ATLANTA - At this year's International Woodworking Fair (IWF), Stiles Machinery, a member of the Homag group, will demonstrate networked production and software integration techniques. IWF 2018 will take place in Atlanta, Georgia on Aug. 22-25, 2018.

 

Demonstrations​ will take place Wed. through Fri. at 9am, 11am, and 2pm ​as well as on Sun. at 10am​. Registration can either be completed online or at booth #5035 at IWF 2018.

 

ARTICLE IWF expects attendance of 30,000 at 2018 exhibition In a briefing two weeks ahead of IWF, Jim Wulfekuhle, vice president sales and marketing, said that IWF will have more than 1,025 exhibitors occupying nearly 1 million square feet.

The director of software solutions at Stiles, Scott Cruickshank, will deliver the presentation. It will explore how Industry 4.0, IoT, and innovative software solutions can help manufacturers of all sizes to maximize yield while minimizing time and labor costs.

 

Using technology from Homag’s new line of modern machine designs, Cruickshank will demonstrate how to manufacture a customized checkout counter with the latest design software as well as a combination of innovative material handling solutions. These solutions will include a fully-automated robotic panel saw, seamless edgebanding technology, and powerful CNC machining.

 

Attendees to the presentation will experience what Homag calls the industry’s fastest panel management system, the StoreTEQ S-500,​ as it manages a wide range of materials. The materials will then be fed to Homag’s SawTEQ B-320 flexTec ​for further processing, which is designed for rapid single panel processing. Once parts are sized, they will be transferred to the Homag EdgeTEQ​ with integrated LoopTEQ O-600​ return conveyor technology for a fully automated part flow during the edgebanding process.

 

Throughout the demonstration, Cruickshank will also feature innovative software solutions from Homag. These include CutRite cutting optimization software, ControllerMES​ for a fully-optimized production process, and the latest version of Wood CAD|CAM​ which will be making its North American debut at IWF.

 

Each machine featured in the demonstration will also be connected to Stiles' tapio​, which allows for operation of plant and machinery, and for utilization of predictive maintenance and production optimization from the palm of the user's hand. The company says it is the world’s first digital platform designed to increase the efficiency of production management within the woodworking industry.

 

For more than 50 years, Stiles has been a provider of manufacturing solutions that help increase efficiency and productivity throughout North America by offering equipment integration, financial services, service, parts, and accredited education and training. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Stiles has regional offices in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California.