Energy Panel Structures (EPS), based in Graettinger (Iowa), is a recognized leader as a manufacturer of engineered buildings. The history of this company began in 1981 in Albert Lea, in Minnesota, with the production of insulated wall panels for the agricultural market. Since that time, EPS has diversified into the commercial and industrial markets. After three expansions the company moved in 1988 to Graettinger, to a new 40,000 square foot plant designed specifically for the manufacturing of insulated panels. Since the move to Graettinger, EPS has expanded multiple times, to a total of over 175,000 square feet of manufacturing and over 50,000 square feet of warehouse space. Within this EPS manufactures Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) of many sizes and thicknesses, which represent its main core business.
We had a chance to find out more about the Graettinger factory thanks to “Brad the Builder”, a famous youtuber who has been building custom homes for over 35 years. He visited the company for his video “The Building secret behind my luxury dream Shop” where Tim Lyle, District sales Manager of Energy Panel Structures, and Mike Mattison, VP Sales and Marketing, tell about the company, the strengths of its products and the advanced technologies used to make its SIPS panels, including an “area” CNC machining centre by SCM.
The youtuber was particularly impressed by the variety of projects realised with SIPs panels, ranging from ultra-modern residential homes, such as a lake house that won awards at both SIPA - Structurally Insulated Panel Association and the National Home Builders Association, to dental clinics and commercial structures. Despite the common idea that SIPs panels are modular and square, the reality is that they are extremely versatile and suitable for creating unique, customised buildings.
The production process: an SCM “area” to ensure that all components are precise and ready to be assembled on site
Energy Panel Structures produces these panels in a controlled environment, ensuring superior quality and optimal insulation. The use of advanced machines allows for the creation of highly customised and well-insulated panels, perfect for optimising the production and for fixing the needs of energy- efficient structures for agricultural, residential and commercial buildings. Several technological solutions are used to optimise the production of SIPs panels and each machine is used at various stages of the process.
Once the panel base is ready, a moisture- activated polyurethane glue is applied, that must be put under pressure in a press for about 18 minutes. The panel, once compressed, undergoes a process of transformation into doors, windows and other structural components. For some of the machining, the company uses advanced machinery to achieve precise cuts for joists and trusses, including holes for cables and other necessary details. That’s where an SCM “area” cnc machining centre comes in. It ensures that all elements are precise and ready to be assembled into finished panels.
“The main advantages of the SCM ‘area’ is precision: no human measuring for sizes/ cutouts, speed of cutting, and reliability of the machine” state Tim and Mike.
“We chose this CNC machining centre because we wanted a machine designed to do the custom work needed that very few manufacturers in the industry could do for us.”
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