FDM NovDec 2011

Furniture Design And Manufacturing Asia Established Since 1986

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

Going East:

State Of The French Timber Industry

Short Cycle Press:

The Will To Press On

Wood-Based Panels:

Poised Against Moist

Design Gems From Nanjing

ENQUIRY NO. 263

Innovation Innovation hashas been been in in ourour genes genes since since 1873 1873

m e d i e n f o r m e r.de

m e d i e n f o r m e r.de

P A PNAE N L EPLL A P LNAT N S TS Even today, after more than 130 years, one thing above all drives us when we build complete lines for the wood panel industry: the development of concepts and technologies which not only satisfy but also delight our clients. To reduce material and energy costs, to boost productivity, or to ease the burden on the environment with intelligent solutions, for example. This is what we live for – now and in the future.

www.dieffenbacher.com

ENQUIRY NO. 262

Furniture Design And Manufacturing Asia Established Since 1986

Contents November/december 2011 • VOL. 23 NO. 8

Focus

16 For Protection & Repair

Self-healing, polymer nanocomposite coatings not only have the ability to protect substrates from damage, but also have the capability to repair the surface through the application of heat. By Dr Robert A Iezzi, Dr Runqing Ou, Ken Eberts, Daniel Eberly and Sau-Pei Lee, NEI Corporation

20 Wrapping It Up

Profile wrapping laminates decorative surfaces onto substrates in lineal form. Different intended use of the end product will require adjustments in wrapping materials and adhesive types. By Dr Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam, FIWSc

24 Gluing For Optimal Bondline Quality

With the advent of methods for narrow-surface lamination making use of laser or plasma technology, there is again a strong focus on bondline quality and ‘zero bondline’. Developments in both machinery and adhesives aim to optimise the process further. By Andreas Kanz, Henkel

16 20 Technology 28

The trends in plywood manufacturing and design show that there is a need to produce more effective plywood constructions with less material and energy consumption. Load bearing structures in the furniture, building and machining industries can be improved with curved designs. By Janis Šliseris and Dr Karlis Rocens, Riga Technical University

24 32

2 FDM Asia

Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

The Future Of Plywood Production

The Will To Press On

Short cycle lamination may be a simple process, but flexible press line solutions offered by suppliers can help increase production volume while addressing safety and environmental concerns, ensuring a quicker return on investment. By Matteo Manghi, Pagnoni Impianti

32 PANELS 36

Poised Against Moist

The protection of wood panels, especially those used outdoors, from moisture is an investment worth undertaking. By Shahnawaz Abdul Hamid

36

Cut your cost With the new ContiRoll速 generation 8

Top technology for virtually isobaric operation.

ENQUIRY NO. 261

Save up to 15% in material!

www.siempelkamp.com

Contents November/december 2011 • VOL. 23 NO. 8

SURFACES & FLOORING 40

More Haste Less Speed

Innovation has helped transform and advance the timber industry.

But as previous experiences have shown, more care must be given to ensure a product has been fully tested for its intended end use. By Peter Kaczmar, Timber Research and Development Association

WOODS & SUSTAINABILITY 50

Representing 50 percent of European stands, French hardwood has seen tremendous growth in export volume in Asia, aided by growing demand and responsible forest management. By Thibaud Le Moign, FrenchTimber

FURNITURE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY 44

The Decorative Prowess Of Melamine

Melamine laminates have been extensively used to give engineered wood panels a decorative finish similar to those found on solid wood. By Shahnawaz Abdul Hamid

Going East: State Of The French Timber Industry

52 Challenges &

Adaptations In The US Hardwood Industry

The 2007 recession has profound impact on the US hardwood industry. As a survey has revealed, the shifts in demand and consumer preferences have caused necessary adjustments by the industry. By Omar Espinoza, University of Minnesota, Urs Buehlmann and Robert Smith, Virginia Tech

48 Design Gems From

Nanjing

At the Annual AHEC Convention in China, guest speakers share their words of wisdom and inspiration for design through a collection of presentations.

By Michael Buckley, Turnstone Singapore

Regulars 06 Editorial 08 Industry News 70 Calendar Of Events 71 Product Highlights 72a Enquiry Form 72b Subscription Form

72 Page

advertisers’ enquiry numbers.

Events & Exhibitions Exhibition Review: 56 FMC China 60 Aseanwood Woodtech 61 VDMA Management Seminar Exhibition Preview: 62 Exhibition Outlook 2012

56 48

52

Established in 1986, FDM Asia, formerly Asia Pacific Forest/Timber Industries, is a business magazine on sawmilling, woodworking, woodbased panels and furniture manufacturing. The Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising material and assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited artwork or manuscripts. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the magazine, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the prior written consent, not unreasonably withheld, of the publisher. Reprints of articles appearing in previous issues of the magazine are available on request, subject to a minimum quantity.

The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the Publisher and while every attempt will be made to ensure the accuracy

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The Academy TheChinese Chinese Academy of of Forestry Forestry

MICA (P) NO. 041/11/2011 • PPS 1204/06/2012 (022758) • ISSN 0219-2284

We are an expert supplier of MDF, PB and OSB production lines, with a good performance of 140 complete lines in China and export markets, due to our innovative technology and high accuracy of manufacturing ability.

Product in good demand:  Size 4’ X 16’ and 18 layer multi-opening production line with 150,000 cubic meter capacity per year (samply factory can visit)  Size 4’ X 8’ and 30 layer multi-opening production line with 120,000 cubic meter capacity per year (samply factory can visit)  100,000-200,000 cubic meter capacity per year continuous pressproduction line (200,000 capacity samply factory trail run in this year)

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Greener Year Ahead

T

managing director

Kenneth Tan

kentan@epl.com.sg

editor

Tjut Rostina

tjutrostina@epl.com.sg

assistant editor

Wong Tsz Hin

wongtszhin@epl.com.sg

writer

Shahnawaz Abdul Hamid

shahnawaz@epl.com.sg

editorial assistant

he end of 2011 marks the conclusion of the International Year of Forests.

While we would probably have to wait until next year for the official figures to see how many of the objectives have been achieved, indications suggest that the campaign has been effective.

At the very least, countries around the world are taking steps to address sustainable forest management issues by enforcing more stringent control and implementing supervision policy and regulations.

The green movement is nothing new, but it is encouraging to see that the public is now more informed to question the reliability of environmental claims beyond the superficial level. Green products are not just merely products manufactured with sustainable materials. Their environmental effectiveness encompasses every process in the production chain.

On the market front, uncertainty persists especially in the European region. For a moment, the European Union appears to have found a resolution, only for Greece to throw everything back into chaos by deciding to hold a referendum before accepting the debt restructuring package.

The volatile conditions overseas have been reflected by the decrease in sales and orders. After a promising first seven months, countries and companies are readjusting their forecasts for the rest of the year to accommodate the expected decline. However, it is important to note that the overall performance of this year is still better than last year.

Recovery will be more gradual, but growth should remain. The survival of Asian enterprises will hinge on how well domestic markets can be developed. Companies can no longer rely on export to western countries as the core of their businesses. The reduction in overseas orders will give opportunity to manufacturers to explore the domestic markets and come up with products that satisfy local requirements.

The year 2011 has no doubt been an eventful one. As we move towards the holiday season, the FDM Asia team would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support this year. May you have a wonderful and prosperous 2012 ahead.

Lena Chin

lenachin@epl.com.sg

senior graphic designer

Agness Ng

agnessng@epl.com.sg

advertising sales manager

Sim Eric

simeric@epl.com.sg

business manager (China)

Ding Yongmei

ding@epl.com.sg

assistant business manager (China)

Yumi Gui

sales.fdmc@epl.com.sg

senior circulation executive

Brenda Tan

brendatan@epl.com.sg

contributors

Andreas Kanz Daniel Eberly Janis Ĺ liseris Dr Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam Dr Karlis Rocens Ken Roberts Matteo Manghi Michael Buckley Omar Espinoza Peter Kaczmar Dr Robert A Iezzi Robert Smith Dr Runqing Ou Sau-Pei Lee Thibaud Le Moign Urs Buehlmann

Executive Board chairman

Stephen Tay

group executive director

Kenneth Tan

financial controller

Robbin Lim

etm

Happy Holidays!

Eastern

Trade Media Pte Ltd an Eastern Holdings Ltd company

Wong Tsz Hin

6 FDM Asia nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Head Office & Mailing Address: Eastern Trade Media Pte Ltd 1100 Lower Delta Road, EPL Building #02-05, Singapore 169206 Tel: (65) 6379 2888 Fax: (65) 6379 2805 Representative Office Shanghai, China Office: Shanghai New Eastern Media Co. Ltd 15D Block B, Victoria Plaza, No. 1068, Xikang Road, Shanghai, P.R, China 200060 Tel: (86 21) 6276 8394 Fax: (86 21) 6276 4170

ENQUIRY NO. 264

I N D U S T R Y

Industry News

News

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

Malaysia’s Wood Product Export To Hit US$6 billion b0jangles

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Malaysia’s wood and wood-based product export is expected to be around RM20 billion (US$6.39 billion) to RM21 billion this year, according to the Bernama. This will equal last year’s export totalling RM20.5 billion.

Deputy minister of plantation industries and commodities, Datuk Hamzah Zainudin, said the projection was in tandem with the sluggish global economic climate influencing demand and exports.

“The main recipient countries that receive our timber exports like the US, Japan and several European nations are grappling with economic crisis, thus demand from them are uncertain at the moment. Earlier, we projected our timber export value to increase by six to seven percent this year, but if we can maintain last year’s export volume, I think it’s good enough.”

On the domestic market, Hamzah said that the local timber

he told reporters after opening a national seminar on timber

consumption was about RM7 billion a year, with the housing

industry in the Industrial Building System (IBS).

sector being the biggest contributor to the figure. To encourage

Hamzah said political uncertainties in several Middle East

higher use of local timber and boost its export value, the

countries are also expected to influence timber exports value

Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) has embarked on a

as several countries from that region imported timber and

replanting programme to plant 25,000 timber trees of various

timber-derived products from Malaysia.

species every year.

CNFA To Launch Blue Book On Furniture Shanghai, China: China National Furniture Association (CNFA) will be launching a blue book on furniture materials to provide clear analysis and strategy to establish and develop the industry.

The Chinese furniture manufacturing sector has seen phenomenal growth of 20 percent per annum for the last 20 years. In 1978, the total trade volume of the industry was RMB1.08 billion (US$170 million). The figure grew to

development, the furniture material

suggestions, increase competitiveness

RMB4.1 billion in 1988 and breached

industry faces “unclear situation, market

by aligning with international standards,

the RMB800 billion mark in 2010. China

uncertainty, improper management and

study production chain and establish

has become a major furniture making

erratic development”.

a system for sustained growth. The

and export country in the world.

However, despite its rapid

8 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

The blue book will analyse the current situation, identify problems, offer remedial

book is expected to be released by the fourth quarter this year.

Industry News

Biesse To Acquire The Centre Gain Group

collaboration with its existing subsidiary

Hong Kong: Biesse, the multinational

— will become the holder of 30 percent

in Shanghai, the Biesse Group intends to

company based in Pesaro which operates

of the vehicle utilised for the acquisition

reinforce its presence in a region that is

in the market for wood, glass and stone

(for HKD 4.5 million) and will assume the

important and significant both in terms

processing machinery and systems, has

position of CEO.

of existing potential and medium term opportunities.

signed a contract to acquire, through its

Chris Kwong has been active for 25

subsidiary Biesse HK, 100 percent of the

years in the wood processing machinery

China currently represents the world’s

Centre Gain Group of Hong Kong for a

industry in China. The group has been active

leading market for wood processing

consideration HK$105 million (US$13.5

since 2004 and generated consolidated

machinery and, given that there is no

million).

revenues for the 2010 financial year of

technological overlap, the current industrial

about €12 million.

output of the acquired company will

One of the three founding shareholders of the Centre Gain Group — Chris Kwong

Through this transaction, and from

broaden the group’s range of equipment.

Jakarta, Indonesia: Indonesia posted

government had set a US$380 million

a 26 percent rise in trade deals

target for the event.

expectations during a five-day trade expo in Jakarta, according to Jakarta Globe.

Paragon Apartment

Furniture Helps Indonesia Post Increase In Trade Furniture accounted for 40.8 percent of the total trade agreements.

Other goods that dominated Trade

Total agreements rose to US$464.5

Expo Indonesia include agricultural

million this year from US$369.3

products, which accounted for 10.3

million last year, a trade ministry

percent, handicrafts with 9.4 percent

official said.

and jewellery at 7.8 percent.

“Trade deals exceeded the target,

More than 8300 buyers from

with furniture products leading the

92 countries attended this year’s

transactions,’’ Bayu Krishnamurthi,

trade expo, the 26th edition of the

deputy trade minister, said. The

annual event.

New Zealand Wood Panels Production Grows Wellington, New Zealand: The ministry

export volumes this quarter — compared

this quarter to 516,000 cubic metres. Wood

of agriculture and forestry has released

with 53.7 percent in the same quarter

panel exports to Japan accounted for 48.2

forestry production and trade figures for

last year.

percent of total panel export volumes

Sawn timber production, meanwhile,

this quarter, up from 40 percent in the

The statistics show that roundwood

continues to be impacted by high

June 2010 quarter. Exports to Japan of

removals reached an estimated 6.9 million

domestic log prices and weak domestic

fibreboard, plywood and particleboard

cubic metres during the quarter. This is

and international demand. It fell by 7.8

were also up.

the ninth consecutive quarter of growth

percent to 990,000 cubic metres during

underpinned by the large volume of log

the quarter.

the April to June 2011 quarter.

The earthquakes experienced in Canterbury since September 2010 have

A pickup in demand from Japan,

so far had no discernable effect on total

Demand from China continues to

where wood is traditionally used for

sawn timber production figures, but

dominate New Zealand’s log market,

housing construction, has helped push

demand is expected to lift once the rebuild

accounting for 59.6 percent of total log

up total panel production by 9.9 percent

of affected areas commences.

exports.

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

9

Washington, US: Weyerhaeuser Company reported net

Canadian Partnership Supports Wood Pellet Exports

earnings of US$157 million for the third quarter on net

British Colombia,

sales from continuing operations of US$1.6 billion. This

Canada: The Wood

compares with net earnings of US$1.116 billion on net sales

Pellet Association

from continuing operations of US$1.5 billion for the same

of Canada and

period last year.

the Quebec Wood

Weyerhaeuser Reports Earnings Of US$157 Million

Alternate Heat

Industry News

Earnings for the third quarter, 2011, include after-tax gains

Export Bureau’s Wood Pellet Group announced that they are

of US$91 million from special items, including an US$83 million

joining forces to support and develop wood pellet exports in

benefit related to foreign tax credits. Excluding these items,

Eastern Canada.

the company reported net earnings of US$66 million.

The agreement will allow wood pellet group members to

Timberlands segment’s earnings declined US$50 million

benefit from the Canadian association, which includes monitoring,

in the third quarter compared with the second quarter.

information collection and support to the development of the

Earnings from disposition of non-strategic timberlands

Canadian wood pellet industry. The partnership could be a

declined to US$4 million, compared with US$32 million in

significant boon to the wood pellet export industry in the Eastern

the previous quarter. Average selling prices for Western

region of Canada.

logs were lower due to weakening Chinese and domestic markets. Selling prices for Southern logs also declined.

“The main objective of the group is to strengthen the network of Quebec wood pellet producers mainly because of the strong

Cellulose fibers segment’s third quarter earnings

competition existing on both North American and European

improved by US$55 million compared with second quarter.

markets,” said Pierre Tremblay, chairman of the group and general

Maintenance costs decreased and production increased

manager of Lauzon Recycled Wood Energy. “This is why Quebec

as the segment had no annual maintenance outages,

wood pellet producers, like the entire Canadian industry, must

compared with four planned outages in the second quarter.

double their efforts to consolidate their gains on local markets

These improvements were partially offset by lower selling

and to increase access to new overseas markets.”

prices for pulp.

Virginia, US: Lumber Liquidators, a

new store locations in 2011, including six

specialty retailer of hardwood flooring

opened during the third quarter. Gross

in the US, has announced its financial

margin was 35.6 percent in the third

results for the third quarter and nine

quarter of 2011, an increase from 35.2

months ended September 30, 2011.

percent in the third quarter of 2010. Gross

Net sales increased 16.8 percent to

margin benefited from the continued

US$172.0 million in the third quarter of

implementation of sourcing initiatives,

2011 from US$147.2 million in the third

partially offset by net sales mix shifts and

quarter of 2010. Comparable store net

higher net transportation costs.

Andy Franklin

Lumber Liquidators Sees Increased Sales In 2011

sales increased three percent for the

As the company has previously

third quarter of 2011, in comparison

announced, it entered into an agreement

to a decrease of 5.7 percent for

to acquire certain assets of Sequoia

the third quarter of the prior year.

