Postforming - what is it? Postforming: facades, countertops

Among the newest technologies in woodworking production, postforming is gaining increasing popularity. What is this method that is so widely used today in construction and furniture production? It was first used by German specialists in the 70s of the last century. At the heart of postforming is the plastic coating of the surface of the boards of particleboard or MDF with the help of high temperature and pressure.

Advantages and disadvantages

The developed technology of postforming makes this method the most attractive for builders and designers, since it has a number of significant advantages:

• Due to the high resistance to abrasion and the impact of detergents, which plastic possesses, postforming can last a very long time.
• The color palette offers up to 200 different shades, which makes it possible to realize any design decision.
• The chosen plastic can also be used to create other interior details in the form of shelves, visors, etc.
• For postforming, eco-friendly plastic is used, which is the most safe for human health.
• Waterproofing of this finish allows you to use it in any room.
• Postforming facades can have a variety of sizes, and also be curved, straight or curved.
• Low cost.

Of the minuses, it is worth noting only that if the surface is still damaged, then it is almost impossible to restore it.

Postforming production

This is a fairly complex process, involving several successive operations. The surface of the board is covered first with resin impregnated kraft paper, the next layer is decorative, creating a pattern or pattern, on top comes a protective coating of acrylic resins. The plastic sheet under the influence of high temperatures softens and is molded on the base, creating a smooth bend around it. This technology allows you to create surfaces of a variety of colors and textures.

Equipment

The production of postforming requires special equipment. Relatively simple machines are available in three types:

• The pass lines make the postforming production process fully automated and continuous, which ensures high productivity. Due to its high cost and complexity of reconfiguring from one profile to another, such equipment is usually used only in large enterprises.
• Position machines. High performance combined with good quality and ease of reconfiguration. The workpiece must be set and removed manually, and all other operations are performed automatically. For small businesses this is the most appropriate option.
• Manual machines are more affordable, but the quality of postforming leaves much to be desired. The open zone of heating contributes to the heat outflow, which leads to the cracking of the plastic. To avoid unevenness, it is necessary to do additional rolling of plastic to the profile.

Conditions for successful post-forming

Only careful adherence to the technology can ensure the quality production of such a coating as postforming. What does this imply? It is necessary to prepare the plastic and base by processing and gluing without using high temperatures, to ensure cleanliness in the room to prevent dust from getting onto the work surfaces. Plate and all facing materials must be conditioned for 2 days if the temperature regime is observed from 20 to 24 ⁰С and humidity of 45-55%.

For each new batch of plastic, the optimal post-forming mode is selected. It consists of two adjustable quantities - temperature and time, which is necessary for heating the plastic. Both are influenced by certain factors: the quality of the plastic and its thickness, the bending radius, the amount of bleach in the base, the composition of the paints, the surface finish, even the color of the plastic is of great importance here.

Adhesive materials

Quite high temperatures are used to glue plastic. Postforming for this reason requires the use of special glue. In occasion of its parametres it is necessary to consult in advance in advance with the supplier to not admit superfluous expenses. The main value here is the type of equipment on which work is performed. But in any case, in order to ensure a good adhesion of plastic, the adhesive must have sufficient viscosity and a high setting speed. For passages that are fully automated, an adhesive compound based on the PVA dispersion (if hot air blowing is provided) or a contact adhesive is used when the automation is partial. Both are used in work on a positioning machine, because it is less exacting in this respect. But for postforming on a hand-held machine, only contact adhesive will do .

Facades of postforming

In the furniture industry, post-forming technology is most widely used. The facades made in this way attract consumers with their external qualities that give furniture a more prestigious and expensive look. Unlike film facades, they have a rounded shape along two faces and a curved surface. They are used in the manufacture of both office and household home furniture. Plastic is particularly relevant in the production of children's furniture. The absence of sharp corners can help children avoid various injuries.

The face of furniture can be called the facade postforming. That this is essential in assessing its value is well known to the manufacturer. Therefore, the number of enterprises engaged in post-production is steadily growing in the furniture market.

Doors of postforming

Due to the ability to withstand mechanical damage, this method is also used for finishing the entrance doors. If the house has pets, this coating, which is resistant to scratching, is simply irreplaceable. The combination of attractive appearance and affordable price makes doors covered with postforming panels more and more popular.

Postforming countertops

Very much in demand in the kitchen is this method of decoration. Much of the kitchen furniture is produced by the postforming method. What does it mean - to have a reliable, solid table top, every housewife knows. This workplace, which is most often subjected to pressure, cuts, moisture, etc.

Covered with a layer of protective resins, the surface has a high strength index. The swelling of the plate and its deformation are excluded, since moisture does not penetrate inside. The surface of postforming countertops is protected from high temperatures, from cleaning chemicals and mechanical influences.

Kitchens: Postforming

A fairly large number of benefits can be obtained by using this modern style of decoration for the interior design of the kitchen. The use of the latest technology and modern materials makes it possible to purchase kitchen furniture combining original design, quality, reliability and durability.

The kitchen is a place where conditions for the use of furniture can not be called favorable - high humidity, fumes, the possibility of falling on furniture fatty substances, etc. Therefore, the surfaces of cabinets and countertops should be very resistant to such adverse effects. Kitchens with a plastic facade are easy to clean and will not lose their attractive appearance for a long time.

The high demand for them is explained by the wide choice of colors available for finishing postforming. Kitchens made of plastic can be combined with almost any interior, selecting glossy or matte facades, bright, saturated colors or more calm pale shades. For lovers of hi-tech style, you can use an aluminum profile in the finish - the furniture in this case will look especially modern.

Perhaps, one of the most accessible kinds of furnish on cost it is possible to name a method postforming. The price for the finished panel is 200-1500 rubles and higher, depending on the size. The opportunity to choose postforming, suitable for cost, combined with all its advantages, explains the high consumer demand for these plastic facades.

Low cost and minimal number of tools necessary for post-molding make this technology very popular among furniture manufacturers. Manufacturers should take into account that for the successful promotion of plastic facades on the market, mandatory use of only high-quality materials is required.