Our newest press features a fresh design that incorporates key differences that set it apart from other CLT presses. USNR’s CLT press uses pneumatic pressure to produce 10’ (3 m) wide CLT panels up to 24’ (7,5 m) long and 10.5” (270 mm) thick. The panels are assembled using between three to seven layers of cross-laid timbers. Adhesive is applied between the layers prior to the panel entering the press. This method is robust, extremely cost-effective, and more environmentally friendly than the hydraulic alternative. An additional advantage to the USNR design is its modularity – it could easily be modified to any desired length by simply adding or removing window frame segments.
A hydraulic press design is also available.
- Modular construction allows the system to be expandable along the length at every 18" (~0,46 m).
- Pneumatics are used instead of hydraulics to achieve the required pressure of 100 psi.
- To ensure intimate wood contact and get a good bond joint, the system must deliver 100 psi on the glue lines.
- Large press areas, of 10' wide (3m), require every inch to have 100 psi.
How it works
- This press follows a “window frame” design consisting of 16 identical steel frames spaced 18” apart, with each frame having an opening (or “window”) which allows CLT panels to pass through the press. Once the panel has been fed into the press via a set of pop-up rolls, it comes to rest on platens within the press opening.
- A set of pneumatic cylinders then applies pressure from the sides to ensure minimal gap between timbers within a given layer. Meanwhile, a set of channels carrying 8 large diameter pneumatic hoses is lowered to rest on top of the CLT panel. Once the panel is configured correctly within the window of the press, the 8 hoses are brought to pressure (typically to 100 psi, though it’s capable of delivering up to 150 psi of pressure). Press time depends largely on the time it takes to lay-up the panel, with a ratio of approximately 2.5:1 (press time to lay-up time).