Which format cutting machine to choose. Review of the best models for furniture makers

Device, principle of operation

In order to cut the sheet blank into parts of future furniture products, they are placed on the movable table of the machine. It is located on the left side of the structure. The cutting size of the sheets is fixed with an adjustable stop, after which the saw unit is started. When its cutting disk reaches maximum speed, the movable table with the workpiece begins to move forward.

There are three main settings you can set on the machine:

• position of the sheet blank;

• cutting angle;

• depth of cut.

Format cutting machines consist of five main units:

1. Beds are the foundations of a structure. More massive beds better absorb equipment vibration during operation, which affects the accuracy of cut dimensions.
2. Saw unit . The module consists of two saw blades: slotting and pre-sawing. They ensure cutting of sheet blanks without chipping or uneven edges. Most machine models have a saw angle from 0 to 45°.
3. Work tables : fixed and movable. The first one houses the saw unit. The second serves to feed the sheet blank for cutting.
4. Carriages – the mechanism guiding the movement of the left table.
5. Stops and rulers . They are on the tables. With their help, sheet blanks are placed in the desired position.

Components of the machine

The machine consists of several elements:

• table;
• driving mechanism;
• auxiliary equipment.

Table

The fixed base of a format-cutting machine or bed, which is a cast-iron milled plate. To process larger workpieces, you can increase the working area by adding extension or expansion plates and moving the stop fence.

Format cutting table

The formatted cutting sheet is placed, as a rule, on the main plane of the movable table. In order to eliminate mechanical distortions under the maximum permissible weight of the package, it is arranged rigidly on the carriage.

The construction material is aluminum, as it is durable and lightweight. Before being used as a structural material, aluminum can be anodized. This special treatment is necessary in order to eliminate the appearance of marks from friction between the table and the workpiece during operation.

The movable table of the formatting machine consists of:

• carriages;
• support frame;
• corner stop ruler;
• folding stops;
• telescopic type stops.

The length of the carriage is on average 3.2 m, which makes it possible to lay workpieces made of chipboard and other sheet materials of any standard size. The permissible extension of the cutting unit beyond the edge of the cut is 200–300 mm.

Table movement technology

Slitting machine carriage

The carriage moves along prismatic guides using rollers. They are held by a separator. Rotating parts can be either plastic or steel. V-shaped guides are steel.

The cross placement of the X-Roll allows you to evenly distribute the loads and guarantee a smooth ride of the carriage.

Vibrations and distortions are eliminated by the system of compensating and regulating devices provided in the format equipment.

Auxiliary equipment

Thanks to the automated operation of the formatting unit and the functions of programming actions and process control on the control panel, the level of accuracy of cutting processing increases. Format machines used in the domestic furniture industry, as a rule, can be equipped with the following additional accessories:

Saw blade for sizing machine

• increased power drives;
• electric braking device for the main saw;
• disk rotation speed compensators;
• lubrication system;
• vibration detector;
• auxiliary stops and rulers;
• control, indication and protection units;
• industrial waste and dust removal systems;
• additional retractable support frames.

Types of equipment and features

Format cutting machines are professional equipment.

Based on performance, they are divided into three main groups:

1. Lungs . The simplest designs with no additional functions. Designed for continuous operation for no more than 5 hours. Designed to equip furniture workshops and small-scale production.
2. Average _ The most common type of machine. Designed for continuous operation for 8-10 hours. Designed for small- and medium-scale production.
3. Heavy . Multifunctional equipment capable of working without interruption for 16-20 hours. Designed for large-scale production.

Expert opinion

Kokovin Dmitry Vasilievich

Furniture restorer

According to the type of design, machines are: vertical, horizontal and CNC. Vertical models use working space most efficiently. Compared to other equipment, they are smaller in size, can work with large-sized material, and maintain high cutting accuracy.

How to cut laminated chipboard without chipping in a home workshop

In this material we will touch upon a topical issue for garage craftsmen who deal with furniture made from chipboard, the question of how to cut chipboard without chipping. In fact, the question is quite pressing, because professional equipment (format cutting machine) on which cutting is carried out in furniture shops costs about a million rubles, which not everyone can afford, and the area for its placement should be slightly larger than standard 18 sq. meters. A feature of such machines is the presence of two saw blades (the first is a small scoring one and the second is the main one, which follows exactly behind it). What can replace such a machine in an amateur workshop?

