14 days ago, after a little more than three years, Format4 replaced the wide-belt sander at the ASE Wohnkultur joinery in Tittmoning, in the Traunstein district, with the current model, the »Findustry 1353«.

For the two journeyman joiners, Martin Oettl and Vinzenz Niedermeier, this is no problem at all, as the operation has fundamentally not changed, or only slightly. The two of them want to sand and structure panels veneered with cracked oak. Vinzenz has just filled the cracks with a dark 2-component filler. The now-hardened material rises up in mounds that need to be sanded down to the level of the rest of the surface. Martin switches the machine on and selects the program for veneer sanding followed by the structuring brushes. The control system tells him which belt belongs on which unit. The cross-belt unit, suitable for lacquer sanding and featuring a segmented pad and lamellar pressure belt, is to be fitted with a 180-grit belt. This is followed by the calibrating roller. However, it is not scheduled for use in this sanding program anyway.

Wood, Veneer, and Lacquer Sanding

At station 3, a longitudinal fine-sanding unit also suitable for lacquer sanding with a segmented pad and lamellar pressure belt, he also changes to a 180-grit belt. The nylon brush at station 4 does not need to be replaced. In the meantime, Vinzenz has measured the workpiece thickness and entered it on the touchscreen. The machine is closed, Vinzenz presses start and feeds one part after another into the machine while Martin takes them off at the outfeed. The surface is evenly and cleanly sanded. The brush has created a relief of the desired depth. Everything is perfect; no readjustment is necessary. Gerald Asenkerschbaumer is the third-generation owner of the joinery, which was founded exactly 100 years ago. He specializes in high-quality interior finishing and employs 30 people: 18 in the joinery and the others in the office and the large showroom. Design and production planning are carried out with Imos, which supplies the machines with data.

Consistently Maintained Machines

In 2017, the edge quality was no longer reliable. Gerald Asenkerschbaumer demanded better and, above all, regular machine service, which ultimately led to a change of supplier. Format4 completely equipped ASE with new machines, from classic joinery machines to the panel saw with an automatic storage system, the edge banding machine with a handling portal and return conveyor, the CNC machine, and right up to the wide-belt sander. The service package includes regular maintenance.

»It Does Everything That's Required«

Gerald Asenkerschbaumer says: "As a rule, each side of a workpiece passes through the Findustry 1353 just once and comes out with a perfect finish. That saves a lot of time. With three belts and a structuring roller, the machine can do everything our customers desire."