Floorings relating to quality control and

Net sales at non-comparable stores

assurance, product development and

increased US$20.3 million over the

logistics operations in China. As a part of

October 2011, and assumed direct

prior year period.

the transaction, the company established

control of sourcing previously managed

a representative office in Shanghai in

by Sequoia.

The company has opened 33

10 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Industry News

Haiku Designs Upgrade Asian Furniture Website Brian Jeffrey Beggerly, Singapore

Colorado, US: Haiku Designs, an online retailer of Asian furniture, announced the launch of an improved website.

The company is a retailer of eco-friendly Asian furniture and natural bedroom furniture sets. By upgrading the current website, it will give users a new experience. The design reflects the contemporary aspects of its business and furniture, and provides better functionality when browsing the site.

Each of the main product categories is labelled and displayed with photos of featured items, so those searching for sleeper sofas, for example, are instantly directed to that product page where they can find them.

Nancy Sims

USDA Study Shows Benefits Of Wood Constructions Washington, US: The US Department of Agriculture

According to the agency, sustainability of forest products

(USDA) has released findings from a study that support

can be verified using any credible third-party rating system,

the environmental and economic benefits of using wood

such as Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship

in green building construction.

Council or American Tree Farm System.

The study, ‘Science Supporting the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Using Wood and Wood Products in Green Building Construction’, says a recent lifecycle analysis found that harvesting, transporting, manufacturing, and using wood in lumber and panel products in building yields fewer emissions — including greenhouse gases — than the resource extraction, manufacture and use of other common building materials.

It says that sustainable forest management can produce stronger, healthier forests that serve as a ‘carbon sink’ to clean air of greenhouse gases and purify drinking water for wildlife and US municipal water systems. Harvested trees can find value in wood products and systems for green building construction that continue to benefit the environment.

The report also says research can advance the use of wood in green buildings through development of new product technologies such as cross laminated timber (CLT), which allows large, solid-wood structural panels to be factory manufactured from low-value, small-diameter trees and trees killed by insects and disease. These developments can support forest conservation management by providing revenue to reduce treatment costs on forest land needing ecological restoration.

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

11

Industry News

Tension Wood Study Broadens Biofuel Research

UFPI Increases Earnings By 117%

Tennessee, US: Taking a cue from mother nature,

of US$5.6 million, or US$0.29 per diluted share, up

researchers at the department of energy’s BioEnergy

from net earnings of US$2.6 million, or US$0.13 per

Science Center have undertaken a study of a naturally

diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010.

occurring phenomenon in trees to spur the development of more efficient bioenergy crops.

Tension wood, which forms naturally in hardwood

Michigan, US: Universal Forest Products has announced its third quarter 2011 results, including net earnings

Net sales of US$468.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 were down 2.4 percent from net sales of US$480.6 million for the same period of last year.

US Army Corps of Engineer Europe District, Wiesbaden, Germany

trees in response to bending stress, is known to possess unique features that render it desirable as a bioenergy feedstock. Although individual elements of tension wood have been studied previously, the research team is the first to use a comprehensive suite of techniques to systematically characterise tension wood and link the wood’s properties to sugar release. Plant sugars, known as cellulose, are fermented into alcohol for use as biofuel.

The work, published in Energy & Environmental Science, describes tension wood properties including an increased number of woody cells, thicker cell walls, more crystalline forms of cellulose and lower lignin levels, all of which are desired in a biofuel crop.

Tension wood in poplar trees has a special type of cell wall that is of interest because it is composed of more than 90 percent cellulose, whereas wood is

The company grew sales in three of its five markets:

normally composed of 40 to 55 percent cellulose.

commercial construction and concrete forming, industrial,

An increase in the cellulose in feedstock material

and manufactured housing. The residential construction

can potentially extract more sugars as the quality

and retail building materials markets continue to be

of the wood has changed. The study has confirmed

soft and saw sales decline in the third quarter of 2011

this phenomenon.

compared to a year ago.

The study’s cohesive approach also provides a

By market, the company posted gross sales results

new perspective on the natural plant barriers that

of US210.9 million from retail building materials for

prevent the release of sugars necessary for biofuel

the quarter, a decrease of 5.4 percent from the same

production, a trait scientists term as recalcitrance.

period last year. Unit sales to this market declined

Using the current study as a model, the researchers

two percent as consumer demand remained soft.

are extending their investigation of tension wood

Sales to big box customers declined while sales to

down to the molecular level and hope to eventually

regional retailers grew.

unearth the genetic basis behind its desirable physical

The Home Improvement Research Institute states

features. Although tension wood itself is not considered

that acceleration in the growth of home improvement

to be a viable feedstock option, insight gleaned

products will be held back by continuing weakness

from studying its unique physical and molecular

in the housing market, and calls for growth of home

characteristics could be used to design and select

improvement product sales averaging 3.7 percent

more suitably tailored bioenergy crops.

over 2012-2013.

12 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

manuarmata

Industry News

FIRA Announces New Furniture Hardware Standards Hertfordshire, UK: FIRA has published a new

mechanism is defined as a mechanism

standard for furniture hardware: ‘BS EN 16014:

that limits access to an item of storage

2011-10-06 Hardware for furniture. Strength

furniture and requires a key or combination

and durability of locking mechanisms’.

to unlock it.

This standard contains strength, durability

The standard does not contain

and corrosion test requirements for all

requirements for latching mechanism

types of locking mechanisms used in

(which are means of holding doors closed

storage furniture.

that will require a second action to open

For the purpose of the standard, a locking

them, but not a key/combination).

Intertek Expands With Furniture Testing Facility In France

Stora Enso Reports Profit Of US$297 Million

Heudebouville, France: Intertek, a provider of quality and

items (NRI) and fair valuations, at €204 million (US$297.4

safety services to a wide range of industries around the

million), reflecting a €51 million reduction year-on-year

world, has expanded its services in Europe with a furniture

due to cost inflation and unfavourable exchange rates,

testing laboratory.

that are partially offset by higher sales prices.

Helsinki, Finland: Stora Enso has released this third quarter results which saw operating profit, excluding non-recurring

Located in the north of France, the facility at Villeneuve

The company forecast demand for consumer board to

d’Ascq, is strategically situated to support major furniture

be weaker than to a year ago, as well as seasonally weaker

distribution activities in the European region.

than in the previous quarter. Weaker demand for wood

The laboratory offers a wide range of cost and time

products is anticipated.

Prices are expected to be stable for consumer board

furniture, garden furniture, kitchen furniture, bathroom

and lower for industrial packaging. In Europe prices are

furniture, upholstery and bedding.

forecast to be stable for newsprint, magazine paper and

The Living Room, Washington, US

efficient tests for many product categories, including:

coated fine paper, slightly lower for uncoated fine paper and lower for wood products.

In consumer board, proactive reduction of customer and own inventories is expected to lead to significantly lower operating profit.

The group expects its cost inflation, excluding internal actions, to remain unchanged at approximately four percent for the full year 2011. Actions continue to mitigate cost inflation. Production curtailments to control inventory levels increased in the third quarter and will continue in

The laboratory tests a range of different furniture

the fourth quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2011, as

items, including kits as well as pre-assembled furniture,

in the third quarter, foreign exchange rates are expected

pieces for both domestic and global distribution and

to have a negative impact on the results.

camping furniture.

In the fourth quarter of 2011 year-on-year higher

The laboratory conducts the following testing: safety

pricing is forecast to be more than offset by diminishing

tests according to safety standards such as EN 14749, NF

cost inflation and significant production curtailments,

60-300-1-2-3D, EN 581-1-2-3, and others; performance tests,

and the group’s operating profit excluding NRI and fair

such as fatigue tests, mechanical tests and impact tests;

valuations is forecast to be somewhat lower than in the

chemical tests on materials used.

fourth quarter of 2010.

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

13

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Protection &Repair Self-healing, polymer nanocomposite coatings not only have the ability to protect substrates from damage, but also have the capability to repair the surface through the application of heat. By Dr Robert A Iezzi, Dr Runqing Ou, Ken Eberts, Daniel Eberly and Sau-Pei Lee, NEI Corporation

A

polymer coating imparts two important functions to the underlying wood substrate. The aesthetic function gives the substrate the desired appearance; the protective function protects the wood from mechanical and chemical damage.

Due to routine use, surface scratches are generated and micro-cracks develop and eventually lead to macroscopic damage, which results in the coating losing its aesthetic and protective functions. Protective coatings on wood are especially intolerant to crack formation because cracks will expose the underlying wood to moisture and corrosive environments, thereby shortening its service life.

The use of a self-healing coating on wood will: (a) preserve the original finish of the wood; (b) increase the service life of the wood; and (c) eliminate the need to frequently refinish the wood. The coating material not only repairs minor surface scratches, but deep scratches as well. The self-healing function is aided in part by the novel morphology of the coating.

A nanocomposite coating system can repair mechanical damage such as scuffs or scratches on wood and other substrates by the application of a small amount of heat.

16 FDM Asia  Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Technical Approach The self-healing technology discussed here is a polymerbased, nanocomposite formulation. The key to the self-healing capability of the coating is its unique polymer morphology.

The coating can be self-healed by the application of warm air for a few seconds by a simple device such as a household hair dryer.

The novel polymer morphology approach offers several advantages: (a) transparent coatings are obtained by controlling the size of structural features at nanoscale; (b) coatings can be healed multiple times at the same defect location; and (c) the properties of the coating, such as hardness and refractive index, can be altered as desired by the specific application.

There is currently a solvent-based, thermally cured version of the nanocomposite self-healing coating and a waterborne, air-dry version. Both are described in the following.

Solvent-Based Version A nanocomposite self-healing polyurethane nanocomposite coating (approximately 25 Âľm thick, thermal cure) was applied to a wood substrate to demonstrate its potential for use on wood furniture, cabinets, decks, etc.

Focus The coating was subjected to reciprocating abrasion by a piece of 240-grit silicon carbide sandpaper under light pressure. The abraded area was then imaged with an optical microscope before and after self-healing with a heat gun.

Figure 1 shows the samples before healing, and after healing for about five seconds at 70-80 deg C.

Gloss Retention Maintaining the high gloss appearance of coatings applied to wood is an important consideration in many applications, such as furniture and cabinets. To gauge the self-healing capacity of Double Rubs (#0000 steel wool under 500 grm load) 100

20˚ Gloss 60˚ Gloss

90 80

After Healing

60 50 40

Figure 1: Nanocomposite polyurethane self-healing coating on wood substrate (approximately 50X)

30

It can be seen in figure 1 that most of the scratches were completely healed. Three deep scratches were not completely healed, most likely because the coating had been penetrated, resulting in damage to the underlying wood.

10

20

0 0

10

50

100

Figure 2: Gloss retention after healing for ten seconds at 70 deg C

ENQUIRY NO. 298

Before Healing

Gloss (GU)

70

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

17

Focus the nanocomposite polyurethane coating, steel samples were coated and severely scuffed by rubbing the coating with #0000 grade steel wool under a 500 grm load for various durations (ie: the amount of double rubs, or reciprocal passes).

After healing the coating at 70 deg C for ten seconds, the gloss was measured at 20 and 60 deg. Figure 2 gives the gloss retention results. Zero rubs in figure 2 represents the initial condition; that is, an undamaged surface. Note in figure 2 that the 60 deg gloss was recovered to nearly its original value even after 50 double rubs, which caused a significant amount of surface damage prior to healing.

After 100 double rubs, 60 deg gloss could be restored to approximately 70 GU, which is still a relatively high gloss value, offering good coating appearance.

Waterborne Version The waterborne, nanocomposite self-healing coating is an air-dry, optically clear, high gloss coating for use over bare or stained wood, paint, plastics and metal. The coating has

Nanocomposite Waterborne Coating

Commercial Waterborne Finish A

Commercial Waterborne Finish B

Figure 5: Comparison of nanocomposite waterborne self-healing coating vs two commercial waterborne air dry coatings; before (left) and after (right) healing with heat gun for ten seconds

Figure 3: Steel wool mar testing of self-healing nanocomposite waterborne coating on wood (Before healing)

Figure 4: Steel wool mar testing of self-healing nanocomposite waterborne coating on wood (After healing)

18 FDM Asia  Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

the same unique self-healing properties as the solvent-based nanocomposite coating.

Upon application of mild heat (approximately 60 deg C) for several seconds, a complete and rapid removal of many types of scratches and swirl marks, which accumulate on the surface with use, is initiated. The coating is especially suited for heavy use surfaces such as wood tables, chairs, furniture, panelling, cabinets, and doors. The self-healing coating can be applied over oil or water-based wood stains and many types of paints.

To evaluate the self-healing performance of the waterborne, air-dry nanocomposite coating on wood, samples were marred with extra fine grade #0000 steel wool under a constant load of 400 grm. Each sample was subjected to ten double rubs, generating extensive haze in the otherwise glossy finish.

Healing was initiated by applying warm air from a heat gun for ten seconds from a distance of 1–2 inches from the coated surface, which raised the surface temperature to 70–80 deg C. The panels were then allowed to cool to room temperature before being evaluated for healing. The results of this test are shown in figures 3 and 4, which show that the coating was completely healed.

Focus The full potential of this technology has yet to be realised.

Future efforts include completion of waterborne and ultravioletcure formulation development, reduction of critical temperature requirements to eventually achieve healing at room temperature, and further optimisation of the coating for use on specific FDM substrates and for specific end uses.

ENQUIRY NO. 8101

ENQUIRY NO. 234

Additional testing was performed to compare the selfhealing characteristics of the nanocomposite waterborne coating to two commercially-available waterborne coatings for wood. The three coatings were applied to steel and air dried.

A scratch was placed into each coating under controlled conditions using a needle stylus (500 grm load) according to ASTM D-5178. To evaluate the self-healing capability, heat was applied to the coated surface with a heat gun for ten seconds. Figure 5 shows the micrographs of the three coatings before (left micrographs) and after healing (right micrographs).

The micrographs in figure 5 show complete healing of the scratch in the nanocomposite coating, partial healing of the scratch with Commercial Coating A and nearly no healing with Commercial Coating B. The partial recovery of the commercial coatings upon application of heat can be attributed to a very limited, heat-assisted release of plastic deformation.

The self-healing, polymer nanocomposite coatings can heal both deep scratches and fine marring on a variety of substrates. The healing capability is based on a novel, proprietary polymer nanocomposite morphology and achieved by applying a small amount of heat to the coated surface, in this case, with a simple heated blower such as a hair dryer or heat gun.

For recoverable damage, there is no known limit to the number of times this self-healing effect may be used, making this technology ideal for protecting surfaces which receive frequent, repeated damage in specific areas. The technology is applicable to a broad range of substrates such as wood, metal, or polymers, especially when it is desirable to maintain a clear, glossy finish. It effectively increases service life & reduces life cycle costs of the various substrates to which it is applied.

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA  Nov/dec 2011

19

Focus

Wrapping It UP

P

rofile wrapping is a process by which a decorative surface is laminated onto a substrate in lineal form. This is done by means of a profile wrapping machine. In the past, decorative surfaces were manually laminated, mainly wood veneer, onto a substrate. The increasing demand for furniture at the beginning of the 1960s saw the release of the profile-wrapping machine. The market pressure due to escalating costs and prices, as well as the increasing requirements from customers regarding surface design, played a substantial role in the invention of this technology.

Profile wrappings can be used on many different substrates, including wood products, wood-based panels, metals, plastics and even composites. Wood products that use profile wrappings include: particleboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF), high density fibreboard (HDF) and plywood.

Even solid wood and wood-composites such as extruded wood are starting to use profile wrapping technology.

20 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Profile wrapping laminates decorative surfaces onto substrates in lineal form. Different intended use of the end product will require adjustments in wrapping materials and adhesive types. By Dr Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam, FIWSc

Common Wrapping Materials (1) Wood Veneer Wood veneers can be divided into two major groups: rotary cut veneer and sliced veneer. Sliced veneer is the most commonly used veneer in profile wrapping. The complexity of the core material dictates the quality of veneer to be used.

Fleece-backed veneers are manufactured by gluing a fleece onto the back of the veneer, making it more flexible.

The quality of symmetric and asymmetric fingerjointed veneer is visible after the lacquering process. In case of a low quality, two different pigmentations are visible. It is possible to avoid different pigmentations by using veneer with an aluminium indicator.

Veneer with an aluminium indicator is always in a roll form. At the joint between the veneer sheets, an aluminium strip is applied. This type of veneer needs to be ordered with a specified sheet length within the roll of veneer. The

Focus sheet length needs to be 25 mm longer then the profile it will be applied on to allow some length variations in the substrate.

The advantage of the aluminium indicator is that there is no fingerjoint on the substrate. This is accomplished by using sensors on the machine to pick up the position of the aluminium indicator at the joint. The signal is used for positioning the substrate to the aluminium indicator in the veneer roll. In the aforementioned way, it is guaranteed that the beginning of the veneer sheet is synchronous with the beginning of the substrate.

