“The cooperation with the Austrian Institute of Construction Engineering is going really well,” says head of research & development, Georg Jeitler, about the new approval for X-fix. “The distance between the X-fix C elements is specified automatically during joining. With our two new joinery machines in Mölltal, prefabrication has become even more precise and efficient, which is necessary for this type of connection,” says operations manager Andreas Weichsler.
The patented double-dovetail connector is split-wedged and can be quickly and easily assembled by hammering it into the wood. This results in an interlocking and form-fit connection. Recently, a compact X-fix Cs (= small) with a length of 45 mm was added to the tried and tested 90 mm-long X-fix Cm. “Despite its reduced length of only 45 mm, this connector can transfer characteristic shear and tension forces of 14 kN – with an extraordinarily high slip modulus Kser of 20 kN/mm,” explains Jeitler. In order to obtain the approval for these high mechanical properties as well, mechanical and load-bearing tests as well as an extension of the European Technical Approval ETA-018/0254 were required. At the end of the process, this important document was updated and also simplified.
Updated ETA for Magdeburg as well
And while Hasslacher was at it, the ETA-12/0281 for the products at the Magdeburg site was updated as well. Thanks to the new Kallesøe high-frequency Combi-Press, the order-oriented production of both cross-laminated and glued-laminated timber is now possible in Magdeburg.
The company plans to produce and join around 25,000 m³ of cross-laminated timber with standard widths of 1.25 meters and lengths of up to 24 meters (without general finger-jointing) in the future.
New strength class for Hasslacher CLT
The above-mentioned ETA-12/0281 will also include a high-quality strength class for Hasslacher CLT elements. The required mechanical tests were carried out at the Lignum Test Center of the University of Technology in Graz. For the top layers of the hybrid panel structure, mechanically sorted laminations of strength class T26 are used to make sure that the cross-laminated timber has the highest mechanical properties.
According to Hasslacher, they are comparable to GL32 glulam. The characteristic flexural strength is said to be 36 N/mm², the mean modulus of elasticity is 14,700 N/mm². The company lists smaller volumes and lower costs as advantages. The reduction in volume also leads to a more resource-efficient way of building.
Resource-efficient ribbed panels
At the end of June, another new investment went into operation at Hasslacher’s Hermagor site. The new press for composite glulam components (block gluing) can also produce ribbed panels now thanks to its width of 2.50 m, a height of 1.20 m and a length of 18 m (with the option to expand). The ribbed panels are produced from glue-laminated timber beams and cross-laminated timber panels, using a joint-filling, transparent and high-temperature-resistant adhesive, which also meets the frequently requested requirements for visible quality. With spans of 7 meters or more, the ribbed panels are a cost-effective alternative to flat ceilings made of cross-laminated or glue-laminated timber thanks to their high load-bearing capacity and rigidity and the significant reduction in volume. Jeitler is proud that the new press in Hermagor facilitated the seamless transition from the previous, more “manual” screw-press bonding to efficient industrial production.
Complete supplier for modern timber constructions
The Hasslacher Group offers a wide variety of products for timber constructions worldwide, from glue-laminated and cross-laminated timber to solid structural timber and special construction elements. Founded in 1901, the family business employs more than 1,700 people at eight production sites in Austria, Germany, Slovenia and Russia.
