This proposed method allows the fabrication of products from naturally occurring materials with minimal environmental impact.

The Georgetown facility, known for its advanced manufacturing processes and commitment to excellence, aligns with Kreate's mission to deliver products like outdoor furniture, deck and dock systems, raised garden beds, utility sinks, wheelbarrows, and other everyday products to its retail partners.

As a result, the wood powder with the sucrose flowed at temperatures above 180 ºC, although flow was restricted above 220 ºC due to the effect of gases evolved from the sucrose. The minimum sucrose content required for flow was 30 wt% within the temperature range of 180 to 200 ºC. The material was filled in the mold under optimized conditions, and the product with good surface texture was molded at a sucrose content of 30 wt% and 200 ºC.

Biomass materials such as wood are environmentally-friendly alternatives to fossil resources. As an example, wood is typically non-toxic and carbon neutral. Furthermore, wood can be produced in a sustainable manner by appropriate planting and trimming of trees. Therefore, the use of wood resources as industrial materials is an important aspect for realizing a sustainable society.

More information: Shohei Kajikawa et al. Molding of wood powder with a natural binder, Procedia Engineering (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2017.10.747

Kreate uses 3D-printing technology and sustainable manufacturing practices to set industry standards for sustainability, quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, said the news release.

With this expansion, Kreate adds 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space, 30 injection molding machines ranging from 500 to 3,000 tons, and 160 skilled associates. This move is projected to add more than $150 million in annual revenue, said Kreate.

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Shohei Kajikawa and colleagues at The University of Electro-Communications and Kyoto University developed injection molding of wood powder with sucrose, which is a natural binder, for fabricating products based on natural resources effectively.

In the molding process, the binder plasticizes upon heating and the material, which is composed of the wood particles and the binder, flows due to the deformation of the binder and the slip of the particles. The binder solidifies between the particles upon cooling, and then the material is self-bonded. Fluidity of the material is important for improving moldability, and changes drastically with molding conditions, such as temperature and binder content. Therefore, effects of added sucrose on the moldability of the wood powder were investigated, the molding conditions were optimized by thermal analysis, capillary flow test and injection molding.

This expansion is a step toward delivering our products within a day's transit anywhere in the United States,” said Nickolas Reinhart, founder and owner of Kreate. “We aim to build on Georgetown's foundation while introducing new product innovation, customer diversification, and sustainable manufacturing practices."

A key part of Kreate's expansion strategy across the United States, the addition of the Texas operation enhances Kreate's manufacturing capabilities and strengthens its logistics network, enabling faster delivery of innovative products nationwide.

Kreate, a design engineering company based in Findlay, OH, has acquired a supplier of plastic injection molded components for the automotive industry located in Georgetown, TX.

Incorporating wood into industrial applications requires effective processing methods. Wood products are generally shaped by cutting processes because the deformability of wood is inferior to that of metals and plastics. Therefore, much of the original material is turned into waste chips or powder during the cutting process.

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