Method and Apparatus for Manufacturing Open Core Elements from Web Material

A continuous, fully automated and highly productive system for the production of open core elements utilizes various formations of fluted input webs which are cut into strips, glued, cross-transferred, and serially upended for placement against preceding strips to build up an open core element. The open core elements are useful in the manufacture of structural members such as doors, floor panels and to wall panels. Also disclosed is a fluting apparatus effective for providing large pitch flutes for the input webs used in forming the core elements. A glue machine that utilizes a glue roll as the only moving part operates in conjunction with a ganged positive displacement adhesive pump to supply liquid adhesive for application to the flute tips for any of the various glue application stations in the system.