The present invention provides an apparatus and method for fabricating
structural building panels. The apparatus may be used for fabricating
panels directly on the foundation for a building. The apparatus may
include a support frame, a flattening frame, a press frame, drive members
such as pneumatic cylinders supported by the press frame, and posts
attached to the support frame and used for aligning and coupling the
apparatus and panel components. In order to fabricate a structural panel
using the inventive apparatus, drywall sheets having bores sized for
receiving the posts therethrough are prepared and drywall ribs or spacers
are cut from drywall sheets. The support frame may be located on the
foundation where the structural panel is to be positioned and a first
sheet and a second sheet placed onto the posts, the sheets having
adhesive and drywall spacers positioned perpendicularly therebetween. The
flattening frame and the press frame may then be placed onto the posts
and the press frame locked on the post to prepare for compression of the
panel components. Upon actuating the pneumatic cylinders, cylinder rods
press the flattening frame members against the second sheet, thereby
compressing the panel components against the support frame. After the
adhesive which glues the sheets and spacers together is sufficiently set
up, the press components may be removed from the fabricated panel.