METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MANUFACTURED WOOD

Abstract

A method of manufacturing engineered wood is provided, the method comprising: feeding wood through a processor while exposing the wood to compressive and tensile forces to produce naturally oriented strands of fibers; adding an adhesive to naturally oriented strands of fibers to provide adhesive covered strands; feeding the adhesive covered strands into a press; applying a first pressure to the adhesive covered strands to provide a pressed wood with a selected first dimension and a selected second dimension; and applying a second pressure normal to the first pressure to the pressed wood to provide an engineered wood having the selected first dimension, the selected second dimension and a selected third dimension and a selected density. An installation for manufacturing the engineered wood is also provided.

Claims

1. A mechanical fiber processor for producing naturally oriented strands of fibers from timber, the mechanical fiber processor including: a framework, which has a top, a base which opposes the top, and a pair of vertical member therebetween; and a plurality of processing units, each processing unit comprising a frame which includes a first slider and a second slider each which slides vertically on a vertical member of the pair of vertical members, a vertically disposed ram which is attached to the framework and the frame and extends therebetween, a surface contoured first roller which is rotatably mounted on the first slider, a first motor which is mounted on the second slider and is in motive relation with the surface contoured first roller, a horizontal slider, which is slidably mounted on the pair of vertical members, a horizontally disposed ram which is attached to the framework and the horizontal slider, a surface contoured second roller which is rotatably mounted on the horizontal slider, and a second motor which is mounted on the horizontal slider and is in motive relation with the surface contoured first roller.

2. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 1, further comprising a chute between each processing unit.

3. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 2, further comprising a waste conveyor below the chutes and processing units.

4. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 3, wherein the surface contoured first roller is knurled.

5. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 4, wherein the surface contoured second roller is circumferentially grooved.

6. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 5 further comprising a digital controller which is in electronic communication with the processing units.

7. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 6, wherein the digital controller is configured to control the horizontally disposed rams such that the horizontally disposed rams in adjacent processing units oscillate in an opposing direction.

8. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 7, wherein the digital controller is configured to control rotating and oscillating of the surface contoured second roller such that the surface contoured second roller is rotating while oscillating.

9. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 8, wherein the surface contoured first roller and the surface contoured second roller are directly driven by the first motor and the second motor, respectively.

10. The mechanical fiber processor of claim 9, wherein the horizontally disposed ram has a horizontal travel of at least about 2 inches.

11. A method of processing wood to produce naturally oriented strands of fibers, the method comprising feeding the wood through a processor while exposing the wood to compressive and tensile forces.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the feeding is effected by a plurality of surface contoured first rollers.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of surface contoured first rollers and the plurality of surface contoured second rollers exert the compressive forces on the wood.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of surface contoured second rollers exert the tensile forces on the wood.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the plurality of surface contoured second rollers oscillate laterally to exert the tensile forces on the wood.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein adjacent surface contoured second rollers oscillate with reverse amplitudes, with one being positive and the other being negative.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the first surface contoured rollers and the second surface contoured rollers releasing non-stranded wood.

18. A method of processing wood to produce naturally oriented strands of fibers, the method comprising exerting a motive force on the wood with a first knurled roller, exerting a compressive force with the first knurled roller and a second circumferentially grooved roller which are pressed towards one another with an actuator and simultaneously exerting a lateral oscillating tensile force on the wood with the second circumferentially grooved roller.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising releasing non-stranded wood.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising collecting and transporting the non-stranded wood on a waste conveyor.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein adjacent knurled second rollers oscillate with reverse amplitudes, with one being positive and the other being negative.

Description

FIGURES

[0083] FIG. 1 is a side view of the system of the present technology.

[0084] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mechanical fiber processor of the system of FIG. 1.

[0085] FIG. 3 is longitudinal sectional view of a processing unit of the mechanical fiber processor of FIG. 2.

[0086] FIG. 4 is front view of the two-axis press of the system of FIG. 1.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a side view schematic of an alternative embodiment system.

[0088] FIG. 6A is a top view of the metering unit of the alternative embodiment; and FIG. 6B is a side view of the metering unit of the alternative embodiment.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a side view of the waxing chamber.

