Hanover has been a rare meeting point in recent years due to the Covid pandemic.

So it was with some relief and enthusiasm that the international wood-based industries could once again congregate at the Ligna exhibition to discuss markets, innovation and technology.

In attendance terms it was busy, although visitor numbers were slightly down on the previous 2019 show.

Organiser Deutsche Messe said the event’s five-day run from May 15-19 had around 10,000 less visitors than the previous edition in 2019 (an 11% reduction), though Russian and Chinese visitors were largely missing due to the Ukraine conflict and reported visa issues respectively.

Nevertheless, some 80,000 people attended and companies lauded the value of seeing customers face-to-face again.

Ten halls showcased the best of solid wood, panel processing and forestry technology, covering the whole supply chain from forest to end user.

“In view of the uncertain situation confronting the woodworking and wood processing industry, the success of LIGNA 2023 speaks volumes for its status as a source of momentum,” said Dr Bernhard Dirr, MD of VDMA Woodworking Machinery.

“Not only is it a driver for the industry in good times, but above all, it delivers solutions for the challenges ahead.”

EXHIBITORS

German machinery giant Weinig had a successful show on its 5,000m2 exhibition stand. Under the motto “Weinig offers more”, visitors could experience many of the almost 50 machines and systems live in action.

One of the star exhibits was the massive, high-speed Hydromat 4400 planing machine. It was on display in conjunction with the High Performance Feeder, which is also designed for feed speeds of 400m/min. It features a minimum / maximum working width of 60-300mm and a minimum / maximum working height of 19-120mm.

The third generation Cube 3 four-sided planer was a magnet for attention. More than 1,000 Cubes are in operation globally since the launch of the machine.

From small strips to large beams, the Cube 3 can plane a vast range of dimensions in an efficient one-person operation. This is possible by the high level of automation present in the automatic planer, reflected in optional features such as the Weinig automated stacker or the RFC 15 return conveyor, which dispenses with the need for manual stacking. Automation was a big focus on the Weinig stands and elsewhere at Ligna.

Weinig also demonstrated several digital software solutions, with viaConnector Edge being the link between machines and software solutions, allowing machines to be interconnected and data to be transferred. The output data can be configured individually according to requirements.

The Weinig Control Suite is Weinig’s central system control technology for intelligent production. For the first time at Ligna, Weinig presented how virtual part tracking with the Control Suite can be checked against reality without the need for additional part identification such as a barcode. The wood in the system is identified at the infeed via OptiTrack, a newly developed software with integrated AI technology.

The open, modular software architecture of the Weinig Control Suite enables automated and smart control of small systems up to complete CLT factories.

The Weinig App Suite analyzes machine performance transparently and in real time. Customers can access their machines via smartphone, tablet or notebook at any place and at any time.

Italian machinery giant SCM’s stand covered more than 3,000m2 of exhibition space and more than fifty technological solutions. It reported “an excellent return in terms of orders, negotiations and contacts” in all the international markets.

Some of the most popular machines include the new entries for timber construction and prefabricated houses, especially Oikos xs, a CNC machining centre offering operating speed and high configuration levels, dedicated to the production of straight beams, prefabricated walls, trusses, roofs and blockhouses. It’s a new solution further extending SCM’s range of high-tech solutions for the sector together with the DMC system xl to sand and calibrate X-lam/CLT panels.

SCM’s Windorflex machining cell, specifically for the production of windows and doors, features a fixed gantry structure that enables for high machining speeds whilst ensuring accuracy. The configurability of the machining units with four and 5-axis electrospindles, allows performing all the necessary operations for the production of complete windows.

The world’s largest woodworking machinery company – Homag – together with its partners Weinmann, Kallesoe and System TM formed a concept comprising three stands that took attendees into a fascinating world of possibilities in wood processing.

This year, the new STORETEQ F-100 singleaxis feeder was among the new machine innovations in the area of panel dividing saws. Specially optimized for the SAWTEQ S-200 panel dividing saw, this automatic panel feeder enables fully automatic production, even with the entry-level series.

Homag claimed 7,500 visitors to its stand.

Meanwhile, Biesse emphasised integrated automated solutions: specific machines shown in action were the Rover B FT HD machining centre, served by a robot, and the Rover A machining centre, integrated with Synchro and featuring a new, userfriendly configuration, guaranteeing limitless creativity.

SMARTECH was a first time exhibitor at Ligna and its offering of SMARTWAX and SMARTMDI suspension systems certainly chimed with the wood-based panels industry’s desire for increased production efficiency and cost savings.

As well as its expanding business in suspension systems, the company was promoting its Autonomous Manufacturing platform. The AM platform has been implemented in the wood-based panel sector, increasing production and stabilizing the production line.

Italy-based company Cefla, a finishing technology specialist, conducted a press tour to show its innovations, including the patent-pending Easy oscillating spray coater with FCS (Fast Colour Switch). This enables batch one colour changing in less than 10sec without stopping the line.

Cefla says the new time-saving technology reduces downtime by approximately 45-60 mins/day, while allowing significant reduction of wasted lacquer at each colour switch, reduced consumption of water or solvent used to flush out lacquer of the unwanted colour is also promoted as a benefit.

Adhesives and coatings producer Kleiberit had an exciting display where it demonstrated for the first time at a trade show what it calls a new dimension in surface quality using electron beam curing (EBC) under the name “HotCoating extreme”.

Examples of applications include particularly highly stressed horizontal surfaces such as worktops or exterior applications. This technology is particularly aimed at large panel manufacturers.

Outdoor terrace decking featuring digitally printed planks coated with HotCoating extreme were exhibits on the stand.

Fire protection and measuring technology specialist Fagus-GreCon had a strong presence at the show. The company’s intelligent extinguishment technology (IET) has diagnostic properties that can detect wear effects and prevent downtime on wood-based production lines.

On the materials handling front, Hubtex UK managing director Paul McNally reported the company had grown well in recent years and invested in new staff and systems.

He said customers were focusing on improving operational efficiencies and optimising use of their resources.

The next generation FLUX electric multidirectional counterbalance forklift truck with a 3t load capacity is billed as super energy-efficient and more manoeuvrable, utilising technology from the car industry.

Innovations on the latest FLUX include 360-degree HX steering now with three-wheel running gear; central seating position for better visibility; and a tilt of the mast rather than the fork carriage (similar to a front loader).

Combilift came to Ligna in its 25th anniversary year on the back of a very successful 2022. Its energetic vehicle demonstrations to Irish music and bar serving Guinness made the stand a lively corner of the outside exhibition area.

CEO Martin McVicar noted a “real appetite” for electric sideloads in the UK. At the show, Combilift launched the Combi-CB70E truck, targeted at the wood-based panels manufacturing and sawmilling sectors, which typically used traditional forklift products.

The new Combi-CB70E resplendent in the vibrant Combi-green livery first seen on the recently launched Combi-Cube product, boasts the distinction of being the shortest 7t capacity counterbalance truck on the market whilst also benefitting from multidirectional ability, enabling the versatile space saving handling of both and bulky loads.

The Combi-Cube was introduced at Ligna as the next generation counterbalance forklift and the most powerful compact electric multidirectional forklift to date.

Innovative new features included intelligent seat rotation and a proprietary Dynamic 360 Steering System. ­