It has been just over two years since we paid a visit to the Stuttgart-based woodworking shop. The focus at the time: the newly acquired Profit H80 nesting CNC machine along with the Tempora F800 edge banding machine from Format4. With this investment, the company established a completely new workflow and organized it with remarkable technological consistency.
Following this first major step into the future, Miriam Prewo and her highly dedicated team of woodworkers have now upped the ante once again, investing further in modern technology. Since late autumn 2024, a 5-axis Format4 Profit H350 CNC machine has been added to the machine park, significantly expanding the company's technological capabilities.
High-Quality Furniture and Interior Finishing
Miriam Prewo has been running the business in the fourth generation since 2012. The joiner and interior designer plans and produces high-quality kitchens, furniture, and interior fittings with her team. In addition to private clients, the company regularly completes projects for medical practices and law firms, for example. The woodworking shop also often handles the complete coordination across all trades.
Miriam Prewo creates 3D presentations (PaletteCAD) and also produces all the 2D installation plans for other trades. She is always the main contact for clients, handling consultations and sales. Prewo's right-hand man is Operations Manager Hans-Georg Paepcke. The master joiner and business administrator in crafts has been on board for 13 years now. He manages the entire technical work preparation, including all programming, purchasing, scheduling, etc. He also coordinates the seven-person workshop team, which includes one apprentice and three journeymen who also completed their apprenticeships at Prewo. "We are passionate about providing excellent training," emphasizes the owner. "And all of us here at Prewo are passionate about our profession."
Consistent Data Management
Paepcke is a technology enthusiast and a perfectionist. "Can't be done" is not in his vocabulary. He organizes data and workflows in an extremely well-thought-out and efficient manner, ensuring that work preparation and production are almost seamlessly integrated.
Miriam Prewo and he agree: "It's important to us that we always have control of the process ourselves and can intervene and shape it at any time." A custom, Access-based industry software program contributes to this. According to Hans-Georg Paepcke, it is very complex and contains 2D parts with all technical information as well as the primary and secondary CNC machining operations. The software is closely integrated with the CAD/CAM programs from the Felder Group, which are used to program the nesting and other CNC machining processes.
5-Axis CNC Opens Up New Horizons
With the 5-axis Format4 Profit H350 CNC, the woodworking shop has once again taken its technological capabilities to a new level.
For Miriam Prewo and Hans-Georg Paepcke, it was a clear choice to go with a Felder machine again. "We're just a good match, and we maintain a consistently open and constructive dialogue. Besides, the service is always top-notch."
The CNC machine is comprehensively equipped. The 12-position linear tool changer on the left of the machine frame also offers the option of storing up to three aggregates. In addition, there are two on-board pick-up tool positions.
The touch control on the 24'' screen ensures intuitive and convenient operation. It features an intuitive user interface that includes the tool library (F4Toolbox), the programming area (CAM and CAD, F4Create), and the machine's operating interface (F4Operate). The machine functions are displayed clearly in a graphical format and can be easily controlled via touch.
One of the highlights of the 5-axis CNC is the simple and fast vacuum cup and console positioning with LightPos. LEDs precisely indicate the vacuum cup size, position, and orientation, as well as the console positions. Thanks to a sophisticated color management system, each vacuum cup type and its orientation are displayed in defined colors. RGB LEDs on the X-axis provide information on the machining status, while LEDs along the X and Y axes visualize the workpiece position and dimensions.
Much Accomplished, Much More to Come
Technologically, the woodworking shop has made great strides in recent years and is now very well equipped. Miriam Prewo can imagine adding an automatic panel storage system to the nesting CNC in a few years. For now, however, the focus is on redesigning and renovating the showroom.
The dedicated owner is passionate about enhancing the public perception of the woodworking profession: "Being a woodworker should be seen as very cool. We at Prewo are definitely working hard to make that happen!"
