2

1

5

1 Hundegger‘s Robot-Drive has been in use in Vilters since June

2 The robot arm equipped with a milling tool in action - it has access to a tool changer with 16 positions

3 Grooves and slits are milled with a disk saw

4 The Cambium software displays the processing for the user

5 Dario Jäger demonstrates the easy handling of the Robot-Drive

6 The result: all necessary indentations were made in one cycle

7 Example 1: residential building realized by Jäger Timber Construction

8 Example 2: Yet another application option - millings performed with the Robot-Drive just like with a CNC system for carpentry companies

63

4

8

7

01

Repo Rt

Special iSSue of No . 48/2015

Hundegger_Jaeger_EN.indd 1 03.12.15 16:43

S Jä ge R t imbeR Const Ru Ctions

The satisfied customerJoining system stands the test in everyday useSeveral months ago, swift action was called for at Jäger Timber c onstruction: The performance of their old joining machine – a product of one of Hundegger‘s competitors – did not satisfy owner Dario Jäger any longer. Therefore, since June he has been relying on the Robot-Drive, one of joining system specialist Hundegger’s products.

B Martina Nöstler P Martina Nöstler (6), Jäger Timber c onstructions (2)

Dario Jäger, owner of Jäger Timber Construc-tion, set up shop in Vilters/CH in 2012. „Ori-ginally, my great-grandfather founded the company in the mountain village Vättis, back then as a sawmilling and timber construc-tion business“, the timber construction spe-cialist explains.

In 2008, he took over the family business from his father, and three years ago, Dario Jä-ger opened up a new site. Jäger has been gra-dually expanding his business ever since, and is working with 16 to 20 employees, de-pending on the season. The current produc-tion hall was purchased in Grindelwald and re-built in Vilters, with Jäger putting in a lot of personal contribution.

A change of mindThe joining equipment Jäger previously used kept causing problems: „It did not serve our needs anymore, and at some point we unce-remoniously sold it to Russia“, Jäger explains. At that point, time was of the essence. „For years I had been researching Hundegger‘s systems and I was following the develop-ments in CNC technology closely“, the young timber engineer explains. Up until recently though, Jäger had been sceptical of the tech-nology: A conventional joining system would not meet his requirements. But when Jäger came across Hundegger‘s Robot-Drive, his attitude changed.

The Bavarian joining specialist put the Ro-bot-Drive on the market two years ago. This universal machine was developed specifi-cally for small and medium-sized timber ent-erprises that have to be flexible in their pro-duction. The crucial difference from large systems: All of the processing steps are per-formed by one robot arm only that is mova-ble along six axes. A tool changer with 16 po-sitions is equipped to allow for extensive processing options. Hundegger offers the system in two sizes: the machine table is either 65 cm or 1.25 m wide.

Jäger chose the smaller model of the Ro-bot-Drive. Apart from the technology itself, the cost effectiveness and prompt availability were convincing factors for Jäger. „We signed the contract in mid-April. On the 8th of June

– roughly six weeks later – our Robot-Drive was put into operation“, Jäger recalls.

Constant exploringJäger has high expectations both for himself and for the equipment he uses. In Jäger‘s vo-cabulary, a categorical „no“ or „impossible“ does not exist. The engineer prefers to keep exploring and experimenting with options to

find out how to best utilize his Robot-Drive. „The software that comes with the equip-ment is excellent. Still, I am convinced that it is capable of even more“, Jäger adds with a smile.

According to Hundegger, the simple input methods suited to timber engineering and a high usability make the CAD/CAM program Cambium particularly appealing. Usually, Jäger drafts his projects in Cadwork and then exports the blueprints to Cambium. The lat-ter offers flexibility to cater for the customer’s needs. Jäger‘s application of the software is a living proof of Hundegger’s promises. „We already used our joining system to produce window shutters with inserted dovetails“, the timber engineer exemplifies. An exceptional – but nonetheless possible – case is the mil-ling a drawing into the board which would usually only be possible with CNC systems in carpentries. „Almost nothing is impossible“, Jäger is convinced. That is why many an eve-ning he can be found experimenting with the Robot-Drive to find even more processing options.

The machine table of 65 cm suffices as Jä-ger‘s company is mainly producing timber construction buildings. The default dimensi-ons of timber components produced in Vil-ters are 20 by 60 mm up to 300 by 650 mm. In theory, processing lengths are infinite – for Jäger Timber Construction, the limit is 20 m. The employee operating the Robot-Drive sets the raw material onto the cross conveyor according to the order. Cambium automati-cally calculates the optimal cut for the neces-sary parts, and the six-axis robot arm proces-ses the components. Usually, the readily joined elements are hauled from the proces-sing area onto the pick-up buffer automati-cally. Even for the automatic removal of par-ticularly short elements the engineers at Hundegger developed a simple, yet inspired solution: Instead of falling onto the ground, the short parts are gently caught by a „dra-wer“ and then hauled with a conveyor belt. For identifying the parts correctly, a label printer was added.

„It is impossible to imagine today‘s timber industry without CNC technology“, Jäger is convinced. He concedes that „even if we lose elements of the original craft, certain joints could not be produced at all because they would just be too complex“, he says referring to ridge laps and offsets. Now, Jäger can uti-lize these traditional joints. „By now, all of our elements are processed with the Robot-Drive – even components for beds made from scrap wood“, the timber engineer ela-borates. //

JÄGER TIMBER CONSTRUCTIONFounded: 1912Owner: Dario JägerLocation: Vilters/c HEmployees: Between 16 and 20 (depending on the season)Products: Single-family homes, roof constructions, industry and agricultural buildings, restorationRevenue: 95% locally in Switzerland

„I went from being a sceptical

Hundegger customer to a satisfied

Robot-Drive user.“Dario Jäger, owner of Jäger Timber Construction

02

Repo Rt

Special iSSue of No . 48/2015

Hundegger_Jaeger_EN.indd 2 03.12.15 16:43