Combined or individual machines? What you need to know before making your choice

Whatever its size, a joinery workshop needs a range of tools and machinery to do the work. Wood or derived panels need to be cut, straightened, sanded, milled or drilled. Each operation needs a specific machine, but there are also combined machines on which several operations can be done. This variety of machines sometimes puts carpenters at a loss and the questions arise. Which is better, a combined machine or separate machines? Which is more reliable? Doesn't a combined machine also mean less machining accuracy?

What to consider when choosing the machine(s) for your workshop

The choice is between individual machines, those with 2 or 5 joinery operations. The 2-operation machines are those that combine panel straightening with roughing (abricht with thicknessing) or cutting with milling (circular with milling machine). Five-operation machines are also called universal carpentry machines (MUTs), which can be used for cutting, straightening, roughing, routing, routing-planing and drilling and boring. For each of these operations there are separate machines, i.e. individual machines.

Example:
1. HAMMER B3 Winner 2-operation combined cutting and milling/planing machine
2. FELDER AD 741 2-operation combined machine for straightening and thickness planing
3. FELDER CF 741 Professional 5-operation universal joinery machine with support table, for straightening, planing, sawing, cutting, milling/planing + optional drilling and mortising (mortising unit mounts on the straightening table)

But before thinking about the pros and cons of a machine, we need to know what we want to do with it, what is the purpose of the purchase, what budget we are within, where it will be positioned in the workshop, what are the monthly maintenance and operating costs. For example, if productivity is needed, the workshop is spacious and there is a team of workers, separate machines are a good choice. More machining can be done simultaneously, so production time is shorter. If, however, there is only one operator for all the machines, the combined machine may be the right choice, because the operations on such a machine are carried out one at a time.

Budget is very important and determines the choice in most cases. You may want a modern line of machinery, but if your budget doesn't allow it, you will have to choose the best option within the amount available. And a good solution in this case can be the universal machine, it will cost less than the 5 machines it replaces. The budget can be increased by financing. You can go to the bank or government funds The possibilities have to be analyzed very carefully to make sure that the requirements can be met. Even if the funds received are non-reimbursable, they come with conditions which, if not met, can lead to the loss of funding.

Workshop space is also a limiting factor. In a small space it will be difficult to work with many machines crammed together. To work safely, the operator needs to be able to move freely around the machine and there must be room to maneuver materials. Another factor to be carefully considered is the size of the machine. When displayed in large spaces machines appear smaller than they really are. Make sure they will fit in the workshop by measuring them.

Maintenance and operating costs can lead to problems if not taken into account. When the budget is set, sources of income must also be considered to support the running energy consumption, consumables and maintenance of the machine. Proper maintenance increases the lifetime of the machine and is in fact a saving in the long run.

Advantages and disadvantages of a universal universal machine changer (MUT)

The universal joinery machine sounds like the ideal machine. You can do any machining, it doesn't take up much room, it costs less than the 5 machines added together, installation and running costs are lower, you only need one dust extraction nozzle, why would you want anything else? Because it's only the perfect choice under certain conditions. There are situations when a manufacturing line that encompasses every processing machine is more cost effective than a universal machine.

When is it better to have individual machines? When there are several operators on the shop floor, time and productivity are very important. On a universal machine the operations are done one at a time and only one operator can work. In addition, time - less and less on modern machines - is wasted to be ready for the next machining, but it is wasted and the flow is fragmented, no continuity. Although having one machine for all operations sounds like an advantage, sometimes it is not. While having a single engine means lower set-up and operating costs, when it breaks down, no more processing is possible.

Felder Gruppe Romania has made a careful analysis of the advantages and limitations of each category of machinery, based on years of experience working with workshops and factories across the country. Find the full article HERE. Also in the article you will find references to the improvements Felder Gruppe has made over time to the combined machines, so that the changeover time from one operation to another is as short as possible, without compromising on operational safety.