The introduction of two Schelling beam saws and a Biesse edgebander at Sigma 3’s South Wales production facilities brings the company’s machinery investment to about £1m in the past two years.
Sigma 3, which makes kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture at its Lantrisant factory, has seen kitchen cabinet production soar since installing the Schellings.
The company’s third Schelling, installed four months ago, boosted output from 1,000 cabinets per week to 1,200, while also replacing a two-shift pattern to a single shift. Sigma aims to produce up to 2,500 units per week within three years.
The Schellings are two rear infeed FM-H430 s machines with 110mm cutting height and a smaller front loaded FX-H330 with 80mm cut height, which is also fitted with a jump scorer to cut postformed worktops and other elements.
Sigma’s FX-H330 is being used for small batch and remedial work, low volume items and slow-moving components.
The FM-H430 s units produce carcasses, cutting up to six 18mm panels at a time. Both models have a feeder speed of 25m/min forward and 80m/min return, while the saw carriage travel speed is up to 120m/min and saw height adjustment is automatic.
Other technology bought by Sigma as part of its three-year investment programme includes a Biesse Stream single-sided edgebander, a new dust extraction system, packing equipment, Gannomat CNC end-borers and vertical drilling machines, a conveyer system and a Stefani SB combination double-sided edgebander.