The most optimal replacement, in my opinion, is a plunge-cut circular saw complete with a guide bar. That's what we'll talk about today.

Personally, I use an Elitech plunge-cut saw - this is a domestic budget model, which, despite its simplicity, allows you to achieve good results.

Professional models (for example, Festool saws, they cut even better, but also cost 5 times more).

So, how is a plunge-cut circular saw different from a regular one? Firstly, with its spring-loaded working part with a depth limiter. Due to this, it is very easy to set and change the depth of cut; in addition, the “head” returns to its original position on its own without operator pressure. Secondly, there are mandatory grooves on the sole for integration with the guide rail. Thirdly, there is a rigid design that eliminates backlash (the cut passes strictly in one place).

The tire itself is equipped with an anti-splinter tape (usually a hard rubber tape - black stripe on the right)

The tape presses the laminate, preventing its pieces from tearing off at the points where the teeth of the saw blade exit. The tire also has grooves for fixing to workpieces with clamps and tapes for easier sliding (red stripes).

By the way, the Festool saw is equipped with anti-splinter inserts on the side opposite the tire, which makes the cut clean on both sides of the blade.

The tire itself is rigidly attached to the workpiece and does not move. Fixation is carried out with special clamps (their shape is somewhat different from standard F-shaped ones. The price, by the way, too).

All these features allow you to cut in “two passes”. The first one does not cut deep the top layer of the laminate. The second is through sawing to the full depth. At the same time, there is no longer any material at the point where the tooth emerges from the workpiece, so there is nothing to pull out, and accordingly, chips do not form. This is all in theory. Let's look at how this is all done in practice.

The markup is quite traditional. Using a tape measure, mark the start and end points of the cut (you can use a carpenter's square).

We draw a marking line connecting these risks.

We set the guide bar along the line so that the edge of the anti-splinter tape aligns with the markings.

Please note that the tire lies on the part that should remain (there will be no chips on it - the tape on the tire will help). On a suspended piece, they are possible due to the absence of an insert on the saw itself.

You can, of course, saw by laying a sheet of laminated chipboard on a workbench, but this damages the surface of the workbench and you need to use replaceable tabletops (I don’t do this, although with large pieces this may be the only correct method).

The tire is attached to the workpiece with a pair of F-shaped clamps inserted into special grooves on the tire.

We take the saw in our hands and set the depth regulator to 11-12 mm, which corresponds to 5-6 mm of cutting depth (the bar itself “eats” about 5 mm).

We place the saw on the bar, aligning the grooves on the sole with the protrusions on the bar.

We make the first shallow cut. The photo shows that there are a small number of chips on the part of the workpiece not covered with tape.

And one more photo from a different angle.

And a close-up

We change the depth to 35-40 mm and make a second through cut without changing the position of the tire.

Having removed the tire, we see a fairly neat cut that does not require additional processing.

I took a separate photo of the part after removing the tire from above

And from the bottom side.

By the way, the cut from below is traditionally cleaner, because in this place the teeth of the disk only cut into the material, they tear it out at the exit.

Let me also note one important fact. Use sharp discs when working. The disk used in this lesson is already quite tired and requires editing. I think that with a zero disk there would be no chips at all.

In addition to the sharpness of the teeth, the quality of the cut is greatly influenced by the material being cut. There are thornier coatings and stronger coatings. In this example, 16 mm Lamarty chipboard boards were used - one of the best domestic boards. Egger or Kronospan laminated chipboards are much more susceptible to chipping, and I most likely would not have achieved such a result with this disk.

All these points come with experience, all that’s left is to invest in the purchase of this device.

In principle, you can cut in “two passes” with ordinary circular saws with homemade guide rails, the main thing is that the sole does not dangle, but doing this is less convenient than using plunge-cut saws, primarily due to the inconvenience of rearranging the sawing depth.

The best panel saws

Filato FL-3200B

Country of origin: Italy. The model is designed for longitudinal, transverse and angular cutting. It cuts sheet blanks of varying texture densities equally well. The metal frame of the machine is welded from rectangular pipes. It has increased strength and is resistant to deformation.

