Decorative Panels has added a second Hymmen paper foil lamination line to its Elland factory to meet demand for design-compatible thin board products.
The company, one of Europe’s largest trade laminators, decided to buy a new line rather than relocate an existing one from its Crosland Road site in nearby Huddersfield because of the risks of disrupting production.
The £250,000 CTK 1300 line processes chipboard, MDF, HDF, hardboard and ply in lengths from 1830mm to 3050mm, in widths up to 1225mm and thicknesses from 2mm-28mm.
Decorative Panels says the line brings improved adhesives application versatility, produces a better finish, is faster and capable of laminating PVC as well as paper foils.
Throughput speeds have risen to 30m/min – a 50% increase compared to the existing thin board line.
Finishing standards are “significantly” higher due to more efficient surface brush cleaning of panels on spring-loaded and adjustable transport rollers with dust extraction. Two sets of calender rollers are mounted in tandem, the second set being heated and hard-chrome finished to accommodate a broader spread of foil materials.
Camera-supported diagnostic links with Hymmen’s Bielefeld factory, via a dedicated direct dial line and the internet, are designed to reduce down time to a minimum.
An improved guillotine with speeds of around 100m/min gives Decorative Panels the versatility to address the high volume needs of thin board users plus small batch requirements.
The company’s first thin board line was installed back in the 1970s to offer cabinet furniture makers an option to match cabinet backs and drawer base panels to carcassing board and design co-ordinate a range of other secondary decor accessories.
