electronic and software solutions to customers all over the world. These include positioning systems for automatic format changeovers in machines and pressure measurement technology for air-conditioning and OEM applications and clean rooms. To round off its wide-ranging portfolio, the company also offers development services for mechatronic drives and calibrations. halstrup-walcher is now at LIGNA 2019 to showcase the latest addition to its range of positioning systems - the very first direct drives for format changeovers to also include the option of using an IO-Link interface for control purposes.

Not only do the direct drives in the PSD series feature a stepper motor, they also come with all the relevant subsystems - e.g. controls, bus interfaces and an incremental or absolute measurement system - already integrated. This means guide rails, tools and even inspection cameras can be moved into the right position automatically when reconfiguring a machine for a new format, thus significantly reducing the changeover time. These drives also boast an exceptionally compact design (Nema 17 and 23). Their ability to achieve speeds of up to 1,500 RPM makes them the perfect choice wherever machine axes need frequent adjustment to handle small batches. Thanks to the groundbreaking introduction of an IO-Link control interface, these drives now offer a whole host of new advantages. Not only can they be controlled through run commands, the interface also makes it possible to read out large quantities of feedback data from the drives (condition monitoring) and use this information for predictive machine maintenance - along with data from other IO-Link sensors. What's more, the connection concept is both economical and flexible. The drives are connected using a single unshielded 3-core cable with IO-Link master and can then be implemented on any customer-specific fieldbuses.

halstrup-walcher GmbH (79199 Kirchzarten, Germany), Hall 16, Stand E22
Contact: Regina Körner
Tel.: +49 7661 3963-16
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No surface is safe from this sanding all-rounder
Karl Heesemann Maschinenfabrik is at LIGNA 2019 to premiere its MFA 10 all-round sanding machine for multishift operation on surface finishing lines.

Karl Heesemann Maschinenfabrik has been manufacturing sanding machines for use in industry and skilled trades for more than 80 years. Over the course of its long history, it has pioneered various groundbreaking innovations that have stood the test of time and have shaped the world of sanding technology. The company has always been passionate about its role as an innovation driver and global market leader in wood sanding machines and is determined to do everything it can to maintain this position. LIGNA 2019 is the perfect setting for Heesemann to demonstrate the strength of its commitment, with the company’s exhibits including the MFA 10, a true all-rounder for every sanding task, which is celebrating its trade fair debut.

The MFA 10 is available in sanding widths of 1,350 millimeters and 1,600 millimeters and can be flexibly equipped for all conceivable applications with up to six calibrating, sanding and brush units to suit customer requirements. It can be optimally configured for any task, whether for sanding a high-gloss surface or calibrating solid wood panels. As a top- and bottom-sanding machine, coupled with its extremely robust and durable design, the MFA 10 is also set to come into its own in multishift operation on surface finishing lines. What's more, it is fitted as standard with an EnergyManagement system that is designed to help reduce costs.

Karl Heesemann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG (32547 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany), Hall 17, Stand B46
Contact: Dennis Bierbaum
Tel.: +49 5731 188-145
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An insightful dry run
Grenzebach is pulling out all the stops at LIGNA 2019. Besides unveiling its new integrated moisture and thickness detection system for wood veneers, the company is using virtual reality to show how to plan and optimize a dryer to suit specific requirements.

This is a world premiere at LIGNA 2019 that deserves celebrating with a glass of extra dry champagne. Under the slogan "Grenzebach - we do drying better", the company is unveiling its moisture and thickness detection system for veneers, which is destined to significantly improve quality and energy management in wood processing companies. According to Dr. Christoph Habighorst, Vice President Sales Building Materials Technology at Grenzebach, this system is designed to measure the moisture content and thickness of wood veneers separately or simultaneously. "The new system is best deployed upstream and downstream from the dryer to ensure optimum control of energy input. Users can track trends over a period of time and map moisture and thickness across different veneer species," he explains.

Besides gaining in-depth insights into the company's latest drying and handling technology, visitors to Grenzebach's stand at LIGNA 2019 can look forward to exploring state-of-the-art production processes in a virtual setting. "We are eager to demonstrate at LIGNA what digitization has already made possible in day-to-day operations and what opportunities are emerging for the future. Discussing these topics and exchanging views about them is really important to us, too," Habighorst continues. The company's showcase in Hannover includes a wide range of applications made possible by digitization - from VR-assisted planning and design of production lines right through to the simulation of complex process chains. Visitors to LIGNA 2019 are of course warmly invited to head to the Grenzebach stand to try out its VR goggles and immerse themselves in the new world of veneer mills.

