PHASE 1: STRATEGIC SELF-ANALYSIS – What do you REALLY need?
Before even looking through brochures or talking to vendors, answer honestly these questions about your company:
1. What type of windows and doors do you produce (and will you produce)?
- Main types: windows, French doors, shutters, entrance doors, sliding systems, special systems?
- Required customisation level: standard, custom-made, one-of-a-kind?
- Machining complexity: special joints (e.g. traditional tenon and mortise, mechanical), complex profiles, arches, out-of-square?
- Materials machined: solid wood only, laminated wood, other composite materials?
- Do you expect your offer to evolve in the short/medium-term? (e.g. are you intending to introduce new types of windows and doors?)
2. What are your production volumes?
- Current production (e.g. units/week, specific turnover for windows and doors).
- Growth forecasts: realistic expansion of volumes in the coming 3-5 years.
- Production batches: small and varied or large and standardised?
3. What space do you have available?
- Maximum area available for the machine (length x width x height).
- Access to the warehouse for installation.
- Space for material loading/unloading, storage of machined workpieces, maintenance.
4. What is your actual budget (considering the TCO – Total Cost of Ownership)?
- Not just the purchase price of the machine.
- Include costs of: transportation, installation, testing, initial training, additional software, original equipment tools, system setup (compressed air, extraction, electricity).
- Estimate of future operating costs: energy, maintenance, spare parts, ongoing training.
- Possibility of obtaining tax incentives (e.g. Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, Nuova Sabatini)?
5. What expertise do you have in-house (and what do you require)?
- Current staff with experience on CNC machines?
- CAD/CAM programming skills?
- Need to train new staff or retrain existing staff?
- Willingness to invest time and resources in training?
PHASE 2: TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE MACHINE – Under the frame, what counts?
6. Structure and mechanics:
- Robustness of the base and structure: Is it monolithic? Electro-welded and stabilised? Materials? (Important for absorbing vibrations and guaranteeing precision over time).
- Guides and slides: Type (e.g. prismatic linear guides with recirculating ball bearings), dimensions, lubrication systems (automatic?).
- Axis motorisation: Type of motors (e.g. brushless), power, transmission systems (e.g. recirculating ball screws, precision rack and pinion).
- Usable work area dimensions: Check that the space available is adequate for the largest workpieces you machine (and those you may machine in the future). Do not confuse the machine dimensions with the work area dimensions.
7. Operator groups / Electrospindles:
Number of electrospindles or aggregate-independent units present in the CNC machine /in the chosen configuration
- Check their movement on independent axes so that you can operate by way of single or multiple milling with other groups and carry out tool changes in concurrent operation, while other electrospindle units are working.
Number of controlled axes:
- 3 Axes: For flat machining and simple profiles.
- 4 Axes: Adds the rotation of an axis (often C on the electrospindle) for inclined or multi-face machining with aggregates.
- 5 Axes: Maximum flexibility for complex profiles, undercuts, 3D machining without repositioning. Check if it is a “true” interpolating 5-axis or 3+2.
| Let’s dispel a common myth: ‘5-axis machining is very beneficial as it eliminates the use of aggregates’. In fact, this configuration can offer benefits in conventional machining centres for small and medium-sized artisanal businesses requiring versatility for machining furniture, doors and windows. However, for the specific production of windows and doors – particularly with heavy, large-diameter tools – 5-axis machining is neither useful nor recommended. In these cases, mixed, more rigid and specialised solutions are much more effective for achieving high levels of productivity. |
- Electrospindle power (kW/HP): Suitable for the wood types and cutting depths.
- Rotation speed (RPM): Speed range and its management.
- Tool holder type: (e.g. HSK-63E, ISO30) – This affects the rigidity and precision of the tool change.
- Cooling system: Liquid or air?
8. Tool magazine:
- Capacity: Number of available positions. Is it sufficient for all typical machining operations without frequent manual changes?
- Positioning: On the head, on the machine, lateral? This affects changing speed.
- Tool change: Possibility of performing tool changes in concurrent operation, depending on both the active operating units and the different electrospindles installed.
- Types of tools that can fit in: Milling cutters, blades, drilling heads, angular aggregates?
- Maximum length and weight of each tool: It must accommodate heavy tools, with multiple profiles to achieve adequate splitting for the different systems that must be housed simultaneously in the machine.
- Total weight of tools that can fit in: Check the total weight that can be loaded into the magazine and therefore the mechanical stability of the solution offered to bear this moving weight over time.
9. Worktable and workpiece clamping systems:
- Type: Suction cups (manual, semi-automatic, automatic?), multifunctional solid table, dedicated clamps for windows and doors?
