SCM planers designed for precise cuts

SCM Group has introduced its S630 series of planers designed for use by professional furniture and cabinet shops. The 24" planers have an electronic readout for table positioning and adjustable rollers in a cast-iron table before and after the cutterhead. The S630 series also has a steel sectional infeed roller to allow different thicknesses to be fed at the same time and four speed changes (20, 33, 43, and 56 fpm) to allow for better finishes for different types of materials. Both machines operate with a 12-hp three-phase motor.

{loadposition position10}

"Our machines have a huge 11-3/4" thickness capacity," says Michael Kahn, SCM product manager. "The S630 ES Class planer features a helical insert cutterhead, while the S630 ET Class planer is equipped with a Tersa four-knife insert cutterhead.

"The Tersa system is a quick-change knife design that uses four straight knives, which are double-sided and disposable. When one side goes dull, you simply tap down the locking wedges behind the knife, pull it straight out, turn it over and replace it in the same slot. You do not need to set the height of the blade. It sets itself and locks itself into place through centrifugal force when you turn on the machine.

"The spiral cutterhead on the S630 ES Class uses a spiral, staggered design to improve efficiency of chip extraction and offers a shearing action which provides a clean cut. Each knife provides a shearing cut and the space between the knives is maximized for chip flow. Each replaceable knife has four sides to use, and they are each disposable. If you damage a knife on the S630 ES Class, you only need to replace that particular knife."

The SCM planers have a two-speed movement for raising or lowering the table, digital LED readout of the working thickness and a steel-sectioned infeed roller and rubber outfeed roller.

"There is a fast speed to move the table quickly from very large thicknesses to very small thicknesses and vice versa," Kahn says. "The slower speed is used when you get close to the desired planing thickness to more accurately control stopping the table at the right thickness position. This makes changing planing thicknesses much more efficient."

The S630 E Class planers are meant to be used in a production environment and can go multiple shifts.

"The S630 E Class can be used in both furniture and cabinet shops. Basically any shop which buys lumber and not just sheet goods must have both a jointer and a planer," explains Kahn. "The cost difference between buying rough or canted lumber which has already been planed is quite large. Shops also must keep in mind that lumber which has already been planed is never as flat as they like. In certain millwork operations (furniture shops and door specialists), the jointer and planer are essential. Having a 24" planer is more versatile than having a smaller planer and it is more practical."

Contact: SCM Group USA, 2475 Satellite Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096. Tel: 800-292-1850. www.scmgroup-usa.com

This article originally appeared in the April 2010 issue.