Panels & Furniture Asia July/August 2022

PANEL MANUFACTURING
Non-contact release
agent application on
multi-daylight presses
For a cleaner working environment and increased board quality,
water and release agents are applied before the press, resulting in
various advantages for panelboard production.
The use of release agents in powder form
is maintenance-intensive and often leads
to dust. The application of water and
release agent offers an alternative which
can increase the quality of production
and speed it up.
Water or water combined with the
release agent will be applied in a precise
and repeatably even manner across the
mat. The water transports the heat from
the press more quickly, deeply and
evenly through the mat and reduces the
press time. Additionally, the agent will
ensure a smooth and fast release from
the forming and the press belt. Even
if there is minor damage to the belts
there will be no sticking, as claimed
by Weko. The application of fluid will
adapt to the machine’s speed, and only
the desired amount will be applied to
the mat.
With water, the fibres will be smoother
and more flexible, and it will be easier
to press the fibres homogeneously.
This results in a higher board density
on the top and bottom, and therefore
a higher bending strength with a
release agent.
32 Panels & Furniture Asia | July / August 2022