Fastening pioneer BECK is taking the next big step towards ecological fastening technology with its LIGNOLOC® wooden nail system. On board as a partner: KEHRATEC, leading specialist in the field of camera-guided robot automation.

The two companies are working on the realization of a robot-assisted system for the fully or partially automated implementation of timber construction projects, especially by pre-assembling completely glue-free and metal-free wall and ceiling elements.
BECK contributes its versatile competencies in the field of fastening technology, focusing in particular on the LIGNOLOC® wood nail technology and the associated stationary and / or manual nailing technology. KEHRATEC provides the comprehensive, specific, technological know-how regarding robotics and automation environment.

FIRST CUSTOMER PACKAGE IS PLANNED FOR SPRING 2022

The first machine prototype will be completed by March 2022. For this, BECK is developing the complete front end including individual feeding of the nails, while KEHRATEC is taking care of the concept and construction of the wall mounting peripherals, robotics, PLC, programming, CAD software and final assembly. After completion of the prototype, an attractive package is to be put together for potential customers by the end of March 2022.

LIGNOLOC® AND ROBOTICS IN MASS TIMBER CONSTRUCTION - ADVANTAGE FOR CARPENTRIES

“Small and medium-sized timber construction companies and carpenters throughout Europe should be able to manufacture metal- and glue-free mass timber wall or ceiling elements themselves”, Christian Beck explains the vision behind the project. “With the expansion of the LIGNOLOC® ecosystem in terms of compatibility with common processing solutions from companies such as Weinmann / HOMAG, Randek or Techno-Wood, as well as the co-engineering of the flexible, digital robot platform together with KEHRATEC, the use of mass timber elements becomes more flexible and the transport distances shorter. As a final consequence, it will be cheaper for many companies to manufacture mass timber elements themselves”, Beck is convinced of the benefits of the project for the timber construction industry. “My team and I are very much looking forward to working with the BECK team. The technological capabilities and the customer-oriented business philosophies of both companies complement each other unprecedented”, adds Carsten Kehr.

In mid-November, KEHRATEC CEO Carsten Kehr and BECK CEO Christian Beck signed the multiyear development and cooperation agreement between KEHRATEC GmbH and Raimund Beck Nageltechnik GmbH. A presentation of the joint KEHRATEC/BECK automation solution is also planned at the DACH + HOLZ exhibition in Cologne/Germany from July 5 to 8, 2022.