Q: What would cause the panel falls apart? Glue appears to be wet.

A: The power setting is too low for amount of glue to be cured OR curing time cycle is too short OR improper glue mixture or outdated glue.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Increase power to obtain full load. If unable to do so, increase the curing time cycle. Check the glue formula recommended by the glue manufacturer.

Q: Why does the panel fall apart? Glue appears to be cured.

A: Excessive moisture content preventing adhesion.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Check the moisture content. It should be from 6% to 10%.

Q: Why does the panel comes apart but glue, although cured, seems to have been too thin.

A: Starved joint due to: 1)High edge tension, 2)Glue mixture too thin, 3)Glue spread too thin OR insufficient moisture content of the stock (common during the winter) OR excessive moisture, causing the glue to be forced out by steam pressure.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Reduce the edge pressure on soft woods. With hard woods, increase the glue application if needed. Check the moisture content of the stock.

Q: Why does panel show open joints at one or both ends?

A: A) Poor Stock preparation or poor positioning with the press. B) Lack of glue on the stock ends. C) Insufficient power or time. D) Too much time between machining and gluing.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Check on the stock preparation and its linearity within the press. If needed, relocate the stock to obtain uniform pressure on its full length. (Refer to recommendation for question #1.) Stock should be glued as soon after machining as possible.

Q: What if the panel shows evidence of steaming or burning?

A: A) Excessive power. RF voltage could be too high at work. B) Curing time too long. C) A reduced number of glue lines. D) Edge pressure too high. E) Improper glue mixture. F) Wrong type of glue. G) Mineral content of wood. H) Improper glue spread. I) High moisture content of wood. J) Irregularities on wood surface.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Check the curing cycle length. Soft woods tend to burn when edge pressure is too high. If the number of glue lines has been reduced, reduce the power accordingly. Check for proper glue mixture and storage and assure that the proper type of glue is being used.

Q: Why do panels show evidence of crushing along joints?

A: A) Excessive edge pressure. B) Power level too high. C) Moisture content too high.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Reduce edge pressure and/or the power level accordingly. The moisture content should be within tolerance. The problem may be occurring due to occasional pieces of stock with high moisture content.

Q: What causes panels to show evidence of crushing at the corners next to the shoes?

A: Entire edge pressure being applied to only a small area.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Isolate the questionable shoe or rearrange the stock to distribute pressure more evenly over the entire length of the panel.

Q: Why is glue setting up too quickly (short pot life)?

A: A) Glue is at too high temperature for proper storage and use. B) Improper glue mixture.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Increase or add cooling to glue pot. Check the formula as to that suggested by the glue representative. At no time do we change a glue formula without consulting the glue representative. As a last resort, the addition of a SMALL amount of ammonia to areas will increase the pot life. BE CAUTIOUS in this practice as the curing time in the press will also be increased. Pot life is not a problem with emulsion adhesives such as KOR-LOK formulations.

Q: What would cause incomplete curing of panels?

A: A) Insufficient power and/or time. B) High moisture content of stock being processed. C) Plate voltage too low. D) Oscillator tube is at the end of its life.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Increase power to obtain full load. If unable to do so, increase the curing time cycle. Check the glue formula to that recommended by the glue manufacturer.