Irregularities on the surfaces of veneer, such as full veneer sheets and/or veneer core material are detected using Near InfraRed (NIR) technology, including Near InfraRed/Short Wave InfraRed (NIR/SWIR) cameras and detectors. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. The graded veneer is then stacked based, at least in part, on the grade assigned to the veneer. The graded veneer stacks are then provided to local robotic panel assembly and pressing systems that include one or more local robotic panel assembly cells for processing the veneer into layered wood product panels.

Irregularities on the surfaces of veneer, such as full veneer sheets and/or veneer core material are detected using Near InfraRed (NIR) technology, including Near InfraRed/Short Wave InfraRed (NIR/SWIR) cameras and detectors. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. The graded veneer is then stacked based, at least in part, on the grade assigned to the veneer. The graded veneer stacks are then provided to local robotic panel assembly and pressing systems that include one or more local robotic panel assembly cells for processing the veneer into layered wood product panels.

Irregularities on the surfaces of veneer, such as full veneer sheets and/or veneer core material are detected using Near InfraRed (NIR) technology, including Near InfraRed/Short Wave InfraRed (NIR/SWIR) cameras and detectors. A grade is then assigned to the veneer based, at least in part, on the detected irregularities. The graded veneer is then stacked based, at least in part, on the grade assigned to the veneer. The graded veneer stacks are then provided to local robotic panel assembly and pressing systems that include one or more local robotic panel assembly cells for processing the veneer into layered wood product panels.

A method and system for production of layered wood products employs local and independently operating robotic panel assembly cells including a vison system for inspecting and grading veneer sheets, 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 using inspected and graded veneer sheets. 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.

A method and system for production of layered wood products employs local and independently operating robotic panel assembly cells including a vison system for inspecting and grading veneer sheets, 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 using inspected and graded veneer sheets. 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.

A method for sequencing veneer to lumbercore includes receiving a veneer grain width input and a veneer thickness input, determining a cut angle based on the veneer grain width input and the veneer thickness input, receiving a lumbercore width input and a lumbercore height input, determining a set of dimensions for a stack of lumber, and generating a template mapping the lumbercore to the stack of lumber, where the template is based on the lumbercore width input, the lumbercore height input, and the set of dimensions for the stack of lumber, where the lumbercore is rotated within the template at an angle relative to horizontal within the stack of lumber by an amount equal to the cut angle.

A method for sequencing veneer to lumbercore includes receiving a veneer grain width input and a veneer thickness input, determining a cut angle based on the veneer grain width input and the veneer thickness input, receiving a lumbercore width input and a lumbercore height input, determining a set of dimensions for a stack of lumber, and generating a template mapping the lumbercore to the stack of lumber, where the template is based on the lumbercore width input, the lumbercore height input, and the set of dimensions for the stack of lumber, where the lumbercore is rotated within the template at an angle relative to horizontal within the stack of lumber by an amount equal to the cut angle.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for activating an adhesive for composing veneers. A method for activating an adhesive for composing veneers according to an aspect of the invention comprises providing the adhesive on a surface of a veneer, and radiating the adhesive on the surface of the veneer. The method may comprise providing a reinforcing material on the adhesive; or providing an adhesive tape on the surface of the veneer, wherein the adhesive tape comprises adhesive coated or impregnated with a reinforcing material. The method may further comprise radiating the adhesive between the surface of the veneer and the reinforcing material.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for activating an adhesive for composing veneers. A method for activating an adhesive for composing veneers according to an aspect of the invention comprises providing the adhesive on a surface of a veneer, and radiating the adhesive on the surface of the veneer. The method may comprise providing a reinforcing material on the adhesive; or providing an adhesive tape on the surface of the veneer, wherein the adhesive tape comprises adhesive coated or impregnated with a reinforcing material. The method may further comprise radiating the adhesive between the surface of the veneer and the reinforcing material.

The present invention provides bonding systems comprising a formaldehyde-based (urea-/melamine-/phenol-/resorcinol-formaldehyde or other combination) and/or a polymeric isocyanate resin system composition for bonding ligno-cellulosic materials to form panels and/or shaped products, which contain a resin hardener, also referred to as resin catalyst, characterised in that the hardener is activated by heat.