Features
Smart manufacturing: HOMAG and Indonesian furniture manufacturer Furnindo pave the way
As global manufacturers shift beyond merely automation, wood panel processors and furniture manufacturers are looking towards the use of smart technology to optimise production lines and further streamline processes. HOMAG, a world leader in providing integrated solutions for the woodworking sector, endeavours to enable their partners to achieve Industry 4.0 and get ahead of the game. Here, we explore how a leading Indonesian furniture manufacturer partnered with HOMAG to embrace smart automation in their factory right from the get go. In a part of the world where manual woodworking methods are still considered the norm, what was the motivation behind the change and what challenges came along with this unusual endeavour? Panels & Furniture Asia had the opportunity to speak with Tim Spanjaart, Managing Director of Furnindo and Chief Operating Officer of AVIP, to find out more.
Taking the Gabon Special Economic Zone to greater heights
The Gabon Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is the fruit of a shared vision of the Gabonese government and Olam International Limited
and seeks to facilitate the industrialisation of Gabon. Spanning 1,126 hecatres in Nkok, approximately 20 kilometres from Gabon’s
capital city Libreville, Gabon SEZ is one of the biggest industrial parks in Sub-Saharan Africa aimed at promoting the sustainable
production and processing of timber and other natural resources. Panels & Furniture Asia had the opportunity to find out from Kumar Mohan, Director General, Gabon SEZ, insights on the current successes of the SEZ, as well as upcoming milestones and plans.
Well-matched measuring and inspection technology for thin MDF production
The efficient production of a high-quality medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is fundamentally attributable to the available raw material, capability of the installed machinery and manufacturer’s knowledge. However, inline measuring and control systems also play a major role in meeting the increasing requirements. Electronic Wood Systems (EWS) shares with us their quality inspection
and measuring systems for wood-based panel manufacturing.