- Dedicated pneumatic clamping systems:
- Multiple clamping benches that move together?
- Independent clamps with autonomous motors, so that a high number of workpieces can be processed simultaneously?
- Setup flexibility and speed: How quick and easy is it to pass from one production run to another?
- Clamping effectiveness: Does it guarantee workpiece stability even with major removal rates?
- Workpiece reference systems: Stops, lasers, probes?
10. Automation and accessories:
- Extraction systems: Efficiency, holder diameter, readiness for connection to a centralised system.
- Cleaning systems: Automatic blowers, chip conveyor belts.
- Integration possibilities: Automatic loaders/unloaders, robots? (Also with a view to the future).
- Safety devices: Light curtains, bumpers, CE certifications.
PHASE 3: SOFTWARE AND CONTROL – Intelligence of the machine
11. Numerical control (CNC):
- Brand and reliability: Well-known industry brands (e.g. Siemens, Fanuc, Osai, Bosch Rexroth)?
- User interface: Is it intuitive? In English? Customisable?
- Specific features: RTCP (Rotation Tool Centre Point) management for the 5 axes, look-ahead, advanced speed and acceleration management.
- Diagnostics: Ease of identifying problems.
12. CAD/CAM Software:
- Supplied with the machine or to be purchased separately? Which one?
- Specific for windows and doors: Does it have libraries of profiles, hardware, parametric joints for the windows and doors industry?
- Ease of programming: Even for operators without CAD expertise.
- File importing: Compatibility with your designers’ or architects’ formats (DXF, DWG, BTL, etc.).
- File importing from other management systems: Ability to import files (XML, etc.) from other management software used in the window and door industry.
- 3D simulation: To check the tool path and avoid collisions before starting machining.
- Tool path optimisation: To reduce machining times.
13. Connectivityand Industry 4.0:
- Is the machine set up for interconnection with the company management system (ERP/MES)?
- Does it offer the possibility of remote production monitoring and remote support?
- Does it collect useful data for performance analysis?
PHASE 4: THE SUPPLIER AND AFTER-SALES SERVICE – Who will accompany you on your journey?
| Let’s dispel a false myth: not all machines are the same and the lowest price is not always the best choice. A thorough and transparent analysis before purchasing, together with effective after-sales support, can make the difference between a successful investment and an operational nightmare. |
14. Installation and testing:
- Who is responsible for this? Direct technicians from the manufacturer or external ones?
- Clear timescales, defined contractually?
- What does the testing include? Tests on your sample workpieces?
15. Training:
- Quality and duration: Is it sufficiently in-depth both on the use of the machine and the software?
- Where is it carried out: At your premises or those of the supplier?
- Training Materials: Are they provided?
- Possibility of additional training in the future?
16. Technical support (very important!):
- Intervention speed: Guaranteed timescales for onsite or remote interventions?
- Presence of a local service centre: Does the company intervene directly and/or use qualified and expert local distributors or service centres?
- Expertise of technicians: Do they have specific knowledge of the window and door industry?
- Availability: Telephone support, remote support.
- Support and maintenance contracts?
17. Availability and cost of spare parts:
- Average delivery times for the most common spare parts and critical ones?
- Does the supplier have a well-stocked spare parts warehouse in Italy/Europe?
- Costs of “consumable” spare parts and the most important ones?
18. Warranty:
- Standard duration? Possibility of extension?
- What does it cover exactly?
19. Supplier’s reputation and experience:
- For how many years have they operated in the CNC machining centre sector for wood/windows and doors?
- Can they provide references from customers similar to you (possibly ones you can visit)?
- Do they have documented case studies?
- Financial soundness of the supplier company.
20. Consulting and approach:
- Does the vendor try to understand YOUR requirements in-depth or are they merely pushing the product they want to sell?
- Are they able to recommend the most suitable configuration for you, giving technical reasons in support?
- Do you feel supported in your decision or just under pressure?
PHASE 5: THE CRUCIAL TEST – Do not buy blind
21. Live demos and tests on your workpieces:
- Always ask to see the machine in operation, if possible with materials and machining similar to yours.
- If possible, provide your samples or designs for a machining test. Assess the timescales and quality of the result.
- Talk to operators who use similar machines.
- Once you have chosen a machine supplier, be sure to perform a multi-stage review, including with the tooling and CAD/CAM suppliers, starting with the order through to the scheduled factory testing date. This will ensure that the specifications are clear and the timescales are respected by all suppliers.
- Assess the timescales and quality of the result.
