Interior fit-out specialists and woodworking plants will stand to benefit a great deal from the innovations that have rolled out of Weinig’s production facility in Europe, says a spokesman for the German manufacturer.

At a recent exhibition in Milan, Italy, Weinig has unveiled its latest series of machines, which the company claims to be a decisive leap in technology in comparison to its predecessors. The company’s range of products includes machines and system solutions for the entire spectrum of solid wood machining.
Rainer Hundsd?rfer, Weinig’s new executive chairman, says: “We, at Weinig, are focusing on total process optimisation, just-in-time (J-I-T) manufacturing processing and machines that are very simple to use, together with developing products and services which help customers maximise the way they use their machines.  And the new Powermat range of moulders is just a start.'
The Powermat range of moulders developed by Weinig now comprises models: 3000, 2020, 1000 and 500.  Of these, the Powermat 500 is likely to appeal to most small to medium size manufacturers.
At the start of this year, Weinig launched the Powermat 1000 for medium-size enterprises following on the heels of the precursor of this new technology, the fully-automatic top-of-the-range machine Powermat 3000. Weinig has now expanded this range to include the Powermat 2020 and the Powermat 500, both of which were presented to the public for first time in Milan. The completion of the product range allows plants of all sizes to adopt the new technology and benefit from the enormous advantages, says a spokesman for Weinig.
The main feature of the new Powermat generation is the newly-developed HSK tooling, which has been patented worldwide by Weinig.
“Thanks to a speed of up to 12,000 rpm, it is possible to achieve a significant improvement in throughput speed and surface quality. In addition, the easy-to-operate electronic setting aids considerably reduce set-up times.”
“Small batches, single-piece production and short-term orders make up an important part of the everyday business of most woodworking plants. Modern machines must be designed to meet these requirements and at the same time ensure commercially effective production, and with the Powermat 500, we have done just that,” says the spokesman.

Powermat 500
The Powermat 500 – the most recent member Weinig’s Powermat family which will make the new technology affordable for the smaller woodworking shops – is equipped with both conventional spindles and a tool holder for HSK tools. Both tooling systems operate with up to 8,000 rpm, which is enough to ensure high productivity, he says.
The PowerLock tool, which can be changed quickly and extremely easily, also allows a substantial reduction of set-up times and significantly increases flexibility.
The inexpensive moulder owes its exceptional position in its class not only to the hybrid mode of operation but also to the outstanding surface quality, he adds.
Another highlight is the adjustable hood, which supports quick set-up and easy positioning of the pressure shoes. The memory system – taken over from the larger Powermat 1000 – allows the loading of values of previously-produced profiles at the touch of a button, which are displayed on the positioning units. This means a further reduction in set-up time through easy data management, the  spokesman says.

Powermat 2020
As with all the members of the Powermat class, the main feature of the Powermat 2020 is its groundbreaking PowerLock system. In the Powermat 2020, the tooling is additionally jointed, as a result of which feed speeds of up to 60 m/min can be achieved. The high tool speed of up to 10,000 rpm produces a surface quality that is outstanding. The Powermat 2020 is particularly useful for companies who want to produce small and large batches economically with a single machine, and want to ensure a high product quality at the same time, says the spokesman.
Furthermore, depending on the application, the machine can replace two or more conventional machines. In addition, Weinig offers system solutions, which include the software LogoCom, automation with Weinig High Mech and a wide range of tool-grinding machines that will help increase productivity, he adds.
In the smaller Unimat class as well, Weinig has brought out innovations, which include the compact moulder Unimat 300 and the Unimat 500. The Unimat 300 is an entry-level machine that fits at the bottom of the product range. It is equipped with an automatic two-axis positioning for the third and fourth spindle and is available with four or five spindles.
The larger Unimat 500 is addressed to plants whose production requires more performance and flexibility, says the spokesman. It features the comfortable and set-up time reducing memory function from the Powermat class, as well as a central adjustment of the pressure and guide elements on the third and the fourth spindle.
With the Unimat 23 SP, Weinig has a specialised machine suitable for businesses manufacturing thick veneers or lamellas to be used in various applications such as door skins and engineered flooring. The saw blade has a cutting width of 1.4 mm, allowing a much higher wood yield than comparable machines, he adds.