Second CELLUWOOD Newsletter (published in September 2014)
CELLUWOOD was a 4 years EU project, funded under the Eco Innovation research initiative. The project aims to develop a new range of structural elements made of wood by introducing innovative production elements and includes the use of cellulose instead of petroleum-based glue in the lamination of the timber products. The ‘physical’ results will be the strong eco-beams and columns and their most sustainable manufacturing technologies, in addition to significant environmental and cost benefits of the innovation. These are achieved by the introduction of the (new) technologies from other sectors (e.g. cellulose velvet, biocomposite reinforcement and bio-resin) for innovative uses in the defect removal and repairing, facilitating innovation in the use of nano/micro cellulose and bio-resin technologies in timber reengineering, and the development, testing and demonstration of the novel initiative products.
Coordinator and responsible of the project at AIDIMA: Miguel Ángel Abián
In the case of AIDIMA, this project is co-funded by IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial) and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Second CELLUWOOD Newsletter (published in September 2014)
CELLUWOOD was a 4 years EU project, funded under the Eco Innovation research initiative. The project aims to develop a new range of structural elements made of wood by introducing innovative production elements and includes the use of cellulose instead of petroleum-based glue in the lamination of the timber products. The ‘physical’ results will be the strong eco-beams and columns and their most sustainable manufacturing technologies, in addition to significant environmental and cost benefits of the innovation. These are achieved by the introduction of the (new) technologies from other sectors (e.g. cellulose velvet, biocomposite reinforcement and bio-resin) for innovative uses in the defect removal and repairing, facilitating innovation in the use of nano/micro cellulose and bio-resin technologies in timber reengineering, and the development, testing and demonstration of the novel initiative products.
Coordinator and responsible of the project at AIDIMA: Miguel Ángel Abián
In the case of AIDIMA, this project is co-funded by IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial) and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
3D printing device for numerical control machine and wood depositionIJERA Editor
The paper presents the development of a new sustainable approach in additive manufacturing adapted on a Numerical Control (NC) machining. Wood has several advantages that are transferable to various derivatives allowing the introduction of sustainable material into the product lifecycle. The application involves the integration of wood pulp into rapid prototyping solutions. Wood is the main material studied for its ecological aspect. The primary goal was to create reconstituted wood objects through a rapid manufacturing. Additive manufacturing technology is most commonly used for modeling, prototyping, tooling through an exclusive machine or 3D printer. An overall review and an analysis of technologies show that the additive manufacturing presents some little independent solutions [9] [12]. The problem studied especially the additive manufacturing limits to produce an ecological product with materials from biomass. The study developed a 3d printing head as solution for shaping wood pulp or powder materials. Some technological problematic require enslavement to the NC controller, the programming building of model, and the realization of wood pulp. This work also presents a wood pulping process characterized by adding wood flour and starch. A machine implementation and some application examples used for its development are presented.
Presentation of CELLUWOOD Project at Fair HABITAT 2014torrubia
Presentation of the preliminary results from EU Project CELLUWOOD at the International Trade Fair HABITAT (Spain, 11th-14th February 2014).
Coordinator and responsible of the project: Miguel Ángel Abián
The EU Project CELLUWOOD is co-funded by the CIP Eco-innovation First Application and Market Replication Projects Initiative. Through the Eco-innovation funding scheme, the EU wants to support innovative products, services and technologies that can make a better use of our natural resources and reduce Europe’s ecological footprint.
The project has developed non-petrochemical adhesives (bio-resins) for improving the mechanical strength of laminated timber, so it can be used in large structures for buildings. This will encourage the use of renewable materials and avoid the use of adhesives petrochemicals. Furthermore, these bio-resins are being used to repair the wood defects such as cracks and knots, which improves the material utilization.
This project is co-funded by IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial) and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Innovative designs providing acoustical solutions for Education, Offices, Commercial, Hospitality, Leisure and Domestic applications.
Using recycled materials for their panels, Soundtect™ has managed to camouflage acoustic function with imagination, and produce panels that are technically admirable due to their finely tuned balance of reverberation control and sound absorption.
Soundtect manufacture and supply acoustic treatments for walls and ceilings. Highly design led; these panels dramatically improve audibility in any interior that suffers from reverberation issues. With a collection of panels which are proven to improve acoustic quality including class A, Soundtect sound absorbing acoustic panels are suitable for any environment needing noise reduction solutions.
