Automated Cold Lamination Lines for Engineered Wood Flooring
Deck Art Machines cold lamination systems scale from manual workflows to fully integrated production lines. Automation modules connect glue spreading, layup, pressing, and material handling to support higher capacity and consistent bonding conditions.
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Manual → assisted → fully automated automation levels
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Modular line integration with upgrade paths
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Built for engineered wood flooring wear-layer bonding
Level 1 automated cold lamination line concept (example configuration).
Cold Lamination Line Workflow
An automated cold lamination line connects multiple production functions into a coordinated workflow. Depending on the level of automation, these functions can be performed manually, semi-automatically, or as a fully synchronized production line.
Glue Spreading
Controlled adhesive application prepares the flooring core or wear layer for lamination. Glue spreading can be integrated inline or operated as a standalone process, depending on production layout.
Layup and Sandwich Formation
Core boards and wear layers are combined to form the lamination sandwich. This step can be manual or assisted by automated feeding and positioning systems for higher repeatability.
Cold Pressing
The formed sandwich enters the cold lamination press, where hydraulic pressure and controlled pressing parameters create a reliable bond without thermal stress on the material.
Material Handling and Transfer
Conveyors and handling systems manage infeed, transfer, and outfeed between process steps. Automation at this stage reduces manual labor and stabilizes line rhythm.
Automation Levels for Cold Lamination Production Lines
Cold lamination automation can be introduced step by step, starting from manual operation and evolving into a fully integrated production line.
Level 0 – Manual or Semi-Manual Lamination Line
Glue spreading and cold pressing are performed as separate operations, with manual layup and handling between steps. This configuration suits initial production setups, lower capacities, or plants transitioning from manual processes.
Level 1 – Assisted Automation
Material handling systems such as conveyors and gantry loaders automatically assemble and deliver lamination sandwiches to the press working position. Operators manually load the assembled sandwiches into the press and unload pressed panels at the outfeed.
Level 2 – Fully Integrated Lamination Line
Core boards and wear layers are automatically fed, positioned, and transferred through glue spreading and pressing stages. The line operates as a synchronized system with automated outfeed and minimal operator intervention.
Base inline configuration used in manual or semi-manual cold lamination production lines.
Assisted automation with automated sandwich assembly and manual loading and unloading of the press.
Modular Integration Blocks for Cold Lamination Lines
Cold lamination automation is built from modular integration blocks. Each block performs a specific function and can be added or expanded without replacing the core lamination system.
Infeed Conveyors and Buffering
Controlled infeed of core boards and wear layers, stabilizing line rhythm and preventing production interruptions.
Automatic Feeding Systems
Automated feeding of cores and lamellas into the lamination process, reducing manual handling and positioning errors.
Gantry Layup and Positioning
Pick-and-place gantry systems assemble lamination sandwiches with consistent alignment before pressing.
Transfer and Synchronization
Conveyors and transfer units synchronize glue spreading, layup, and pressing operations across the line.
Outfeed Handling and Stacking
Automated removal and stacking of pressed panels, supporting continuous production and downstream logistics.
Line Controls and Interlocks
Centralized control architecture coordinating motion, safety, and process timing across all integrated modules.
Capacity Scaling in Cold Lamination Production Lines
Production capacity in cold lamination depends on multiple interacting parameters. Automation increases throughput primarily by stabilizing material flow, reducing handling time, and minimizing process interruptions rather than by increasing pressing force alone.
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Flooring plank dimensions and layer thickness
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Press model, opening size, and pressing cycle
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Glue spreading configuration (single or dual units)
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Level of material handling automation
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Infeed and outfeed buffer capacity
Example: Capacity Scaling with Dual Glue Spreader Configuration
Capacity doubling limits for dual glue spreader configurations depend on the cold lamination press model:
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DCP 300/2500 – capacity doubling for planks up to 860 mm in length
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DCP 300/3800 – capacity doubling for planks up to 1280 mm in length
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DCP 300/5100 – capacity doubling for planks up to 1700 mm in length
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DCP 300/7600 – capacity doubling for planks up to 2560 mm in length
Above these plank lengths, overall capacity remains stable but is no longer doubled, as the pressing cycle time becomes the limiting factor.
System capacity is therefore defined by press size, flooring dimensions, glue spreading configuration, and automation level. Final line layouts and performance targets are determined during system configuration to match production requirements and investment strategy.
Typical Cold Lamination Line Configurations
Cold lamination systems can be configured in different layouts depending on production flow, available space, and capacity targets.
Inline configuration combining glue spreading and cold pressing in a continuous lamination workflow.
Single glue spreader integration supporting controlled adhesive application before pressing.
Dual glue spreader configuration used to increase throughput of varying plank lengths. (depending on press model)
Starting Point and Automation Upgrade Strategy
Cold lamination automation systems can be configured with different entry points. Lines starting from manual or semi-manual operation can be upgraded to Level 1 assisted automation by integrating material handling modules such as conveyors and gantry systems.
Level 2 fully integrated automation requires coordinated system design from the outset. Due to the complexity of synchronized feeding, layup, pressing, and outfeed operations, this automation level is typically specified and engineered as a complete line rather than added later.
Deck Art Machines is continuously developing modular control architectures that aim to enable deeper automation upgrades across all production domains. In cold lamination systems, this capability is currently under development and not yet standard.
Typical cold lamination lines are built around core process equipment.