Bent-glued wood blanks are often used in the manufacture of furniture, arches, stairs, load-bearing structures... Although it is difficult to make bent parts at home, it is quite possible to do this.
There are several methods for the production of bent wooden products... One of them - bent parts are cut from a single piece of wood. This type of production is costly, and parts can be fragile, as the cuts are often transverse to the grain, large structures basically impossible to manufacture.
Curved structures can also be obtained by softening the wood by boiling or steaming followed by fixing and drying. At home, it is almost impossible to perform bent blanks in this way.
The most frequently used method for producing bent wooden parts- gluing strips of wood on a template with their further drying. Let us consider this technology in more detail, as the most accessible and allowing to obtain, in the end result, high quality.
For bent-glued blanks, prepare wood veneer required width and length. The number of strips is determined by the thickness of the product and veneer, which can be determined from the following table:
If it is impossible to buy veneer, then you will have to make it yourself by sawing a piece of wood of the required dimensions on a machine:
In the next step, apply glue to the strips with a roller and collect them in a bag, fastening everything with tape. It is better to take synthetic glue - urea.
Fasten the package with clamps on a pre-prepared template - wooden or metal. To fasten, start from the middle, placing wooden pads.
We offer you information on the method of manufacturing bent-glued products and various elements interior and architecture from lamellas, veneer and flexible plywood.
These materials can be used when it is necessary to make a very complex figure or its element, if they have several different bends and curves, for example, like a chair or armchair, or too small radii, and also when it is impossible to work with a steam generator.
This is the second and most common way of producing bent products or parts. When using this technology, required material, lamellas, blanks of a given width and length with a thickness of 2-10 mm are cut from it. In this case, you can "play" with the pattern, for example, collecting the so-called sandwich or pack of different breeds wood, or by laying in the middle of the sandwich more technological species (spruce, pine, linden, aspen), and making the upper layers of walnut, oak or wenge. In general, it all depends on the ultimate goal and fantasy.
In this way, it is easy to make not only radius details, but also closed contours: a circle, an oval, or a complex figure - these are also "skirts" for round and oval tables, and legs for the tables and chairs themselves. When constructing gazebos, sheds and terraces, the use of bent-glued structures and knots will allow, for example, to go beyond the usual architecture and release the imagination into free flight, filling the space with free and flowing forms. And if you add a little imagination to this, then you can create a complete interior of an apartment, house, or some unique detail on which the entire accent of the home will be concentrated. Can be made very comfortable armchair, in which it is comfortable to spend an evening at a chessboard or watching TV, coffee table, dresser. In the manufacture of a handrail for a spiral staircase, in whole or individual elements, a template is created that will represent a cylinder or a section of it. A contour is built on it in the form of a spiral turn or its segment, and sandwich layers are laid along it. Thus, a workpiece is obtained that will exactly repeat the required turns.
Typically, a sandwich is assembled according to a template that must accurately repeat the future part. If the contour is complex enough, and the width of the product is very small, then it is more correct to fix the workpiece on a large plane (field) using a flexible template, having previously created a path (contour) of the future part. The field is any plane with many holes, into which columns are inserted that repeat the contour of the part, a sandwich of lamellas is drawn to these columns using clothespins. If, in addition to the radius curvature, the part also has a spiral displacement, then it is necessary to make a volumetric template in order to immediately create a workpiece with an offset. In appearance, such a template resembles a barrel in which holes are made, and stumps are inserted into them, repeating the turns of the spiral.
For sandwich bonding, PVA dispersions are most often used, but copolymer and PU dispersions can be used, epoxy resins or contact adhesive. When working on replicas or doing something just semi-antique, you can also take natural adhesives - bone, flesh, casein.
Each layer is coated with glue, after which the entire structure is assembled on clothespins or clamps and left until the glue is completely cured (polymerized). After removing the clamps - clamps, clothespins - this design will not "play" and you can continue it further processing and decoration. As a decorative and protective layer, not only paintwork materials are used, but also oils and hard waxes.
As a result, you can get not only significant savings in materials, which is important when working with valuable breeds, but also a reduction in costs and time for further processing. And this leads to an increase in productivity and profitability of production, equipment and tools are less worn out.
If you need to make a part longer than the original lamellas, you can splic them onto a mini-tenon or a smooth jointer. This will not in any way affect the final strength of the structure, but it will be possible to get a more complete use of the material. And in case of creation architectural structures there is a guarantee of gain in strength with smaller dimensions, as well as the possibility of manufacturing complex geometric structures of almost any required size, which also gives a lot of room for creative thought.
In the production of bent-glued products, you can also take a fairly new, but already popular material as a basis - flexible plywood... It is made from tropical woods, mainly ceiba (cotton wood), keruing and a wig with a low density of 310 - 680 kg / m3.
Flexible plywood, as well as lamellas and veneer, is used to produce furniture, interior, architectural elements or whole products and structures: beams, columns and surfaces of complex configuration.