Wood Circus -loppuseminaari 8.12.2021: Teollinen puurakentaminen ja rakennus- ja purkujätteiden uudelleen käytön mahdollisuudet (in English) Dr. Javier Garcia Jaca
3D printing device for numerical control machine and wood depositionIJERA Editor
The paper presents the development of a new sustainable approach in additive manufacturing adapted on a Numerical Control (NC) machining. Wood has several advantages that are transferable to various derivatives allowing the introduction of sustainable material into the product lifecycle. The application involves the integration of wood pulp into rapid prototyping solutions. Wood is the main material studied for its ecological aspect. The primary goal was to create reconstituted wood objects through a rapid manufacturing. Additive manufacturing technology is most commonly used for modeling, prototyping, tooling through an exclusive machine or 3D printer. An overall review and an analysis of technologies show that the additive manufacturing presents some little independent solutions [9] [12]. The problem studied especially the additive manufacturing limits to produce an ecological product with materials from biomass. The study developed a 3d printing head as solution for shaping wood pulp or powder materials. Some technological problematic require enslavement to the NC controller, the programming building of model, and the realization of wood pulp. This work also presents a wood pulping process characterized by adding wood flour and starch. A machine implementation and some application examples used for its development are presented.
Presentation of CELLUWOOD Project at Fair HABITAT 2014torrubia
Presentation of the preliminary results from EU Project CELLUWOOD at the International Trade Fair HABITAT (Spain, 11th-14th February 2014).
Coordinator and responsible of the project: Miguel Ángel Abián
The EU Project CELLUWOOD is co-funded by the CIP Eco-innovation First Application and Market Replication Projects Initiative. Through the Eco-innovation funding scheme, the EU wants to support innovative products, services and technologies that can make a better use of our natural resources and reduce Europe’s ecological footprint.
The project has developed non-petrochemical adhesives (bio-resins) for improving the mechanical strength of laminated timber, so it can be used in large structures for buildings. This will encourage the use of renewable materials and avoid the use of adhesives petrochemicals. Furthermore, these bio-resins are being used to repair the wood defects such as cracks and knots, which improves the material utilization.
This project is co-funded by IVACE (Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial) and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Innovative designs providing acoustical solutions for Education, Offices, Commercial, Hospitality, Leisure and Domestic applications.
Using recycled materials for their panels, Soundtect™ has managed to camouflage acoustic function with imagination, and produce panels that are technically admirable due to their finely tuned balance of reverberation control and sound absorption.
Soundtect manufacture and supply acoustic treatments for walls and ceilings. Highly design led; these panels dramatically improve audibility in any interior that suffers from reverberation issues. With a collection of panels which are proven to improve acoustic quality including class A, Soundtect sound absorbing acoustic panels are suitable for any environment needing noise reduction solutions.
Wood Circus -loppuseminaari 8.12.2021: Teollinen puurakentaminen ja rakennus- ja purkujätteiden uudelleen käytön mahdollisuudet (in English) Dr. Javier Garcia Jaca
OFFECCT combina la auténtica artesanía de Suecia con el diseño cualitativo, innovador y sostenible. Ejecutamos nuestras creencias en estrecha colaboración con algunos de los diseñadores más renombrados del mundo, quienes comparten la pasión de nuestra compañía por lugares de encuentro creativos. Juntos nos esforzamos por crear productos elegantes e inteligentes, incorporando la tradición de diseño escandinavo y valores ecológicos en el proceso.
OFFECCT believes in combining genuine Swedish craftsmanship with qualitative, innovative and sustainable design. We execute our beliefs in close collaboration with some of the world's most renowned designers, who all share our company's passion for creative meeting places. Together we strive to create elegant and intelligent products, incorporating Scandinavian design tradition and ecological values in the process.
Researched and wrote this white paper targeted to the healthcare vertical segment to educate facilities managers, administrators, and sourcing/purchasing about the benefits of therapeutic landscapes. This thought leadership piece was used extensively by the enterprise sales team and GPO partners.
I updated this vertical specific collateral to focus on acute healthcare and better represent our value proposition to this segment. The sales team used in both print and electronic formats during the sales cycle with healthcare prospects.