(4) Vinyl-Films There are many different types of vinyl available. The most commonly used materials are hard/soft PVC and PP. Vinyl can be a solid colour or have a printed pattern. Different topcoats are available for interior or exterior products.Â

(2) Paper Different paper types are available for profile wrapping. Paper for profile wrapping is usually constructed like a sandwich.

It starts out with the base paper that is also referred to as the backer. The backer is available in different colours and weights.

The second item is a decorative paper. The decorative paper can be solid colour or with a printed pattern. The decorative paper is usually a 30-grm paper. This paper is laminated onto the base paper. The colour of the finished paper is dependent on the colour of the base paper. These papers can range from 30 to 300 grm, or even more. Most commonly used papers are 60 or 80-grm papers. They can be wrapped around very complex profiles and at the same time, they are not as fragile as a 30-grm paper. Paper can be wrapped around sharp edges (with the exception of very heavy papers). Â

(3) Laminates Laminates consists of decorative surface papers, which are impregnated with melamine resins and then pressed over Kraft paper core sheets impregnated with phenolic resin. These sheets are then bonded at pressures greater than 200 kg per sq cm at temperatures approaching 150 deg C. Finished sheets are trimmed, and the backs sanded to facilitate bonding. Laminates are more difficult to wrap in comparison with wrapping paper, because papers are more flexible. The variety of laminates ranges from high-pressure to low-pressure to continuous laminates.

There is a difference in the way these laminates are manufactured as well as in the flexibility of the material.

Sharp edges are not recommended. For the flooring industry, the laminates are coated with aluminium oxide. In case of profile wrapping with laminates, an extremely long wrapping zone is necessary. The temperature of the laminate must amount to, if corners are to be wrapped in the appropriate places, about 300 deg C.

Vinyl films used for interior applications have no special requirements, but for external applications, some requirements are expected of the vinyl films. The vinyl has to be durable against ultraviolet rays. A special vinyl with a wood-similar surface (veneer characteristics) and aluminium-similar surface (aluminium characteristics) is available for exterior application, which is mainly used by the plastic window industry.

The current development is a thermoplastic film for the decorative finishing of windows, doors and other building elements. The film is suitable for climatically difficult regions, because of a higher weather and temperature stability. Also, under difficult conditions, the foil is characterised by an outstanding colour and gloss stability. www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA  Nov/dec 2011

21

Focus hot-melt glue is received during the interlacing of a chemical compound (isocyanates) with the humidity from the air.

After the interlacing is finished (approximately 3-5 days), it is impossible to re-activate and/or to liquefy the glue. The developed adhesive compounds are characterised by extreme temperature and water resistance.

(2) Non-Humidity Sensitive Adhesives Ethylene-Vinyl-Acetate (EVA) The abbreviation EVA depicts a copolymer, which is made of ethyl and vinyl acetate. Since 30 years ago, this has been the basic polymer for hot-melt glues. The cost/performance ratio of EVA is good. Disadvantages of this product group are: the limited resistance to heat (re-activating temperature: 80–100 deg C) and humidity (no exterior use).

Profile wrapping can be used on many substrates, including wood products and wood-based panels.

Adhesives For Profile Wrapping (1) Hot-Melt Hot-melt adhesives is the most common glue used in the profile wrapping industry. Main advantages in comparison with other glue types are: high combination potentialities in the materials and higher transport speed achievable. The difference between filled and unfilled hot-melt glue is not visible. Only the weight is differencing. Filled glue is heavier than water.

The difference between ‘non-humidity-sensitive’ and ‘humidity-sensitive’ adhesives is that ‘humidity-sensitive’

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADHESIVES Adhesive

EVA

APAO / PO PUR

Non humiditysensitive

X

X

Humiditysensitive

APAO-R

X

X

Working 160-200 temperature °C

200-250

120-160

140-190

Re-activating 85-100 temperature °C

115-130

> 200

Not possible

Usual trade form

granulate

granulate

Blocks: 2, 18Kg barrel: 200Kg, granulate

Blocks: 2, 18Kg barrel: 200Kg

Exterior/ interior use

Interior

Interior/ Exterior

Interior/ Exterior

Interior

Amorphous-Poly-Alpha-Olefin (APAO) Several terms are concealed under this name: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polybutylene (PB). For adhesive production, these pure polyolefines (PO) are only mildly suitable.

Larger interest lies in the amorphous polyolefines manufactured in a special procedure as well as their co- and terpolymere, which is then brought into the market under the comprehensive term APAO Water based Solvent or PO in short. glue based glue The main advantage in comparison X X with EVA is the higher heat resistance (re-activating temperature 110–130 deg C). PO is not suitable for exterior applications. Due to a high temperature resistance and, with it, RoomRooma high melting energy demand, the temperature temperature capacities of all available melting Not possible Not possible aggregates are reduced by up to 50 percent.

Liquid Liquid

(3) Humidity-Sensitive Adhesives Interior

Interior/ Exterior

ADHESIVES FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS Substrate

Particle board

MDF

HDF

Plywood

Wood

Extruded wood

Plastic

Metal

Furniture parts (interior)

EVA / PO

EVA / PO

EVA / EVA / PO PO

EVA / PO

EVA / PO

EVA / PUR

EVA / PUR

Furniture parts (kitchen, bath)

PUR

PUR

PUR

PUR

PUR

PUR

PUR

PUR

Panels (interior)

PO

PO

PO

PO

PO

PO

PO

22 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

PUR The abbreviation PUR stands for single component, humidity-reactive polyurethane hot-melts. The glue type fulfils requirements regarding temperature, water, steam, detergent and solvent-resistance. The main advantages compared with EVA and PO is the high heat and water resistance.

PUR adhesives are suitable for interior and exterior use without

Focus the danger of humidity interlacing. Due to the comparatively low working temperature, PUR is most suitable for thin thermoplastic films.

Water-Based Glue (PVA) For water-based glue, the proportion of water can amount to up to 50 percent. This induces some disadvantages compared with hot-melt glue. In production, energy consumption can be high and the production speed can be slow because the water must be evaporated.

Market Demand for Profile Wrapping

The market for profile wrapping technology was growing at a rate of 15 percent in the Asian region.

exception (all materials). PUR glue is offered in block (blocks with 2-18 kg weight) and barrel form (200 kg/barrel). One producer offers PUR-granulate as well. The glue in block form has a smaller surface compared with granulate, which reduce

ENQUIRY NO. 8102

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ENQUIRY NO. 212

your

According to an International Furniture Research Group (IFRG) study published in 2010, it was reported that the market for profile wrapping technology was growing at a rate of 15 percent on the average in the Asian region. This is attributed to the growing use of wood-based panels in the manufacture of value-added wood products, especially furniture and other household products. FDM

23

Focus

Gluing For

Optimal Bondline Quality With the advent of methods for narrow-surface lamination making use of laser or plasma technology, there is again a strong focus on bondline quality and ‘zero bondline’. Developments in both machinery and adhesives aim to optimise the process further. By Andreas Kanz, marketing manager, Henkel

A

s the joining means in conventional edgebanding, the hotmelt is decisive for the quality of gluing and for the achievement of an extra-thin or even invisible bondline.

This is where the processor himself can exercise influence by choosing the right adhesive and applying it correctly.

Processors for whom the investment in laser and plasma techniques is out of the question can benefit not only from longstanding experience with the hotmelt method, but also from innovative and further-developed products.

Adhesive Types & Application Weights Different adhesives are available to suit different substrates and purposes. Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) edgebanding hotmelts, which have been undergoing consistent further development since their introduction almost 50 years ago, are processed with application weights of 200 to 350 grm

24 FDM Asia  Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

per sq m. With a density of 1.2 grm per cubic metres, this yields a bondline thickness of only 0.2 to 0.3 mm.

The application weight depends, first, on the percentage of filler in the adhesive. In machines with the right settings, unfilled hotmelts can achieve considerably lower application weights than hotmelts with a high filler content. Also important are the type of substrate and factors like correct workpiece preparation and finishing.

An EVA hotmelt introduced recently can be processed at much lower temperatures than conventional products, cutting energy costs and minimising vapour generation. Thanks to the low application volume, this adhesive helps to achieve the desired zero bondline appearance.

For particularly high-grade and highly stressed bonds, PU edgebanding hotmelts are employed, and low application weights can be achieved with these as well.

Special developments like granulated PUR hotmelts, which can be processed with conventional melters and applicators, and micro-emission PUR adhesives are now contributing to the steadily growing importance of these adhesives in edgebanding.

Application weights that are even lower than those of unfilled EVA hotmelts and hence markedly improve bondline appearance have now been made possible by

Focus

Thermoplastic polymer-based hotmelt adhesives can improve bondline appearance.

Tried-And-Tested Selection Criteria

1. Machine

In order to select the right adhesive, a number of important factors have to be considered — the available machine, the materials being bonded and the application conditions have to be mutually adapted.

The following five questions have proven useful in formulating a decision:

Which machine is to be used and what effect does it have on bondline appearance?

The adhesive has to be selected on the basis of the chosen application method (roller or nozzle) and of the machine feed system. To facilitate use of edgebanding hotmelts at low application weights, the right roller coding is important.

ENQUIRY NO. 253

edgebanding hotmelt adhesives based on thermoplastic polymers. Another advantage during processing is their high thermal stability and the associated higher heat resistance of the bond.

In terms of bondline appearance, the adhesive’s colour is also significant. To render the bondline invisible as such, it would be ideal to produce the adhesive in the same colour as the substrates being bonded — the panel surface and the edgeband.

However, this is not feasible in practice with conventional methods. Adhesives are usually supplied in their unpigmented form and also frequently in white, brown and black varieties.

For more information,please visit :www.yalianjx.cn

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

25

Focus 2. Manufacturing conditions The processing temperature and the volume of adhesive applied affect the adhesive’s open time, the period in which it can achieve its optimal processing window and final bond strength. Other temperature effects such as excessively cold panels or drafts can also affect bonding.

3. Substrates The two materials involved — the panel material and edgeband — have to be taken into account when choosing the adhesive. The panel in particular has a big effect on adhesive application weights. This is where panel thickness and density profile play a major role.

4. End use The requirements on the adhesive bond depend on ultimate product use, which is therefore, decisive for the choice of adhesive. Thermal stability and resistance to water vapour are important for kitchen and bathroom furniture

as well as for furniture destined for export to regions with hot climates.

5. Cost Crucial for the calculation of cost per m of edgeband is not only the selected adhesive, but also the required application volume. The right balance has to be found. Too little adhesive increases the risk of poor bonding and hence of rejects, while excessive adhesive cannot be neatly removed during post-processing.

With a simple system, it is possible to calculate the precise application weight and immediately determine the optimal machine setting. The thermal stability of the edgebanding hotmelt also has a positive impact on costs as it reduces the cleaning and maintenance effort.

Correct Preparation & Post-Processing Once the processor has chosen the adhesive that best fits the application, it has to be applied such that it will deliver optimal performance. The following points must be borne in mind.

Adhesive application is preceded by workpiece preparation in order to achieve good formatting, the precondition for a neat bondline. Once the right adhesive has been found for the substrates and feed rate, the appropriate application rate has to be set. This has an effect on the thickness of the bondline as well as on the adhesive’s setting time.

The faster the adhesive hardens, the easier mechanical trimming will be. To achieve an attractive bondline appearance, correct adjustment of the pressing zone is important as well.

After the adhesive has been applied, the use of trimming tools, such as scrapers, has a large bearing on joint appearance.

If too much material is removed, the substrates may be damaged, and this can impair joint appearance.

Reaping The Benefits The fact that appearance is now being focused on alongside technical performance when it comes to judging edgebanding quality is demonstrated by the high importance that end users attach to it.

It therefore makes sense to reduce the volume of adhesive as far as possible by considering all the relevant factors when selecting the adhesive and devoting great attention to correct preparation and post-processing. This way, visually appealing joints can be achieved without great technical effort. Advance hotmelt adhesives and control methods offer processors extra scope for boosting quality even further. FDM The requirements on the adhesive bond depend on ultimate product use.

26 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

ENQUIRY NO. 8103

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ENQUIRY NO. 302

Organiser:

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Technology

The

Future Of Plywood Production

The trends in plywood manufacturing and design show that there is a need to produce more effective plywood constructions with less material and energy consumption. Load bearing structures in the furniture, building and machining industries can be improved with curved designs. By Janis Šliseris and Dr Karlis Rocens, Riga Technical University

P

lywood provides a rational use of wood by veneer cutting techniques without sawdust’s and large shapesize variety. Plywood sheet material has increased density and strength stiffness in main directions compared to natural wood.

The typical layups of plywood sheet are zero, 45 and 90 deg, and have been manufactured since the early days with no major changes. From the structural engineering point of view, in many loading cases, these are not the best layups.

For example, in bending, it is necessary to distribute more materials in the outer layers, but in the middle of sheet, veneers with less strength or even voids can be used.

Current tendency in architecture and furniture design shows that it is becoming more common for curve shaped shells to be used for decorative and load bearing functions or sound absorbing properties.

Currently used curved sheets are relatively expensive and

28 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

complicated in comparison with the manufacturing of flat plywood sheets, but an alternative manufacturing technique can be used to produce a wide range of curved plywood elements and plates with corrugated plywood core or even more complicated core structures. This technique can be implemented with the same equipment used for flat plywood sheet production and only minor adjustments are necessary.

Moisture Technology For Curved Sheets Normally, people associate moisture with defects in wood products, such as shrinkage, cracks, warping and other shapesize changes, or the reasons of biological damage.

Research has showed that wood’s hygroscopic properties can be utilised to obtain products like curved plywood elements.

It is a well-known phenomenon of wood that its moisture expansion is much greater in the orthogonal directions of its fibres.

Technology

ctd 2055

For practical purpose, it could be assumed that in the direction of wood fibres, there is no moisture caused expansions/ shrinkage. This is called the orthotropic moisture expansion/ shrinkage property.

By using this effect, it is possible to manufacture a flat plywood sheet with special layup and condition the sheet (change its moisture content and temperature) after curing to obtain a curved shape. There are already proposed design guidelines for rational layup and technological properties for the manufacturing of plywood elements in the necessary shape.

It is recommended that the initial moisture content (before curing) of the veneer is approximately six to eight percent. After conditioning, the moisture content should be approximately 12 percent.

The main advantage of this technique is that it is inexpensive as only standard manufacturing equipment is needed — flat multi-story press to compress and to heat up the sheets while polymerising the glue. It is possible to change the shape of the sheet without changing the equipment by modifying the layup or conditioning regime.

wood’s mechanical stress creep and relaxation properties. The obtained results from research shows that this effect should be taken into account during the design phase. Otherwise the curved structure might change its initial shape while it is being exploited. In order to significantly reduce this effect, the maximum prestress value should not exceed a specific limit obtained through experimental investigation.

Shape & Size Variation This moisture technology allows a wide range of the shapes and sizes for all kinds of demands in furniture or architecture structures to be obtained.

For example, by using veneer orientation [0,0,0,90,90,90], it is possible to obtain a curved hyperbolic plywood shell. If there are needs for cylindrical plywood shells, a few veneer orientation angles should be changed, for example, the following layup could be used [0,0,90,90,90,90].

The most important shape is cylindrical. In the Table 1, the limits on curvature according to the thickness of the sheet are shown. The width of the sheet is 1.5 m. From the table, it can be seen that the curvature limits for thicker sheets are smaller.

Thickness, t (mm)

Curvature, f (mm)

< 20

> 400

20

390

30

270

40

210

> 40

< 200

Table 1: Maximum curvature according to thickness of sheet

It is possible to manufacture a flat plywood sheet with special layup and condition the sheet after curing to obtain a curved shape.

The sheets that are curved by moisture differences are actually prestressed structures. For such structures, there are many advantages and disadvantages.

The main advantage being that if the mechanical stress in the structure from imposed loading case is in the opposite direction, then the maximum load bearing capacity of the structure is significantly increased. In many cases, it is possible to design the layup to make use of this advantage.

The main disadvantage, however, is the fact that if mechanical stress is high enough, its values will change in time even if the load applied is constant. This is attributed to

If there is at least one veneer with orientation not equal to zero or 90 deg, then the sheet will be twisted. Different shapes can be obtained as the veneer orientation angles are varied through the thickness of sheet. If the variations persist across the length and width, then more complicated surfaces, such as waves, can be obtained.

One of the biggest problems with this kind of sheets is that they are sensitive to any further moisture content change.

Therefore, they should be protected with coverings that help maintain the moisture content after conditioning.

For practically usage of this technique, there should be written recommendations or standards. At the moment, scientists are at work establishing these parameters with positive results, but a lot of experimental investigations still need to done.

The experimental results are very important because in many cases, the computer simulation results deviate from www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIAâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011

29

Technology The effective way of designing wood structures like furniture or any other structure is by first finding locations of the structures which experience maximum stress. More materials would be used in these places, while in other places where the stress is smaller, less material would be sufficient. This is called optimisation of material distribution (sometimes also known as topology optimisation).

