What Is a Glued Panel?

Process

• The manufacturing process for glued panels requires strips of wood, usually no wider than 3 inches to avoid warping, to be glued together and clamped until the wood has bonded the strips together. Different species of wood require differing amounts of pressure to be applied; the density of the wood plays a key role in the clamping process. Mid-density species, such as birch require between 150 and 200 pounds per square inch of pressure to be applied, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Lower-density woods require less pressure, usually around 100 psi. A planer is used to ensure the panels are straight edged.

Equipment

• A large planer machine is required to make most glued panels to ensure a squared panel is produced. Each strip of lumber is glued and clamped together to ensure the bond between wood and glue is constant. Other equipment needed to complete the production process of glued panels includes a saw mill and a number of saws, including the rap and chop saws. A manufacturing facility should also be equipped with glue preparation and application equipment. Edged panels must be banded together and held in a dry storage facility until they are shipped or used for manufacturing.

Uses

• Glued panels can be used to make kitchen cabinets and cabinet doors. Other uses include the production of furniture and craft products. During production, large blanks can also be created to be sold for unspecified purposes.

Sorting

• A major step in the manufacture of glued panels is the sorting of materials to ensure the quality of the completed product. Wood strips can be sorted by grain content, color and moisture content. Color and grain are aesthetic issues that can reduce the economic value of a completed panel. Large differences in the moisture content of wooden strips can result in shrinking or expansion of strips, exposing joints.