A numerically controlled machining centre is disclosed comprising two workpiece holding tables that are arranged one beside the other and a carriage that is movable on the two tables and carries a first operating unit that is movable according to three machining axes to deposit hardening plasticized material on said tables to form raw workpieces with an additive manufacturing method and a second finishing operating unit having a movable bi-rotative tool-holding head according to three machining axes to remove material from the workpieces formed by the first operating unit.

A composite wood panel is manufactured from thin wood laminae cut from wood unsuitable for peeler logs or dimensional lumber. A cold set adhesive is applied to the wood laminae and they are formed into a randomly oriented mat that is cold rolled into a thin, pliable cold rolled stock that can be corrugated. A hot set adhesive may also be applied to the laminae to improve strength of the composite wood panel. The hot set adhesive is set in a hot press after the cold rolled stock is produced.

An efficient method and apparatus for making a compressed structural fiberboard from agricultural fibrous matter. The method and apparatus provides a conveyor having variable drives for carrying the agricultural fibrous matter; a hopper having variable drives for conditioning and delivering the agricultural fibrous matter to an extruder; the extruder having a cyclic ram with linear actuators and a floating plate to drive the cyclic ram between an extended position, wherein the agricultural fibrous matter is compacted into the compressed structural fiberboard, and a retracted position, wherein the agricultural fibrous matter is delivered to the extruder; synthetic oil heaters for heating the compressed structural fiberboard; a heat sink track cooler for cooling the compressed structural fiberboard; and a water jet cutting system for cutting the compressed structural fiberboard into individual boards.

Methods of forming a lightweight reinforced thermoplastic core layer and articles including the core layer are described. In some examples, the methods use a combination of thermoplastic material, reinforcing fibers and bicomponent fibers to enhance retention of lofting agents in the core layer. The processes permit the use of less material while still providing sufficient lofting capacity in the final formed core layer.

The invention relates to a filler for a surface-treatment composition, the filler comprising particles which have a surface coating which gives the respective particle a positive surface charge, and to the use of a particle, which comprises a carrier particle and a surface coating which gives each particle a positive surface charge, for treating wood.

A process for making an animal litter from a woody biomass starting material is described, with the performance amendments substantially located entirely on the outside surface of the woody biomass particles. The process may include the steps of densifying the biomass starting material, crumbling the densified biomass material; screening the densified biomass material for size; optionally adding a zeolite containing a scent; spray coating the sized, densified biomass particles with a surface adhesion agent; and powder dosing the sized, densified biomass particles and zeolites with a performance amendment comprising equal parts bentonite and guar gum.

Methods and apparatus to remove gas and vapor from a panel for a decorative layer are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first press plate of a hot press to engage a first surface of a panel. The hot press is to apply heat to the panel via the first press plate to cure resin of the panel. A first portion of the first press plate is composed of a permeable material to remove at least one of gas or vapor from the panel to deter the at least one of gas or vapor from exerting a pressure on a decorative layer to be coupled to the panel to deter separation of a portion of the decorative layer from the panel.

A board consisting at least of a substrate formed at least of a gypsum-based and/or cement-based basic material layer. The board is provided with a chamfer extending through the basic material layer.

A plank has a first portion with at least three layers. The first layer is of a plant material, and has an inner surface that includes a nonwoven fabric or a fiberglass mesh. The second layer is of an adhesive paper material that includes a macromolecular glue where the macromolecular glue is 50-55% melamine, 35-40% plasticizer, and 3-5% formaldehyde. The third layer is one of bamboo, wood, or paper. The plank has a second portion, which may be of a plastic composite base material or a magnesium oxide composite base material. When the second portion is of a plastic composite material, the first portion is fused to the second portion by cold pressing or a polyurethane reactive adhesive. When the second material is of a magnesium oxide composite base material, the first portion is thermally pressed to the second portion by cold pressing, hot pressing or a polyurethane reactive adhesive.

A method of forming a composite material includes: a) providing a substrate with fibres, lignin and hemicellulose; b) partially removing the lignin and hemicellulose from the substrate; and c) compressing the remaining substrate to form a compressed substrate. A composite material formed by the method is also provided.