A system and method for automated bending of wood strips. The system includes an preprogrammed automated robot arm that is fitted with a gripper for grasping and manipulating the wood board around a hot mandrel in order to bend the wood into intricate bent shapes. The wood strips are first soaked in water so that they pliable to bend around the mandrel. The heated mandrel plasticizes the lignin to allow the fibers to reorient in the wet wood strips thus fixing or locking the wood in the bent shape. The grippers are preferably pneumatic grippers formed from two plates that move towards each other to grasp or clamp onto the wood strip. A friction plate urges the wood strips against the heated mandrel to provide consistent and constant contact between the wood strip and the surface of the hated mandrel.

A system and method for automated bending of wood strips. The system includes an preprogrammed automated robot arm that is fitted with a gripper for grasping and manipulating the wood board around a hot mandrel in order to bend the wood into intricate bent shapes. The wood strips are first soaked in water so that they pliable to bend around the mandrel. The heated mandrel plasticizes the lignin to allow the fibers to reorient in the wet wood strips thus fixing or locking the wood in the bent shape. The grippers are preferably pneumatic grippers formed from two plates that move towards each other to grasp or clamp onto the wood strip. A friction plate urges the wood strips against the heated mandrel to provide consistent and constant contact between the wood strip and the surface of the hated mandrel.

Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.

Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.

The invention relates to a wood conditioning system comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; at least one air conveyor device for circulating air between the first chamber and the second chamber; the second chamber comprising at least one device for spraying water substantially against a direction of the circulated air. Some aspects of the invention relate to a method for wood conditioning.

The invention relates to a wood conditioning system comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; at least one air conveyor device for circulating air between the first chamber and the second chamber; the second chamber comprising at least one device for spraying water substantially against a direction of the circulated air. Some aspects of the invention relate to a method for wood conditioning.