Performance and design - the Kappa 550 circular saw

Until I discovered the Kappa 550 sliding table circular saw from the Format-4 range, I thought that design in industry was something we talked about to get away from the technical terms that define each machine or machine. But I was surprised to discover that the machine had won awards at an international design forum and I realised 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 represents. In 1953, during the Hanover Fair (LIGNA), there was also a special award for aspects that had not previously been brought to the attention of the organisers. The event was called the "Special Show for Well-Designed Industrial Goods" and was created to promote German product design.

Since 1954, the event has been separated 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 contribute to raising public awareness of the importance of design.

Between 2000 and 2002, other categories were also attracted to the Forum, with the award being given for other types of activity as well as 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 more than 50 countries participate in each category and iF International Forum Design publishes yearbooks with the winners and their products.

Kappa 550 circular saw awards from Felder

Let's get back to the awards Kappa 550 received. They were won in 2004 and 2009. As the jury's motivation shows, the awards were given for solid construction, size, performance, precision, user safety and technical innovation.

As you can see from the reasoning, the saw was awarded for an accumulation of qualities not just for how beautiful it is when you look at it. Yes, it's a good looking machine, but let's not forget that, at the end of the day, it's a machine that has to meet, if you can put it in superlative terms, certain requirements. So the Kappa 550 circular saw combines quality finish, ergonomic shape and safety features with power, machining precision and technical innovations that allow superior machining.

Technical advantages of the Kappa 550 sliding table circular saw

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

• Robust, reliable and precise cutting unit (engraver). The unit has automatic parking and is adjustable in 3 axes.
• Tilting the cutting disc (circular saw blade) from 0º to 45º (in the video below you will see how simple and safe this operation is)
• Large cutting height of 202 mm for 90º and 140 mm for 45º
• Pre-marking cloth with 3 axis control and rest position.
• Very easy replacement of the cutting disc without tools and operator effort. Speaking of the operator: the hands that change the disc in the film belong to a gentleman in a suit. (I admit I liked the idea of seeing a clean, neat person easily changing a tool, instead of an oily guy fumbling with a couple of wrenches to undo the screws. With me, clean hands achieved their purpose).
• "Easy-Glide" - revolutionary system for tilting the cutting unit.
• "X-Roll" - very smooth running due to the cylindrical roller system which ensures uniform contact. The system is very reliable, with a 10-year guarantee on the operation of the mobile table.
• Command and control panel with "E-motion" package (complex electronic control up to 7 axes) and unlimited number of memorable 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 is combined with technical performance to create the high-end product we all want. And the Felder say the investment in a Format-4 machine is a reliable one because, in addition to its great looks, it is capable of withstanding years and years of intensive work while retaining its machining accuracy.

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