After the optimisation of material distribution, it is necessary to decide in the way this will be practically achieved. For example, it can be done by changing the thickness of the plate.

Although in many cases, this may not be a good idea.

By using curved elements, wood panels can be designed with a three layer structure â&#x20AC;&#x201D; top and bottom plywood sheets with a core that consists of curved plywood elements.

This kind of structure is more effective in bending loading case than classic single plywood sheets because material is more concentrated in the places where it is needed most. At the moment, this kind of plywood structures is not popular because of difficulties in manufacturing of curved elements.

By using moisture technology of curved elements, difficulties in production can be reduced.

The use of constant cross sections should not be the end of optimisation. The cross sections should also be optimised in many regions of structure.

For example, in other industries, such as reinforced concrete, concrete plates are optimised by locating reinforcement in the places where it is necessary. In the middle of the span, there is typically more bottom reinforcement, but on the support, there is more top reinforcement. davef3138

Associated Fabrication, Brooklyn, US

actual behaviour of these structures. By using experimental testing of proposed structure, it may be possible to improve on mathematical methods that allow us to design rational structure and technological properties, like temperature-moisture conditioning regimes.

Research has been conducted to implement the mathematical algorithms in the designing of more effective plywood structures. The algorithms used are genetic algorithm and artificial neural network.

These methods have been successfully used in the designing phase of optimal plywood elements. The modern technique allows us to significantly reduce design time of plywood structures. The artificial neural network can function like a specially trained engineer in solving specific problems, allowing reduction in costs during the design phase.

More Effective Constructions A structure becomes more effective if it is specially projected to its specific purpose. Of course, this takes more work, but on the other hand, by using this philosophy, a lot of wood resources can be preserved and energy necessary in manufacturing can be reduced, so end products will be cheaper to produce.

By using automated computer aided design (CAD) software with high-speed computers in the designing of optimal constructions, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of wood materials required in load bearing structures.

30 FDM Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Plywood product should be designed to get efficient structures with minimal material consumption.

This designing philosophy should be used in plywood product manufacturing as well to get efficient structures with minimal material consumption.

The proposed idea is to use more flat or curved plywood panels that have been optimised through specially designed plywood core elements consisting mainly of curved sheets.

Technology Material Concentration Stiffer plywood cores should be used in places where it is necessary to concentrate more material. In order to obtain the locations where materials should be concentrated, the bending and shear stiffness at each point of the structure need to be optimised during the design phase.

(a)

(b)

Figure 1: Example of 3-layer plywood composite material with special core layer.

(c)

ENQUIRY NO. 282

Usually, this is done by minimising the structure compliance function. This function is minimal if there is minimal displacement of the structure, suggesting maximum stiffness. This optimisation technique can be easy implemented in standard finite element method software (usually used to analyse structure behaviour).

Computer aided design technique enables fast, automated designs consisting mainly of geometrical modelling and structural analysing. If they are implemented during structural stiffness optimisation, the design time will not be changed significantly, but the obtained results will be better. Structures can be produced with the same stiffness and strength, but with less material and energy consumption.

Figure 1 shows an example of how a three layer structural plate with reduced material consumption can be made with varying bending and shear stiffness by changing the stiffness of the middle layer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; core.

The core can be designed with various structure using curved plywood elements that are manufactured by moisture technology. Obviously, it is not possible to continuously vary the stiffness of the plate, but the plate can be divided in characteristic regions using average stiffness properties. The simulation results show that the economy of material using three layer plates with varying stiffness instead of constant stiffness plate can be improved by up to 50 percent depending on supports of structure FDM and loading case.

ENQUIRY NO. 8201

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIAâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011

31

Technology

S

hort cycle lamination process, also known as low pressure laminates, is used for the production of surface laminated particleboards, MDF, HDF and plywood.

Wood-based panels are decorated with melamine impregnated dĂŠcor papers whose resins, thanks to the pressure and heat applied during the short cycle lamination pressing process, melt into

the porosity of the substrate creating cross-linked bonds and completing their curing.

The final product is a solid melaminefaced board that possesses colour stability and is resistant to scratches, humidity, stains and many types of acids. These products made through the lamination process are also called thermally fused melamine boards.

After the short cycle lamination process, separation between the paper and board will not happen at any time or at any condition. Melamine-faced panels are widely used in the production of furniture, flooring and partition walls.

Many more decoration opportunities are available not just by changing the paper textures and colours, but by switching the stainless steel finishing plates. Tactile sensations will be enhanced, giving the surfaces of the boards the realism of wood grain or stone surfaces, and costumers will be captivated by the glossy, matt or natural wood finishing.

Will To Press On The

Short cycle lamination may be a simple process, but flexible press line solutions offered by suppliers can help increase production volume while addressing safety and environmental concerns, ensuring a quicker return on investment. By Matteo Manghi, area sales manger, Pagnoni Impianti

32 FDM Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Technology The Pressing Process Short cycle lamination lines are engineered to work at a pressure of 40 kg per sq cm. In order to process boards with recognised standard dimensions, press manufacturers can design a press line that is apt to work at higher specific pressures, even on large panel sizes such as 7 x 14 inch (18 x 36 cm), and to process two boards simultaneously. These customisable options help companies meet demanding market requests.

Sometimes by reading the data sheets of the melamine impregnated papers, one might discover that the pressure needed for the lamination process is actually lower. However, it has to be said that very often the short cycle press has to flatten micrometric imperfections on board surfaces to produce a good quality board finish.

Therefore, a powerful press is needed for production.

In order to mimic deep embossed patterns of natural wood or stone, the pressure required on the short cycle press will be even greater because the line not only has to laminate the paper, but also has to mould the raised surface of a board that can have a high density.

Short cycle pressing time may vary from less than 10 seconds to 20 seconds or more according to the desired final product and the decorative papers employed, which play a key role in the performance of the press line. The grammage of the melamine impregnated paper generally starts from 60 grm per sq m, but this light paper requires a remarkably sanded surface, otherwise defects on the wooden substrate will appear after lamination, which will lower the quality level of production.

The handling system of rough boards and décor papers can be simple for basic and small scale production plants featuring manual paper layup stations, but can be outlined comprehensively to

Customisable press lines can help companies meet demanding market requests.

manage all phases of the short cycle process in full automation, ensuring high production capacity. High capacity lines can handle two boards per cycle processing about 240 boards per hour or even more under special conditions.

The whole production line has to support this greater press capacity by handling more stacks of rough boards, composing sandwiches of papers and board quickly in more than one station and laying out the laminated panels in different piles according to quality to be ready for secondary processing lines or warehouse operations.

The papers have to be impregnated with the appropriate resin according to the final use of the boards: melamine for internal décor applications and phenol for outdoor use due to its recognised water resistance. Also, paper weight is an important parameter that defines the final characteristic of the laminated board.

The short cycle lamination line is not meant just for melamine impregnated papers, but is apt to laminate natural fine hardwood veneers for flooring and high value products, as well as phenol

impregnated papers and metal sheets for outdoor applications, such as container loading paving and shuttering boards for the construction industry.

Safety & Environment An important aspect of the short cycle line is the overall safety of the working place. European manufacturers put a strong emphasis on this matter, ensuring that more than one security system is present and keeping the risks generated by high pressure and heat to a minimum.

In the same way, it must be remembered that the processed panels are an agglomerate of wood chips, papers, urea and melamine resins, and therefore a potential source of formaldehyde emission, which must be put into consideration during production.

Of course, the use of certified products complying with strict European standards will guarantee that the production of E1 décor laminated boards adheres to EN120 and EN717 standards and ensuring the safety of the products throughout their entire lifecycles.

Leading companies not only foster the culture of safety for workers of the www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

33

Technology wood industry, but also consider energy saving a must. Therefore, short cycle lines are designed to give the flexibility to adjust the temperature of the two hot platens independently, optimising energy consumption according to the programmed production process. If one KW of power can be saved for each working hour, more than 8000 KW will be saved in a year, contributing huge amount of money saving and environmental conservation.

Investing In Short Cycle Press Line Short cycle lamination of boards with melamine impregnated papers is quite a simple process and it is sometimes assumed that the technology and experience of the supplier do not play an important role. This can be a fatal mistake. Short cycle lamination press line has to be simple, yet reliable, and should require low maintenance.

When planning for the investment in a new lamination plant, if possible, the pressing line should be set in a controlled atmosphere to prevent damages to the final laminated boards caused by dust, particulates and humidity. It should not be neglected that even a press line working optimally would not be able

A press line working optimally would not be able to reduce or remove defects caused by inadequate storage or rough boards.

to reduce or remove defects caused by inadequate storage of the melamine impregnated papers, as well as rough boards. A good environment for storage should have 55 percent relative humidity and a temperature ranging from 10 to 25 deg C. Short cycle lamination process as mentioned is a simple and well-know process. But the recipe to making quality and lasting products is tricky and a mix of technological factors. Some

of these depend on the manufacturer of the press line, while others hinge on the quality of the raw material and the maintenance and care given to the production facility.

Typical problems in the production of melamine-faced boards are temperature and humidity stains, cracks and bends, white spots and sticking to the finishing stainless steels. All of these concerns for the production manager can be solved, but experienced support is needed. It is advisable to invest in good quality machines and raw materials, because solving problems onsite often requires a lot of effort and time, which are costly and lower return on investment.

There is a colourful and vivid future ahead for short cycle lamination technology because the quality of melamine impregnated boards is high and variations in textures and patterns can provide an unparalleled number of choices and solutions to the furniture industry and architectural design projects, whether consumers are interested in glossy surfaces or FDM natural wooden ones.

ENQUIRY NO. 8202

34 FDM Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

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ENQUIRY NO. 297

Enquiries

Robert Linder, US

Panels

Poised Against

Moist The protection of wood panels, especially those used outdoors, from moisture is an investment worth undertaking.

By Shahnawaz Abdul Hamid

T

he use of engineered wood panels such as oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood is fairly common today, given the cost savings of such a choice over solid wood. Nevertheless, when used in the outdoor environment or on panelised wood roof systems, engineered wood has a tendency for defects, particularly as a result of moisture absorption.

This moisture absorption is the result of woodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innate hygroscopic characteristic. This means that it tends to absorb moisture from the air, expanding and contracting as it gains or loses moisture. This continued cycle of expansion and contraction contributes to the aesthetic degradation of exposed surfaces of wood panels.

Warping, rotting and cracking are common symptoms of moisture absorption. If left untreated, the moisture increase can also lead to structural degradation with organisms such as mold, mildew and algae causing further problems.

Given this, it seems logical for manufacturers to carefully store their wood products such as panels and beams away

36 FDM Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

from sources of moisture, and to apply a waterproof sealant or preservative to wood panels, allowing for longer lifespan.

Checking for moisture using various detection techniques is another crucial task for users of wood panels, to determine if a panel is suitable for further use. For instance, a wood with high moisture content may not be passed fit for usage in roof structures.

Applying Sealants Or Preservatives The application of a sealant or preservative can help in preventing the absorption of moisture, although the process of application has to be done properly. To begin, all the edges and surfaces of the wood panel need to be cleaned and free from dirt and other loose particles.

Next, the edges and ends of the wood panel are painted with a liberal dose of water-repellant preservative, allowing it to soak into the body of the board. Two or more coats may be applied, depending on how effective each soak is. The wood panel is then left to dry for approximately 48 hours.

Panels After the panel has been dried, two coats of semitransparent penetrating oil-base stain are applied to its surface. Excess stain is wiped away and the panel is left to dry.

Water-repellant preservatives are traditionally formulated with organic solvents such as turpentine, a sealer such as linseed oil or varnish, and a water-repellant such as paraffin wax. The solvent allows for the transport of oil or varnish and wax into the wood substrate.

These preservatives may also be formulated with non-drying oils that act as solvents, penetrating the wood and protecting it from degradation and mildew attack. Such preservatives may require several days before they can be further stained or painted, depending on the porosity of the wood and the application rate of preservative.

Semitransparent oil-base stains penetrate the wood without forming a continuous layer, avoiding the problem of subsequent blisters or peels even if excessive moisture enters the wood. This gives it an advantage over ‘normal’ film-forming finishes such as paints, which are naturally prone to absorbing moisture and peeling.

In recent years, perhaps as a result of increasing environmental awareness, there is a greater interest in the use of non-toxic waterproofing sealants and preservatives.

These alternatives do not poison animals and plants, and may be a better option for those using the wood panels in an outdoor environment.

The checking and measuring of moisture is essential in the field of quality control, ensuring wood products meet subsequent machining, gluing and finishing criteria. Wood products manufacturers have to ascertain the moisture content consistently and accurately, using specific tools that are industry-accepted.

These tools include electric moisture meters, which allow the user to quickly and accurately estimate wood moisture contents less than thirty percent. These meters are typically hand-held and are categorised as either ‘pin’ or ‘pinless’.

Pin-type meters Most moisture meters are hand-held operate on the principal and convenient to use. of electrical resistance,

ENQUIRY NO. 203

Paul Daniele

Checking For Moisture

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

37

Tamás Schauermann, Hungary

and are therefore termed as resistance moisture meters in the industry. These meters use pin-shaped electrodes to penetrate the wood, up to maximum depths of two and a half inches.

For accurate measurement of moisture content, the depth of penetration should be a quarter of the thickness of rough lumber and a fifth of the thickness of planed lumber.

Through the penetration of two or more pins into the wood, a direct current travels from one pin to the next, measuring the resistance of the wood. Moist wood, given the electrical conductivity of water, has a lower resistance compared to dry wood. The meter than correlates the amount of resistance to the wood’s moisture content.

The insertion of pins should be parallel to the wood grain, allowing for the current to run along the grain instead of across it. A current that is made to run across the grain will encounter greater resistance, leading to a lower moisture content reading. Nevertheless, such instructions may vary from country to country, as well as among manufacturers of such moisture meters.

Pin-type meters are also known to be sensitive to the temperature of wood. A higher temperature of the wood product results in lower resistance, and a lower moisture content reading. This differs from resistance-temperature relationships of electrical conductors such as tungsten, which exhibit higher resistance at higher temperatures.

linno1234, Indonesia

Panels

The aesthetic degradation of wood is a symptom of continued moisture absorption.

Pinless meters, on the other hand, operate on the principle of electromagnetic waves. These meters send waves through a flat-plate sensor that is pressed against the wood surface, creating an electromagnetic field. This field is able to capture the wood’s resistance to the field, which is then translated to moisture content.

When measuring using pinless meters, the sensor can be placed with any grain orientation without significantly affecting the meter reading. However, a firm contact between sensor and wood surface needs to be established.

Which To Use? Although both ‘pin’ and ‘pinless’ meters are equally effective at measuring moisture content in wood, depending on the user’s needs, one type may be better than the other.

Pinless meters are generally considered as non-invasive, given that there is no penetration that occurs, unlike in pintype meters. As such they may be better suited to measuring moisture content in decorative wood panels. However, pin-type meters are able to give measurements relating to moisture content gradient unlike pinless meters which give an average value. This moisture content gradient information is useful to kiln operators.

Ultimately, suppliers of lumber and wood manufacturers will have to carefully consider the type of meter that meets their needs. For many, having both is the best option.

In conclusion, the control of moisture content in wood products, as well as its measurement, will continue to be a pressing concern for professionals in the industry. Nevertheless, with ongoing improvement in both these fields, the damage that woods have traditionally suffered due to moisture will FDM soon be a thing of the past.

A roof system weakened by moisture can pose a safety hazard.

38 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

ENQUIRY NO. 8301

ENQUIRY NO. 292

Surfaces & Flooring

MORE HASTE

Andy Franklin

LESS SPEED

Innovation has helped transform and advance the timber industry. But as previous experiences have shown, more care must be given to ensure a product has been fully tested for its intended end use. By Peter Kaczmar, flooring specialist, Timber Research and Development Association

I

have, on a number of previous occasions, written about the unfettered introduction of new developments into the timber sector and the apparent eagerness of the consumer to experiment with new products which arise from them.

As a timber technologist, I like to think of myself as receptive to innovation and am frequently impressed at the ingenuity of ideas which have transformed the timber industry from one of a traditionalist character into one which can hold its own as an equal among other market sectors in a dynamic market.

New ideas are vital for the survival of commercial concerns, since they enable industry to change with changing times.

However, there is an argument which flies in the face of this

40 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

principle and one which adopts the view that too rapid a pace of change is as bad for the industry as no change at all.

My experience in my role as a wood flooring consultant has led me, at times, to agree with this latter view. More specifically, I have had occasion to visit sites where thermally treated wood has been used as the floor covering with, shall we say ‘unpredictable’ consequences.

Abnormal Fibre Loss In two of the cases, solid wood strip flooring made from thermally treated ash and oak was used in public places subjected to high footfall, while a third case consisted of a multi-layered floor

Surfaces & Flooring

construction with a four mm thermally treated oak wear layer used in a domestic environment with low levels of footfall.

