JJ Smith’s Martin Smith must have been one of the busiest people at Ligna, with a constant stream of visitors asking him about the Mobi-One combined machine for timber frame assembly.
The machine, developed by Modular Building Automation – a joint venture between JJ Smith and H&M Houtberwerkingsystemen – is “the right machine, in the right market and at the right time”, Mr Smith told TTJ. “We have been very busy and that’s great.”
He explained that a lot of companies were recognising the eco-credentials of timber frame construction and were looking at the manufacture of closed panel wall elements.
The Mobi-One is aimed at a production output of 150-200 houses per year and can handle panels 10m long and 300mm in depth, completing the frame assembly, sheathing, addition of breather paper and cladding.
The panel bed is in a fixed position, with the tool carriage moving, while drawings can be downloaded onto the machine from design software.
Mr Smith said JJ Smith was focusing more on the timber frame manufacturing market, and Continental European customers in particular. “We have good growth in this area.” He described JJ Smith’s UK business as still core, but machine purchases were at a low level.
One Mobi-One has been bought in the UK by a housing association.