For unloaded products and parts, single-layer structures can be used, in the same place where there will be a large load, especially dynamic (armchairs, arched spans and radius supports), the number of layers increases to the required strength parameters.
It is quite simple to work with such a material, since it is easy to bend, and in order for it to retain its given shape, it is enough to impregnate one of the surfaces with PVA or epoxy resin.
If there is a mold for the desired part, then the production process from flexible plywood is very simple. You can get by with templates or even contours if the product is single and not very complex in shape.
But here there are also "pitfalls" - this is decoration. After all, the material has a low density, which means it is hygroscopic. Of course, if there is an intention to veneer the front surface or cover it with enamel, then no difficulties arise. But in the case of using transparent paintwork materials, firstly, the bending process must be carried out very carefully, even if it is done according to a template, and even more so along a pattern (contour), and, secondly, you must first experiment with minimum radii and impregnation. As experience shows, if you make a product from flexible plywood without a mold and under varnish, then it is better to use epoxy resins as an adhesive, choosing them by trial for each specific product. This will allow you to decorate the surface of paintwork materials without putties, or with their minimal use. And it is imperative to choose the right material itself, it is good if the plywood for varnish is made of keruing.
Of course, a better surface, which is less expensive to decorate with transparent or tinted paintwork materials, can be produced using molds. But it is necessary to take into account the fact that the manufacture of the mold itself is a rather laborious process.
So, if you combine skill and diligence, you can make interesting, beautiful, unusual pieces of furniture, interior and architecture.
MDF and plywood are types of wood-based materials. Plywood is based on veneer sheets glued together, and MDF boards made from a homogeneous mass of wood fiber. Long time the slabs were stable in shape, but now modern technologies allow the production of flexible sheets, which significantly expands the possibilities of using these materials. Flexible folded plywood It is widely used in furniture manufacturing, trade equipment, interior design and exhibition stand production. These materials allow you to create complex curved surfaces, streamlined shapes. Flexible sheet MDF is very widely used in the production of furniture, especially custom-made furniture. Allows to manufacture facades of arbitrary convex or concave shape, tabletops for kitchen furniture, end facades for the kitchen. MDF has a high quality flat surface, thanks to which primer and paint perfectly fit on it. This makes flexible MDF an ideal material for decoration and painting and allows the production of painted furniture from MDF and the use of various technologies patination and staining. Depending on the task, you need to select the appropriate technology for using MDF. The first method: if you need a double-sided curved structure or a free-standing streamlined shape, then bent MDF it is used in two layers, while the sheets are glued together. This is necessary for the manufacture of a double-sided product, because the sheet of flexible MDF itself has a one-sided structure and itself cannot hold its shape. The second way: if the MDF sheet is attached to the frame of any shape, then one layer of MDF is enough, since the reverse side will be hidden. It is also possible to use one-layer bent MDF in the production of self-supporting closed structures such as columns. Take advantage of flexible materials for the interior design of your home, furniture. When ordering furniture, be sure to check if the workshop can produce furniture from flexible MDF and plywood. Come up with any whimsical and fancy shape, color and texture. Personalize your home with these beautiful materials. 
A lot of materials are made from wood such as wood. various subjects... Often, bent-glued elements (lamellas) are found among wood products. The purpose of these elements is to play the role of furniture parts that restrain the operational loads that may arise as a result of the use of this furniture. Bent-glued elements (lamellas), judging by their name, have a non-linear shape and a certain profile. Obtaining a profile of a certain shape is achieved by processing wood on special machines, usually belt or milling machines. Bending at a certain angle can be obtained using special technologies.
Wood has certain properties. By acting on the material in some way, and at the same time, creating certain temperature and humidity conditions, you can bend a workpiece made of wood and get the same bent-glued elements (lamellas) or any other products of non-rectilinear shape.
It should be noted that the process of bending wood products inevitably leads to deformations. Deformation, in turn, generates stretching outer layers and shrinking the inner layers of the tree. If the efforts to create the fold are too strong, the fibers may break. To prevent this from happening, the workpiece is pre-processed by hydrothermal methods, plus the bending process is fully automated. It is quite easy to get the same bent-glued elements (lamellas) using solid and glued wood for this. The gluing process of sliced veneer or plywood is usually carried out in conjunction with the folding process. If we consider the types of wood that are best suited for the manufacture of bent-glued elements (lamellas), these are most likely hardwoods. That is, wood of such species as oak, ash, poplar, linden, beech, birch and others is well suited for these purposes.
The area of application of bent wood elements is mainly furniture production.
In particular, bent-glued elements (lamellas) are widely used in the manufacture of beds, sofas, armchairs and other furniture products. These elements are distinguished by good mechanical strength have an attractive appearance... In addition, of course, more whole line furniture wooden elements which have a bent shape. These are backs for armchairs and chairs, legs for stools and tables, various shelves and brackets, and others.
Curved plywood is widely used in furniture production... Used to create products with curved elements.
Benefits and Applications
- Nice appearance. Natural wood structure or veneer decorative elements contributes to the creation of colorful and original designs.