In the highly trafficked cases, the floor suffered from abnormal levels of fibre loss, sometimes referred to as ‘fibrechalking’ from the surface, to the extent that the floor became heavily pitted after only a few months of service. In the case of the domestic environment, fibre loss resulted in upstanding splinters at the surface, which consequently became a hazard to anyone walking over the floor in bare feet.

On the face of it, there was not much commonality across the three locations until more detailed microscopic examination revealed that fibre loss occurred wherever the annular rings of the wood were disposed to the surface at a relatively shallow angle. In all three cases, the anatomical structure of the species was ‘ring-porous’, which is to say that the individual growth rings were demarcated by a discrete zone of much larger diameter vessels or pores.

The consequence of this arrangement was that where the rings broke the surface of the boards, lines of weakness were

Thermally treated oak floor showing surface splintering in wear layer.

John Ott

Cross-section of thermally treated oak wear layer showing detachment of wood fragments from surface.

created along the line of the pores, resulting in the fracture and subsequent loss of tapered fragments of wood from the surface after being subjected to repeated footfall.

The significance of these case studies is that in circumstances where the same species are used as flooring, but without thermal modification, this type of fibre loss is seldom, if ever, encountered.

Thermally modified woods are usually produced by heating the wood to temperatures of 160-230 deg C for several hours, or up to several days. Heating wood to these temperatures and holding this temperature for these periods alters the chemistry of a number of structural and nonstructural polymers that make up the wood which change its properties.

This can result in beneficial consequences such as dimensional stability, although in some thermal modification processes there is an overall reduction in density and strength.

It is this reduction in strength that, on a microscopic level, can lead to the type of surface erosion which was observed.

It would be short-sighted in the extreme to criticise the use of thermally modified woods given their beneficial characteristics of improved durability and stability in other applications. However, one must be mindful of the fact that not all innovations are necessarily suited to all types of end use and that sometimes over-zealous or aggressive promotion of proven technological innovations without adequate researchbased knowledge in a particular sector may result in damage in consumer confidence.

Bamboo Flooring An area of burgeoning growth in the flooring sector which comes to mind in the context of this discussion is that www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

41

Surfaces & Flooring

Often hard materials are more prone to wear.

of bamboo flooring. Bamboo as a floor covering has achieved great popularity on the back of its rapid growth and regeneration involving the rapid recovery of harvested plantations and the fact that it is a high strength product with good stability in humid conditions. Together, these attributes appear to make it a good sustainable, alternative to hardwood flooring.

The popularity of bamboo to the consumer is, of course, driven by factors of aesthetics more than its physical characteristics. However, this has not prevented manufacturers of bamboo flooring from exercising their imagination in developing new variants of their product in order to fill specialist and niche markets.

Variants such as strand-woven flooring consisting of reconstituted bamboo strands bonded together with a specially formulated adhesive or carbonised bamboo have been developed and sold as some of the hardest and most resilient forms of flooring known. These products were not specifically developed for their hardness, but came about in order to use more effectively an existing resource which would otherwise have gone to waste. But exactly how desirable a characteristic is hardness for a material used as a floor covering?

Manufacturers rely on consumer perception that ‘hardness’ equates to ‘hard-wearing’, although this is not always the case. Often harder materials are more prone to wear on account of not being able to absorb certain types of hard body impact as well as softer ones which leads to the surface being damaged or scuffed more easily. Such developments can be driven by commercial considerations with not enough thought, perhaps, being given to their practical consequences.

42 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Empirical Testing It often seems that manufacturers may be guilty of taking a leap into the dark when promoting innovations without the benefit of empirical research as a basis for their commercial claims. Distributors often approach organisations to carry out studies of products which have already been released into the marketplace in order to help them make a stronger commercial case.

This is not to cast doubt on the adequacy of performance of new flooring products, but merely to ask whether their introduction has been founded on the back of adequate empirical research, rather than a reliance on preconceived notions or gut instinct and intuition.

It is only natural to want to exploit new developments to their maximum potential and there is nothing wrong in doing so. In most cases, innovations are well researched to ensure that they fill a particular practical need.

However, there are times when, having made it onto the commercial scene and having proven themselves in service, product innovations are then pushed into areas to which they are perhaps less well suited, on the back of their otherwise successful track record.

Manufacturers should be mindful that it is not always possible to ‘second-guess’ how a product will behave and respond to a given environment, even if it has been used successfully elsewhere and that any change in commercial direction must be backed by a programme of appropriate testing, even though a product may already have a proven pedigree in an existing application. More haste, less speed may not be what you want FDM to hear, but patience they say is a virtue.

ENQUIRY NO. 8401

ENQUIRY NO. 301

Rennett Stowe

Furniture Design & Technology

The

Decorative

Prowess Of

Melamine

Melamine laminates have been extensively used to give engineered wood panels a decorative finish similar to those found on solid wood.

By Shahnawaz Abdul Hamid

44 FDM Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Christopher Barson, US

Furniture Design & Technology

M

elamine resin, commonly known as melamine, is a multifunctional plastic used to coat the surfaces of many materials. A white, crystalline compound made through the process of polymerisation, melamine has a hard, thermosetting nature and can be found in a wide range of products such as dishware, floor laminates and cabinet tops.

In recent years, melamine has been used extensively on engineered woods such as chipboard and fiberboard to give cabinets and furniture a finished look. The process generally involves using melamine to saturate decorative paper, which is then laminated to the wood panel under heat and pressure giving it an instant solid colour or wood grain finish.

There are several types of such melamine laminates, which can be termed broadly as melamine paper. They include decorative foils, high-pressure laminates and thermally fused melamine. Each type of melamine paper has a unique set of characteristics. As such, furniture manufacturers need to stay well informed in order to choose the right type of laminate for their wood panels.

foil, this type of decorative foil remains flexible even upon curing.

Resins in both the post-impregnated and pre-impregnated foils are fully cured in the melamine paper production process. As such, they do not possess any residual bonding properties. This makes it necessary for an adhesive system to bond the melamine paper to the wood substrate.

The Laminating Process Decorative foils are commonly found in wood products such as kitchen cabinets.

Pre-impregnated decorative foils are created by adding the melamine-acrylic resin mixture during the papermaking process itself. The resin is usually added to the cellulose before calendaring, where pressure and heat is applied to the rolling paper. Like post-impregnated

Depending on the laminating equipment used, foils may be supplied with a preapplied hot melt adhesive. Additionally, a variety of in-line laminating adhesives may be used, the most common being polyvinyl acetate (PVA). The type of adhesives used can also affect the strength and durability of the finished wood panel.

Decorative Foil

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Decorative foils are alpha-cellulose papers with masses that range from 40 to 200 grm per sq m. Their usage has increased in recent years, with improvements in substrate surfaces. Such foils are commonly found in cabinets, store fixtures, closet systems and readyto-assemble (RTA) furniture.

They are usually prepared by feeding decorative paper, via rollers, through a pool of liquid melamine resin. This allows the resin to bind itself to the paper. Often, acrylic is added to the resin to retain the flexibility of the paper even after curing.

The resin mix encapsulates the paper fibers, filling any voids. The decorative foil created through this process is known industrially as post-impregnated foil.

| WagnerMeters.com

*Accuracy proven by multiple independent university studies.

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45

The factors that affect the internal bond strength and surface porosity of the finished wood panel include the quantity and type of impregnation, along with the adhesive system and substrate used. Generally, good quality wood panels allow for easier machining and cutting.

Decorative foils provide the finished panel with good resistance to stain, chemicals, abrasion and impact.

Industrial grade MDF and chipboard make good wood substrates for decorative foils, given their uniform, smooth surfaces.

Typically, achieving such surfaces requires sanding with finer grit belts. The surfaces of these wood substrates also need to be free from dust and other particles allowing for better adhesion to the foil.

Successful lamination is usually dependent on the uniform application of adhesives to the decorative foil, the uniformity of the foil itself and its bonding properties. Controlling laminating temperature, as well as the time between adhesive and pressure application, can also affect the strength of the foilsubstrate bond.

High-Pressure Laminates High-pressure laminates are produced by fusing together three different materials: layers of Kraft paper saturated with phenolic resin, a layer of decorative paper saturated with melamine resin and thin sheet of alpha-cellulose paper heavily saturated with melamine resin.

The result is a stiff, abrasion-resistant sheet with excellent aesthetic appeal and durability. High-pressure laminates are frequently manufactured using a multiopening press, with several laminates being pressed together in each press opening. Alternatively, they may be manufactured using the continuous press, where rolls of resin-saturated paper are used instead of flat sheets, producing laminates continually, from which sheets are cut to desired lengths.

High-pressure laminates are known to enhance the tensile strength of chipboard

46 FDM Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Pete, Liverpool, UK

Furniture Design & Technology

Industrial grade MDF and chipboard make good wood substrates for decorative foils.

and MDF. For example, the tensile strength of a high-pressure laminate can be anywhere between 10 and 35 times that of chipboard. Adding more layers to the laminate can significantly increase bending strength and stiffness.

Different types of laminates are available on the market today to meet various requirements, and are broadly categorised under three groups: general purpose, postforming and backer.

General purpose laminates are the most widely used, given their suitability for both horizontal and vertical applications.

Their thicknesses range from 0.71 to 1.22 mm. Postforming laminates can be formed around curve edges by applying heat and restraint, followed by cooling and are typically found on cupboard door edges, counter bullnoses and cove bends. Backer laminates, as their name would suggest, are used on the back of panel assemblies to protect the wood substrate from changes in humidity and to balance the panel construction.

Similar to the lamination of decorative foils, high-pressure laminates require uniform application of adhesive and pressure during bonding. Failing to properly spread the adhesive, or to provide adequate pressure can result in the laminate warping with time. This is especially problematic in cases where the wood panel is used for surfaces such as kitchen countertops.

Thermally Fused Melamine Thermally fused melamine (TFM) is made from a resin-impregnated sheet of decorative paper that is fused directly to the wood substrate using heat and pressure. This is achieved by the use of a single opening hot press. During the pressing process, the resin in the paper softens, flows and sets into the substrate creating a permanent bond between decorative paper and wood surface.

The three most common resin systems used in the production of TFM are melamine, polyester and phenolic resins.

When double-stage impregnation equipment is available, saturating resins may be used to extend the melamine resin in the core of the melamine saturated sheet.

The type of resin used, amount of impregnation and the laminating process determines the wear, stain resistance and other properties of the finished product.

TFM is often used in office furniture, store fixtures and cabinetry.

Given the popularity of engineered wood products that provide the homeowner with more economical options, melamine laminates will continue to play an influential role in the wood panel industry.

Nevertheless, process parameters will have to be continually improved, in an effort to extend the lifespan of furniture assembled from these products. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8501

Happy Holidays!

Thank you for your continuous support. May you have a prosperous new year ahead!

Ontanu Mihai, Neamt, Romania

See you in 2012.

Furniture Design & Technology

Design Gems From Nanjing

At the Annual AHEC Convention in China, guest speakers share their words of wisdom and inspiration for design through a collection of presentations.

By Michael Buckley, Turnstone Singapore

48 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Turning to projects she went on, “my latest design heroes are not the usual world famous architects, but professor Zhu Jing Xiang, from the School of Architecture at Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), for the schools he is building in Yunnan; Shigeru Ban for his simple ideas to help homeless earthquake victims living for months in gymnasiums or other shelters; and finally, professor Yung Ho Chan for his bridge built by students and locals to make the children’s walk to school safe and dependable.”

Emerging Middle Class

Miller Hull Partnership

Mike Snow, AHEC’s executive director from Washington, made the fascinating

Cascadia Center designed by Miller Hull Partnership Michael Moran

E

arlier this year, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) hosted its customary convention which gave focus to the essence of the environmental credentials of US hardwoods and what can be achieved with the material. Themed ‘US Hardwoods: Substance and Style’, the event provided some design gems and pearls of wisdom from a number of eminent speakers.

J Lee Rofkind, the 2011 president of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects opened her presentation with a discussion about the conflicts facing modern architects: “Architecture has become big business… especially in China, and we are often placed in challenging roles that negate our idealism that we learned in school.”

“If we considered the larger implications on humanity of our designs…we would be crippled competitively, maybe not even able to get out of bed in the morning. (We cannot say) I am sorry Mr Developer but we must turn down your commission for the three million sq m mixed use development due to its impact on the environment and we really do not believe Nanjing needs any more shopping centers,” she challenged.

“As respected professionals, we can guide our clients to make environmentally sound decisions. Maybe your project does not have to go for a LEED rating, but I suggest to my clients that we take baby steps: for example, specify nonexotic woods and woods from forests using sustainable growing methods,” she suggested.

'Nomadic Desk' by John Kelly

100 Century Avenue Restaurant, the world’s highest in Pudong, Shanghai

link between the growing importance of exports for American hardwoods and the development of the emerging middle class in developed countries, which will need forest resources. These households (families earning over US$20,000 per annum) are projected to increase by 238 percent by 2020 with 335 million in China alone.

During the 1990s, he said, the volume of wood standing in boreal and temperate forests increased by a massive 21,000 million cubic metres — enough to build a solid fence one m high and eight cm thick from the Earth to the sun and back (or 7,500 times around the world).

This increase in forest area and available resource is taking place despite growth in the volume of timber extracted from non-tropical forests to meet rising demand for wood products. Indeed, in many non-tropical countries, the main problem now is to find new outlets for the rising volume of timber that is becoming available, which may be a solution for the increasing demand in countries like China.

Independently, in 2010, a UN Timber Committee report from Geneva expressed concern about the “American hardwood forest resource being underutilised.”

Dr Scott Bowe, professor at the Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, followed with a comprehensive summary of the environmental credentials of American hardwoods and highlighted some major species. One key point he made was that “US Hardwood forests were well

Miller Hull Partnership

Furniture Design & Technology managed decades before certification systems evolved.”

Invisible Design

Lasting Presence John Kelly Furniture was founded in 1994 by John Kelly, a licensed architect who has been designing and producing architectural projects and home furnishings since 1987. Growing up in West Virginia, US, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts in

Seattle family weekend retreat with cherry floor and white-washed oak plywood panels Eric Laignel

Johnny Marsh is a senior associate with Tony Chi & Associates (US) in New York — designers of high end, international hospitality, retail and residential projects.

Since 1999, he has been instrumental in many significant projects. With his repertoire of strong architectural, documentation and communication skills, he is able to bridge many disciplines.

“Only when design is invisible does it truly resonate,” he said. Design for him is a creative means for not only exercising and releasing his artistic urges. It is also the joy to experience and craft life through the process of creating concepts with the many people who are involved with the unique projects he has had the opportunity to be involved with. These include the Park Hyatt Hotels in Shanghai and Washington, and 100 Century Avenue Restaurant, the world’s highest in Pudong, Shanghai.

“Hardwoods have an intrinsic value as an enduring and sustainable natural material that is both humble and elegant,” he continued. With a fascinating insight into some of the techniques of producing contemporary furniture and interior joinery, while maintaining the natural beauty and rhythm of American hardwood, he concluded “Hardwoods embody a physical connection to earth and nature while allowing us to manipulate them into personal expressions of beauty and function.”

Park Hyatt DC by Tony Chi & Associates

Design, and since 1989, he has lived in New York City.

Over the past 25 years, he has designed a broad range of products and operates retail showrooms in Tokyo and New York. Since the beginning, Kelly has also been producing original designs and provided private label design services for a distinguished list of international companies, winning numerous international design awards.

At the 2011 International Furniture Fair Singapore, his home office design ‘Nomadic Desk’ in American Walnut for Starbay in Hong Kong won the Best of Category award.

“Choose your furniture carefully, you’re going to have it for a long, long time,” he said while giving a taste of his ideas to the Nanjing audience. Referring to the way demand for furniture has changed, Kelly stated that “my generation is extralate baby boomer, and my generation is filled with a bunch of doubting Thomases.

My generation wanted to touch before committing, to verify everything. If you could not touch it in a store, it wasn’t real. Now, that has all changed.”

Brian Court, AIA, LEED AP, is an architect and associate of the Miller Hull Partnership in Seattle and brings a strong sense of design to projects and a passion for buildings that are finely tuned to their regional and climatic influences.

He has led the design of a wide variety of project types ranging from small homes and island retreats to large urban infill multi-family mixed use projects. Brian has also focused on large institutional projects and is currently leading the performance based design effort on the Cascadia Center for Sustainable Design and Construction.

This six-story, 50,000 sq feet building will produce 100 percent of its annual energy budget with a rooftop photovoltaic array and capture 100 percent of its annual water needs with rooftop rainwater collection. The project utilises a heavy timber frame due to its proven ability to stand the test of time and its low embodied energy content.

The building is projected to be the most energy efficient commercial building in the world and meet the highest benchmark in sustainable design, the Living Building Challenge.

Steve Leung is the founder and MD of Steve Leung Design and is a leading interior designer in Hong Kong, known for his creativity in projects such as Sushi Ta-ke, 39 Conduit Road and the Sin Yin Chinese Restaurant.

