Custom wood manufacturing requires in-depth knowledge of the raw material, extensive experience in wood manufacturing, and a team of experts who know how to create top-quality products. Technology, however, is also crucial to create perfect wooden objects.
Having specific machinery, software, and tools is necessary in each step of the production process. Let’s discuss this topic in the following article!
Industry 4.0 in custom wood manufacturing
In today’s competitive scenario, having the right assets is necessary for productivity and competitiveness. Digital transformation characterizes Industry 4.0, the new fourth industrial revolution that involves the adoption of anthropomorphic robots, artificial intelligence, IoT, and data analysis to optimize wood manufacturing processes and make them smarter and more precise.
Machines learn, act, and control the quality of products, anticipating possible problems as well as collecting and analyzing important data. They are also instrumental in reducing energy consumption, knowing what inventory is available, and predicting customer needs. Using automated and intelligent machines and softwares enables the company to optimize expenses and make products more cost-effective with great benefits for clients too.
Industry 4.0 represents a great opportunity for custom wood manufacturing. Wood is, in fact, a difficult material to manage, as it changes and moves constantly due to its natural origin. Many factors can affect the quality of products created starting from a wooden log if it’s not treated properly. Strict tolerances must also be respected to avoid discrepancies of the final product.
For example, a wooden cap for cosmetics must adhere tightly to the bottle to avoid contamination and product spillage. There is, therefore, a need to conduct thorough analysis, create prototypes, and consider all possible scenarios to avoid damage and possible risks.
Sensors and machines learning techniques enable intelligent data analysis. Scanners have been developed to measure the variables and results, but decisions must still be made by humans.
Having experts in technology and digital processes is necessary to ensure maximum quality and precision.
Digitalization and Industry 4.0, however, bring with them great advantages in the custom wood manufacturing sector both in the stages of production (faster and more efficient) and in product quality.
How technology affects wood products manufacturing
The production process
The production process of wooden items consists of many different phases with each one essential for a perfect result.
Technology can improve each stage in different ways, guaranteeing:
- accuracy of production
- competitive prices
- high production capacity
- short lead time
First, during the design phase, software and tools allow the wood maker to simulate even the most difficult drawing without disturbing the concept and general feeling of the original project.
To do that, specific competency and the latest CAD-CAM software are required. Starting from the design constraints analysis, the manufacturer will be able to create a full prospect of the investment required, an estimate of the price, realistic prototypes of the final product, and a 3D design.
Then, wood must be attentively prepared to create top-quality and functional products that are durable and resistant.
A correct drying process guarantees the ideal moisture content for a clean milling process, higher dimensional stability, and less probability of breakage.
The most advanced wood manufacturing companies can manage the drying process internally with in-house and technologically advanced drying chambers. Each chamber must have a built-in control unit with heating, spraying, dehumidification, and an air circulation system that can be adjusted according to the starting moisture content and the wood essence to be treated.
Wood is a porous and hygroscopic material, so it continuously exchanges water molecules with the air around it and always tends to balance itself with the climatic conditions of the environment in which it is immersed. As the humidity levels of the air vary, wood may expand or shrink.
Your manufacturer must know the ideal humidity level for each product that must be created. Usually, moisture content must be between 8% and 12%, but there are some exceptions where a lower or higher amount is needed, and the wood maker must know it.
Good moisture content ensures maximum quality and durability of final wooden products.
Most manufacturers around the world use multipurpose production equipment to manufacture wooden products, so they use the same production line to create such items as wooden toothbrushes, caps, handles, and hairbrushes.
It would be important to select a manufacturer that can develop dedicated production lines to fit the specific purposes and requirements of manufacturing specific items:
- identifying the most suitable machinery
- defining the right sequence along the production process
- developing specific tools and fixtures if required
Each production process should be carefully analyzed to identify all critical points and implement the most effective and safe procedures. This guarantees that the final product meets all client requirements in terms of customization and design, letting you be competitive in the market.
Technology, advanced software, and tools let manufacturers create many different custom designs and innovative and ergonomic shapes to follow the latest trends and satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers.
The finishing phase
Besides offering a wide range of finishing options, paintings, and varnishes, including water-based and low-impact options, a digitalized wood manufacturing company will be able to customize and brand your products with top-notch laser technology, creating the logo or some deco and grip on the product surface.
Different from silk-screening or hot stamping, laser technology doesn’t need any ink or added chemical, making it more eco-compatible.
Many producers still use pyrography or hot molding on wood. Today, the most innovative wood manufacturers use anthropomorphic laser robots that can adapt to each shape with radial movements and different engraving depths.
Digitalized quality control guarantees the highest accuracy too
You will be able to recognize a competent and reliable producer by the quality control it performs. Each wooden product must be checked for:
- dimensional and functional aspect (size and shape)
- milling accuracy (missing parts, dents, splinters, and breakage)
- morphological defects (open knots and heavy discoloration)
All wooden objects should be individually checked with automatic systems of infrared video cameras and tailor-made artificial intelligence algorithms. This can guarantee continuous monitoring of the process with data collection and analysis, providing real-time visualization and dedicated reporting compliant with Industry 4.0 regulations.
By following this procedure, you can ensure products that meet all customer specifications and expectations.
Only a technologically advanced wood company that invests a lot of time and money in custom wood manufacturing to get the newest machinery and systems and is based on automation, interconnectivity, machine learning, and real-time data can provide top-quality and cost-effective wooden products.
The combination of cutting-edge software, innovative machines, manual and automatic quality control systems, and decades of experience in wood manufacturing allows the Minelli company to guarantee maximum precision. All production lines use CNC (computer numerical control) machines, mechanical arms, automatic processes, and are set up and monitored by professionals with great expertise in each industrial process.
Moreover, under specific circumstances, we can develop a tailor-made production line that guarantees maximum efficiency to meet our clients’ needs.
If you’d like to have more information, please contact us!
