Polmac (UK) Ltd Alder and Linden wood, rough sawn planks need to be 'cured' before they can be used to make our wood presentation boxes, promotional boxes and gift boxes. This is because freshly sawn timber, delivered straight from the mill has a high moisture content and will warp very quickly if used.
Cutting Logs In The Saw Mill
For most commercial uses, including manufacturing wood presentation packaging, the moisture content of the wood should be between 10 - 15 %. Freshly sawn timber can have a moisture content as high as 45 %.
Polmac uses a natural air curing process that is normally undertaken in an external covered area with open sides which allows plenty of natural air circulation between the planks.
75 x 50 mm battens are placed on the ground and the planks are arranged on top with spaces between. The battens are treated with a preservative to prevent dampness from the ground reaching the planks above. Each layer of planks is the same thickness to ensure the even distribution of weight.
Polmac uses a natural air curing process that is normally undertaken in an external covered area with open sides which allows plenty of natural air circulation between the planks.
75 x 50 mm battens are placed on the ground and the planks are arranged on top with spaces between. The battens are treated with a preservative to prevent dampness from the ground reaching the planks above. Each layer of planks is the same thickness to ensure the even distribution of weight.
Stack Of 'Air Cured' Timber Planks
Smaller untreated Pine or similar spacer battens or 'stickers' are then placed on top of the planks at approximately 400 - 450 mm centres. These spacer battens are usually no more than 25mm thick to restrict the air flow to prevent the timber planks from drying out too quickly.
The planks at the bottom of the stack are weighted down by the pressure of the planks above, and will be kept flat during the curing process. The top layers however, are only lightly weighted and are vulnerable to moisture movement.
Therefore, a thick 25mm plywood board is placed on top of the stack and then weighed down with concrete blocks or bricks. A thick 25mm plywood board is placed on top of the stack and then weighed down with concrete blocks or bricks. This distributes the weight evenly and prevents the top layers from warping and keeps them flat during the curing process.
The natural air curing process can take up to two and a half years and even after this period, some kiln drying may be necessary to achieve the right moisture content. The timber planks will now be ready to be taken inside the workshops for the manufacturing process to begin. The wood is now cut, shaped and jointed to make our wooden boxes.
Polmac custom made wood boxes and wood packaging products are beautifully made, versatile and terrific value and are designed to boost company branding and sales!
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