[0090] FIG. 8A is a front view of the log in a processing unit before it is processed; FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the log in a processing unit in the early stages of processing; FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the log in a processing unit further downstream; FIG. 8D is a sectional view of the log as it begins to be stranded; and FIG. 8E is an end view of the strands in a processing unit proximate the exit end of the mechanical fiber processor.

[0091] FIG. 9 is a top view of the log undergoing processing to provide naturally oriented strands of fibers.

[0092] FIG. 10 is a side view of the log undergoing processing to provide naturally oriented strands of fibers.

[0093] FIG. 11A shows the strands of fibers loaded into the metering unit. FIG. 11B shows the strands of fibers being aligned and compacted into a bundle. FIG. 11C shows the fibers being pushed into the wax application chamber where they are sprayed with a slack wax.

[0094] FIG. 12A is an end view of the strands in the two-axis press before the rams are actuated; FIG. 12B is an end view of the strands in the two-axis press after the vertical ram has been actuated; and FIG. 12C is an end view of the strands in the two-axis press after the horizontal ram has been actuated.

DESCRIPTION

[0095] Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description and claims): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms a, an, and the, as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term about applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words herein, hereby, hereof, hereto, hereinbefore, and hereinafter, and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) or and any are not exclusive and include and including are not limiting. Further, the terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted.

[0096] Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

[0097] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.

Definitions

[0098] Sliderin the context of the present technology, a slider is a part which moves over another part. Rollers, wheels, low friction surfaces, ball bearings in races and the like all allow a part to act as a slider.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] As shown in FIG. 1 a system, generally referred to as 10 includes a mechanical fiber processor, generally referred to as 12, a conveyer 14 and a two-axis press, generally referred to as 18. The system 10 manufactures engineered wood from waste wood, including, but not limited to dead, dry standing timber and slash. As the timber is dead and standing, it is air dry.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 2, the mechanical fiber processor 12 has a plurality of vertically disposed rams 20, with each ram 20 attached to a framework 22 at a first end 24. The rams have about 12 inches to about 50 inches of travel, preferably about 20 inches to about 30 inches of travel and most preferably about 24 inches of travel. Each ram 20 is attached to a frame 26 at a second end 28, which in turn is attached to an upper motive roller 30, thus there are a plurality of frames 26 and a plurality of upper motive rollers 30. A plurality of lower separating rollers 32 are seated below the upper motive rollers 30 to provide roller pairs 34 consisting of an upper motive roller 30 and a lower separating roller 32. Each separating roller 32 is aligned with a frame 26, an upper motive roller 30 and an actuator 20 which is preferably a ram 20. These components are housed in the active stranding zone, generally referred to as 36 of the mechanical fiber processor 12. Between each roller pair 34 is a chute 38 which feeds non-strand wood to the waste conveyor 14 which is below the active stranding zone 36 and the chutes 38 and is in the waste collection zone 42. There is an entry end 44 and an exit end 46. Material guides 48 are located at the sides of the roller pairs 36. A log is seen positioned in the mechanical fiber processor 12. It may or may not extend from the entry end 44 to the exit end 46

[0101] The details of a processing unit, generally referred to as 50, are shown FIG. 3. A roller pair 36 is shown. The upper motive roller 30 and the lower separating roller 32 have surface contours 52. The surface contours 52 of the upper motive roller 30 are designed to provide traction so that the log is propelled through the mechanical fiber processor 12. The upper motive roller 30 only participates in separating the strands by providing the force on the log and the lower separating roller 32. The surface contour 52 include ridges, knurls, protrusions and the like that are aligned substantially along the central axis of the upper motive rollers 30. In the preferred embodiment, the surface of the upper motive roller 32 machined with about inch deep grooves circumferentially and longitudinally, forming a small square cut pattern. This is referred to as a knurled surface. The surface of the lower separating roller 32 is machined circumferentially with deeper grooves 33 that are between about inch to about inch deep and as deep as about inch deep. The surface contours of the lower separating roller are designed to separate the strands. The peaks of the knurled surface and the peaks left from the circumferential grooves align with one another.