“Life gives rise to inspiration, which enlightens innovation, which motivates design that creates better life,” he says.

A regular presenter at AHEC events in Asia, he is the recipient of over 80 design awards in the Asia Pacific region.

The inspiration he presented at the convention, together with the gems and pearls of his co-speakers, made this timber-sponsored event a day to savour. The next annual convention in Asia will be held in Singapore in June 2012. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8502

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Wood & Sustainability

Going East:

State Of The

French Timber Industry Representing 50 percent of European stands, French hardwood has seen tremendous growth in export volume in Asia, aided by growing demand and responsible forest management. By Thibaud Le Moign, export development manager, FrenchTimber

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W

ith a standing volume of more than two billion cubic metres, increasing by 88 million cubic meters a year, French forests are in good health.

Timber resources are exceptionally abundant. Out of 126 different species, some 30 are used for sawntimber. This bio-diversity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; unique in Europe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is caused by the great variety of soils and climates. It also explains the country's farming and winemaking tradition.

Hardwood species account for more than 60 percent of the available volume, with pediculate oak, sessile oak and beech the predominant species. There are also precious species, such as wild cherry, ash, sycamore, walnut, and various others, in particular, poplar and chestnut.

French hardwood species represent 50 percent of all European stands. Only half of the available volume is harvested every year by the first transformation industry, thus ensuring a reasonable forest management system.

The environment has been a major preoccupation in the industry for a long time: the first controlled forest management plan was set up in 1827 and the PEFC certification scheme was initiated to guarantee resource renewal. The results have been in accordance with the challenge. In 50 years, French forested areas have increased by 35 percent while keeping its biological diversity.

The future prospects on export markets are looking promising for the actors of the French wood industry. Sales are promising in all market segments for hardwood lumber, both inside and outside of the European Union.

Wood & Sustainability Growing Asian Market Asia is one of the most interesting, dynamic and fastest growing markets in the industry, and China, in particular, thanks to its incredible economic prosperity.

The region is becoming one of the most important areas in the world for furniture manufacturing, making it a prime location for French beech and oak.

Sales volumes of French Export of French timber to Asia has seen exponential growth. export to Asia have exploded in guarantees efficient the last couple of years. For instance, sales of oak lumber production control to China have rocketed by 3,113 percent between 2009 and and the quality of 2010, while export to Vietnam has increased by 1,567 percent. wood and sawnwood. French sawmills are able to combine Beech timber also performed well. During the same period, quality awareness, products expertise and the ability to adapt export volume has increased by 1,320 percent to China and their production to specific international demands.

1,140 percent to Vietnam, with Thailand and Malaysia showing The strong progression of French hardwood export sales prominent progress. has also benefited from the Euro/US dollar exchange rate, In general, China and Vietnam have been major customers which was especially advantageous in 2010. FDM for French hardwoods, but Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan and India are starting to emerge as business partners for ENQUIRY NO. 8601 the future.

The development of demanding, quality orientated industries such as furniture manufacturing and interior decoration will ensure a steady and promising flow of business between France and Asia for years to come.

Success Story

ENQUIRY NO. 108

The success of French hardwood can be explained by the constant quality of the supplied wood: long length, straight grain and fine texture are characteristics of French beech and oak. Also, the knowhow of French saw millers enables them to cut boules into boards of varying dimensions, from thin to thick. Drying is another important aspect and French sawmills have made enormous investments in the past years to offer their customers kiln dried timber.

Furthermore, French suppliers offer their customers the possibility of purchasing PEFC certified wood. With rising concerns about ecological sustainability, this certification is especially important to the end consumer. French sawmillers participate in the sustainable management of resources through the PEFC programme, which pledges of a respectful policy aimed towards the future. This helps guarantee the origin of the products provided by the sawmills.

The effectiveness of French forestry management is aided by the existence of a dynamic and responsible forestry policy, the aim and purpose of which is to reconcile economic needs, while respecting the environment. Sustainable management www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIAâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; Nov/dec 2011

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Wood & Sustainability

Challenges & Adaptations

In The US Hardwood Industry

jojo nicdao, Muntinlupa, Philippines

The 2007 recession has profound impact on the US hardwood industry. As a survey has revealed, the shifts in demand and consumer preferences have caused necessary adjustments by the industry. By Omar Espinoza, University of Minnesota, Urs Buehlmann and Robert Smith, Virginia Tech

T

he hardwood products supply chain in the US is comprised of hardwood manufacturers, distribution yards, components manufacturers, and secondary products producers such as furniture, flooring, millwork, and others.

The hardwood sawmill subsector is highly fragmented and consists mainly of many relatively small firms. The average hardwood sawmill has 38 employees, while the figure for softwood sawmills is

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93. Thus, differences between hardwood and softwood sawmills exist.

Softwood products are predominantly used for construction, such as construction lumber and plywood, and sawn for maximum throughput. Conversely, most hardwoods are processed to maximise grade (quality), since hardwood species are employed mostly to make appearance products such as furniture, flooring and cabinets.

However, there are also non-graded

(non-appearance) markets for hardwoods, such as pallets and railroad ties. The focus on grade and appearance of hardwood lumber makes the manufacturing process more labour intensive.

Hardwood lumber manufacturing is energy intensive, in great part due to drying. Hardwoods are dried to relatively low moisture contents (typically 8-10 percent), and many hardwoods are prone to drying defects, thus requiring milder drying schedules.

Wood & Sustainability

Company Characteristics Of Respondents A mail survey was sent to a total of 1,219 industry participants and 137 companies returned their questionnaires, resulting in a 14 percent response rate.

Three quarters of responding firms had one production facility. The major activity of firms was hardwood lumber manufacturing, but some were also involved in log merchandising, sales of wood residues, pallet manufacturing, flooring manufacturing, railroad ties production, logging, and kiln drying.

As expected, most firms were located in the South (44 percent), with 30 percent in the Midwest, 22 percent in the Northeast, and one percent in the West. The remaining four percent had operations in more than one region.

More than one-half of respondents

reported having some kind of lumber drying operations. The average lumber output for 2008 was 27,830 cubic metres (11.8 million board feet) for all companies and 17,450 cubic metres (7.4 million board feet) for single-facility respondents.

Effects Of Recession & Increasing Imports The recession that started in 2007 has had a profound effect on the US hardwood industry. In the US, the demand for hardwood products, such as kitchen cabinets and household furniture, is closely related to new home construction and has suffered as the residential construction industry was hit by the economic downturn, adding to the negative trends already existing due to imported products.

As a result of declining demand, prices of hardwood lumber have fallen considerably. For example, the price of 1-Common green red oak lumber has decreased 40 percent between 2004 and 2009. Hardwood sawmills responding to the survey reported a drop in sales on a volume basis of 13 percent between 2004 and 2008, with sawmills in the Northeast hit the hardest (a drop of 22 percent in sales volume for the same period).

Changes In Customer Base An important change in the customer base for hardwood lumber manufacturers is the shift from value-added producers (eg: furniture, kitchen cabinets) to industrial users (eg: pallets, railroad ties) as the most important outlet for hardwoods in terms of volume.

This was confirmed by the survey results; reported sales to traditional secondary users of hardwood lumber have decreased sharply during the period from 2004 to 2008.

Another development in this area is the growing importance of lumber distributors and retailers (intermediaries that buy, inventory and resell lumber to manufacturers). Three-quarters of

End Matching Machine The FULLPOWER End Matching Machine is a stable, economical, well designed and constructed machine.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rigid and reliable structure offers the optimum performance to solve the problems of end matched timber. (especially for tenoning & mortising flooring finger shaping).

ENQUIRY NO. 300

In fact, drying is the single largest consumer of energy in the hardwood lumber manufacturing process (80 to 90 percent of total energy inputs). Regarding wood species, although US forests contain about 50 hardwood species, the hardwood lumber market is dominated by a few, with red oak, white oak and yellow poplar making up over 60 percent of the total hardwood produced.

The US hardwood industry has been facing significant challenges during the last decades. Some of these are the steady increase in stumpage prices; the growth in imported products from low-cost suppliers; more sophisticated consumers demanding customised products; a more environmentally conscious public demanding that wood-using industries demonstrate their commitment to the responsible utilisation of natural resources; and a depressed domestic market caused by recession.

To learn about changes in the hardwood supply chain and adaptations by hardwood suppliers and distributors, a survey was conducted and some of the results are presented here.

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Urs Buehlmann

Wood & Sustainability Companies also indicated that customers have become more specific with quality and dimension requirements, and demand more flexibility in volume and delivery time.

Environmental Movement

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by lumber distributors. Demands for flexible delivery (quick delivery and justin-time orders) and order customisation (width, colour, and grade sorting) have experienced the highest growth.

For example, demand for just-in-time orders have increased by 58 percent during the 2004-2008 period. Width sorting and special grading increased by 48 and 55 percent respectively. Demand for environmentally-certified lumber is not yet a large part of the product mix, but the demand for certified products has had the largest growth of close to 200 percent.

Lumber distributors seem to demand lumber of the highest quality classifications (grades), a typical grade mix for orders was reported to contain 76 percent of 1-Common and FAS grade lumber.

Consumer Preferences In a trend that was noted by previous studies, there is shift in consumer preferences towards closed-grain, clearer, species, such as maple and yellow poplar.

The survey has found that, based on species distribution of sales volume, red oaks and cherry lost 11 and 17 percent market share, respectively, during the period of analysis; and soft maple and yellow poplar on the other hand gained 16 and 14 percent.

Jessie Terwilliger, California, US

hardwood sawmills reported selling to lumber distributors, and their share in total sales of sawmills has increased by eight percent, on a volume basis.

Almost a fifth of the total hardwood lumber sold by sawmills went to distributors in 2008, up from 14 percent in 2004.

One potential reason for the increasing importance of distributors is that lumber distributors may be better positioned to serve a changing customer base.

Secondary wood products manufacturers are becoming â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;leanerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, for example, they are trimming inventory of raw materials and placing smaller, more frequent orders, effectively shifting inventories upstream the supply chain.

Also, smaller manufacturers are becoming more important.

These specialised producers serve niche markets with customised products and services, and are less vulnerable to competition from offshore producers.

Lumber distributors provide valueadded services to these customers, such as custom sorting, drying, and pre-manufacturing. In the survey, more than four out of ten participants indicated that order sizes have decreased.

Changes in final consumer requirements are reflected in the services demanded by lumber distributors. Respondents were inquired about the services most requested

Urs Buehlmann

Almost a fifth of the total hardwood lumber sold by sawmills went to distributors.

The environmental movement started in the 1960s out of concerns about the unrestricted exploitation of natural resources, and the consequent damage to the environment and its social and economic implications.

Two developments in the environmental movement are particularly significant to the US hardwood industry: the growing importance of forest certification and the emergence of green building standards.

The former are market-driven initiatives aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of forests and the latter seek to reduce the impact of building construction and use on the environment.

The idea behind forest certification is that consumers would prefer products manufactured in a manner responsible with the environment, and the certification acts as a communication tool to convey this message.

Four forest certification standards are more prominent in the US: the Forest

Stewardship Council (SFI), the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). About a quarter of American forests are managed under guidelines by FSC, SFI, and ATFS. Green building standards seek to ensure that buildings are built and operated environmentally responsibly and use the least amount of resources throughout their life cycle. There are over 40 regional and national green building systems in the US, with the most prominent ones being the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the National Green Building Standard, Energy Star, and the Green Globes initiative.

A common criticism to some of the green building standards is that proof of environmentally responsible exploitation of natural resources (forests) is only demanded for wood materials, and not for other materials such as concrete, metals, or plastics.

Furthermore, some of the provisions in green building standards favour the use of renewable materials sourced from short rotation harvests, such as bamboo, over solid wood products, without consideration of the environmental impacts in the lifecycle of these materials.

Hardwood lumber producers were asked about their level of awareness of forest certification and green building systems among hardwood lumber producers. The results showed that, in general, hardwood lumber producers are more familiar with forest certification standards than with green building systems, with the FSC forest certification standard being the most recognised certification programme, and LEED and the National Green Building Standard being the most recognised among green building standards.

Urs Buehlmann

Wood & Sustainability

Construction remains a major driver of demand for hardwood products.

market the highest; not surprising since residential construction is a major driver of demand for hardwood products. Concerns about rising fuel and energy costs were rated the second highest.

The following table lists the factors identified and their average rating.

Factors Affecting US Hardwood Lumber Producers (1=no effect, 7=major effect).

Slowing housing market

6.2

Fuel costs

5.6

Energy costs for production

5.2

Changing customer demand

5.1

Logging operations

5.0

Labour costs

4.9

Changing raw material base

4.4

Increasing lumber imports

4.4

Globalization

4.4

Interest rates

3.8

Lack of skilled workers

3.3

Certified hardwood lumber

3.2

Truck/driver availability

3.1

Factors Affecting Business

E-Commerce

3.0

Lastly, when asked about events affecting their businesses, hardwood lumber manufacturers rated the slowing housing

Carrier required backhauls

2.6

Lumber branding

2.4

Adaptations By The Industry The US hardwood lumber industry is making strides to adapt in a rapidly changing environment. Companies have responded to changes in the customer base by offering more customised products and services, such as colour sorting or custom grading.

The industry has also followed the market overseas, with a greater volume of high-grade lumber being exported. A decreasing demand from traditional users of hardwood lumber, such as furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturers, has caused a shift towards industrial products; and the industry has increased lumber sales to intermediaries, such as distributors and retailers.

The environmental movement is recognised as a potential driver for increased sales, but the industry and the public have yet to embrace forest certification. Another development with potential to impact the hardwood industry is the expected increase in demand for wood fibre for energy generation, which may potentially cause an increase in the price of wood fibre, presenting challenges and opportunities to traditional users of hardwoods such as sawmills and their customers. FDM

ENQUIRY NO. 8602

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Exhibition Review

FMC China 2011 September 14 – 17, 2011 • Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center • Shanghai, China

T

he 17th Furniture Manufacturing & Supply China (FMC China 2011) was held for four days from September 14-17, 2011. This year’s edition of the exhibition was staged in Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) for the first time.

The show attracted nearly 745 domestic and overseas exhibitors from 40 countries and regions, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, US, Germany, Singapore, Italy, Malaysia, France, Thailand and Japan.

Three Pavilions — Taiwan Pavilion, France Pavilion and America Pavilion, and seven associations and groups — European Woodworking Machinery Association (EUMABOIS), Italian Woodworking Machinery Association (ACIMALL), German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Shanghai Timber Association (STTA), Malaysia Furniture Entrepreneur Association (MFEA), Mexican Furniture Association and Vietnam Furniture Delegation, were present at the show.

This year, the show attracted 30,327 trade buyers from 30 provinces and 111 countries and regions, such as Hong

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Kong, Taiwan, India, America, Malaysia, Korea, Australia, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Germany and Italy.

There were 4,521 overseas visitors, an increase of 12 percent compared to last year. In total, 37.2 percent of the visitors came from Asian countries, 16.8 percent from Europe, 16.5 percent from North America, 7.9 percent from Oceania, 4.5 percent from South America, and 3.3 percent from Africa.

In addition, 11,483 visitors from decision-maker levels attended ‘FMC Premium 2011’, a show for high-end suppliers of furniture components and raw materials.

FMC China 2012 will be held from September 11-14, 2012 at the same venue. Next year’s show will feature 70,000 sq m of floor space and new categories Cabinet & Wardrobe Fittings and Furniture Lightings. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8701

Exhibition Review

Going Second & Third Tiers John Chan Regional director American Hardwood Export Council The two major markets in the east, South-east Asia and China, have both performed well in the first seven months. This is especially true for China, which has become one of the best performing markets in the world in terms of the import of American hardwood.

In the first seven months, total sales volume of wood exported into China for all kinds of wood products has reached US$525 million, a 39 percent increase compared to the same period last year. With the current economic climate, such growth is not easy to attain.

However, growth is gradually slowing down. In June, compared to the same month last year, export increased by 45 percent. Put against the 60 percent growth achieved in the first five months, there is clear indication that the market is slowing. Despite this, it is important to note that the market is still growing, just at a lower rate.

South-east Asia has been more affected by the economic uncertainty surrounding the US and Europe because unlike China, it is not supported by two markets â&#x20AC;&#x201D; export and domestic. According to a report by the China National Furniture Association, in the first seven months of 2011, furniture export in China grew by 30 percent. Although overseas demand has

dropped, the domestic market is able to sustain the industry.

In contrast, the furniture industry in South-east Asia suffers a decline due to its reliance on export.

Market uncertainty is expected to persist until the end of the year, but the hardwood and furniture industry usually experience the effect only a few months after. Export demand will most likely decrease. For China, continued growth will hinge on its property market, which has direct impact on the consumption of furniture and interior wood products.

As the market in major Chinese cities mature, companies should look into developing the markets in second and third tier cities. At the same time, the domestic markets of Southeast Asia still have potential for growth. Overall, the economy of Asia is stable and the GDP per capital is increasing, which means greater spending power of the people.

