The pressing process is the most important step in the production of glued laminated timber and cross laminated timber. The press determines the maximum dimensions and also the quality of the product; it also has a considerable influence on the output and profitability of the entire plant.
In order for the gluing process to be load-bearing, certain climatic conditions have to prevail during pressing and subsequent curing. A sufficient pressing time must be maintained before the press is opened. After pressing, the component cannot yet be stressed immediately, but must first rest for a certain time.
Glulam presses
The glued lamellas are stacked and pressed together in a press bed. At least two fibre-parallel lamellae must be pressed together. The press bed can be straight, curved, standing or flat, with manually or automatically movable press frames. It is often possible to stack several horizontally lying elements on top of each other and press them in one pass. Rotary presses are a special design.
Cross laminated timber presses
The entire CLT element is pressed hydraulically. The press determines the maximum length and width of the element. There are narrower presses, in which standard dimensions can be produced in series, but also very large presses, e.g. for complete wall elements at storey height.