KDT KE-268: The Compact Knotter that Changes the Rules for Small Workshops

At the KDT booth at Ligna 2025, Radu Munteanu presented us KE-268 - a machine that it says is "the most compact model, dedicated to small and medium-sized workshops in Romania, in terms of KDT headroom". With a length of just 4.2 meters, this car seems to have been designed specifically for the reality of Romanian workshops.

"Why should you consider this machine for your workshop? First and foremost, it offers exceptional value for money," says Radu resolutely.

Smart control and touchscreen interface

The first feature that draws attention to KE-268 is the control system. "We have here a pneumatic control equipped with touchscreen, diagnostic interface, in case of any alarm, the user can check the car himself," explains Radu.

This self-diagnostics feature isn't just a tech gadget - for a small workshop where you don't have a dedicated technician, being able to quickly identify and fix problems can mean the difference between a productive day and a costly downtime.

Serious production performance

For a compact car, KE-268 offers specs that make you think twice:

Speed and flexibility:

Advance speed up to 12 meters per minute - for comparison, many cars in this category do not exceed 8-10 m/min
Manually adjustable pre-fresher unit with 0-2 mm adjustment
The song taken from the reel for continuous supply

The adhesive system:

Industrial drop tank with tank up to 12 kg
EVA adhesive in granules standard ca
Compatibility with polyurethane adhesive through interchangeable tub

"The edge is taken from the roll. Before pre-milling, the machine also benefits from a separating agent on the front side", explains Radu, who details the process that ensures the quality of the finish.

Innovation of prismatic guides

A technical detail that Radu proudly emphasizes: "Very important, the car is single-engined, but we have these prismatic guides, compared to our competitors who use that system on the bar."

This technical difference may seem minor, but for long-term durability and positioning accuracy, prismatic guides offer clear advantages over the bar systems used by other manufacturers.

Complete processing units

KE-268 it's not just a canting machine - it's a complete finishing system:

Full processing:

Cutting at an inclined plane adjustable between 2 and 15 degrees
Up-down milling unit equipped with nesting panel probe
Processing capacity of prepared panels
Corner rounding group for professional finishing

Quality finish:

Scraper unit for smoothing the surface
Polishing brushes with polishing agent
Automatic lubrication system - "very important, it lubricates itself"

Flexibility for diversified market

A feature that makes KE-268 suitable for Romanian workshops is the ability to process ready-made panels. "The machine can process ready-made panels," says Radu, referring to its compatibility with increasingly popular nesting technologies.

The top-down milling unit equipped with nesting panel probe shows that KDT has thought about integrating this machine into modern production workflows, where panels come already prepared from CNC centers.

Compact but complete

At 4.2 meters long, KE-268 manages to include all stages of the hardening process in a minimum of space. For workshops working in confined spaces - a common reality in Romania - this is a major advantage.

"It's a compact car. I'm waiting for you to test it in the showroom", invites Radu, emphasizing that the theory is one thing, but it's the hands-on experience that convinces.

KDT and WoodMatic: local solutions for global requirements

Through distributor WoodMatic, KE-268 becomes accessible to the Romanian market with local support and dedicated service. For a small workshop investing in a capping machine, the availability of spare parts and local support is not negligible.

What I've learned

The machine seems to be designed specifically for the reality of small and medium-sized workshops - compact, complete and with a control system that doesn't require advanced technical expertise.

The value for money Radu promises seems real. For a workshop that wants to switch from manual to automated or replace an old machine, KE-268 offers modern technology (touchscreen, self-diagnostics, prismatic guidance) without prohibitive investment.