North American Plywood has launched DesignPly, a new panel offering based on a first of its kind digital staining technology. The highly-automated production incorporates a high-speed wide-array inkjet press engine paired with robotic materials handling for on-load and off-load of materials in process.
Printing direct to substrate, North American Plywood has adapted an Inca Onset high-definition inkjet press into its panel processing system, employing a carefully calibrated digital staining and finishing process.
Employing instantaneous UV curing, the DesignPly system can replicate a variety of wood grain and other patterns to achieve the effect of top-grain veneer species in bookmatch or other patterns, on particleboard, MDF, metal and melamine panel. The DesignPly system can convert plywood into the look of veneer, beaded board, or laminated lumber surfaces, accepting panel sizes up to 63” x 123” and thicknesses up to 2”.
Developed and built in the U.K. and sold by Fuji, the Inca Onset multi-array inkjet press uses three sets of high speed heads to print on surfaces at the rate of 10,000 square feet per hour – roughly 200 5×10-foot sheets per hour. Originally adopted for point-of-purchase prints and store displays, the Inca Onset is being adapted to plywood panel for the first time by North American Plywood.
From Woodworking Network: https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/high-def-digital-staining-plywood-simulates-fine-bookmatch-anigre?ss=news,news,woodworking_industry_news,news,almanac_market_data,news