PI machine: the industry standard for stacked timber construction

Basic machine

Processing of wall logs 18 mm to 70 mm thick, up to 170 mm high and from 6 m long.
(deviating dimensions on request)

For stacked timber construction: log cabins, chalets, outbuildings, garden buildings, sheds…

Situational drawing Compare the PI, SI and HM machines (PDF)

The international standard for stacked timber construction

The PI machine is used by all leading manufacturers of stacked timber structures. The unparalleled production speed and huge reliability have made this machine industry’s trusted partner for more than 25 years already.

Machine that evolves with the latest innovations, based on a system that has proven its worth over decades of use, with state-of-the-art software, options and extension possibilities.
Products with unparalleled finish quality (without tear-out).
Finished and faultless pieces of impeccable quality, immediately ready for assembly.
Modular design enables the machine to be expanded as your company grows, up to unmanned production. Extensions such as destacker, drilling machine and stacking robot.

All operations in a single pass

Starting from profiled wall beams, the PI machine produces finished wall logs that are ready to be added to the construction kit.

Logs are fed in and cut to length, the ends are profiled to a desired shape and up to five notches with wind stops are machined.
Also angled notches (for e.g. swimming pools and pergolas), additional end-grain operations.
Proven operating method guarantees the accuracy of every piece. Logs are finished in a single pass without having to be moved. Quality control is no longer needed.

Effortless programming

The machine can be programmed by means of BTL import. All you have to do is load the CAD design of your structure and in a few mouse clicks, the machine is programmed. Programming machines is now a thing of the past.

The workpiece programme can also be prepared offline at the office while the machine is being used
Programming of the machine is carried out directly from the CAD model. For the effortless production of custom projects.
An intuitive user interface also enables workpieces to be input directly via the machine screen for simple series production or the quick production of a small series.
The software provided verifies machinability and generates the machine programme automatically.
Production is optimised by the computer to minimise wood waste and maximise productivity.

Machine with extensive options

Adjustable milling units enable the production of angled log cabin connections too, e.g. for pentagonal, hexagonal and octagonal saunas and pergolas.
A control system identifies and removes boards that are too warped.
A residual wood robot allows boards left over of a length that can still be used to be stacked and automatically fed back into the machine.
Ideal for both series production and custom products.
Cross-cut saw with optimisation software for cutting the boards fed in to length

PI machine: the industry standard for stacked timber construction

Example of optimisation

Modular machine with extensive automation options

The heart of the PI machine is the notching machine which saws the logs, profiles the ends and mills the notches. This central notching machine can be extended as required by adding (automation) options to enhance the machine’s capabilities and reduce the number of operators to zero.

An automatic drilling machine allows various holes to be drilled through the height of the wall log.
An automatic destacker continuously loads the machine with logs.
A stacking robot stacks the finished products – on a a pallet if required – for easy transport and storage.

The notching machine: the workhorse of the PI machine

Wall logs are cut to length, ends are finished based on a desired profile and notches are made for the log cabin connections.
Average finishing time: 2.5 to 5 seconds per log.
Up to 5 notches per log (e.g. for internal walls and double wall for insulation).
End-grain machining option, e.g. for end-jointing.
Fully automatic adjustment of all units in a matter of seconds. A manual tool change is only required if the log thickness changes.

A design proven through decades of use in industry

Dust extraction directly at the machining areas, from a central system that only requires one external connection.
Machining operations are carried out from above, keeping precision parts free from dirt and ensuring years of reliable service.
Automatic lubrication.
The machine can be installed directly on a concrete floor. Subfloor spaces are not required.

The destacker takes the wall logs and feeds them into the machine. This makes the notching machine work faster because if an operator was feeding the logs in manually, they would not be able to keep up with the pace of the notching machine. So there is no need for an operator to feed in logs.

The destacker can be loaded with multiple kits containing timber of various lengths. New timber kits can be put ready on the destacker while the machine is in operation resulting in uninterrupted production.

In addition, the machine – in conjunction with the optimisation software and a tenon saw – can select the right length of timber for workpieces to be made with minimum wood waste each time.

Feeding system with multiple destacking stations for supplying the machine with kits containing timber (possibly of various lengths).
Automatic switching from one stack to another in a matter of seconds, e.g. to a different length of timber.
Production is not interrupted: while one stack of timber is being processed, another stack can be put readyp on an empty lifting table.
All you need to do is supply stacks of logs.
Innovative and proven system that destacks wall logs even if they have tongue and groove joints.
An indispensable addition to enable the machine to operate at maximum speed.

Destacker with kits containing timber of various lengths

The drilling machine drills holes through the wall logs for installing tensioning rods or utility lines, for example.

Number of drilling units and drilling dimensions as desired.
The drilling units adjust the settings automatically (together with the notching machine) in a matter of seconds.
Drilling is carried out from both sides simultaneously. This prevents tear-out and delays in the production process.

The stacking robot allows the finished wall logs to be stacked automatically An indispensable addition for anyone who values enhanced productivity and automation.

Operator no longer required to collect and stack finished logs, production continues uninterrupted.
Products are stacked in a staggered arrangement for transport stability.
Stacking on roller conveyor, chain conveyor or directly on a pallet.
The stacking robot adjusts itself.
As soon as a stack is completed, it is transported to a lock ready to be picked up by a forklift truck. The machine continues to operate without interruption.