The strategy should be to explore these undeveloped markets while enforcing presence in existing ones. The western markets are matured ones that should only suffer a dip in the short run.

Companies need to be ready when the upturn happens after this temporary setback.

The year 2012 will be a slowing year. Perhaps a clearer picture will present itself in the second half of next year. There are reasons to remain cautiously optimistic. The market in China will continue to grow and expand to second and third tier cities. As for South-east Asia, if its domestic market can be fully realised, then the blow from declining demand from the west can be alleviated.

ENQUIRY NO. 8702

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Exhibition Review

The Importance Of Internal Growth Jin Wang Operation director Kingdecor Overall, the market has been placid. The first half of the year was still alright, but there has been decline in the second half. Global market wise, the US and Europe remain two very important markets. China, being an export-orientated country, is definitely affected by the economic situation in these regions. The market will gradually slide, mostly due to lower export demands.

No doubt, China is a big emerging market in the world.

However, all the focus placed on it being the market to target in the current economic situation may have contained certain elements of overhype. Overseas economists may have done this to apply pressure on the country, its currency and to influence global strategies. This is not very healthy for the industry.

From the economic prospective, demand equals market potential. In that regard, China still possesses huge potential for growth. The domestic market is an area that the government and local companies are trying to develop. The idea is to generate demand domestically to increase local sales.

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With the decline in overseas demand, local companies need to change their strategy. The domestic market will become a deciding factor in whether China can establish itself globally. In order to do that, there is a need to increase domestic demand and consumption.

Companies need to create products that can be exported, and at the same time, cater to the requirements of domestic consumers. They need to put in place sales network and support within China to sell products that used to be intended for export domestically.

As can be observed from the exhibition, there is a significant drop in overseas participation. This exhibition is created as one of the platform for local companies to showcase their products to overseas buyers. So far, there seems to be more overseas exhibitors than visitors.

This is a good reflection of the current situation. With the economic uncertainty in the west, there is less buying power from the region. This once again emphasises the importance of developing the domestic market.

At the moment, local companies should not be too eager to expand. They should focus on improving the quality and increasing the value of their products. Expansion and increase in production volume can be considered once the overseas markets recover and demand rises.

ENQUIRY NO. 8703

Exhibition Review Chinese Philosophy With Western Technology Stefano Turriani Managing director Biesse Asia Market performance has quite obviously reflected the uncertainty of the western world. Although Asia is not affected so deeply, China is an export-oriented country. On one side, the competitiveness of the products of China is pushing the borders outside, but the market for export is shrinking. So far, customer behaviour has been a reflection of this.

It is not so much of a change of mentality, but a change of attitude. There is less optimism and traditional large investors are procrastinating their decisions and choices, trying to understand the situation and what will happen next year. In general, there is a more prudent attitude towards exporting and setting up facility for export.

The Chinese industry would not be affected too much in the next two to three years. Maybe in the next few months, there will be uncertainty of the market. Chinese entrepreneurs are very smart and they are getting geared up to face this possibility. At the same time, the domestic market provide demands for different levels of products, from mid-level to high quality ones.

Building On A Solid Foundation Harrision Chen General manager Ruima Cutting Tools

The domestic market is showing signs of slowing down and sales have not been as robust. This applies to the international market as well. However, in the long term, there is still area for growth and market potential to be explored.

The industry should not see a drastic decline. This is different from consumer products where sales is immediately implicated by the current economic situation. For the woodworking

In order to stay competitive in the Chinese market, you need to think Chinese. The way of adopting a European approach is no longer applicable. What western companies need to do is to get a very deep footprint into China and to adapt quickly to the Chinese market. We have to be more Chinese, speak Chinese, think Chinese while retaining our technological advantage.

ENQUIRY NO. 8704

industry, companies operate on demand and the demand is still present.

Customers are less decisive in making purchasing plans, which is normal. The industry is getting more competitive and given the economic uncertainty, it is natural to be more conservative at this moment.

China will become a major market in the world. This means that competition will only get more intense. Local companies must change their strategy and philosophy to stay competitive in this environment. If they can provide comprehensive service support to the domestic market, they will still hold certain advantages â&#x20AC;&#x201D; pricing and local services.

The gradual decline of the industry should persist in 2012.

Each subsequent year will be more difficult. However, there is still a lot of potential for the market to grow. As the market become bigger, but so will the competition.

Local enterprises should not be too eager to expand into overseas markets. They should instead focus on working on the foundation and improve the quality of their products to bridge the gap of western standards. Once the overall quality is comparable to the finesse of western products, they will have a solid footing to establish themselves overseas.

ENQUIRY NO. 8705

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Exhibition Review

Aseanwood Woodtech 2011 September 22 – 25, 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

T

he 7th edition of Aseanwood Woodtech was held at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 22-25, 2011. The show is expected to generate a total of RM180 million (US$58.6 million) in sales over the next 12 months.

A total of 310 companies from 25 countries took part in the event, displaying products across different categories, such as woodworking machinery and accessories, sawmilling and forestry machinery and equipment, woodworking saws

and blades, furniture hardware and fittings, furniture parts and components, adhesives and chemicals, furniture raw materials, panel and surface decoration, and semi-finished parts for furniture production.

Taiwan is the most represented participant with 87 exhibiting companies, while China and Italy are joint second with 55 companies each. The event attracted 3,627 visitors from 36 countries, of which 8.96 percent are overseas visitors.

During the show, Malaysia Timber Industry Board organised a seminar on ‘Building A Sustainable Future Through Timber Construction’ to promote and coordinate the overall development of timber application in the construction industry.

Speakers from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Construction Industry Development Board and Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) addressed sustainable issues in construction and the challenges faced.

One of the materials discussed is glued lamination timber (glulam), a flexible structural timber product. Glulam is produced by laminating several smaller pieces of timber together. It can be formed into curved or arched shapes.

Aseanwood Woodtech is scheduled to return in 2013.

FDM

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ENQUIRY NO. 8706

Exhibition Review

VDMA Management Seminar:

How To Benefit From Woodworking Technology Made In Germany October 4-5, 2011 (Thailand) • October 7-8, 2011 (Malaysia) • October 10-11, 2011 (Vietnam)

T

he German Engineering Federation (VDMA) organised a series of seminars to introduce the potential benefits of using German woodworking technology. Held in three separate locations, Bangkok, Thailand, Muar, Malaysia, and Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, over the span of a week, these seminars offer an opportunity for member companies to present their products and engage in direct information exchange with local manufacturers.

One of the major topics discussed is cost saving.

Traditionally, German machines are known for their quality as well as high associated cost. Given the scale of most of the woodworking plants in South-east Asia, investing in these machines would require careful calculation and convincing.

Presenters at the event were quick to highlight how automation and system technologies can increase efficiency and promote savings in labour and material costs. These will ensure a quick return of investment and improve profit margins in future.

Among the companies present, Venjakob showcased its changeable paint feed system for spray coating, which minimises the wastage of paint when alternating between colours for different products. Leitz explained how its serviceable cutting tool design enhances the tool’s lifecycle, as well as reduces wastage of wood materials by minimising defects such as tearing. Other companies, such as Homag, IMA and Wienig Group, demonstrated how customisable machines can cater to different production requirements.

Holding the seminars in different countries allows country specific items to be included in the programmes. For example, GTZ made a presentation on the Vietnamese-German Forestry Programme at the seminar in Vietnam, which would be relevant to local manufacturers.

In addition, companies can send their local representatives to adopt a more country-orientated approach. The seminars also provide direct interpretation service where content of

the presentation will be interpreted into English or the local language depending on the source.

Ingo Bette, marketing director of VDMA, explained that the seminars created a more conducive environment by providing a venue where presenters and participants have sufficient time to take part in discussions.

This is not possible at exhibitions as visitors would try to cover as much ground as they can and only stop at a booth for short periods of around 15 minutes. The two-day event offer manufacturers the chance to digest the information they acquire, before returning with questions that are specific to their respective plants.

The encouraging turnout has led to consideration of expanding to other locations of the world and to touch on other industries, like the sawmilling industry.

During the conception stage, the association has wanted to target more countries, especially in the Asian region, but decided to select three after consultation with its member companies to limit the travel period and ensure the intensity of the sessions. In the near future, it will explore the idea of organising seminar series on different topics at different time of the year. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8707

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

61

Exhibition

Outlook

Special Feature

Unlocking Opportunities For The ASEAN Woodworking & Furniture Production Industry Koelnmesse, organiser of the world’s largest furniture and furniture production events such IMM Cologne, ORGATEC, Interzum and Interzum Guangzhou, announces the launch of FurniPRO Asia in 2012, a unique trade fair concept for the ASEAN woodworking and furniture production industry.

Asia in recent years has experienced a major surge in demand for its manufactured goods from the world's largest markets in the US and Japan. One sector which has benefited from this increase in demand is furniture that is manufactured in Asia.

South-east Asia in particular is emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the global furniture manufacturing circuit. With some of the largest resources of timber, the region caters to a large demand emanating both from within and outside its own regional boundaries.

According to statistics compiled by the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC), total intra-ASEAN furniture trade (excluding Myanmar) in 2008 reached an all-time high with exports coming in at US$502.7 million and imports hitting US$516.3 million.

Collectively, ASEAN exported US$11.85 billion of furniture.

Singaporean firms play an important role as investors in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, which prove central to the development of the local furniture industry. The factories overseas are responsible for production, while the headquarters in Singapore take charge of marketing, design, branding and product development.

As a result, the furniture industry in Singapore has also earned a strong reputation based on its ability to produce innovative, well designed and high-quality furniture, which are widely accepted worldwide.

62 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Riding on the growing potential of the ASEAN market and the key strategic role that Singapore plays in the development of the industry, Koelnmesse is organising furniPRO Asia from 17 – 19 October in Singapore next year.

FurniPRO Asia serves as an ideal sourcing platform for customers from the ASEAN furniture and furnishings manufacturing industry, and offers manufacturers and service providers from the international woodworking and furniture production industry an ideal gateway to the ASEAN region markets.

FurniPRO Asia builds on Koelnmesse’s experience and strength in organising the world’s largest furniture and furniture production events including IMM Cologne, ORGATEC, Interzum, Interzum Guangzhou, to brings together the key players in the international woodworking machinery and furniture production industry to buy, sell and network in ASEAN. The biennial FurniPRO Asia will offer an unparalleled outreach and access for the international woodworking and furniture production industry to trade professionals in the ASEAN region and beyond - showcasing some 250 exhibitors and attracting more than 8,000 trade visitors in the first year.

FurniPRO Asia serves as an ideal sourcing platform for customers from the ASEAN furniture and furnishings manufacturing industry, and offers manufacturers and service providers from the international woodworking and furniture production industry an ideal gateway to the ASEAN region markets. It also aims to be a premier networking and innovations exchange platform boasting unique business matching and know how exchange opportunities to participants.

“FurniPRO Asia is unique because it offers participants the opportunity to reach out to a wide cross segment of the woodworking and furniture production industry, across the various ASEAN countries. You can expect a good representation of exhibitors from all over the world who are interested to do business in Asia, as well as buyer representation from the whole of ASEAN. It is for this reason that we have chosen Singapore, with its strategic location as the regional centre of trade and business, to host this regional trade fair. You won’t find another trade fair in ASEAN that will be able to offer you the range of products and the diversity of country representation, as you will at FurniPRO Asia,” says Mr Michael Dreyer, VP, Asia Pacific, Koelnmesse.

Exhibition

Outlook FurniPRO Asia Event Dates: October 17 - 19, 2012 Event Venue: (Singapore) Singapore Expo Website: www.furniproasia.com

Event Highlight: FurniPRO Asia is positioned as one of ASEAN’s leading business platforms and trade exhibitions for the international woodworking machinery and furniture production industry.

It features five main components: ✦ Professional trade exhibition ✦ Innovation & best practice showcases ✦ Business matchmaking services ✦ Customised networking events ✦ Product & services focused seminars and training sessions

Visitors' Profile: • Furniture manufacturing industry • Wood & plastic processing industry • Wood, plastic & furniture components traders • Furniture manufacturing components & materials traders • Forestry industry • Furniture wholesalers and retailers • Interior designers • Training institutions & universities • Government institutions & trade promotion bodies • DIY (Do-It-Yourself) & BIY (Build-ItYourself) buyers • Research & development institutions for furniture & furniture design • Trade media & publications

Exhibitors' Profile: • Machines & auxiliary machines for woodworking • Machines, materials & components for interior work • Machines, materials & components for upholstery & bedding • Materials & components for furniture production • Services (including financing, project management & consultancy

Organiser Information: Koelnmesse Pte Ltd 152 Beach Road #25-05 Gateway East Singapore 189721

Ms Evangeline Ho Tel: (65) 6500 6700/(65) 92306729 Fax: (65) 6296 2771/(65) 6294 8403 E-mail : e.ho@koelnmesse.com.sg Website: www.koelnmesse.com.sg

Enquiry No.

E80163

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

Exhibition

Outlook CIFM / interzum guangzhou Event Dates: March 27 - 30, 2012 Event Venue: (Guangzhou, China) China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou) Website: www.interzum-guangzhou.com Visitors' Profile: Event Highlight: One of Asia’s largest and most comprehensive woodworking machinery, furniture production and interior design trade fairs, CIFM / interzum guangzhou will open in co-location with the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF).

One of the new developments in 2012 is the relocation of the Raw Materials & Components Zone to Area C of the venue while Hall 14.1 is for the international hardware & fitting segment and Hall 15.1 is for other raw materials & accessories segment, like wood product, adhesive & bedding.

The Machinery Zone will remain on the first floor of Area B. CIFM / interzum guangzhou 2012 is projected to feature more than 1,000 furniture manufacturers worldwide covering 110,000 sq m and attract over 50,000 local and overseas buyers.

• • • • • • • •

Furniture manufacturers Wood & plastic traders DIY (Do-It-Yourself) & BIY (Build-It-Yourself) Institutions Wood & plastic processors Panel board manufacturers Furniture wholesalers & retailers Interior designers

Exhibitors' Profile: • Materials and components for furniture production • Machines, materials and components for upholstery and bedding • Machines, materials and components for interior works • Machines and auxiliary machines for woodworking and furniture production • Others: media and trade associations Organiser Information: Koelnmesse Co Ltd Guangzhou Branch Room 3311, Metro Plaza 183 Tianhe Road (North) Tianhe, 510620, PR China Ms Karen Lee / Mr Mattis Liang Tel: (86) 20 8755 2468 ext 12/15 Fax: (86) 20 8755 2970 E-mail: k.lee@koelnmesse.cn/ m.liang@koelnmesse.cn Website: www.interzum-guangzhou.com

Enquiry No.

E802 64

FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

Exhibition

Outlook WMF2012_Hires.pdf

10/31/11

5:38:09 PM

WMF 2012 Event Dates: March 12 - 15, 2012 Event Venue: (Beijing, China) New China International Exhibition Center Website: www.woodworkfair.com Event Highlight: Being one of the largest exhibitions of its kind in Asia, The 14th International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF)/The 14th International Exhibition on Furniture Accessories, Materials and Wood Products (FAM) will have 6 theme zones.

Visitors' Profile: • • • • • • • • •

The show expects to occupy over 60,000 sq m with more than 700 renowned exhibitors. 2012 Beijing International Modern Forestry Equipment Expo (BIMF) & 2012 Beijing International Landscaping Expo (BILE) will be held concurrently.

• • • • • • • • • •

Hardwood furniture manufacturers Panel board furniture manufacturers Upholstery manufacturers Flooring manufacturers Kitchen cabinet manufacturers Panel board manufacturers Timber manufacturers Wood processing companies Wood product/semi-finished wood product manufacturers Knife & blade traders Woodworking machinery traders Machinery accessories traders Decoration & construction materials traders Interior decoration & building construction companies/interior design companies Architects/builders Building design institutes/designers/engineers Property developers/building constructors Related agents/dealers & distributors Government/authorities/association/ trade commission

Exhibitors' Profile: • • • •

Furniture machinery zone (hardwoods & boards) Panel board machinery zone Carving machinery & CNC machining centre zone Coating, drier & materials-making machinery zone • Furniture materials, hardware & wood products zone • Knives, blades & machinery accessories zone

Organiser Information: Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd 6/F 321 Java Road, North Point Hong Kong

Ms Grace Lau/Ms Fiona Pang Tel: (852) 2516 3363/3348 Fax: (852) 2516 5024 E-mail: publicity@adsale.com.hk Website: www.adsale.com.hk

Enquiry No.

E80365

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

Exhibition

Outlook Visitors’ Profile:

Technodomus Event Dates: April 20 – 24, 2012 Event Venue: (Rimini, Italy) Rimini Expo Center Website: en.technodomus.it

Event Highlight: In 2010, Technodomus welcomed 30,865 visitors from the trade, of whom 31 percent came from abroad. Manufacturers of machines, parts, accessories and tools for the woodwork industry will get together over five days to present their latest products and technological innovations.

