Efficient quality assurance and troubleshooting in the furniture industry through subsequent measurement of components after drilling using spindle data feedback in cooperation with a Hecht Opto-DesQ Vmax measuring table.
In today’s furniture processing industry, companies are constantly faced with the challenge of increasing production quality, reducing set-up costs and at the same time maximising the efficiency of their machinery. Unfortunately, this has led to a shadowy existence for many companies in the past, which is now becoming more important in order to remain competitive in the future.
One solution that has proven to be extremely effective and fulfils these complex requirements is the subsequent measurement of components on a HECHT Opto-DesQ Vmax measuring table, which is integrated into the production process of throughfeed drilling machines in cooperation with HECHT’s spindle data feedback system and is already being used by a wide variety of furniture manufacturers worldwide.
This report highlights the importance of subsequent measurement at ALSAPAN in Erstein, France. Its effects on process reliability, efficiency and quality in daily production are highlighted. ALSAPAN processes different decors in a wide range of components in different batch sizes on three production lines. Components of the individual batches are checked by the individual machine operators on a HECHT measuring table type Opto-DesQ Vmax. with spindle data feedback, a corresponding correction of the data is communicated and synchronised directly with the machines via an integrated interface, which leads to a considerable reduction in set-up costs. ALSAPAN works with through feed drilling machines from HOMAG.
During the actual measuring process, on the HECHT measuring table set up centrally between the three production lines, which was enclosed by the customer to protect it from dust, the components are visually inspected for tolerances of the holes, vertically and horizontally, for depth and completeness, as well as the different decors. At the same time, the components are checked and documented for dimensional accuracy, angularity and completeness.
The measurement results are seamlessly transferred to the individual through feed drilling machines of the different lines via digital spindle data feedback from HECHT, any necessary corrections to the machines of the individual drilling supports are carried out by the operator and corrected, if necessary, thus ensuring smooth production.
The implementation of a subsequent measuring table from HECHT enabled a considerable reduction in set-up costs on the through feed drilling machines. By precisely recording the component data on the measuring table, the first and last components of a batch are measured, the data compared, communicated and documented. This process significantly reduces set-up times and minimises production downtime between individual orders. Compared to manual measurement based on drawing files, this approach is up to 50% faster.
This process automatically generates benefits such as continuous monitoring of the through feed drilling machine and its tolerances, minimisation of complaints, which is a key aspect in improving quality and minimising potential customer complaints. A positive side effect of the subsequent measurement is the utilisation of the through feed drilling machine, which could be increased by around 15% without incurring additional costs.
The integration of a subsequent measuring system from HECHT, for checking after the through feed drilling machine, offers an efficient way of increasing quality and eliminating errors in the furniture processing industry. This approach not only significantly speeds up measuring processes, but also enables precise data acquisition, error detection and correction. Companies like ALSAPAN that have invested in such systems improve their product quality, minimise waste and ensure sustainability in the efficiency of production processes.
