Lex Wilkinson on grp
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LEX WILKINSON is reported to be dissatisfied with the performance of the grp panelled bodies it has operated for the past three years. The national express parcels and distribution company has experienced problems of sag, and stiffness varying from panel to panel.
This is one of fleet engineer David Cox's reasons for specifying Sasmovan grp-panels for 20 new 12.2m (40ft) semi-trailers. The 17mm thick, 12.2m panels each made from 5ft wide sheets were supplied by Sasmo's UK distributor, Heathrow Timber Company of Feltham, Middlesex.
Sasmovan is a Finnish birch, sandwich plywood panel made from 1.5mm veneers. It has two parallel, scarf-jointed outer veneers, laid so that their grain runs across the shortest span of the panel.
The sheets of plywood which make up each Sasmovan panel are joined with tongue and groove finger joints. The Finnish manufacturer uses this method instead of the more common scarf jointing. They say it gives an increased joint surface area, allowing more glue to be used, and it can be sanded smooth without weakening it.
The panels are finished externally with a kiln-cured, 1mm thick, wet lay-up grp skin on each side. Standard colour is white, but others can be supplied to special order.