To dampen equipment vibration during operation, the body of the Filato FL-3200B is reinforced with steel sheets having a thickness of 3-4 mm. The cylindrical type guides are also made of steel. An aluminum carriage moves along them. The machine control buttons are located in the electronic unit, located in a convenient place for access.

Characteristics:

• overall dimensions – 3300x3100x900 mm;
• weight – 1050 kg;

• maximum cutting height – 110 mm.

Advantages:

• the presence of an electronic display and an emergency stop button for the machine;
• reliability;
• durability;
• ease of maintenance and operation.

Flaws:

• high price;
• Difficulties in setting up the carriage.

Bosch GTS 10 XC

Country of origin: China. The model is equipped with a braking function, has a starting current limiter and an overload lock. Designed for small furniture production. The work table has retractable elements that allow you to cut large sheets of material of varying densities.

The design has a well-thought-out slab feeding system, which ensures accuracy and ease of cutting the material. Reliability of sheet fixation is ensured by a parallel stop. The maximum tilt angle is 47 degrees. The machine can produce clean and even longitudinal and transverse cuts. The machine can cut plastic and aluminum profiles.

Characteristics:

• overall dimensions – 635x343x768 mm;
• maximum cutting depth – 79 mm;

• weight – 35 kg.

Advantages:

• smooth start;
• structural strength;
• reliability in operation;
• capacious corner stop;
• the presence of a dust collector and an adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner;
• ease of setup and maintenance.

Flaws:

• the possibility of backlash;
• high price.

Holzmann TS 315VF-2000

Country of origin: Austria. The model is considered the best professional machine in its class. Designed for longitudinal and cross cutting of slabs. The design of the machine allows you to cut complex configurations from sheets. It features fast, accurate and neat cutting of material.

The machine is intended for equipping furniture and carpentry shops. Can cut chipboard, MDF, fiberboard, plywood, acrylic, composite and other materials. The aluminum carriage has high adjustment accuracy. The stops and marking rulers are made of the same material. The work table is made of vibration-damping cast iron. The body has a welded structure.

Characteristics:

• overall dimensions – 910x741x104 mm;
• maximum cutting depth – 100 mm;

• weight – 263 kg.

Advantages:

• increased security;
• effective cleaning of the working area from dust and chips;
• fine adjustment;
• high quality cut.

Flaws:

• high price;
• Can only saw small slabs.

ZENITECH FR 1800

The country of development is Switzerland, the manufacturer is China. The model is designed for longitudinal, transverse and angular cuts. The machine is professional equipment. Equipped with a powerful three-phase motor. Provides high cutting accuracy. Can cut wood-based materials of various densities, as well as plastic and composite materials.

The desktop has a sliding structure made of cast iron. The frame is made of the same material. Despite the powerful engine, the machine is quiet in operation. The carriage is made of aluminum. The air cooling system prevents equipment from overheating during operation.

Characteristics:

• overall dimensions – 936x756x1040 mm;
• maximum cutting depth – 100 mm;

• weight – 300 kg.

Advantages:

• high power;
• cutting accuracy;
• high quality cut.

Flaws:

• high price;
• You can only cut one slab.

FDB Maschinen MJ 61232Z-B

Country of origin: China. The model is equipped with a powerful three-phase electric motor. Belongs to the group of heavy professional machines. It has a cast iron frame, which dampens even slight vibration during equipment operation. The desktop is made of the same material. Aluminum carriage. The machine can cut large slabs.

Characteristics:

• overall dimensions – 3250x3150x900 mm;
• maximum cutting depth – 80 mm;

• weight – 790 kg.

Advantages:

• high-quality cutting;
• high performance;
• ease of adjustment and maintenance.

Flaws:

• insufficient thickness of the carriage;
• large mass;
• high price.

Popular format equipment models

The market offers a wide range of cutting equipment, domestic and foreign production.

Unit Maktek Mj 45kb-2

This model is popular among entrepreneurs specializing in the manufacture of cabinet furniture on a medium or small scale.

This installation is equipped with a powerful welded fixed base, which is responsible for the high accuracy of the saw entering the body of the workpiece. The bed also perfectly dampens vibration from power equipment. The saw assembly is capable of working at an angle.

