Performance and design - the Kappa 550 circular saw

Until I discovered the Kappa 550 Format-4 formatting sliding table circular saw, I thought that design in industry was something we talked about to get away from the technical terms that define each machine or tool. However, I was surprised to discover that the machine had won awards at an international design forum, and I realized that industrial design is not just a topic of conversation to forget about kWh or m/s. So I set out to find out when and why this circular saw won awards and what it did to convince Felder international jury.

What is IF International Forum Design

I should first say what this forum is, what it stands for. In 1953, at the Hanover Fair (LIGNA), there was also a more special awarding of prizes for aspects which had not hitherto been the attention of the organizers. The event was called the "Special Show for Well-Designed Industrial Goods" and was organized to promote German product design.

In 1954, the event split from the fair. It was set up iF Product Design Award offered by iF International Forum Design. The Forum aimed to mediate between design and industry at an international level and at the same time to raise public awareness of the importance of design.

Between 2000 and 2002, other categories were attracted to the Forum and the award was given for other types of activity in addition to product. In 2002 the award became iF Design Award with 6 disciplines (product, packaging, communication, interior design, concept, services and architecture) and 70 categories. Products from over 50 countries participate in each category, and iF International Forum Design publishes annuals with the winners and their products.

Felder Kappa 550 circular saw awards

Let's get back to the awards Kappa 550 has received. They were won in 2004 and 2009. As can be seen from the jury's motivation, the prizes were awarded for solid construction, size, performance, precision, user safety and technical innovation.

As you can see from the reasoning, the saw was awarded for a combination of qualities, not just for how beautiful it looks when you look at it. Yes, it is a good-looking machine, but let's not forget that, in the end, it is a machine that has to fulfill, if I may say superlatively, certain requirements. So the Kappa 550 circular saw combines a quality finish, ergonomic shape and safety features with power, machining precision and technical innovations that enable superior machining.

Technical advantages of the Kappa 550 circular saw with movable forming table

I don't think you set out to read the article just to find out what awards it has won. That's why I'm in a hurry to show you the advantages of the machine, as they result from the fiche submitted by the manufacturer:

• Robust, reliable and precise cutting unit. The unit has automatic parking and is adjustable in 3 axes.
• Tilting the cutting disk (circular saw blade) from 0º to 45º (in the video below you will see how simple and safe this is)
• High cutting height of 202 mm for 90º and 140 mm for 45º
• Pre-marking cloth with 3 axis control and rest position.
• Very easy to replace the cutting disk without tools and operator effort. Speaking of the operator: the hands changing the disk in the movie are those of a gentleman in a suit. (I admit I liked the idea of seeing a clean and neat person easily changing a tool, instead of an oily guy struggling with a couple of wrenches to undo the screws. With me, clean hands served their purpose).
• "Easy-Glide" - revolutionary cutting unit tilting system.
• "X-Roll" - very smooth running thanks to the cylindrical roller system that ensures even contact. The system is very reliable, with a 10-year guarantee on the mobile table.
• Command and control panel with "E-motion" package (complex electronic control up to 7 axes) and unlimited number of memorizable programs.

The design of a machine can be as important as its performance. A top design for a machine of this type means ease of operation, ergonomic shapes, precise and elegant movements of moving parts.

All of this combines with technical performance to create that top-of-the-range product we all want. And Felder say the investment in a Format-4 is a reliable one because, in addition to its great looks, it is able to withstand years of intensive work for years and years while maintaining its machining accuracy.

In the meantime, I'll let you watch a movie that illustrates the advantages of the Kappa 550 circular saw described above.