The exhibition will once again feature a wide range of professional conferences and workshops that allow participants to update their skill sets and discuss hot topics. These events are organised together with universities, research institutes, trade associations, magazines and industry experts.

Xylexpo Event Dates: May 8 – 12, 2012 Event Venue: (Milan, Italy) Milan Fairgrounds Website: www.xylexpo.com/eng

Event Highlight: Xylexpo 2012 offers a panorama of products for every phase in the processing and working of wood and wood-based products.

The show will be arranged in four major categories: • machinery for forest industry, equipment and vehicles; • machinery, accessories and tools for primary wood processing, technologies for the wood building industry, lumber, beams and semi-finished structural wood products; • machinery, accessories and tools working and finishing for solid wood, hardware and semi-finished wood products, supplementary finishing products for working solid wood; • machinery, accessories and tools for panel wood processing, surface treatment machines and products, hardware, supplementary finishing products for processing panels.

66 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

• Forestry industry • Architects & interior designers • Furniture manufacturers • Institutions • Boards & panels makers • Materials, hardware and accessories suppliers

Exhibitors’ Profile: • Woodworking machinery & accessories • Raw material & timber • Panels • Architecture • Wood roofing & walls • Wood doors & windows • Hardware • Decorations • Associations, organisations & institutions • Services

Enquiry No.

E804

Visitors’ Profile: • Forestry industry • Furniture manufacturers • Boards & panels makers • Materials, hardware and accessories suppliers

Exhibitors’ Profile: • Woodworking machinery • Primary wood processing machinery & tools • Secondary wood processing machinery & tools • Panel wood processing machinery & tools • Surface treatment technologies • Forestry equipment & vehicles • Construction industry • Wood materials Enquiry No.

E805

Exhibition

Outlook Visitors’ Profile:

IWF Atlanta Event Dates: August 22 – 25, 2012 Event Venue: (Atlanta, US) Georgia World Congress Center Website: www.iwfatlanta.com

Exhibitors’ Profile:

Event Highlight: One of the largest woodworking technology trade shows in the Western hemisphere, International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair (IWF) is held biennially at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, US. The show is recognised around the world as an event for introducing and selling manufacturing equipment, supplies and innovative technology. The exhibition attracts visitors from every level of the industry from over 80 countries.

IWF is sponsored by American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) and Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA).

fmc_cmyk.pdf

11/1/11

• Cabinetry manufacturers & installers • Furniture manufacturers • Machinery manufacturers & distributers • Construction materials & components manufacturers

6:28:27 PM

• Upholstered furniture & upholstery products • Business, institutional & hospitality furniture • Kitchen & bath cabinets • Engineered wood products • Commercial & residential building • Closets & home organisation systems • Countertop materials & fabrication • Machinery & tooling • Software systems & information technology • Flooring Enquiry No. • Doors & windows

E806

FMC China Event Dates: September 11 – 14, 2012 Event Venue: (Shanghai, China) Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center Website: www.fmcchina.com.cn

Event Highlight: FMC China 2011 attracted 745 domestic and overseas exhibitors, 30,327 trade buyers from 30 provinces and 111 countries and regions. 4,521 overseas visitors attended the exhibition, which was an increase of 12 percent compared to 2010. The premium section of the show welcomed 11,483 decision-maker level visitors.

The 2012 edition will cover 71,000 sq m and is expected to attract 850 exhibitor and 32,000 trade buyers. Categories will include furniture manufacturing equipment, furniture raw materials & surface décor, furniture accessories & components, office furniture accessories & components, upholstery furniture accessories & components, furniture chemicals, furniture inspection, design & services.

Visitors’ Profile: • Furniture manufacturers • Forestry industry • Supplies, materials & accessories suppliers • Wooden products manufacturers • Artificial boards and panels makers • Architects & interior designers

Exhibitors’ Profile: • Furniture raw materials & components • Boards, panels & plywood • Wood & timber • Springs, foams & sponge • Furniture chemicals • Fabrics & leather

Enquiry No.

E807

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

67

Exhibition

Outlook MIFF

Event Dates: March 6 – 10, 2012 Event Venue: (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) Putra World Trade Centre & Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre Website: www.miff.com.my

IMM Cologne

Event Dates: January 16 – 22, 2012 Event Venue: (Cologne, Germany) Cologne International Expocentre Website: www.imm-cologne.de

Event Highlight:

Event Highlight:

IMM Cologne is the central meeting place for exhibitors and decision-makers from the world's important markets.

Contacts from all areas of the trade and industry, contract business experts, professionals from the architecture scene and the sectors' up-and-coming young professionals are expected to attend to attend the show.

Together with IMM Cologne, the new trade fair format LivingInteriors will be showing staged interior worlds consisting of furniture, bathrooms, floors, walls and lighting. Trade visitors and consumers will get an overview over holistic living and interior design concepts and their products.

The 18th edition of Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) will feature over 75,000 sq m of exhibition space spread over Putra World Trade Centre and nearby Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre. More than 500 exhibitors are expected to be present to display contemporary styles and perennial favourites for a wide range of indoor and exterior home furniture.

The Ideation Award will also return to demonstrate the creativity of young designers who are challenged with the theme of ‘My Favourite Chair’ to produce a market appealing product.

Enquiry No.

Enquiry No.

E808

E810

IFFS

Indiawood

Event Dates: February 10 – 14, 2012 Event Venue: (Bangalore, India) Bangalore International Exhibition Centre Website: www.indiawood.com

Event Dates: March 9 – 12, 2012 Event Venue: (Singapore) Singapore Expo Website: www.iffs.com.sg

Event Highlight:

Event Highlight:

Since its inception in 1999, IndiaWood has offered a platform to convert market potential to business in India’s woodworking sector. The 2010 edition of the show covered over 30,000 sq m of exhibition space and featured more than 450 exhibitors, with 49 percent coming from overseas.

Products that will be displayed include wood-based panel production machinery, joinery machinery, machinery for furniture, kiln drying and timber technologies, sawmill equipment, woodworking tools, hardware and fittings, laminates, sanders and coatings.

The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2012/29th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2012) is Asia’s one-stop furniture & furnishing platform that focused on achieving sourcing results. The exhibition differentiates from other regional shows in its focus on furniture design.

Over 120,000 pieces of design-led, quality furniture and furnishing products will be on display, consolidating a large collection of exhibitors from China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Besides the regional presence, international companies from Australia, France, Italy, United Kingdom and US will participate as well.

Enquiry No.

Enquiry No.

E809 68 FDM Asia Nov/dec 2011 | www.fdmasia.com

E811

Exhibition

Outlook Domotex

iFMac

Event Dates: March 27 – 29, 2012 Event Venue: (Shanghai, China) Shanghai New International Exhibition Center Website: www.domotexasia.com

Event Dates: March 11 – 14, 2012 Event Venue: (Jakarta, Indonesia) Jakarta International Expo Website: ifmac.kaigo.com.tw

Event Highlight:

Event Highlight:

As a partner of the Indonesian Furniture Industry & Handicraft Association (ASMINDO), iFMac will be held in conjunction with IFFINA (International Furniture & Craft Fair Indonesia), an annual furniture fair in Indonesia.

Joint promotional activities will be carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry of The Republic of Indonesia, ASMINDO, Indonesian Sawmill and Wood Working Association, Lunjiao Woodworking Machinery, Indonesia Rattan Furniture And Craft Association & Indonesian Wood Panel Association. Approximately 70 exhibitors, from locations such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Germany, Italy, Austria, Taiwan and China, are expected to attend the show, occupying over 150 booths.

Enquiry No.

Domotex Asia/Chinafloor encompasses a total of 11 halls (126,500 sq m of gross area) and covers the entire flooring industry supply chain and its major application fields, injecting innovations into this rapidly changing industry.

Catering for 1058 exhibiting companies and nearly 40,000 industry buyers and professionals, this flooring show is organised alongside an array of events covering all aspects of the construction and decoration industry in Asia, including the Shanghai Architecture Fair, the Eco City Summit, the Sustainable Integrated Real Estate exhibition, R+T Asia, and China Sustainable Building conference among others.

Enquiry No.

E814

E812

TIFF

TIFF 2012

Dubai WoodShow

Event Dates: April 3 – 5, 2012 Event Venue: Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Center Website: www.dubaiwoodshow.com

Event Dates: March 14 – 18, 2012 Event Venue: (Bangkok, Thailand) Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre Website: www.thaitradefair.com/2012/TIFF

Event Highlight:

Event Highlight:

Supported by Thai Furniture Industry Club of The Federation of Thai Industries and Thai Furniture Industries Association, the show will feature furniture, interior furnishing and accessories, as well as materials and parts.

Under the theme ‘Fill Green, Feel Good’, the focus will once again be on environmental friendly furniture design and construction. Over 220 exhibitors around the world attended the show in 2011, the same will be expected for the 2012 edition.

The Dubai WoodShow provides an opportunity for wood and woodworking professionals to meet, develop ideas for increasing the range and quality of business and learn techniques and sources of supply.

The exhibition is a showplace for innovations and technologies, and has become the platform of progress across the wood and woodworking sector of the region.

The show will encompass over 12,000 sq m of floor space, featuring over 250 exhibitors with an expected crowd of over 6,000 specialised trade visitors.

Enquiry No.

Enquiry No.

E813

E815 www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

69

Calendar of Events

2011-2012

NOVEMBER

January

21-24: Timber Israel 2011

16-22: IMM Cologne 2012

Tel Aviv Fairgrounds Tel Aviv, Israel Tel: +03 688 2929 Fax: +03 688 3031 Web: www.sbl.co.il

Cologne International Expocentre Cologne, Germany Tel: +49 0 1805 91 3131 Fax: +49 0 221 821 99 1180 Email: imm@visitor.koelnmesse.de Web: www.imm-cologne.de

21-25: ZOW Moscow Expocentr Moscow, Russia Tel: +7 (812) 320 8096/8865 Fax: +7 (812) 320 8090 Email: zow@restec.ru Web: www.zow.ru

25 Nov-5 Dec: Philippine Furniture & Furnishings Show Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall Mandaluyong City, Philippines Tel: +63 2 631 2834/9007 Fax: +63 2 631 2977 Web: www.cfip.ph

29-2: Woodex Crocus Expo Exhibition Centre Moscow, Russia Tel: +7 (495) 935 8100 Fax: +7 (495) 935 8101 Email: rex.bowden@ite-exhibitions.com Web: www.woodexpo.ru

December 9-11: Furniture World China 2011 China International Exhibition Center Beijing, China Tel: +86 10 6480 2457/2463 Fax: +86 10 6480 3110/2462 Web: www.furniture-cn.net.cn

To be considered for inclusion in the Calendar of Events, send details of event (name, date, venue, organiser contact) to:

February 1-3: AIFF 2012 Sydney Exhibition Centre Sydney, Australia Tel: +613 9654 7773 Fax: +613 9654 5596 Email: furniture@aec.net.au Web: www.aiff.net.au

8-11: Expobois 2012 Paris Nord Villepinte Paris, France Tel: + 33 0 1 7677 1444 Email: rim.belgacem.contractor@comexposium. com Web: en.expobois.fr

10-14: IndiaWood 2012 Bangalore International Exhibition Centre Bangalore, India Tel: +91 80 4250 5000 Fax: +91 80 2554 2258 Email: expo@pdatradefairs.com Website: www.indiawood.com

March

Tel: +606 952 4545 Fax: +606 951 3112 Email: info@efe.net.my Website: www.efe.net.my

9-12: IFFS 2012 Singapore Expo Singapore Tel: +65 6569 6988 Fax: +65 6569 9939 Email: enquiry@iffs.com.sg Website: www.iffs.com.sg

12-15: WMF 2012 China International Exhibition Center Beijing, China Tel: +852 2516 3382/3348 Fax: +852 2516 5024 Email: publicity@adsale.com.hk Website: www.woodworkfair.com

14-18: TIFF 2012 Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre Bangkok, Thailand Tel: +66 0 2507 8363/61/64 Fax: +66 0 2547 4281/4266 Email: tiff@depthai.go.th www.thailandfurniturefair.com

18-21: CIFF 2012 China Import & Export Fair Complex Guangzhou, China Tel: +020 8912 8062 Fax: +020 8912 8298-103 Email: ginaho@fairwindow.com.cn Website: www.ciff-gz.com

6-10: MIFF 2012 Putra World Trade Centre & Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: +603 9282 2888 Fax: +603 9286 1551 Email: info@miff.com.my Website: www.miff.com.my

The Editor FDM Asia Eastern Trade Media Pte Ltd 1100 Lower Delta Road EPL Building #02-05 Singapore 169206 Tel: (65) 6379 2888 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: (65) 6379 2805 Email: fdmasia@epl.com.sg

7-11: EFE 2012

Kindly indicate the events you are interested in and fax the sheet/s along with your details in the Product Enquiry Page to (65) 6379 2806 or enquire online at www.fdmasia.com

Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

April 20-24: Technodomus 2012 Rimini Expo Center Rimini, Italy Tel: +39 0541/744 759 Fax: +39 0541/744 751 Email: a.piccinini@riminifiera.it Website: en.technodomus.it

*All details subject to change without notice. Please check with organisers for updates.

Product highlights Hardware Resources: Compact Hinge

Snijlab: Bendable Wood

The patent pending 125-deg compact hinge has a wide opening angle, plus no-gap two-point pivot action. The wide angle and cam adjustable plate makes cabinets easier to open and give the hinge extra durability.

The compact hinge is made from cold rolled steel construction, zinc die cast plate with nickel plating — making the joint both strong and dynamic in structure.

Additional features include one-piece compact assembly with vertical, horizontal or depth cam adjustment, three cams for fully integrated six directional cam adjustment, two screw holes on the plate for secure attachment to the surface frame, and two pivot points for improved opening action.

Made from birch plywood and finished with a clear varnish, the wood features unique cutting pattern along its bendable region that allows the material to be folded in both direction without breakage.

Precision cutting of the pattern is achieved using digital laser cutting technology. The manufacturing technique allows all product features to be made in a single production step and in one material, cutting down production effort and logistics. By working from sheet materials, products can also be flat-packed, enabling savings in both resources and shipping charges.

ENQUIRY NO. P881

ENQUIRY NO. P883

Milwaukee Electric Tool: Jig Saw

Weeke: Machining Centre

Featuring a hybrid grip design, the M12 cordless jig saw combines the features from both top handle and barrel grip jig saw designs to provide cut control and balance. At only 4.1 lbs (1.86 kg) and 8.75 inches (22.2 cm) long, the jig saw is also compact and light weight.

A 0.75 inch stroke length and zero to 2,800 SPM variable speed trigger deliver fast and accurate cuts in multiple materials, while the Quik-Lok T-Shank blade clamp and tool free 45 deg bevel capability allow for quick and easy tool adjustments.

The company’s Redlithium batteries provide up to 40 percent more run-time, 20 percent more power and 50 percent more recharges than other lithium products on the market. The technology will also operate in extreme temperatures, as low as –18 deg C and will run 20 percent cooler, with fade free power and no memory effect.

Weeke offers nested-based manufacturing automation solutions with five-axis technology at multiple entry levels.

ENQUIRY NO. P882

In combination with a Ligamatech storage-and-retrieval system, the Vantage-200 linear-flow nesting automation system allows for fully automated panel presentation, automatic in-feed/out-feed and manual sorting of readyto-assemble box components.

The Vantage-100 system features ultra-compact footprint, fully automatic part labeling and a unique over/under in-feed/ out-feed system designed to minimise shop-floor space requirements. The system is available in the following table sizes: 4x8, 5x10, 5x12, 6x10, 6x12, 7x10 and 7x14.

ENQUIRY NO. P884

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA Nov/dec 2011

71

Advertising Index Enquiry Number

Advertisers / Agency

Page Number

263

American Hardwood Export Council IFC

297

Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd (WMF 2012)

212 Baillie Lumber Co

23

199 Bino (SH) Machinery Co Ltd

5

262 Dieffenbacher GmbH Maschinen - und Anlagenbau

1

253 DunHua Yalian Machine Co Ltd

25

300

53

264 Internet Wood Glue Co Ltd

7

302 International Furniture Fair Singapore ltd (IFFS 2012)

27

234

Java Berhad

19

180

Jeffer Machinery Co Ltd

72

292

Koelnmesse Co Ltd (Interzum Guangzhou 2012)

39

280 Northwest Hardwoods Inc IBC

301 PDA Trade Fairs (IndiaWood 2012)

291 Surteco Pte Ltd OBC

261 Siempelkamp Maschinen - und Anlagenbau GmbH & Co KG

3

108 Taihao Woodworking Machinery Co Ltd

51

282 Tong Fong Cutters Co Ltd

31

298 Thermwood India

17

203 Wen Chih Machinery Industrial Co Ltd

37

268 Wagner Meters

45

Legend:

35

Fulpow Industrial Corp

43

Advertisers with e-Brochures

This quick reference guide is provided as an additional service.

The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or ommission.

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