- Various forms. Through the use of different technological processes it becomes possible to produce elements in the most complex variations. At the same time, the decorative qualities of the material do not disappear.
- No influence of mechanical stress. High level resistance to impact loads.
- Moisture resistance level. Compared to ordinary wood, bent elements have a level of hydrophobicity about two times lower, which makes them suitable for use in buildings with high humidity and when finishing the external facade.
Attention! It is not advised to use plywood with increased moisture resistance FSF for outdoor decoration.
- There is no warping and the possibility of rotting is reduced.
- It is easily used in hand-made products, since the material lends itself well to processing.
- UV resistant to prevent sun fading.
- Optimal cost inferior natural wood, while exceeding many of its technical indicators.
- Easy to care for. When cleaning the surface, household chemicals can be used.
- The material is environmentally friendly, which entails complete safety for human health. Products made from such plywood can also be used to create interiors in children's rooms.
- Plywood is not capable of deterioration in the place where frequent contacts with foreign objects occur.
- Differs in a long service life.
Attention! For creating original design it should be emphasized that there is a unique opportunity to achieve smooth curves and shapes.
Manufacturing features
Plywood elements are produced by gluing peeled veneers. Source material can serve as birch, larch, beech, pine and MDF. The top layer is veneered with high quality sliced veneer. It can be mahogany, beech, walnut and others. It is these breeds that are able to give the finished sheets sophistication and richness in appearance.
Attention! Bent-glued plywood parts are made by gluing veneer layers in the desired position, after which they are left to dry completely. This way the desired shape is maintained.
In what ways is plywood bent?
When making bends, the fibers do not need to be placed across the veneer layer, because this can cause a fracture. There are 2 ways:
1. Bends of layers in the process of gluing
Plywood in production is made using this method. Its features are noted:
- The use of special curved molds, heated with steam and electric current.
- Placement inside glued and bent veneer sheets, while the humidity should not be more than 20%.
- The elements need to be in this position until they dry completely, until the desired shape is finally obtained.
Absent at home necessary equipment you need to do the following:
- Connect thin sheets of plywood by applying wood glue;
- Bend them to the desired position with your own hands;
- Fix on the sides with epoxy mortar;
- Wait until it is completely dry.
Attention! When performing the folding process, in any case, the use of a thin veneer is required.
2. Method of bending sheets at the end of gluing
This method will be appropriate for bending thick products that are not easy to shape. They are processed to soften, then the material becomes docile. After that, the sheets are easily bent by placing them in pre-prepared curved templates.
Bent-glued plywood products are processed in the following ways:
- In factories using industrial steam installations;
- Homes use steam for small fragments or a household steam generator;
- Fragments of large sizes are lowered into hot water to give elasticity. At the same time, it is advised to ensure that the texture does not delaminate.
- Wet the workpieces with plenty of water, bend them to the desired position and iron them with an iron. Then they are wetted again, bent and moisture removed. This is done until the desired shape is obtained.
Already processed elements are folded like this:
- Using a spacer and fixing straps, the material is placed in the frame templates.
- By tying the processed fragment to the steel strip, the desired angle of the part being created is obtained.
- For a thick product, cuts are used. Make cuts in the right place, fold the sheet and fill the cracks with glue.
What is plywood bent for?
Thanks to these methods, a smooth shape is achieved, which adheres tightly after the elements have dried. In this way, an arch is created in doorway, and rounded corner between the walls. The first in terms of distribution is considered to be the point of furniture production. The flexion process is important to create the following conditions:
- Obtaining the minimum number of traumatic corners.
- Contributes to the creation of an aesthetic interior.
- Gives solidity to the object due to the absence of a large number of fixing parts, because this helps to increase the strength and reliability of the product.
Chair manufacturing
The bent plywood for the chair is made according to the basic ergonomic requirements.
The backs are deflected by bent plywood for school chairs with the correct perfect repetition of the shape of the spine. The corners of the backs and seats are rounded and become absolutely safe, do not allow the child to get injured. This is one of the main criteria for children's furniture for institutions.
When making a seat, the bent plywood along the front edge gets a smooth bend, which is convenient and useful for the popliteal areas.
Chairs for schoolchildren are more often produced with a colorless varnish coating or matte opaque paint of dim color shades... It is not allowed to paint school furniture in dark tones in order to avoid negative reflection on the psyche of children. After all dark colors absorb a large number of Sveta. White color also not suitable for coloring, it forms very bright, it glares and dazzles in sunlight.
Important! The production of furniture for children works exclusively in accordance with the relevant GOST standards, their sizes are divided by height categories from 0 to 6.
Specialized companies are engaged in the manufacture of the above type of furniture. More often it is produced according to individual order, taking into account the age category, quantity and parameters of the desired products. When ordering, take into account the fact that furniture in children's institutions must be mobile and capable of promptly changing location.
Where can I buy
You can find out the addresses of companies that sell and deliver curved plywood below, using the list of requisite data.
Firm "Formex"
