Regardless of the press type and whether it is particleboard, fibreboard (MDF or HDF) or OSB board, the edges of the raw panel at the press outfeed are initially rough and unclean. The first step after the press is therefore pre-formatting: The production of rectangular panels with defined dimensions and clean edges.
The product of a continuous press is an endless board strip. This is first trimmed on both edges and brought to the desired width. A flying cross-cut saw then cuts the endless strip into individual panels. As the press continuously pushes the panel strip forward at its outfeed, the saw must travel at the same speed.
With multi-opening presses, all four edges of the board are trimmed, a diagonal saw that moves with the board is not required for pre-formatting.