Production
RAFT, Reinforcing After Forming Technology, is a manufacturing process that is capable of replicating highly detailed, three dimensional architectural ornamentation from original work. PBC RAFT intend to take this process and introduce it into multiple markets within the Furniture Industry as a high quality, cost effective and environmentally friendly method of mass producing products such as doors, frames, décor and paneling.
What RAFT does cannot be achieved with Membrane Pressing or any other Conventional Mass Production Technology. It delivers High Value, High Volume, Quality Products to numerous markets.
Existing methods of manufacturing such products generally fall into one of two categories. The first method is to mould a membrane over the original artwork and then use the membrane to create a female mould which can then be used to mass-produce reproductions of the artwork. The second method is to photograph the original work and project the image on to a substrate that is then heated and moulded to recreate the relief of the original. Both these methods are labour intensive and therefore involve significant costs. Moreover, the methods do not provide for very high fidelity or accuracy in the reproduced object, particularly when the original has fine surface detail.
The RAFT process takes a unique approach by creating the finish first, sweeping aside accepted views as to what is possible by creating breath-taking opportunities for quality and design. RAFT enables the mass production of items, indistinguishable from the hand made original, via a process which utilises a special tooling system to create a ‘carved’ skin which is then reinforced with polyurethane using thermal-forming.
The RAFT process brings new opportunities to the Furniture industry by enabling items to be produced to a standard beyond that of conventional technology, in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Some facts you should know about the RAFT Process include:
- It uses recycled wood
- There is less waste as it lends itself to nesting minimising material waste
- The Energy Consumption is fractional as it uses chemistry rather than milling machines
- It is made in the UK and so eliminates high delivery costs
- The manufacturing footprint is approx 20% of conventional technologies
- It is ideal for mass production as the cycle time is just 4 minutes
- The process eliminates the need for 2.5D machining and therefore reduces dust creation and improves health and safety
- RAFT is able to reproduce the original with exacting precision achieving a new level of quality
- The process uses a foil membrane that creates a barrier between the reinforcing medium and the tool thereby contributing to a long tool life
- The turn around time to produce the initial tool is just a few days, therefore PBC RAFT lead times are extremely short
- The RAFT Process uses MOD quality materials which are more durable in kitchen and bathroom environments
PBC RAFT is so much more efficient than any other technology used in the manufacture of furniture that it can afford to concentrate on QUALITY and CHOICE.
PBC RAFT is now in production, working with a number of businesses from its manufacturing plant in Swansea, South Wales, to replicate existing merchandise in order that the RAFT equivalent can be compared with their existing products. We are working with those taking part to explore and demonstrate the additional features that can be incorporated to offer YOU benefit.
Initial trials, focused on picture frames, mirror frames and kitchen doors, are producing staggering results and we are now in a position to expand these trials.
If you feel that your business could benefit from being able to produce and supply merchandise via the RAFT process we would like to invite you to register your interest.