[0102] The frame 26 includes a horizontal plate 54 with sliders 56, 58 at each end 60, 62. The ram 20 is attached to the framework 22 and the horizontal plate 54. The sliders 56, 58 have a resilient liner. The sliders 56, 58 are each slidably mounted on a vertical member 64 of the framework 22. A hub 66 is mounted on a proximal end 68 of the first slider 56. An upper motor 70 is mounted on a proximal end 68 of the second slider 58. The upper motive roller 30 has a short axle 72, 74 at each end. The axle 72 is rotatably mounted in the hub 66 at one end and the axle 74 is either attached to the upper motor 70 or is the motor shaft. It is preferably a hydraulic motor and the axle 74 is fixed to the upper motor 70. As the upper motor 70 is a variable speed motor, the rate at which the log is propelled is controlled and can be varied either from log to log and during processing of an individual log.

[0103] The lower separating roller 32 has a short axle 82, 84 at each end 86, 88. The axle 82 is rotatably and rotatably mounted in a hub 90 at the first end 86. The other axle 84 is in mechanical communication with a lower motor 94. It is preferably a hydraulic motor. The axle 84 is fixed to the lower motor 94. As the lower motor 94 is a variable speed motor, the rate at which the log is propelled is controlled and can be varied either from log to log and during processing of an individual log.

[0104] The hub 90 and the lower motor 94 are mounted on a carry deck (horizontal slider) 96 which rides on idler wheels 98 which are rotatably mounted in a fixed base 100 which is mounted below the hub 90 and the lower motor 94. The carry deck 96 and the idler wheels 98 are the carry deck assembly, generally referred to as 102. The carry deck 96 is attached via a thrust swivel 104 to an actuator 106 which is preferably a ram 106 which is horizontally disposed. The ram 106 urges the carry deck 96 and hence the lower separating roller 32 laterally for example, but not limited to, at least about 2 inches, to at least about 3 inches to at least about 5 inches and preferably about 4 inches. The ram is preferably a variable stroke length ram 106, preferably a Tempasonic cylinder, which allows for precise positioning as it includes magnetostrictive linear-position sensors. As noted, the travel of the ram 106 is for example, but not limited to, at least about 2 inches, to at least about 3 inches to at least about 5 inches and preferably about 4 inches. The arrow indicates the horizontal oscillation.

[0105] The upper motors 70, the lower motors 94 and the rams 20, 104, which in the preferred embodiment are hydraulic, are in fluid communication with variable displacement hydraulic pumps 108 via hydraulic lines 110.

[0106] A digital controller 112 with integral limit switches controls the speed, the applied force, ram travel and timing. In a preferred embodiment, adjacent rams 92 oscillate with the same period but opposing one another, in other words they have reverse amplitudes. Preferably, one ram 92 is fully in while the other is fully out, to provide a waveform in the wood as the strands are released with a peak to valley height of about 4 inches. This action is controlled by the digital controller 112 via the variable displacement hydraulic pumps 108. Concomitant rotation and oscillation is also controlled by the digital controller 112. The rate of rotation may be different to the rate of oscillation and will be based on the characteristics of the wood being processed.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 4, the two-axis press 18 has a framework 200 which houses a pressing chamber 202. The pressing chamber 202 has a pair of stationary vertical walls 204, 206 which are heated with heater units 208 which can be, but are not limited to pipes for carrying hot water or hot air or can be electrical elements, a vertical press plate which functions as a top dynamic wall 210, and a stationary bottom wall 212 which is also heated with heater units 208 which can be, but are not limited to pipes for carrying hot water or hot air or can be electrical elements. The top dynamic wall 210 is slidably engaged in the walls 204, 206. A vertical press actuator 214, which is preferably a ram 214 is attached to and actuates the top dynamic wall 210. The rams 214 is preferably variable stroke length rams, preferably a Tempasonic cylinder, which allows for precise positioning as it includes magnetostrictive linear-position sensors. The vertical press ram 214 extends between the top dynamic wall 210 and the top 218 of the framework 200. The adhesive coated strands are within the pressing chamber 202. A lateral press plate 222 is located in an aperture 224 in one of the vertical walls 204 and is sized to be large enough to provide horizontal force on the largest cross section of engineered wood being formed. The aperture 224 is large enough to load a bundle of adhesive coated strands. The lateral press plate 222 is in slidable engagement with the aperture 224. A lateral actuator, which is preferably a press ram 226 is attached to and actuates the lateral press plate 222. The lateral press ram 226 extends between the lateral press plate 222 and a side 228 of the framework 200. The ram 226 is preferably a variable stroke length ram, preferably a Tempasonic cylinder, which allows for precise positioning as it includes magnetostrictive linear-position sensors.

