Process for shaping a reinforcing or structural material for extruding/molding operations

An assembly for producing a structural article from a naturally occurring organic material, comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting a plurality of lengths of the naturally occurring material beneath or through a manifold for applying to the material a coating of a non-activated adhesive and binder;
• a die forming machine through which a bunched arrangement of the coated materials are passed in order to reform a cross sectional profile of the bunched material;
• and
• an adhesive/binder activating component in communication with the die forming machine for shaping and solidifying the material into a reformed and finished structural article having a cross sectional shape suitable for a structural application.

A die assembly for forming a bundle of a loose organic material into a structural article, comprising:

• a mold having a base and a hingedly supported top, said base and top collectively defining an interior which is a negative of a structural part to be produced;
• upon the loose organic material being pre-cut and placed within said base, an adhesive and binder being applied to the organic material concurrent with said top being closed;
• and
• a catalyst activating the adhesive and binder to expand and solidify the loose material into a reformed and finished structural article having a cross sectional shape suitable for a structural application.