Outstanding windows making history

Since 1854, the Swiss company Könitzer+Hofer has been an emblem of excellence. With its 30 employees, it produces windows, doors in wood or wood and metal, as well as other joinery works. “Thanks to our partnership with SCM and the purchase of a new ‘windor nt1’ angular machining centre, we are even more efficient”, explains Lukas Krüsi, CEO and company owner.

Könitzer+Hofer AG is a Swiss joinery company boasting a long tradition and its main activity for many years has been windows manufacturing. One of its specialities, as the company owner and CEO Lukas Krüsi tells us, are the wooden windows for historical buildings and those subject to conservation orders, and it is precisely the extensive variety, that generally distinguishes this kind of construction, which requests a high level of production flexibility. “We have tackled our specific needs together with SCM and, since January 2003, we have been using a ‘windor nt1’ angular machining centre to overcome even the most difficult challenges!”.

Protected and catalogued buildings demand particular attention when windows and doors are being restored or replaced. It is often essential to integrate historical elements with more modern acoustic, heat and safety insulation requirements. There needs to be a variety of solutions, including profilings and historical divisions, the use of special glass as well as hinges and hardware typical of the era in question. “With a production in excess of 1,200 windows per year, we found SCM to be an equally flexible and competent partner on the market” says Krüsi. The company is firmly rooted in this region, as is clear from the references to date, including the National Library in Bern, Brunnstrasse, Junkernstrasse and Kramgasse.

Daniel Ott, SCM Schweiz’s Country Manager, enthusiastically describes the values shared by both companies: “Thanks to our angular machining centre, we have been able to provide Könitzer+Hofer with support, guaranteeing flexibility, structural efficiency and an excellent cost-benefit ratio. SCM is a leader in the production of machines and systems, offering services to the woodworking industry since 1952. The central headquarters of the Swiss branch is in Rothenburg, in the canton of Lucerne: a strategic position which means we can supply services across Switzerland rapidly and efficiently.” Ott continues: “We give full support which covers each stage of the process, from professional consultation to sales, right up to a reliable customer-care service.”

The solid structure of the tenoning carriage guarantees excellent accuracy during the processing of all types of tenon, straight and angled. No limits to profile execution: to meet all the profiling requirements, the machine can be fitted with two 50x320 mm spindles. Moreover, SCM touch screen eye-M console allows a comfortable easy navigation of the machine managing software, Next, with a simple and intuitive interface. Interaction with external software is also not a problem.

In addition to “windor nt 1” machining centre, the Swiss company also chose an SCM “profiset 60”. This is an automatic throughfeed moulder which can be equipped with up to 6 spindles. Daniel Ott points out the ease of use and safety of this technology solution: “The operator is facilitate to manage the machine’s functions thanks to easily accessible controls”. Feed rollers driven by gears box and cardan joints. The pneumatic working pressure on the feed rollers and the stepless speed adjustment from 5 to 25 m/min via inverter, ensure efficient feeding by maintaining superior finishing. The Easy Plus electronic control with the 7” LCD display, 16:9 format, simplifies the control of all the machine’s functions.

The collaboration between Könitzer+Hofer AG and SCM is based on well-defined values: flexibility, versatility, service assistance and a solid tradition. Krüsi concludes: “Thanks to SCM, we can rely on a unique technological partner for all our machining requirements, including drilling operations. I can say, in no uncertain terms, that SCM greatly exceeded our expectations!”

Könitzer + Hofer AG