PI machine: the standard in log cabin construction

Basic machine

Processing of wall logs, 18 mm to 70 mm thickness, up to 170 mm height and length up to 6 m or longer.
(deviating dimensions on request.)

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

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

The international log building standard

The PI machine is used by all leading log building manufacturers in Europe. The unmatched 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 technologies and innovations, based on principles that have proven their worth through decades of industrial use , thereby with state-of-the-art software, options and extension possibilities.
Products with an unparalleled finish quality, without tear-out.
Finished and faultless pieces of impeccable quality, immediately ready for assembly.
Modular design allows to upgrade the machine to the grow of your company to production without operators. Extensions such as feeding system, drilling machine and stacking robot.

All operations in a single pass

Starting from profiled wall logs, the PI machine manufactures finished wall logs that can be put right into the package.

Logs are sawed to length, the ends are profiled to a desired shape and up to five notches with windnotch are machined.
Also notching under an angle (for e.g. swimming pools and pergolas), additional log end operations.
Proven operating principles guarantee accurate results that every piece is precise. Planks are finished in one pass and in one fixture. Quality control is no longer needed.

Effortless programming

The machine can be programmed through BTL import. All you have to do is load the CAD model of your wood structure into the program and with a few clicks, the machine is programmed. Programming machines is a thing of the past.

The workpiece programme can also be prepared offlline at the office while the machine is producing
Machine programming directly from the CAD model. For effortless production of bespoke parts.
Intuitive user interface allows entering components directly at the machine operator panel. For example, for simple series production or quick production of a small series.
The provided software verifies makeability and automatically generates the machine programme.
Production is optimised by the computer to minimize wood spillage and to maximise productivity.

Machine with extensive possibilities

Adjustable milling units to manufacture log cabin joints also at angles, e.g. for saunas and pergolas such as a pentagon, hexagon, octagon.
A control system identifies planks that are too warped and removes them.
A rest wood robot allows to stack rest wood boards of a still usable length and feed them automatically back into the machine.
Ideal for both series production and custom-made products.
Cross cut saw with optimisation software to saw to length the different lengths of the inserted planks

PI machine: the standard in log cabin construction

Example of optimisation

Modular machine with extensive automation options

The heart is notch milling machine, which saws the logs to length, profiles the heads and makes the notches. This central notching machine can be extended with (automation) modules, which increases machine capabilities and reduces the workforce to zero.

An automatic drilling machine allows different holes to be drilled trough the height of the wall log.
An automatic unstacker feeds the machine continuously with logs
A stacking robot stacks the finished components, by selection on pallet or not, allowing easy transport and storage.

The milling machine: the workhorse

Sawing wall logs to length, profiling the heads to a desired shape and making the notches for the windproof corner connections of the log building.
Average processing time : 2.5 to 5 seconds per board.
Up to 5 notches per plank (e.g. for interior walls and double wall for insulation).
Capability for machining log ends, e.g. to join boards lengthwise.
Fully automatic adjustment of all units in mere seconds. Only when the log thickness is changed, is a manual tool change required.

Design proven through decades of industry use

Dust extraction directly at the machining regions, from a centralized system which requires only one external connection.
Machining occurs through units suspended overhead the machining region, keeping fine mechanical components free from dust ingress and ensures years of loyal machine operation.
Automatic lubrication where desired.
Machine can be installed directly on a concrete floor. Subfloor spaces are not required.

The unstacker takes the wall planks and feeds them into the machine. This makes the notching machine work faster, as an operator which feeds the logs manually cannot follow the pace of the notching machine. So you save an operator to insert boards.

The unstacker can be loaded with multiple packs of varying wood lengths. New packages of wood can be prepared on the unstacker while the machine produces. This results in uninterrupted production.

In addition, in combination with the optimisation software and a cross cut saw, the machine can select each time that length of wood that allows workpieces to be made with minimum wood waste.

Feeding system with a multiple unstacking stations, to supply the machine with multiple packages of wood (possibly of different lengths).
Automatic switching from one stack to another in mere seconds, e.g. to a different length of timber.
Production is not interrupted: while one stack of timber is being processed, another fresh pallet can be prepared on an empty lift table.
You only need to bring in stacks of logs.
Innovative and proven system that unstacks wall boards even when they are tongue-in-groove.
Indispensable addition to allow the machine to operate at max production speed.

Unstacker with packages of various wood lengths.

The drilling machine drills holes through the height of the logs, e.g., for installing tensioning rods or utility lines.

The drill drills bores through the height of wall planks, to insert, e.g., threaded rods or utility lines.
Number of drilling units and dimensions of the drillings as you choose.
The drilling units set up automatically (together with the notching machine) in mere seconds.
Drilling is carried out from both sides simultaneously. This avoids chipping and delays in the production process.

The stacking robot allows automatic stacking of finished wall planks. An indispensable addition for those who value productivity and automation.

No more operator to collect and stack finished planks, production continues uninterrupted.
Brickwork style stacking, making the stacks stable to transport.
Stacking on roller conveyor, chain conveyor or directly on pallet.
The stacking robot adjusts itself.
As soon as a stack is finished, it is transported to a lock ready for pickup by forklift truck. The machine continues to produce without interruption.