Plywood, a common material used in construction and furniture-making, has existed for centuries. It’s an engineered wood panel created by glueing together thin layers of wood veneer – but how is Plywood made? In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating process behind making plywood from start to finish.
From the selection of raw lumber to laminating multiple pieces into one single sheet, the creation of plywood involves several complex steps that require skilful craftsmanship.
By understanding each step involved in creating plywood, you can appreciate why quality matters when selecting this type of building or furnishing material for your home renovation projects. Keep reading to learn more about what goes into making high-quality plywood!
Where Can You Get Plywood?
Before we get into how plywood is made, you may be wondering where you can purchase Plywood for your project and how easily accessible the material is.
As a common building material, Plywood is readily available from most construction supply stores. Some bigger stores, such as MGM Timber, also allow you to bulk-buy plywood online and have it delivered to your property or building site.
Plywood is a relatively easy material to obtain, making it a great option for those wanting high-quality materials at affordable prices.
Step 1: Sourcing And Preparing The Wood Veneers
Wood veneers are the foundation of any good plywood. To begin making it, loggers must first source and prepare these thin sheets of wood.
Sawmills cut logs into long, dried strips to remove moisture content and increase durability. The drying process can take up to several weeks, depending on the type of wood used and the thickness of the veneer needed for the desired product.
Once dry, the boards are run through a slicing machine that cuts them into uniform layers or veneers measuring between 1/50th and 1/100th of an inch thick.
These thin slices are carefully inspected for defects before being sent off to be glued together in alternating directions with waterproof adhesives. This not only strengthens each sheet but also helps prevent warping when exposed to different temperatures or humidity levels.
After glueing, each layup is passed through hot rollers, which press out excess glue and further strengthen its bond before being ready for final cutting as per customer specifications.
Step 2: Layering And Bonding The Veneers
Once the wood veneers have been sourced and prepared, they can be assembled into plywood. In this step, layers of veneer are placed on top of one another in alternating directions for strength before being bonded together using heat and pressure. This process is known as ‘cross-graining’.
The number of layers used will depend on what type of plywood is required; thicker boards with more structural integrity require more layers than thinner boards made for decoration or other lighter applications.
The individual pieces are then trimmed down to size. Glue can also be added between the layers to remain firmly attached once the board has been cut up.
The result is a strong but lightweight sheet material which can be used in numerous different projects. Plywood is versatile enough to work indoors and outdoors thanks to its durability and flexibility – making it an excellent choice for furniture, flooring, walls, roofing, boat building and much more.
Step 3: Pressing And Forming The Plywood Sheets
Plywood sheets are pressed and formed to ensure their final shape is what the manufacturer desires. This step requires specialised machinery that layers, presses, and cuts the wood into the desired size. Here’s how it works:
- The veneer is cut into a sheet using a slicing machine.
- These slices are then dried in an oven to reduce moisture content and increase pliability.
- The individual sheets are stacked onto one another with alternating grain directions for stability.
- A hot press then forms them together under high pressure until they take on the desired shape.
Once this process is complete, these plywood sheets will be ready to be used for various projects!
Step 4: Finishing And Grading The Plywood Products
The next step of how plywood is made requires finishing and grading the products. This is done to ensure that each sheet meets quality standards.
To begin, the sheets are inspected for defects or imperfections, such as blemishes, knots, splits, warps, and other visual flaws. Any pieces with these issues are then discarded.
Once all visible defects have been removed from the wood sheets, they go through a sanding process which smooths out any rough edges or grain patterns on the surface. The sheets are also coated with a thin layer of sealant to protect them from shrinking or expanding due to changing humidity levels in the environment.
After this treatment has been applied, it’s time to grade the plywood according to its strength and durability ratings. Depending on its intended purpose – such as furniture-making or construction – different grades can be used for specific jobs.
For instance, higher-graded plywood might be more expensive but can offer superior performance when compared to lower grades of plywood. Once these ratings have been determined and applied to each piece of wood, they’re ready for shipment!
Conclusion,
In conclusion, plywood is a versatile material that can be used in many different applications.
Plywood production is very important as it has become widespread across industry sectors. From furniture to construction projects, it’s hard to imagine modern life without this amazing product. The process may have been refined over time, but it still requires skill from those involved in its manufacture.
