Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, and one or more visual cameras are used to generate superimposed image data representing a visual/NIR composite image of wood product and correlating moisture levels with physical features of the surfaces of the wood product. By analyzing the visual/NIR composite image represented by superimposed image data, moisture pockets near an open physical feature that, absent the presence open physical feature would be a problem, can be identified and ignored. Based on the identified moisture levels at various locations in a given wood product, and the proximity of physical features to the identified moisture locations, one or more actions are taken with respect to wood product to ensure the wood product is put to the most efficient, effective, and valuable use.

The disclosure relates to a wood material panel pressing device for pressing a fibrous press cake in order to produce a wood material panel including an inspection device that is designed to emit a signal in the event of a disruption. According to the disclosure, the wood material panel pressing device for pressing a fibrous press cake for producing an HDF panel or an MDF panel includes: an inspection device, which is designed to emit a signal in an event of a disruption, wherein: the inspection device has a camera and an evaluation unit, the camera is arranged in an intake region of the wood material panel pressing device; and the evaluation unit automatically emits a signal in an event of a blow-out of press cake particles.

The present disclosure provides embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatuses for detecting wet spots on machined surfaces of wood workpieces. Images of laser spots on a workpiece may be processed to determine area and aspect ratio values of the laser spots. Wet spots may be detected on the workpiece based at least on the area and aspect ratio values, and optionally based in part on color image data. A facility may use wet spot detection in grade determination and/or to classify wood pieces as ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ for the determination of appropriate drying conditions.

A method and system for production of layered wood products employs local and independently operating robotic panel assembly cells including one or more veneer handling robots, one or more core handling robots, and one or more glue application robots to produce stacks of layered wood product panels locally near the pressing stations. Consequently, the stacks of layered wood product panels are independently built at, or near, the location of the pressing stations. This eliminates the need for traditional panel conveyors, traditional layered wood product panel assembly layup lines, and stack press delivery lines. This, in turn, eliminates thousands of moving parts and dozens of people from the layered wood product production process.

Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, is used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a veneer surface. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. In one embodiment, the veneer is then provided to an improved veneer stacking system that produces more consistently graded veneer stacks and safer veneer stacks, is less expensive to operate, and is far safer than currently available methods and systems for full veneer sheet, veneer strip, and partial veneer sheet stacking.

Near InfraRed NIR technology, including NIR cameras and detectors, is used to accurately identify surface irregularities on a veneer surface. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. In one embodiment, the veneer is then provided to an improved veneer stacking system that produces more consistently graded veneer stacks and safer veneer stacks, is less expensive to operate, and is far safer than currently available methods and systems for full veneer sheet, veneer strip, and partial veneer sheet stacking.

The invention relates to a method for producing an OSB, wherein a scattered mat formed by strands adhered in multiple layers is pressed in a hot press to form a panel with a desired thickness, comprising the following steps: a) scanning the surface of an upper side of the mat or of the pressed panel to determine uneven areas and/or faults; b) determining position data of the determined uneven areas and/or faults; c) determining the volumes of the individual uneven areas and/or faults; d) targeted filling of the uneven areas and/or faults with a filling material, based on the determined position data and volumes, wherein e) the filling material is scattered with a scattering device.

Classing and inspecting poles and pilings is a manual process that, due to human error, results in inaccurate, inconsistent products and a waste of resources. An automated method and device for inspecting and classing poles and pilings and keeping a real-time inventory comprising a conveyance system, pole profiler, counting wheel encoders, cutting device, control console, and real-time database provides a more accurate product in less time and at a lower cost.

A lumber culling system may include a carriage with a distal wall and a proximal wall spaced apart from one another to form an interior of the carriage. An aperture may extend through the distal wall and the proximal wall. The aperture is sized and shaped to allow a board of wood to pass through the distal wall and the proximal wall. Further, the interior of the carriage is visible within the aperture. Imaging equipment may be disposed within the interior of the carriage and arranged to scan a portion of each side of the board of wood that is positioned within the aperture. The carriage may be moved along a length of the board of wood while the board of wood is at rest on static datum supports.

A device for evaluating the condition of a wooden structure, including: a shaft; a distance sensor coupled to the shaft; and an image capture device coupled to the shaft, the distance sensor being configured to measure a location of the image capture device in the wooden structure.