Capital Machine was founded by Louis Koss in 1887. Louis Koss began a family tradition by emphasizing quality and durability in every machine. This philosophy of building the best, most solid, dependable equipment to do the job right, through years of service continues today.
Bill Koss, President of Capital Machines International since 1994, is dedicated to carrying this philosophy into the 21st century. Capital machines built as long ago as 1905 are still in service producing fine quality veneer every day. Capital machines are at work around the clock all over the world.
Capital’s tradition of quality continues with new state-of-the-art technology to meet the most exacting standards while increasing production. Capital- the cutting edge for the veneer industry.
Capital Ideas
Through the years Capital has been the leader in manufacturing face veneer cutting machines. As a matter of fact there are more Capital vertical slicers in operation today around the world than all other makers combined! Why? Because Capital is committed to manufacturing the finest, most durable, most dependable veneer slicers available. This commitment has kept Capital first in manufacturing and first with Capital ideas for product development.
When you combine these Capital ideas with the fact that Capital slicers have consistently produced smoother veneers because Capital uses special heavy, vibration-dampening cast iron for base, frame, knife bar and pressure cap, instead of fabricated steel, you know why Capital Machines are “the cutting edge for the veneer industry.”
1897: First to develop the adjustable pressure bar. Still not equaled by anyone else.
1904: First to develop the vertical veneer slicer. Result: better quality veneers, less floor space needed, safer for operating personnel, and much higher production.
1904: Dependable screw dogging of flitches. Even the oldest Capital veneer slicers in use (75 to 85 years old) are easily converted to hydraulic dogging later.
1905: First to develop automatic knife bar offset.
1915: First to develop the truss bar system to stabilize the pressure cap.
1917: First to develop self-contained transmissions and drive systems.
1937: Patented first hydraulic dogging of flitches.
1937: Patented first hydraulic offset knife bar movement.
1937: Introduced non-metallic surface main bearings for long life and quick restoration of accuracy to carriage and flitch table.
1950: Pioneered Stellite© pressure bars instead of carbon steel or stainless steel.
1956: Introduced eddy current drives and solid state controls, lowering energy consumption and reducing maintenance (doesn’t require an engineer for repairs.)
1963: Capital first to offer stainless steel (Stainres©) slicer knives.
1967: Introduced special knife edge protectors and knife pre-heating capability.
1969: First and only maker to develop constant temperature knife bar and pressure cap to produce blue stain-free veneers. System patented world-wide.
1969: First to develop distortion-free knife bar and pressure cap. Higher production and smoother veneers.
1970: First to develop operator or automatic remote-controlled extension dogging. Choice of 4-in. or 7in. extensions. Allows angling of flitches.
1970: First to develop automatic pressure reduction to prevent backing board breakage and increase yield.
1975: First and only manufacturer to perfect vacuum flitch table and to reduce backing boards to 6mm. (Vacuum active only where flitch contacts vacuum cells.)
1979: First to develop recirculating ball bearing feed screws for slicer carriage in and out movement.
1980: Capital vertical slicers built any year in the past can be fitted with all the new features. When you own a Capital veneer slicer, it is not necessary to purchase a new machine every five years.
1983: Direct drying conveyors to dryers developed.
1983: Hydraulic flitch pushers developed.
1986: Computer controlled veneer thickness, feed and pressure bar to knife relationship.
1986: Capital veneer turnover systems developed.
1988: Double sided flitch planners for slicers and staylog lathes. Increases yield and production.
1991: Sine wave veneer clippers for dry pack clipping developed.
1991: Master measuring system developed for export veneer bundles.
1993: Automatic adjustment of knife lead angle developed.
1993: Logsoft™ computerized log buying system developed.
1993: Veneersoft™ computerized veneer inventory system developed.