Product Handling

Processing
• Digital printed laminates are slightly harder and more brittle than classical laminates due to their material composition.
• Each motif is produced with an overfill of approx. 15 mm around the circumference, and cutting marks are set accordingly.
• The motif cutting marks are not binding; each motif format must be checked before cutting to size.
• Sawing or formatting the boards in a stack is not possible.
• Assignment of the motifs parallel with the edge of the coreboard is not possible for production reasons.
• Sufficient conditioning is required prior to installation and assembly. The premises need to be at the normal climatic conditions in which the material will later be used.
• For an optimum result when cutting to size, the following measures are recommended:
– Use a universal saw blade with chamfer (WZ/FA), e.g., GlossCut sawblade made by Leitz.
– Use hollow ground or trapezoidal tooth sawblades with a negative tooth angle.
– Optimize the height adjustment of the sawblade.
– Use a universal scoring unit.
– Use a pressure bar or pressure strip to prevent vibration of the material.
– Work with a lower feed rate than for standard laminates.
• Use a flat, firm surface to saw and drill on.
• Sharp cutting and quiet running tools are indispensable for perfect results.
• Drillholes must be countersunk. Through holes must be made oversize.
• Cutouts and inside corners must have a minimum radius of 8 mm to prevent notch stresses and possible subsequent formation of cracks.
• To avoid chatter marks, cutting tools with high true-running are required. Reduce the feed rate in edge-corner and interface areas.
• An “Individual Backing HPL” is required to produce a composite element. Using another backing material risks warping.
• Respect the recommendations of BLFA (www.blfa.co.uk) and ICDLI (www.icdli.com) for the processing of high-pressure laminates.
• Conduct your own tests depending on the respective application and material requirement.

Machines and tools
• Can be worked with carbide (HW) or diamond (DP) tipped tools on conventional woodworking machines.
• Keyhole saws, punches, and jars are not suitable.

Installation and assembly
• The material is not suitable for areas subject to large fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• Ensure that expansion of installed elements is not prevented. When panels are combined with other materials, their coefficients of expansion may differ.
• Ensure adequate room for movement of the panel material in the installed condition. Panel joints are to be made with oversize joints and throughholes.
• Avoid direct exposure to heat and any possible dehydration of the surfaces by light- or heat radiation or by air currents from heating- or air conditioning systems.
• Ensure that the material is processed and fitted correctly using the best available technology.
• For further information on processing and installation of HPL and compact HPL, respect the recommendations of ICDLI (www.icdli.com).

Storage, handling and transport
• The material must be stored flat, level, and horizontal on clean surfaces at normal climatic conditions (Temperature 18–25 °C, relative humidity 50–65 %).
• Avoid storage in the direct vicinity of thoroughfare gates, e.g., in loading and unloading zones.
• Protect from moisture and wet conditions.
• Avoid direct exposure to heat and any possible dehydration of the surfaces by light- or heat radiation or by air currents from heating- or air conditioning systems.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunshine or UV rays, especially for products covered in film.
• Panels must be fully and horizontally stored with edges flush on a flat and clean base covered with plastic foil. Cover the top panel fully with foil and a cover board.
• These storage conditions must continue to be ensured after removing panels from the stack.
• Vertical storage is not recommended.
• Incorrect storage, regardless of its duration, may cause irreversible distortion to the sheets.
• Foreign bodies or impurities in the pallet of sheets can lead to impressions and damage to the surface of the board.
• Sheets/boards must not be moved against each other; they should be moved individually by hand or with suction equipment.
• Ensure that sufficiently large and sturdy bases, e.g., pallets, are used for the transportation of stacked sheets. The sheets on the pallet must be secured against slipping.

Health and safety
• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when processing and handling.
• Provide adequate extraction when splitting/sanding.

Cleaning and care
• The surface can be cleaned with water and gentle cleaning agents. To remove stubborn stains, observe the recommendations in the data sheet “Cleaning of HPL surfaces” (www.icdli.com).
• Usually, it is sufficient to wipe the surface with water and a mild detergent. Solvents such as white spirits, acetone, or thinners may also be used (e.g., to remove graffiti) because they do not affect the surface.

Disposal
• Energy recovery in industrial furnaces at temperatures above 700 °C.