MatchPoint BLADE II
The latest linear saw that minimizes downtime and increases throughput.
Features
NEXT GENERATION: EASIER TO MAINTAIN, SUPPORT & UPGRADE
- Works as a stand-alone or part of a seamlessly integrated MatchPoint® DirectDrive™ system
- Selects optimal boards for cuts when paired with automation software
- State-of-the-art cutting chamber reduces dust and increases safety
- Superior AGS printing improves assembly throughput and quality
- BoardStretcher feature increases material utilization in each board
- Adjustable stroke, angle elevation, and bevel
- Reduces manual material handling
- Adjusts for crooked lumber, keeping it “in grip”
MatchPoint Blade™ II Wood Processing System
Specifications
OVERVIEW
MatchPoint® BLADE™ II is fully automated and the latest linear saw to handle highly variable truss jobs with many unique setups.
This next-generation saw has enhanced features that increase accuracy and reduce waste, leading to lower costs and more output for your operation. Get more uptime with the MatchPoint BLADE II upgraded components.
| Safety | Advanced systems including guarding, Emergency stops, door latches, and UL electrical certifications keep operators safe. |
| Integration | Works as a stand-alone or part of a seamlessly integrated MatchPoint® DirectDrive™ system |
| Accuracy | Servo motors and system calibration result in high quality cuts with accuracy of 1/32” on centerline an 0.1° on angles. |
| Availability | Enhanced and durable components minimize system down time |
| Productivity | Automation of material handling, part setups, and part marking yields more truss throughput with less labor |
FEATURES
| Production Management Software | Selects optimal boards for cuts when paired with automation software, MiTek Production. |
| Auto Feeding | Material handling options with a Ranger lumber delivery system or an Auto Deck staging conveyors frees labor to do other tasks. |
| Board Material Optimization | BoardStretcher feature increases material utilization in each board Beveling Axis |
| Crown Lumber Compensation | Adjusts for crooked lumber, keeping it “in grip” |
| Plate Location Printing | Superior AGS printing improves Roof Truss assembly throughput and quality |
| Edge Printing | Printing on board edges enables part marking for Wall Panel or Floor Truss components |
| End to End System Integration | System Integration with Direct Drive reduces manual material handling with a complete end to end system connecting raw lumber to cut components for assembly. |
| Data Reporting | System reporting from MiTek Production enables critical monitoring of the Truss Production system in the plant. |
OPERATION
| Infeed Automation | Loading boards in order of need on the Auto Deck or complete automated picking with Ranger with capacity up to 22 unique bunks of lumber. |
| Printing Capability | Front Face, Rear Face, and/or Edge printing marks components with part information, job/lot identification, and connector plate location. |
| Cutting Capability | Adjustable stroke, angle elevation, and bevel. State-of-the-art cutting chamber reduces dust and increases safety |
| Outfeed Automation | Eject cut parts with Powered Roller Conveyor and move material manually, or eject cut parts with Direct Drive Component Delivery System directly to assembly station staging. |
OVERVIEW
MatchPoint® BLADE™ II is fully automated and the latest linear saw to handle highly variable truss jobs with many unique setups.
We refer to the overall piece of equipment as a wood processing system because:
- It is management system.
- It is a material handling system.
- It is a communication and organization system.
- It is a method of improving employee-to-production ratios.
- It is a computer that does all the hard thinking for you.
- It is a material conservation device (a tree-saver).
But in the center of all that, it is still a saw blade that cuts lumber to the exact specification needed at the exact time needed. And so, we affectionately call it the BLADE™.
SPEED
The simplest way to raise productivity is with machine speed. Because this is a wood processing system for the entire front end of your building process, and not just a saw, speed has many factors. All of these factors are important in realizing productivity gains and avoiding bottlenecks.
- How fast the lumber can be loaded on the Auto Deck staging conveyor
- The maximum speed of the Infeed Rail gripper
- How fast the printer can print data for every part
- How fast the saw blade can make angle, bevel, stroke, and elevation changes
- The speed of the outfeed mechanism
- How easily the operator and off-loader can keep up with the system
COST AND MAN-HOUR REDUCTION
Speed of the system is one of the most important and most talked-about specifications on any equipment, but don’t forget that people are a very important part of this process. How the system affects people’s roles can add to or subtract from the total time it takes to complete a job.
- When used with the automated material handling system, it requires only one operator, providing you with a low man-hour count. That could result in ¼ to ½ your previous personnel costs on your go-to saw.
- Building “truss-by-truss” doesn’t have to be a slow, overwhelming task anymore. The printer capabilities paired with the job import options in the software make cutting single trusses just as fast as small batches on a component saw.
- A design that makes maintenance easier saves unscheduled man-hours.
- Printers on saws aren’t exactly new ideas. But the capabilities of the BLADE printer far exceed anything you’ve called a printer before.
- The lumber can be easily loaded onto the lumber feed system while the previous job is in process. If using the semiautomatic Auto Deck, pneumatic lumber stops keep the lumber for the current job separate from the lumber for the next job. If using the Ranger RS™ lumber retrieval system, bulk lumber can be loaded into their stations at any time.
OPERATOR INTERFACE
The operator interface or HMI (human-machine interface) for the saw operator is a Windows-based touch screen computer enclosed in a touch screen enclosure which is connected to the saw with an industrial-strength, fully adjustable arm. The arm is adjustable in every direction giving the operator a clear view inside the saw chamber.
The computer accepts a keyboard or mouse attachment, but the overall HMI is designed so a keyboard and mouse are not needed.
Because the BLADE is a wood processing system, a single HMI controls more than just cutting. Most material handling equipment that bring lumber to or away from the saw can also be controlled from the BLADE HMI.
There are several different software applications in use when using the MatchPoint BLADE system.
MATERIAL HANDLING
Material Handling is an easy and affordable place to raise the overall automation level in any facility.
To satisfy the ability to incrementally automate when and where each customer desires, the MatchPoint BLADE™ wood processing system gives you some options.
- On the infeed end, the Auto Deck staging conveyor is a semi-automatic easy-to-use chain conveyor. An operator load the lumber in the correct order onto the Auto Deck conveyor, and the system takes over from there.
- The lumber for the next job can be loaded while the previous job is in process. The two jobs are kept separate by using the pneumatically controlled lumber stops.
- To fully automate the infeed process, opt for the Ranger EX™ lumber retrieval system. As long as the lumber stations are stocked, it picks the correct lumber in the correct order and gets it to the saw’s Infeed Rail.
After each part is cut, it exits through the outfeed assembly and travels to the outfeed table where an operator offloads it to be taken to the assembly tables.
- A Powered Skewed Conveyor can be used instead of the standard outfeed table to further automate the outfeed and sorting process. The Powered Skewed Conveyor funnels cut parts to one of several different chutes. It is held there until offloaded as a group.
- The CDS is a component delivery system that is one of the offerings in the Direct Drive line of equipment. It raises the level of outfeed automation by delivering each part to the assembly tables without manual sorting needed.
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MiTek offers consulting, testing, documentation, design assistance and prompt customer service. Visit our Support, Training and Knowledge Base center for more information.
