Xylexpo 2010 continued Wednesday with steady, albeit lesser attendance than past years' shows.

Still, attendees were showing interest in the new technology on display throughout the halls of the FieraMilano Rho Fairgrounds in Milan. The five-day biennial woodworking show runs through May 8.

An estimated 80,000 attendees from all over the world are expected to attend the 22nd Xylexpo show. According to show management, this year’s show features 652 exhibitors spread across 42,500 net square meters.

After Italy, the largest contingent of exhibitors is Germany (70), followed by China (21), Taiwan (16), and the Czech Republic, Spain and Austria (11).

Many exhibitors debuted new machinery geared toward improving production efficiency in both large and small manufacturing environments, including the Homag Group. One of many new machines on display by Homag, the BMG 511 Optimat is a flexible five-axis machining center for window, door, furniture and staircase production. The machine features an automatic positioning console table as well as a matrix table for nesting of small parts. The machine is constructed of Sorb Tech, which the company says dampens vibration and improves processing quality. See the video of the BMG Optimat and the AP table.




At the Giben booth, highlights included a first look at the company’s new lines of CNC routers and edgebanders, representing a major departure for the panel sizing specialist. The CNC router is a joint offering by Giben and Anderson and features an eight-position tool carousel for rapid tool changing and a special tool calibration device, which automatically records the value in the tool, offset file.

Textured & Glossy Surfaces and Edges



Surface and edge finishing technologies also took center stage. In addition to demonstrations of Giben’s new KG and KE single-sided edgebanders, part of its Edge Division, other companies offering new technology for surfaces included:

Tagliabue's TAG SP+R is a brush-sanding machine that can create textures/distressing on solid wood and composite panels.

Makor's Gemini edge coating machine for coating and sanding edges of panels. In addition to having the capability of applying a UV sealer or water-base sealer on MDF, the machine is capable of applying UV putty on chipboard panel edges for a smooth surface.

Homag Group's Friz FKP laminating machine is capable of applying a high gloss surface on both the edge and profile of the panel. It is designed to for medium-size production lines and can be used with both rolls and sheets.

Italpresse’s Mark/C laminating line has a scanner system for detecting the position and dimension of the panel and will self-adjust to maximize material usage. It is especially geared for companies in a lean manufacturing environment. See the video of the Italpresse’s Mr. Tosetti describing the features of the Mark/C

QuickWood’s Model PRO rotary machine offers fine finish and sealer sanding for all types of shaped surfaces and profiles. It features electrical height control using a digital instrument.

Fravol demonstrated its new RX700-120 CNC throughfeed edgebander, which has a 4-in. height capability and can run up to speeds of 25m/minute.

Watch for more technology highlights and videos from Xylexpo next week on WoodworkingNetwork.com.