Lead screw nut application in edge banding machine

"The variety of furniture products continues to increase and consumer wishes are becoming ever more diverse. For these reasons, our customers want the greatest possible flexibility in production," explains Ralf Garnjost, mechanical engineer and head of design at Brandt Kantentechnik GmbH in Lemgo. Whether sophisticated shopfitting, batch size 1 production for individual requirements, living room and bedroom furniture or functional office furnishings: the edgebanding technology specialist, a member of the globally active Homag Group, offers the right solution for every requirement profile. "Our modular system with customised machines for all customer requirements and processing tasks ranges from the simple entry-level machine for the carpenter around the corner to the highly automated edge banding machine," summarises Ralf Garnjost.

However, it is not only the zero clearance of the adjustment that is important, but also the issues of freedom from maintenance, reliability, durability and long service life. The atmosphere around edge banding machines is extremely dusty. If greased systems such as ball screw drives are used, wood dust and particles smear and stick together. In this case, the adjustment area must be encapsulated and continuously relubricated. Regular maintenance, even in places that are not easily accessible, would be the result. "This is complicated and expensive, which is why we opted for maintenance-free linear technology components right from the start," explains Ralf Garnjost. They ensure the necessary operational reliability in the long term.
 
The high ambient temperature, which can be up to 200 °C in the hot melt adhesive area, also adds to the dust. In the area surrounding the adhesive application system, these temperatures can be as high as 80 °C, which can affect the functionality of the machine elements installed in the adjustment unit. But even here, no complaints were found in endurance tests. The all-round material iglidur® J provides the necessary temperature resistance.

Brandt was so impressed by the clearance and maintenance-free nature of the newly developed adjustment system that it is considering retrofitting all of its machines with the maintenance-free anti-backlash system. "This will allow us to further increase the reliability of the machines," says Ralf Garnjost confidently. The companies have been working together for a number of years. Various tribo-optimised polymer bearings in special shapes are also proving their worth in the edge banding machines. "The absence of lubricants pays off in all areas. lubrication and dust do not get along at any point."
 
A special profile based on the linear guide drylin® W is also currently being developed, which is dimensionally identical to the recirculating ball bearing guides previously used at the relevant points. "We save on parts without making any major design changes," concludes Ralf Garnjost. "This not only pays off in terms of warehousing, purchasing and assembly, but also simplifies the replacement of the relevant parts in the event of maintenance and servicing."

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