CHARLESTON, UT---You could almost compare Hundegger's PBA CNC machine to having your own small army of expert panel cutters riding on a trolley over your panel project to shape it into whatever design and treatment you have in mind. Of course, the PBA is a computer-controlled panel cutter which uses a small arsenal of specialized tools to accomplish whatever carving, cutting, routing and shaping task you wish to give it. The PBA, according to Sales Manager Steve Shrader, is ideally suited to form foam core panels. The machine will handle SIP panels up to 8' wide and 28' long or larger. It will rout out the foam between the skins for splines or lumber supports, and it will carve in any shaped opening you might need for your windows and doors. What's more, because the machine and all of its built-in tools follow orders from CAD/CAM software, the machine works as fast as 30' per minute on simpler tasks such as straight cuts. To really understand what the PBA can accomplish, it's important to get a copy of the Hundegger PBA video. While it has no narrative, just watching the highly automated machine go through its paces opens up a world of possibilities for anyone engaged in processing foam core panels, solid wood panels and even those needing to shape glu-lam beams. Watching the machine operate you notice the battery of tools are encased in a cabinet which rides over the panel on a series of multi-directional, rubber-tire casters. As the machine follows the software orders, various tools come into play to shape the panel to the customer's needs. One of the unique tools is a wedge-shaped chain saw which can approach the panel vertically, on angles or horizontally to cut a variety of shapes and openings completely through the panels. Other tools include drill bits, routers and wide shapers which answer the software calls as required. Like the Hundegger K2 machine which machines dimensional lumber into dozens of shapes, the entire Hundegger line is a remarkable achievement of precise German engineering in construction machinery. Kip Apostol, Hundegger USA President, says the Hundeggers will interface with various CAD software, and as the Hundegger software improvements come along, the software is automatically upgraded. As for attention to detail, the PBA machine even draws lines on the panel in waterproof ink to guide on-site or in-plant construction workers for placement of other members. When the panels are completed, the CAD software also furnishes shop drawings which can go along with the panels to the job sites. Apostol says the price of the PBA machine can range from $270,000 to $350,000 including delivery into the U.S. and Canada. However, demand for the machine is such that delivery times are usually seven to eight months in the future, but that buyers always are encouraged to 'buy a delivery date' with a down payment to insure a specified delivery date. Schedule of the Hundegger plant in Germany enables production of about 3-1/2 K-2 and PBA machines per week.

This article is from Automated Builder Magazine published in the March 2002 edition (ed. 369, p. 26)
More information can be found at www.automatedbuilder.com.