The sales team used this collateral piece in both print and electronic formats sometimes in combination with other corporate marketing pieces. I updated this piece with more relevant vertical specific photos and new value proposition and messaging based on the strategic marketing plan I developed for Higher Education.
I wrote this eBook for a software client based on the appropriate persona, available technical materials and interviews with internal subject matter experts. The client used this eBook for their content marketing lead generation campaigns targeted to international manufacturers.
I wrote this article for the October 2012 Capital Chapter of IFMA newsletter while I was an active member of the Marketing Committee. I interviewed a chapter member who was a facility manager with electric vehicle charging station experience and researched the topic to develop the content.
Sales collateral piece developed to differentiate Fusion UV's products and services. The sales team used this in both print and electronic formats when selling to domestic and international manufacturing process engineers, plant managers, and others involved in manufacturing management, operations and production across many vertical markets such as medical device, packaging, automotive, electronics and plastic/glass decorating.
I wrote and presented this technical paper at a European conference while Business Development Manager. It describes how UV curing can be applied to the fiberglass composite filament winding process and the benefits. The sales team also used this with manufacturing prospects to educate and move further along the sales cycle.
I wrote, edited, and managed an outside designer and mailing of this corporate quarterly newsletter for Fusion UV Systems, now Heraeus Noblelight America, LLC, as a consultant/freelance basis. This included research and interviews for writing articles, obtaining photos, layout review, mailing list preparation both print and electronic, and posting to the website.
1. MARCH/APRIL 2004 RADTECH REPORT 31
CaseStudy
F
ounded by Hans G. Knoll in 1938,
as the H.G. Knoll Furniture
Company, Knoll, Inc.
(East Greenville, Penn.), is recognized
internationally for creating workplace
furnishings that inspire, evolve and
endure. The company has received
hundreds of design awards since its
founding, and has objects on display in
major art museums around the world.
UV Powder Provides
Environmental Solution
for Office Furniture
By Susan Mitchell earth, even as it consistently provides
world-class designs to customers.
Environmental Focus Leads to
UV Powder
It was this environmental focus that
first drove Knoll’s interest in powder
coating on medium density fiberboard
(MDF). Lou Newett, Knoll manager of
environmental health and safety, says
that the company knew from its use of
powder on metal that powder coating
was good for the environment due to
its high transfer efficiency and reduced
waste. Knoll began experimenting with
powder on MDF in the early 1990s,
first with thermoset and later with
UV powders.
In 1999, Knoll East Greenville
installed a thermoset powder coating
line to coat the vertical MDF compo-
nents. However, the thermoset
powders did not meet the require-
ments for the horizontal writing
surfaces, so space was built into the
production line for a future UV-curing
chamber. Knoll East Greenville
manager of advanced technology, Jay
Fegely notes, “In 1999 the powders
just weren’t where we needed them to
be, but we were confident that
eventually they would be. We also
knew from our testing that UV powder
formulators would produce resins that
would provide the hardness and
chemical resistance needed for
horizontal surfaces. The challenge for
For 20 years—without fanfare—Knoll has
demonstrated its concern for the environment,
focusing on“green” design, innovative technology
and sustainable business. Beyond following
environmental laws, Knoll independently takes steps
to take less from the earth, even as it consistently
provides world-class designs to customers.
More than 30 Knoll products are
included in the permanent Design
Collection of The Museum of Modern
Art in New York City. Knoll has
locations around the world, including
North America, Europe, Asia and Latin
America, and operates four manufac-
turing sites in North America and two
plants in Italy.
For 20 years—without fanfare—
Knoll has demonstrated its concern for
the environment, focusing on “green”
design, innovative technology and
sustainable business. Beyond following
environmental laws, Knoll indepen-
dently takes steps to take less from the —continued on page 33
2. MARCH/APRIL 2004 RADTECH REPORT 33
CaseStudy
the UV formulators was not only the
hardness but also the aesthetic values
needed—smoothness and low gloss.”
Perfect Timing
As luck would have it, in 2001 the
Knoll designers wanted to introduce a
new office system with a very modern,
curvilinear shape for work surfaces.
This system, called A3™
, originally
called for a plastic molded work
surface, but this was found to be too
expensive. “It was perfect timing really,
because we were able to show the
designers how it could be done
economically with UV powder instead,”
Newett comments. A UV-curing system
was installed in the powder coating
line in 2001 and the A3 system was
made commercial.
