06/03/2015

Award-winning HOLZMA innovation: HPS 320 flexTec impresses the Innovations Symposium

This world first for the trade and industry was on show for the first time at this year's LIGNA fair in Hanover and was voted one of the "most significant innovations" of 2015 by the Innovations Symposium.

HPS 320 flexTec impresses the Innovations Symposium at LIGNA 2015

With the HPS 320 flexTec HOLZMA has revolutionized cutting processes in batch size 1 production. This cutting cell is purpose-designed for processing single panels and redefines the part flow – with fully automated workflows and unlimited recuts. This world first for the trade and industry was on show for the first time at this year's LIGNA fair in Hanover and was voted one of the "most significant innovations" of 2015 by the Innovations Symposium.

Taking place in Hanover every two years, LIGNA is the world's leading international trade fair for the timber and woodworking industries. From May 11 to 15, 2015, its time had come round again. More than 1,500 exhibitors showcased their latest innovations for the woodworking industry. These ranged from tools and machines to entire production systems, for example, for the furniture industry. But which of the numerous innovations is then "the most significant innovation of LIGNA 2015"?

The answer was once again provided by the Innovations Symposium, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. This event is organized by Holz-Zentralblatt (Germany's leading trade journal for the forestry and woodworking industries), the magazine HK, Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences (UAS) and the business consultancy SCHULER Consulting GmbH. Under the guidance of Professors Dr. Frieder Scholz, Dr. Matthias Zscheile and Maximilian Ober, all from the Faculty of Wood Technology at Rosenheim UAS, an expert panel of students firstly prepared a shortlist.

The following criteria are taken into consideration for the title of "most significant innovation": new concepts for furniture manufacturing, building components and prefabricated houses from the three segments machining technology, surface technology and assembly, handling and logistics. Furthermore, the concept must constitute a genuine innovation for the industry as a whole. In other words, it must represent cutting-edge technology that was not exhibited at the previous LIGNA fair and is therefore less than two years old.

At the Innovations Symposium on May 13, the professors of Rosenheim UAS presented the results of the initial selection to an audience of more than 200 trade visitors. They then gave their assessment and announced the three "Top Innovations 2015 ". HOLZMA won a place on the podium with the HPS 320 flexTec saw.

This innovative panel cutting cell revolutionizes the cutting process in batch size 1 production with the aid of a fully integrated robot. The robot makes unlimited recuts possible, affording maximum flexibility in cutting pattern layout. Up to 1,500 individual parts can be produced per shift, with a very high level of energy efficiency, little maintenance and an extremely high rate of availability. This complete package impressed the trade visitors at the Innovations Symposium. The HPS 320 flexTec took third place in the contest to find the "most important innovation 2015".

Video tip
The HPS 320 flexTec in action – view now at www.youtube.com/HOLZMA 
You can also see other HOLZMA saws in operation here.

Presentation of the certificate from the left: Achim Widmaier, student at Rosenheim UAS and member of the research team for the symposium; Steven Robinson, Senior Consultant at SCHULER Consulting GmbH; Martin Kress, Product Manager HOLZMA; Andreas Heinzmann, Managing Director SCHULER Consulting GmbH; Darko Zimbakov, Head of R&D at HOLZMA; HOLZMA Managing Director Wolfgang Augsten; Prof. Dr. Ing. Frieder Scholz, professor of the Faculty of Wood Technology at Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences; Uwe M. Schreiner, Publishing Manager for the publishing company DRW-Verlag Weinbrenner GmbH & Co. KG