Creating CuttingEdge Surfaces

STAFF REPORTS nnovations in products and technologies available for finishing wood and alternative wood substrates has rapidly advanced in the last few years, creating more options than ever before for colors, prints and finishes. From treatments that add beauty and coatings that add durability to the application methods and equipment advances, the methods and tools for coating and finishing has evolved way beyond simply sanding and painting a surface.

Efficient Equipment

Today’s equipment has simplified the technique of coating and finishing by combining what once took several steps into one seamless system, allowing for a faster process and a more uniform finished product.

The Hymmen double belt press technology has been around since the late 1970s, but ongoing technical developments — including the revision of sealing systems — have led and will continue to lead to further increases in efficiency in double belt press technology, say company officials.

From technical laminates, building materials or innovative composite materials, the fields of application of double belt press technology for end products within and outside the wood-based materials industry are manifold. However, the continuous production of decorative laminates has established itself as the standard application over the decades, with these HPL or CPL laminates being used in a variety of ways for furniture, worktops and windowsills, doors, edge bandings or other types of decorative surfaces.

Different processes are available, whether isobar or isochor, as well as proven systems for high pressure. With the Hymmen Turbo System, specific temperature profiles and cooling zones can be implemented for special product requirements without pressure interruption. Visit www.hymmen.com for more information.

Years of research and development combined with decades of experience with PUR hotmelt adhesives systems formed the foundation for the recent expansion of Kleiberit’s HotCoating technology. Kleiberit PUR HC 717 is solid at room temperature and has to be molten with the aid of a pre-melter. The PUR coating is applied to the surface during the HotCoating process. The chemical cross linking of the PUR material achieves a very high surface hardness, which is extremely shock and wear resistant. The PUR material also has very high UV stability and chemical resistance. Direct application of a UV hardening topcoat ensures precise setting of the desired gloss level and allows for variations in coloring.

The HotCoating roll-to-roll coating technology allows for the finishing of furniture components, coating of flooring and façade elements as well as the finishing of roll material for profile wrapping, to include a system for “supermatt” finishes. The HotCoating market expansion features a working width of up to 1600 mm, a

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‹ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 line speed of up to 50 meters a minute and is suitable for HotCoating with corundum. The system offers surface finishing in combination with digital printing and embossing and is suitable for veneer, paper, thermoplastic foils and CPL, creating innovative application possibilities in indoor and outdoor areas. Visit www.hotcoating.kleiberit.com for more information.

Guffey Systems’ PivotLine Manual-Rail Finishing System and their PivotPoint Touch-Free Batch Finishing System both are designed to increase productivity. These systems rival the production speed of flatline and hanging automated lines at a fraction of the cost, space, and implementation time. PivotLine users are consistently experiencing increases of two to four times their normal throughput. All equipment is patented, industrial-quality and made in the USA. Visit www.guffeysystems.com/ for more information.

WolfRayet’s new catalytic gel ovens are designed to deliver a more efficient powder coating process. With a very small operational footprint, these gel ovens deliver a high-tech, low-operating cost solution to improve existing convection curing. Benefits include rapid surface temperature increase, improved convection heating efficiency and the potential to increase line speed enabling greater throughput. The company’s IR catalytic gel oven directly heats the powder, causing it to gel. As a result, the powder cannot be blown off in the convection oven and eliminates the chance of cross contamination. The gel oven speeds up the convection oven process, which is especially useful for low temperature cure powders as well as textured and higher temp powders. Visit www.wolfrayet.com for more information.

Coating Options

Coatings available for wood and for alternative wood materials include polyurethane coatings, waterbased coatings, polyester coatings, acrylic coatings, solvent-based coatings and resins — just to name a few. In addition to the myriad of colors and textures available, many companies are working to minimize environmental effects.

Designed for distributors, Axalta’s Color Choice offers one of the most comprehensive color matching and finish design programs for the wood coatings marketplace — combining design, formulation and program management guidance along with a full complement of products, raw materials and equipment. Color Choice enables companies of various sizes to efficiently produce an unlimited number of custom colors and finishes with precise accuracy and consistency. With a broad offering of tools, training, and materials, Color Choice provides personally tailored programs to meet individual business needs and budget.

The system includes wiping stains, spray stains, liquid glaze, powder glaze, and basecoats for solvent and water-based products. Finishers can save more than 20 percent on material cost by purchasing components of colors and textures such as bases and colorants, rather than finished color products.

Axalta’s industrial wood coatings feature a variety of technologies including varnishes, glazes, stains and lacquers that enhance and protect wood and alternative wood substrates. Ideal for various applications such as cabinets, tables, office furniture, exterior siding, doors and floors, our wood coatings provide durability and rich color. Available in ultra-low VOC and HAPs-free, formaldehyde-free and isocyanate-free formulations, these products minimize hazards to workers, consumers and the environment. Visit www.axalta.com for more information. s p