Grenzebach BSH GmbH (36251 Bad Hersfeld, Germany), Hall 26, Stand F57
Contact: Lisa Reitschuster
Tel.: +49 906 982-2068
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Scratching the surface of a flawless finish!
Baumer Inspection is at LIGNA 2019 in Hannover to unveil its innovative inspection system ColourBrain Furniture 4.0, designed to reliably and accurately detect a variety of defects on furniture surfaces, such as bubbles, dents, fine scratches and shiny spots.

Headquartered in Konstanz, Baumer Inspection GmbH is part of the Swiss Baumer Group, a family-run business that supplies high-quality factory automation sensors and systems all over the world. For more than 35 years, the company has specialized in quality assurance for surfaces that satisfies the highest standards in precision. During this time, it has installed over 750 systems, making it one of the leading suppliers of automatic optical inspection systems for process monitoring and error detection. Scanners from Baumer Inspection are used all around the globe to check furniture panels, decorative paper, films, floorboards and the surfaces and edges of furniture parts. The company is at LIGNA 2019 to unveil its innovative inspection system - ColourBrain Furniture 4.0.

According to Baumer Inspection, ColourBrain Furniture 4.0 is a technological trailblazer when it comes to the double-sided inspection of film-coated, melamine-coated and lacquered furniture panels. It can accurately detect the smallest of surface defects - such as bubbles, dents, fine scratches and shiny spots - whether diagonal to or across the feed direction. A drilled hole monitoring option can also be used to make sure holes have been drilled properly and check for profile deviations in pre-milled grooves. ColourBrain Furniture 4.0 is easy to maintain and boasts compact dimensions that minimize the amount of space needed in the feed direction. What's more, its modular design means it can be easily adapted to suit a variety of customer needs. For instance, this system can be used for error detection and process optimization both in series production and for batch sizes of just one.

Baumer Inspection GmbH (78467 Konstanz, Germany), Hall 15, Stand D15
Contact: Jessica Rominger
Tel.: +49 7531 9943-13
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Another one extracts the dust!
The product developers at AL-KO Therm GmbH are at LIGNA 2019 to showcase their innovative AL-KO ALC 21 level sensor and ingenious AL-KO CLEAN STAUBSCHOTT dust-proof bulkhead.

Every year, thousands of customers put their trust in high-quality products from AL-KO - and not just in Europe, but all around the world. The company sees this as proof that products sporting the "Made in Germany" label still have a bright future ahead of them, provided they are geared toward innovation and outstanding quality. The AL-KO ALC 21 level sensor, which AL-KO is exhibiting at LIGNA 2019, is a prime example of this. Approved for ATEX zone 21, the AL-KO ALC 21 is designed to ensure fill levels can be reliably monitored at all times, regardless of whether the operator is dealing with dry dust, chips or powdered materials. This easily retrofitted sensor can be integrated into a control center monitoring system within the context of automation processes.

Meanwhile, the AL-KO CLEAN STAUBSCHOTT takes care of the chip container. This ingenious dust-proof bulkhead makes it easy to replace full containers without generating dust and features an innovative container locking system that ensures safe handling. Both the AL-KO ALC 21 level sensor and the AL-KO CLEAN STAUBSCHOTT are innovative features for the mobile pure air dust extractors in the AL-KO POWER UNIT range, which are being showcased at LIGNA 2019 in three designs - AL-KO POWER UNIT 120, AL-KO POWER UNIT 160 and AL-KO POWER UNIT 350. Thanks to their tried-and-tested AL-KO OPTI JET technology, all these models boast excellent suction, keep energy consumption to a minimum and ensure exceptional air purification. According to the manufacturer, the premium model in this series - the AL-KO POWER UNIT 350 - is a genuine alternative to stationary extraction and filtering systems. It is also available in four variants - one with a chip container, one with an ATEX-approved rotary lock valve, one with a round discharge and one with a briquetting press.

AL-KO Therm GmbH (89343 Jettingen-Scheppach, Germany), Hall 12, Stand D15
Contact: Katharina Stenzel
Tel.: +49 8225 39-2103
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