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Cutting
– Matured bamboo culms with a diameter of over 90 mm should be
harvested following the prescribed
silvicultural practices |
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Cross cutting
– The culms are cut into required lengths using cross cutting
machine up to the length of the bamboo
where the outer diameter is 90 mm. Bamboo with a diameter less
than 90 mm poses problem in the splitting operation. |
 |
Splitting and
sizing
- Bamboo culms cut into required
lengths are split into strips of 19-20 mm in splitting and shaping
machines. |
 |
Four-side planning
– Bamboo strips are shaped in a 4 side planning machine to the
correct dimensions. This helps in producing laminates without
much gap between strips. |
 |
Boiling
– Boiling strips is a key procedure in the manufacture of
laminates. Boiling removes starch and thereby improve the
resistance to borer attack. Preservative and bleaching chemicals
can also be added in desired quantities during the boiling process
to further improve durability and appearance. Boiling is done in
vats for about 2 hours. |
 |
Carbonization
(Steaming)
– For carbonization, an optional step or darkening the
color of strips to brownish, strips
are steamed in a pressure vessel for about 2 hours. Steaming also
removes starch from the strips and in
addition to imparting a brownish color
to the strips.
|
 |
Drying
– Bamboo strips which are boiled/steamed are dried in a kiln to a
moisture content of 8-10 per cent. Drying is done at a
temperature of 70 – 800C. |
 |
Sorting and Gluing
– Dried strips are sorted to reduce the
colour differences among the strips so that finished
laminate has even colour. Urea
formaldehyde resin is applied to the strips using adhesive
applicator. |
 |
Hot pressing
– Hot pressing is done in a special press at 1050C and
with a specific pressure of 10 kg/cm2 vertical pressure
and 2.5 kg side pressure for horizontal laminates; and 10 kg/cm2
side pressure and 2.5 kg vertical pressure for vertical laminates.
Pressing time depends upon the thickness of the laminates to be
manufactured. |
 |
Board and floor
shaping
– These are done using four side grinding machine and double end
cutting and shaping machine. |
 |
Sanding
– Boards are sanded in a sanding machine to smoothen the surface
for further finishing the surface. |
