A natural panel

The traditional Panguaneta product is plywood from poplar veneer processing. It belongs to the product family of wood-based panels and is realized with a rectangular basic shape (usually, the short side/long side ratio is 1:2). The small thickness characterizing it varies depending on the number and the typology of superposed veneers. It is possible to talk about plywood if the panel derives from the superimposition of at least three layers of wood veneers.

Veneer cutting

Veneer cutting is carried out on poplars after bark stripping. It is performed through a particular tangential cut of the trunk and allows to convert it into a thin continuous film of wood.  In Panguaneta, this phase is carried out by advanced digitally controlled production lines, which guarantee cutting uniformity and quality. The layer obtained in this way is then converted into sheets with the desired size. In this form, wood is then dried in order to obtain an optimum degree of humidity compatible with the environments of the following processing and the adhesives used during transformation.

Transformation

Panguaneta processes guarantee high quality during the whole manufacturing phase of plywood. Before processing, Panguaneta poplar veneers are accurately selected and divided based on their qualitative consistency. Also the following processing phases, starting from the alternate superimposition, are carried out at the Panguaneta plants. The layer superimposition, indeed, follows the symmetric crossing method of fibres as to the central layer.  Usually, veneers are criss-crossed in odd numbers (3,5,7…) so that both external surfaces show the same orientation of fibres (actually, the result is a “double face” panel with optimum mechanical characteristics). The layer of the thermosetting adhesive mixture is usually spread only on the surface of sheets composing the even-numbered layers of the compound. Through pressing, which is carried out at suitable temperature and pressure conditions, the originally criss-crossed layers become an organic whole and assume a perfectly integral structure. The last phase of Panguaneta processing is finishing, to which each panel obtained as previously stated is subjected: plywood is squared to make edges uniform and undergoes adjustment, polishing and testing.

Regulations

The reference standard of Panguaneta plywood is UNI EN 636.Plywood is generally classified based on the wood species used for the panel surfaces, surface appearance, composition (homogenous or mixed), bonding type and class, the climatic characteristics of the laying environment (for use in a dry, humid or outdoor environment), the natural durability of wood (intended as resistance to biodegradation agents) and the kind of use (structural or not).

These variables determine the aesthetic and performance characteristics of the product and its preferable commercial applications. Plywood is generally supplied in various qualitative combinations; in this respect, Panguaneta offers quite a wide range of specific technological and aesthetic solutions, suitable for the most diversified fields of use.