POPLAR PLYWOOD PRODUCTION
FIVE GENERATIONS IN THE WOOD SECTOR
new-coltura
POPLAR CULTIVATION
Vigolungo SpA mainly buys raw materials from exploitation companies based in the North West of Italy (Piedmont and Lombardy), but also a percentage of so-called “standing” trees.
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RAW MATERIALS STORAGE
The tree trunks arrive at the company delivery area suitably cut into the various sizes required. Then they are unloaded and sorted out according to diameter, length and quality by means of special automated machinery.
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DE-BARKING
From the courtyard, the trunks are then taken to the de-barking line where the tree bark is automatically stripped off by means of a rotating knives device.
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VENEER CUTTING
After the bark has been stripped off, the trunk gets cut ( veneer peeling phase). The first operation consists of centring the trunk by means of laser sensors which, by taking the ideal cylinder out of the trunk, ensure the best cutting output. The peeling machine gets hold of the trunk and,while rotating it, sends it towards a fixed sharp blade which gives the so-called “sfogliati” or veneers the required thickness . Finally, the veneers are stacked up by means of depression stacking machines.
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DRYING
By means of semi-automatic loading machines, the veneers are then taken into a dryer which drastically reduces their moisture. When they come out, before going through successive working processes, a preliminary manual selection is carried out based on aesthetic, qualitative and technical characteristics.
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GLUING
This phase starts with the gluing of the surface of some veneers. Then what is called the “mattress” is formed. The latter is obtained by crosswise superimposition of the odd veneers (without glue) with the even ones (with glue).
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COMPOSITION
The “ mattress” is then pressed and, thanks to pressure and suitable temperatures, the glue gets polymerized thus turning the veneer into the final product called plywood. Once the panels are out of the press, they are filled up manually. The filling is easily carried out by the operator thanks to a machine which ensures an ergonomic position of the panel
Vigolungo Produzione
PRESSING
The “ mattress” is then pressed and, thanks to pressure and suitable temperatures, the glue gets polymerized thus turning the veneer into the final product called plywood. Once the panels are out of the press, they are filled up manually. The filling is easily carried out by the operator thanks to a machine which ensures an ergonomic position of the panel
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SQUARING
At this stage the panel is squared up in the required sizes by means of high speed circular saws in order to obtain a perfect orthogonal item.
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SANDING
Both faces of the panel are sanded and gauged in order to eliminate superficial defects and get the required thickness. Then a further selection is carried out on aesthetic and qualitative principles.
DELIVERY
After being properly packed up, the product is ready to be delivered to the customer.
