KRUBA stands for less maintenance and failure costs and more efficiency in the manufacture of plastic window frames. 

When purchasing machinery for the purpose of manufacturing plastic window frames, there are essential criteria that are assessed during procurement. For example, there is a growing need to create more efficiency within those manufacturing processes. Of course, one reason for this is the scarcity in the labor market. Personnel are almost impossible to find. More efficiency, fortunately, is. "The number of operations per employee must therefore be structurally reduced," argue Cees and Niels van Essen of KRUBA of Baarn. "And this also applies to failure costs. With Thorwesten's production line, these objectives can be achieved."

But there is another thing: manufacturers of plastic window frames also want to be able to adapt more quickly to changing market conditions. "A company wants to be flexible in order to remain competitive in the market. A machine manufacturer such as Germany's Thorwesten has picked up that signal well in recent years."

"This manufacturer is currently very extensive in the possibilities in terms of the arrangement of the machines as well as being able to build the lines modularly. In addition to complete delivery, it is also possible to deliver in phases. The advantage of this is that it is easier for our customers to scale up - if needed at a given time - as well as allowing them to spread the investments," says Niels."

For example, Thorwesten's plastic sawing center and profile processing center - as a combined line (MPZ)- can easily be expanded with a steel sawing center (SSA-9), for processing plastic profiles. This is even possible regardless of brand. Furthermore, the machine tool can be expanded with an automatic locking plate assembly robot. In other words, if this choice is made at some point, less operating personnel will be needed."

Saving labor time

As far as Cees and Niels are concerned, therefore, this combined line has become very relevant for both small and large manufacturers of plastic window frames. "Because of this modular structure, you control costs and budgets much better," says Cees. "In addition, I dare say here that when you purchase one universal profile machining center, you save at least 25% of labor time. In other words, you work a quarter faster. Therefore, it is definitely a boost to your competitive position. Moreover, the quality of this machine is already so high that maintenance costs will drop significantly. The shop floor knowledge required in production companies with standard stand alone machines is thus taken over by the Thorwesten machining center with this one. The lines are also suitable for any profile system and... very user-friendly. The operation is no Rocket Science either: it can be learned well and quickly."

Cees and Niels explain that this Thorwesten universal profile machining center, among others, was exhibited at Polyclose in Ghent. There, the machine was additionally equipped for machining sliding frame profiles as well as the Reno profile. "However, interested parties will also find this special line at the upcoming Fensterbau Frontale in Nuremberg," father and son Van Essen conclude.   

Looking back at Polyclose

'Quality visit was good'

When Cees and Niels are asked how they experienced Polyclose, the recently organized fair in Ghent, where Kruba also had a large stand (no less than 280 m²!), the two are satisfied. Cees: "The fair did attract fewer visitors than before corona, which was a pity. There may be several reasons for this. For example, the Fensterbau will soon be organized in Germany. That may well have been a reason for some companies to leave Polyclose for a while. In addition, a possible cause could be that a major snow warning had been issued on the first day in Belgium, causing many to decide not to go at the last minute."

"The first day - Wednesday - was actually too quiet as a result. But, fair is fair: the second day in particular was busy. We had a lot going on at our booth, we experienced a lot of traffic. More importantly, however, the quality of the visit was good. People didn't just come for coffee, there was concrete actual interest. We noticed it in the questions asked of us. Many long conversations, in other words. What struck us? Well, the renovation market is going well. We also heard in the talks that the production of plastic frames for new buildings is holding up reasonably well, although the peak is slightly off. Everything seems to be 'normalizing' a bit again."

The pair says that in the meantime, follow-up from headquarters in Baarn is well underway. So, follow-up calls are taking place.

"Of course, we also wanted to show the latest machines in Ghent. For example, we were on the stand with the Thorwesten Universal Profile type PBZ 4.2, additionally equipped for machining sliding frame profiles. We also presented the SSA steel sawing center as well as the KRUBA CNC HVL Machining Center (the KRUBA 4024, ed.)."

Other machines that generated a lot of interest at the booth were the KRUBA double screw automatic CS-801, for securing the T-joints on the mullions, the plastic profile sawing center (SC-55), the double mitre saw from Pertici (the 500-D2K-22), the two-head welding machine for a normal welded joint (AKS 4310 Urban) as well as the one for the HVL and the straight-on bevel joint (the CUBE). "We also demonstrated the GLS 200-4, the four-headed Urban glass slat sawing machine AND we talked about - and also showed - the latest developments with regard to seamless welding, where additional machining units have been placed in the machine." By this, KRUBA is referring to the AKS-9610 Urban.

Cees and Niels say the order book for the year 2024 is well filled. "We already have our schedule full up to and beyond the construction period. And indeed, we are already filling the schedule for some projects up to the year 2026. So we have a positive feeling about the coming years and it should be clear that everything we were able to experience at Polyclose, that this will continue to have its effect in the time to come."