New edgebanding & sandwich board processing techniques announced.

New high-tech lightweight boards/composite panels are increasingly being utilized as attractive materials in furniture construction, interior construction and related branches.

The structure of these lightweight, but sturdy sandwich boards consists of two thin flat surface finishes, or facings, linked to each other through honeycomb-type or cellular-core structures, formed with aluminum foils, tubular aluminum mils, stabilized textile fibers or paper board, and requires modified edgebanding processes.

IMA offers two processes for a reliable bonding between the facing and edging materials, both for stationary systems and throughfeed systems. Furthermore, the core can be treated so that the edging and the adhesive joint are given enough strength for the attachment of hardware.

IMA BLIND EDGING TECHNIQUE

First the core is cut away so that an approximately 3mm-thick blind edging can be glued into this cut-away. In the cutting process, facings of great thickness are rebated. The blind edging is embedded in glue and offers reliable support for the decorative edging. Special IMA units allow for cost-effective production--the blind edging and decorative edging can be applied in one pass.

If particularly great demands are placed on the strength of the panel end face, such as when hardware needs to be fixed, a broad lipping can be bonded instead of the blind edging. In effect, this also allows efficient production of shelves that may, for example, be fixed laterally to frames or be linked with cabinet side panels through hardware.

IMA FOAM-GLUE PROCESS

The IMA Foam-Glue process does not use any blind edging, but allows for durability and stability of the decorative edging by applying foam at the back. Special plastic foams fill the hollow spaces in the edging area; sensors determine the structure of the core and regulate the degree of filling to prevent the edging from being bulged by overfilling and interrupting the bond. Adapted adhesives are employed to bond the decorative edging to the surface finish; sometimes the finish also requires special pre-treatment.

The adhesive, edging and plastic foam can be adapted to certain requirements, such as to meet fire resistance or hygienic demands. With this process, the user no longer depends on the use of special facing profiles.

For more information regarding the edge processing of lightweight sandwich boards, please contact Steve Leedham, vice president of sales, IMA America Corp., at [phone].

IMA offers a variety of edge processing systems, including this Combima throughfeed machine.

IMA America Corp.

Phone: [phone]

www.imaamerica.com

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