Woodworking Innovations Highlight Ligna 2017

by | May 31, 2017 | News

Against a backdrop of Industry 4.0, “LIGNA 2017 will go down as a milestone in the digitalization of the wood industry,” said Dr. Andreas Gruchow, managing board member of Deutsche Messe, organizer of the woodworking industry’s largest trade show in the world.

Held May 22-26 in Hannover, Germany, the biennial show drew 93,000 visitors, including an estimated 42,000 attendees from outside the host country, according to show figures. More than 1,500 exhibitors, including 900 from abroad, showcased a range of innovative machinery, tools and solutions, with displays spanning across almost 1.4 million square feet of net space at the fairgrounds.

LIGNA 2017 featured a revamped, thematic layout, including two new display categories: Surface Technology and Machine Components and Automation Technology, which highlighted the theme of Industry 4.0: the networking of machines and automation to improve efficiency in high-production as well as small-scale environments.

“Digitalization and integrated production are the new keys to success for our customers,” added Wolfgang Pöschl, chairman of the Woodworking Machinery division of Germany’s Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), a show sponsor, and also chairman of the management board of Michael Weinig AG. “There is huge demand across the board, resulting in full order books. The challenge now is to shorten delivery lead times as much as possible.”

Catering to the wide range and skill levels of the attendees, exhibits ranged from high-tech, sophisticated machinery to entry-level systems for use by those in the furniture, cabinet, architectural woodworking, casegoods and closets industries. Solutions shown included: service apps for machine monitoring, to the first professional table saw using SawStop technology, dual glue technology on a contour edgebander, sanding and finishing innovations, a moulder that produces lineal shapes and designs in a single step, robots, a “three-click” process for producing a complete item of furniture, and of course, Batch 1 systems incorporating CNC technology.

From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/events-contests/event-coverage/woodworking-innovations-highlight-ligna-2017?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news,canadian_news

Veneer Technologies Craftsman’s Challenge Selects Judges For 2017

by | Feb 15, 2017 | News

Veneer Technologies has announced the 2017 panel that will decide this international design competition highlighting achievement in the use of natural wood veneer products. The judges for this year are Karen Koenig, editor of Woodworking Network’s special publications and projects, including the Red Book resource guide; Stephen Latta, professor of cabinetmaking and wood technology at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and a contributing editor for Fine Woodworking; and Mike Taylor, president and CEO of States Industries, manufacturer of hardwood plywood veneer panels.

“Our competition is unique in that we recognize the entire supply chain, from the material source to the distributor to the designer/craftsperson,” explains Veneer Tech’s Alan Hubbard, face veneer sales manager. “Our judge panel also reflects a cross section of industry experts, drawn from educators, hands-on woodworkers, trade media, and manufacturers.”

Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge entries are being accepted now through May 31, 2017. Competition categories include Architectural Woodworking, Cabinetry, Furniture, Marquetry, Specialty Products and Student Design. Entry forms are available online through www.veneertech.com. There is no entry fee. Material does not need to have been sourced through Veneer Tech to be eligible.

A cash award of $3000 will be made to the creator of the grand prize winning entry. The distributor of the veneer for the grand prize winning entry will receive $2000, and the corresponding distributor salesperson will receive $1000. Category winning entries receive $1000 each. There is also an additional $1000 award to the grand prizewinner for early entry by March 31, 2017. Awards will be announced at AWFS Las Vegas, July 19-22, 2017.

From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/veneer-tech-craftsman%E2%80%99s-challenge-selects-judges-2017