Characteristics of Mj 45kb-2:

• can cut MDF, chipboard and plywood;
• maximum speed of the main saw is 5500 rpm;
• unit weight 780 kg.

It is also quite simple to operate and maintain. The cost of the equipment is 3500 Euro.

Sizing machine Jet JTS-315SP SM

The model is a universal, small-sized equipment. Its weight is only 50 kg. It will fit perfectly into a small workshop. The Jet JTS-315SP SM bed is a massive cast iron table. The delivery set of this format machine includes another additional table to guarantee vibration-free operation of the machine.

The operation of the saw unit is ensured by an asynchronous single-phase electric drive, which allows you to connect the JTS-315SP SM installation to the home electrical network. The main saw can have a maximum diameter of 250 mm. This allows cutting to a depth of up to 70 mm. The only drawback that can be noted is that it is designed for cutting small-format sheet blanks. This equipment can be purchased for 800 Euro.

Format equipment Woodtec ps 45

It copes well with longitudinal, transverse and angular cutting of MDF boards, chipboards and wood blanks. The cutting technology is performed with a pre-cut lower edge. This is necessary to avoid cracks on the surface of the workpiece.

The saw unit is closed with a cast housing, which significantly reduces the level of vibration during operation of the unit. Woodtec ps 45 is equipped with a main motor and an additional motor to rotate the scoring saw.

Main characteristics:

• The maximum distance the table can move is 3.2 m.
• The cutter can be tilted at an angle of 45 degrees.
• The maximum saw diameter is 35 cm, which guarantees a cutting depth of up to 7.5 cm.
• A work table with dimensions of 1.2 x 0.65 m allows you to produce even vertical walls of cabinet furniture.
• The weight of this machine is 880 kg.

The cost of the equipment is 3600 Euro.

Format saw Altendorf F 45

This model is designed for making finishing longitudinal, transverse cuts, as well as for angular cuts of facing sheet materials. The unit is equipped with electromechanical adjustment of the height and angle of inclination of the main plate. The roller carriage and guides with a round profile guarantee high processing precision.

Altendorf products launched after 2006 are a new generation of machines with improved saw and scoring spindle units and new control systems for high-quality cutting of panels. The F 45 model is intended for large furniture manufacturers.

Main characteristics:

• The maximum cutting depth is 20 cm.
• If necessary, a main saw with a diameter of 25 to 55 cm can be installed in the saw unit.
• The diameter of the main saw shaft is 3 cm.
• The weight of the machine varies depending on the configuration ranging from 0.87 tons to 1.17 tons.

The cost of the Altendorf F 45 machine is 8000 Euro.

What to look for when buying a panel saw

The choice of equipment for furniture production depends on the volume of production. It must have sufficient productivity to provide its material.

Other factors determining the choice include:

• length and depth of cutting of the material;

• desktop size.

To cut long workpieces, it is necessary to purchase machines with a carriage stroke that exceeds the planned cutting dimensions. The maximum cutting width of parts is limited by the width of the bed. To work with large-sized material, it is necessary to purchase equipment with a folding frame. Only standard equipment can ensure dimensional accuracy.

What type of bed does your panel saw have?

FoldingMonolithic

For corner cuts, it is necessary to install format-cutting machines with two saw blades in production. High performance can be achieved by models equipped with powerful electric motors. This type of equipment has a large working resource. The evenness of the material cut depends on the rotation speed of the working shaft with sawing discs.

Other factors influencing the choice of machine model include:

• financial opportunities;
• dimensions;

• maintainability.

Before purchasing equipment, it is better to first determine its required technical characteristics, and then conduct a comparative analysis of models of the required class.

Lifehacks

In order to avoid chipping when cutting chipboard or laminated board, you must first draw a cutting line on the material with a sharp tool. Damage to the decorative layer of the slabs can be minimized by applying paper tape to the surface of the material along the cutting line.

You can reduce the number of chips on the cut edge of material sawed on light machines by reducing the vibration of the equipment during operation. To do this, work tables are additionally attached to the floor using metal corners and dowels.

Format cutting equipment ensures high accuracy of material cutting, which is fundamentally important for furniture production. With their help, angular, transverse and longitudinal cuts are made of particle boards of various densities, as well as solid wood.