A3 is a unique alternative to
conventional open-plan office systems,
designed to enhance comfort and
create dynamic and responsive
workplaces. Workstations can be
arranged and clustered without the
typically rigid planning modules or
fixed angles so common in open
offices. The UV powder coated
worksurfaces incorporate resilient
palm rests.
The Powder Coating Line
MDF parts, as large as 10' L X 42" H
X 3" thick, hang from an overhead
conveyor. Typical MDF thickness is
5/8-1 5/16", but the 3 inches allows for
a curved part. The MDF board has a
UV-cured filler to insure low mils
during application and acts as a sealer
coat. No special moisture content is
specified other than the industry
standard 5-8%. The parts first enter a
combination infrared (IR)/convection
preheat oven and then an automated
electrostatic spray booth, where parts
receive 2-4 mils of UV powder (ther-
moset powders are applied at 3-5 mils).
Their powder supplier provides two
colors of polyester UV powder for the
work surfaces—pale white and glider
gray. Following powder application, the
parts enter the melt/flow oven, again a
combination IR/convection and then
finally the UV-curing chamber.
Two different types of arc lamps are
used for UV curing: gallium lamps for
pigmented colors and mercury lamps
for clears—to enhance the cure of the
pigmented colors. Depending on the
color (light or dark), the operators
have the ability to adjust the intensity
of the UV lamps via a computer. Line
speeds are typically 10 feet/minute.
Prior to the use of UV powder, work
surfaces were either laminated or
veneered. The steps involved were much
more labor intensive than powder on
The A3 office system is designed to enhance comfort and create a dynamic and responsive workplace.
—continued from page 31
3. 34 RADTECH REPORT MARCH/APRIL 2004
CaseStudy
wood. “The estimated time to produce a
laminated top is approximately 2.5
hours from start to shipping, whereas
powder on wood is approximately
1.5 hours to ship,” Fegely comments.
UV Powder Enables Designing
for the Environment
Within the last year, Knoll has
begun coating the work surfaces of its
Morrison office system with UV
powder. The Morrison system is the
ultimate panel system for the entire
workplace—from open plan worksta-
tions to full privacy office enclosures in
a more traditional aesthetic design
than the A3 system. But UV powder
has allowed some updating of the line
including a new curvilinear work
surface with a waterfall edge and no
glue lines on edge.
Both Fegely and Newett assert that
UV powder has met their expectations
and that it’s a reliable technology. In
addition, Fegely says, “UV powder
allows our designers to design for the
environment, which is always a goal at
Knoll, and still meet the needs of the
market. We want to be known for high
performance as well as distinctive and
enduring designs. UV powder enables
us to achieve both.” ◗
—Susan Mitchell is a business
development manager for Fusion UV
Systems, Gaithersburg, Md.
Knoll’s Morrison office system is now being coated with UV powder.
Ian McPhail, manufacturers
representative for RadEx Powder
in Ontario, Canada, says he’s
optimistic about the market for
UV-powder coated wood compo-
nents. A carpenter by trade with
experience in the wood office
furniture industry, McPhail repre-
sents several other firms in the
wood industry and has represented
RadEx for more than two years.
RadEx installed their UV-powder
coating line in August 2001 to
provide custom powder coating
services.
Though it has been a rough two
years following the fall of the “dot
coms” and the subsequent glut of
office furniture on the market, he
says the office furniture business is
starting to turn the corner and the
store fixtures/display market has
been strong. His sales efforts cover
both North and South America and
have resulted in some significant
projects. Some of RadEx Powder’s
recent work includes store fixture
components for automotive
dealership kiosks, retail watch
displays, medical cart components
and coffee dispensing centers
for offices.
In general, McPhail says the
manufacturers of furniture and
store fixture displays are aware of
UV-powder coating technology, but
typically they are building according
to the designers specifications of
colors and finishes. “The designers
of office furniture and store fixtures
are not aware of the design
flexibility UV powder offers and the
performance that is possible.
RadEx will be doing more, including
a new brochure and a Web site
www.radex.ca to increase aware-
ness among designers,” McPhail
commented.
—Susan Mitchell
Canadian UV Powder
Coater Sees Growing
Future