Short answers to the questions aluminium and PVC joinery workshops ask most often before buying a machine. Cannot find what you need? Call +40 712 641 983 or write on WhatsApp.
What machines do I need to start an aluminium window and door workshop?
An aluminium workshop has four basic operations: cutting the profiles, machining (holes and routing for locks and handles), assembling the corners and clearing the swarf. For these you need a cutting saw, a copy router or a CNC machining centre, a corner crimping machine and an industrial extractor. The models depend on how many windows and doors you build and on the profiles you use. To see the whole range, there is the A–Z list of LGF machines.
What is the difference between a single-head and a double-head saw?
A single-head saw cuts one end of the profile per cycle and the angle is changed by tilting the head; it suits small workshops and cuts at varied angles. A double-head saw cuts both ends of the profile in the same cycle, so it is faster on series of windows and doors. See the single-head saws and the double-head saws.
What do manual, semi-automatic and electronic (Digit) mean on LGF saws?
On semi-automatic models (for example Gamma MX) the moving head is moved with the handwheel and the dimension is read on a graduated scale. On electronic models (Digit, for example Gamma Digit) the head is moved by a motor, controlled by an electronic positioner with a screen, which also reads cutting lists from USB. The more cuts you make at the same angle, the more the electronic version pays off.
CNC machining centre or copy router: which one do I choose?
A copy router (for example Tiger SA or Tiger M) is more compact and suits holes and routing for locks and handles. A CNC machining centre (Phoenix, Orion) works on 4 axes, with vices and an automatic tool magazine, and machines long profiles from 2.5 m up to 7 m. If you machine few short profiles, start with the router; for high volume and long profiles, choose the CNC centre. See the CNC centres and the copy routers.
Can I also machine PVC, steel or stainless steel with LGF machines?
It depends on the machine, so check the datasheet of each model. The copy routers Tiger SA, Tiger M and Tiger CNC are recommended for aluminium, light alloys, PVC and steel and stainless steel tubes, while Apis M / Apis A is built for PVC. The saws in this range are for aluminium and PVC profiles. For bending steel tubes there is Roll.
What is a corner crimping machine for?
Crimping joins the corners of aluminium profile frames with corner cleats, under pressure, without welding. Hermes (pneumatic, with two pneumatic vices) and Scriba (more compact, 270 kg) have a stamping force of 3,500 kgf and work with all ranges of aluminium profiles. See the whole corner crimping machines category.
Why do I need a measuring conveyor next to the saw?
The conveyor supports the profile and gives you the cutting length: the stop is moved to the required dimension and the saw cuts exactly that length. Digirol has a programmable motorised stop that stores up to 99 lengths, while Visirol and Toprol have a stop moved by hand with a handwheel. Serol has free rollers and is fitted on the loading side. All are in the measuring conveyors category.
Which machine do I choose for wide profiles or curtain walls?
For wide profiles, Hydra Digit (electronic) and Hydra MX (semi-automatic) have blades of up to 530 mm and the cutting dimension stays exact whatever the profile height; among single-head saws, Vega cuts wide profiles of up to 400 mm. For curtain walls, Alfa and Alfa 55 are notching machines with two tilting blades. See also the curtain wall notching machines.
How do I ask for a quote for several machines or a complete line?
On the Request a quote page you tick all the machines you are interested in, by category, and tell us in the message what you produce. You can also add machines as you browse: every machine page has an “Add to quote request” button and the list fills in the form by itself. All the ticked machines reach us in a single message.
What information should I send for a quote?
It helps to tell us: what you build (windows, doors, façades, curved joinery), from which materials (aluminium, PVC), how long your longest profiles are, how many pieces you make per day or per month and which machines you already have. With this we suggest suitable models, not the whole range. You can also call or write on WhatsApp at +40 712 641 983.
Can I see the technical specifications before asking for a quote?
Yes. Every machine has its own page, with technical specifications, standard equipment and what can be ordered on request, plus the PDF datasheet to download. Start from the Machines page or from the A–Z list.