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Abstract

A high-yield technique for converting logs of balsa having a small diameter into large rectangular panels. Each log is longitudinally cut into raw pieces, all of whose broad faces lie in a plane parallel to a tangent to the curvature of the log. The cuts are spaced to produce a pair of opposing side pieces having like thicknesses and at least one center piece. The uncut surfaces of the side pieces are faceted to provide stock pieces having a trapezoidal cross-section, whereas the uncut surfaces of the center piece are faceted to provide a stock piece having a rectangular cross-section. The stock pieces thus formed are fitted together in a complementary manner to create uniform layers thereof which are stacked to define a dry block. The pieces in the dry block are then wet-coated with a curable adhesive and reassembled to form a wet block which is subjected to compression until the adhesive is cured and the stock pieces interlaminated to form an integrated block. Finally, the integrated block is divided into panels of the desired thickness and grain direction.

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First Claim