Spaceboard II Structural Panels: Forming Apparatus and Methods

Authors

  • Dennis E. Gunderson
  • Roland L. Gleisner

Keywords:

Paperboard, fiber, forming, wet-forming, dry-forming

Abstract

Novel methods and a patented apparatus have been developed to fabricate Spaceboard II, a new unique structural board of pulped wood fiber. Like the earlier Spaceboard I, the board has flat, high-density faces and a core of rectangular cells defined by high-density cell walls formed integrally with the faces. The board is assembled from two asymmetrical panel halves joined cell to cell. The panels are formed (molded) at low bulk density and subsequently compacted to a unique shape and uniform high density. Spaceboard II is formed by the porous mandrel method, which allows fabrication of much thicker panels than was possible with the original Spaceboard I method. A variety of wet or dry (adhesive-coated) fiber furnish may be used, with either air or water as the forming vehicle. The boards are being investigated for use in light frame and commercial construction; for packaging, palletizing, partitions, and furniture; and for other uses. In the present study, a total of 55 panels, 635 by 1,244 by 38 mm thick, were made by wet-and dry-forming methods in a Forest Products Laboratory patented apparatus.

References

Gleisner, R. L., and D. E. Gunderson. 1992. Patent application—Dry forming of sculptured fiberboard with an improved fiber distribution apparatus. Disclosure July 18, 1992.nGunderson, D. E. 1986. Apparatus for forming uniform density structural fiberboard. U.S. Patent 4,753,713. June 28.nGunderson, D. E., and R. L. Gleisner. 1993. Method and apparatus for forming structural components from dry wood fiber furnish. U.S. Patent 5,198,236. March 30.nMyers, G. C. 1986. A comparison of hardboards manufactured by semidry-, dry-, and wet-formed processes. Forest Prod. J. 36(6):49-56.nSetterholm. V. C. 1985. FPL Spaceboard—A new structural sandwich concept. Tappi 68(6):40-42.nSetterholm. V. C., and J. F. Hunt. 1987. Method and apparatus for forming three-dimensional structural components from wood fiber. U.S. Patent 4, 702,870. October 27.n

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Published

2007-06-22

Issue

Number 1 / January 1994

Section

Research Contributions

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