Digital printing, inert coating highlight Cefla finishing event
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - More than 100 woodworkers were on hand to for a close-up view of digital printing, inert coating technology and other finishing systems on display at the i-learn event hosted by Cefla North America.

The event was held April 27-28 at Cefla's 15,000-square-foot lab and facility in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Among the highlights were a firsthand look at Cefla’s Inert Coating technology by Sorbini, an IWF Challengers Award semi-finalist, and the Pixart PLOT large format printer which offers high definition printing on a variety of media.

IWF 2016

Patented panel coating technology

Cefla says its new, patented Inert Coating Technology by Sorbini allows perfect surface and edge preparation on all types of panels, including MDF, HDF, raw chipboard, and honeycomb.


Also for use on all panel types, the patented Inert Coating Technology applies a strong and impact-resistant topcoat to the surface and edges of the substrate, while also creating realistic graining and depth which, with subsequent finishing, is virtually indistinguishable from the real material, explained Tyrone Kline, market manager. 

Cefla is partnering with Henkel Corp., developer of Technomelt CHS UV fusion coating technology, to speed the process of giving laminated panels and other products a high-gloss or lower gloss finish. Cefla says its Fusion Coating system combines the two technologies and can be used on sheet goods or panels which have already been sized and edged.

“We were showing high-gloss products produced on the Inert line during I-learn,” said Cefla North America Sales Manager Brent Warren. “That was very exciting for many of the companies who saw how much time and space the new product can save, as well as how it reduces operational and material costs.”

Visitors also had a chance to see Cefla's finishing systems for flooring, components, solid wood and panels. “We opened the event up to not only flooring manufacturers in town for the NWFA conference but to everyone from kitchen cabinet manufacturers to furniture manufacturers,” said Warren. “People came because they were looking to make investments, upgrade equipment, and enhance automation. We held educational seminars on the newest technologies and held demonstrations in our lab of virtually all the machines we have, including our new technologies.”

The equipment will also be on display at IWF, booth 7553. Cefla Finishing Solutions includes Delle Vedove, Duspohl, Falcioni and Sorbini.

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About the author
Karen Koenig | Editor

Karen M. Koenig has more than 30 years of experience in the woodworking industry, including visits to wood products manufacturing facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia. As editor of special publications under the Woodworking Network brand, including the Red Book Best Practices resource guide and website, Karen’s responsibilities include writing, editing and coordinating of editorial content. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media. She can be reached at [email protected]