Lasercoat, the £1m three year research project to develop 3D wood surfaces on furniture components pioneered and led by FIRA working with the Technology Strategy Board and trade partners, is moving into a new phase.
The project investigates ways in which patinas - using powder coatings - can be applied to the surfaces of complicated profiled joinery and furniture parts. Patination involves the use of powder coatings combined with computer controlled lasers to produce pre-determined grain, texture or design effects onto wood or wood-based materials.
The idea of the research is to deliver commercially viable alternatives to existing labour intensive processes which will allow for customised factory finishing, and conceal unwanted features such as knots or disturbed grain. This will also allow for the maximised use of materials, as waste and previously unusable wood could be used.
The Technology Strategy Board project monitor recently congratulated consortium members on the progress of the project, and said it was exceptionally successful in its efforts to achieve a route to commercialisation.
A workshop aimed at all levels of the furniture and flooring supply chain and anyone interested in new coatings technology will be held on 17th September at Warwick Manufacturing Group. The conversion of MDF into components that can be substituted for real wood by the use of lasers will be demonstrated, as the project moves towards commercial reality. If you would like to attend, please contact Project Manager Sue Calver, scalver@fira.co.uk.
Lasercoat, the £1m three year research project to develop 3D wood surfaces on furniture components pioneered and led by FIRA working with the Technology Strategy Board and trade partners, is moving into a new phase.
The Technology Strategy Board project monitor recently congratulated consortium members on the progress of the project, and said it was exceptionally successful in its efforts to achieve a route to commercialisation.