New finishing technology on display at 11th Cefla Live
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Thousands of attendees visited Cefla's finishing lab in Imola, Italy, during the 11th CeflaLive event held Oct. 15-17.
IMOLA, Italy – Thousands of attendees, including a group from North America, toured Cefla’s 32,292-square-foot, state-of-the-art finishing lab in Imola, Italy, during the 11th Cefla Live showcase held Oct. 15-17.
 
The latest finishing technology for wood and other materials was spotlighted during the international event as Cefla representatives and vendor partners performed live demonstrations and answered questions for woodworkers on a variety of new and recently updated equipment and products. 
 
Hybrid edge sealing was one of the new technologies highlighted this year. Developed in partnership with DuranteVivan, a special dual curing polyurethane – acrylate sealant can be applied using Cefla’s Hybrid (a special vacuum technology) to seal edges, according the company.
 
The dual curing system is a high-speed UV drying process that seals edges and reduces swelling. 
 
Attendees snap photos of a door finished on Cefla's Easy, a two-arm oscillating spray machine developed to provide finishes of the very highest quality, the company says. 
 
Sealing products that can be used during the production process include Dudipur TG-03, a moisture curable water repellent sealant, and Dudipur TG-16, a dual curing water repellent sealant. Both products can be used in kitchen and bathroom applications as well as for doors and parquet makers.
 
According to Carlo Coralli, market development manager – Cefla Business Unit Finishing, Hybrid was developed as a request from the market to improve the quality and the mechanical characteristics of chip board and MDF as well as other material. 
 
“Why Hybrid,” he asked? “Because it is a dual cure system – two systems not only one. There is UV and a polyurethane reactive glue, which means that with our system we apply on the edge of different boards – chipboard or MDF - this special glue UV and polyurethane. With the UV oven we can dry the material. With the external surface we can dry…but during the time we can also dry what is inside the panel.”
 
The process starts with material going through Cefla’s special vacuum technology where both sides are sealed, and glue is applied and then it is dried with Cefla’s UV system. Coralli said that the new Hybrid system allows, in a very short time, the ability to change the characteristics of the board, making it stronger, waterproof and fireproof.
 
Cefla's J-Print line including the J-Print SP, was also on display.
 
The latest development in digital printing technology emphasize the growing popularity and demand for the type of digital printing capabilities available with Cefla’s J-Print line, which consists of the  J-Print SP, a single-pass digital printer, ideal for high-throughput, high-quality industrial applications using both rigid and flexible substrates; the  J-Print MP, a multi-pass digital printer designed to satisfy all printing requirements, on both rigid and flexible substrates; and the new J-Print TD, a single-pass printer that performs embossing in register (EIR) on a variety of materials from wood to MDF and cork and prints at resolutions up to 400 dpi and speeds up to 50 m/min. 
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 “I think what distinguishes Cefla in the digital printing market is our previous expertise in surface finishing and enhancement,” said Steven McNeilly, national sales manager – Cefla Business Unit Finishing. “Prior to entering the digital printing arena, Cefla was a market leader in surface preparation and surface enhancement. That allows us to do the proper surface preparation, the proper priming, ensure that the printing is going to adhere to the substrate properly and then after the print to make sure that we’re protecting it and we’ve got the right gloss control and topcoat on top of the printed image.”
 
Attendees watch a demonstration on Cefla's Smartedge, a solution for painting and sanding straight and shaped panel edges.
 
Ubiquo, a software solution pack that provides remote access to installed machinery, also was on display. 
 
Introduced last year, the software takes data from connected machines and shares it directly with Cefla experts, providing end-users immediate access to technical support, spare parts, technology updates and training, which can include using VR devices to simulate and troubleshoot technical issues. 
 
Cefla says that this unlimited access and ability to process data during production allows for quick diagnosis and resolution of issues.
 
“We want to go to a predictive maintenance approach compared to a reactive approach,” said Roberto Bolognini, sales manager – Cefla Business Unit Finishing. “That’s why we’re working on this technology to be able to have the customers always connected with our expertise so that the lines can be working at full efficiency.”
 
Future updates for Ubiquo will feature the use of artificial intelligence technology with the introduction of live chat capabilities. Also, the software interface will be redesigned making it even more user-friendly for consumers.
Attendees saw several demonstrations on Cefla's innovative Smartcoater Pro system.
 
Additional finishing technology featured at the event included roller coating machines with the Smartcoater Pro; profile wrapping including a video of RoboWrap which can complete profile changeovers in five minutes; automated spray coating solutions including iBotic and iGiotto App; edging solutions and more.
 
“At Cefla Live 2019 we had the pleasure to host nearly 400 companies worldwide,  all who came into contact with Cefla’s latest finishing technologies at our state-of-the-art LAB," said Massimo Di Russo, Cefla North America’s General Manager. "We also had the opportunity to host our North American customers during our Technology Tour following Cefla Live. I am very pleased with the results of both events. We look forward to the 12th edition in 2020.”
 
For more information on Cefla and its finishing products, visit CeflaFinishing.com.
 

 

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About the author
Michaelle Bradford | Editor

Michaelle Bradford, CCI Media, is Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine and Woodworking Network editor. She has more than 20 years of experience covering the woodworking and design industry, including visits to custom cabinet shops, closet firms and design studios throughout North America. As Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine under the Woodworking Network brand, Michaelle’s responsibilities include writing, editing, and coordinating editorial content as well as managing annual design competitions like the Top Shelf Design Awards. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media.