[0108] The two-axis press 18 is under control of variable power and digital control systems. The control system controls speed, temperature, force, time and final dimension of the pressing chamber (in other words, the dimensions of the resultant engineered wood product).

[0109] As shown in FIG. 5, in an alternative embodiment, the system, generally referred to as 310 includes a mechanical fiber processor, generally referred to as 12, a conveyer 14, a dehydrator 312, a metering unit 314, a waxing chamber 316, an adhesive distributor 318 and a two-axis press, generally referred to as 18. In yet another embodiment, the system includes the mechanical fiber processor, generally referred to as 12, a conveyer 14, a dehydrator 312, a waxing chamber 316, an adhesive distributor 318 and a two-axis press, generally referred to as 18 and does not include the metering unit 314.

[0110] The details of the metering unit, generally referred to as 314 are shown in FIGS. 6A and B. The metering unit 314 includes a bumper 320 and a push gate 321 under control of hydraulic rams 322 which is slidably engaged with the sides 324 of the chamber 326. A pair of biasing members 328, which may be springs extend between the bumper 320 and the push gate 321. Without being bound to theory, the springs 328 allow the bumper to compensate if the amount of fiber is not even in the chamber 326, thus promoting equal density of the fibers in the bundle. The hydraulic rams 322 are attached to a framework 330. A slotted top 332 is at the opposite end of the chamber 326 and extends towards the push gate 321. The waxing chamber 316 and the adhesive distributor 318 are also shown in FIG. 6A.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 6B a discharge gate 334 is also at the opposite end of the chamber 326. A pair of arm actuators, which are preferably hydraulic rams 336, are attached to the framework 330. Each arm actuator 336 is attached to an arm 338 or a plurality of arms 338. The arms 338 are slidably mounted on beams 350. A pivot 340 attaches a strut 342 to each arm 338. A hydraulic ram 344 extends between each arm 338 and each strut 342 and urges the struts 342 to be raised and lowered. A series of hold back metering fingers 346 and a series of discharge metering fingers 348 are mounted to the struts 342.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 7, the waxing chamber 316 includes spray bars 352 that are in communication with a slack wax reservoir 354.

Method

[0113] Strand Production

[0114] The logs were sent through a debarking and moisture sensing line for feedstock sorting, using existing technologies. Logs below the lower moisture threshold of conventional processing methods were sent to the engineered wood manufacturing system 10. The logs were yard sorted based on length, diameter, species and general condition. Therefore, feed rates were generally consistent as the batches were processed.

[0115] The mechanical fiber processor 12 receives the logs or wood from the logs, which are then subjected to compressive forces and tensile forces as the logs travel through the mechanical fiber processor 10. The knurled hydraulic powered upper rollers 30 exert compressive force and propels the logs through the mechanical fiber processor 12, while the circumferentially grooved hydraulic powered lower roller 32 exert the compressive and tensile forces. The combination of tensile and compressive forces maintained a natural strand orientation, other words, the strands remained in essentially the same orientation as they were in the tree and were substantially parallel about a longitudinal axis. The compressive forces may be consistent in a bank of rollers, or may be varied, for example, a higher force at the entry end of the mechanical fiber processor, with the compressive force gradually decreasing towards the exit end of the mechanical fiber processor. Alternatively, the compressive force may be lower at the entry end of the mechanical fiber processor and increase towards the exit end of the mechanical fiber processor. The tensile forces may be consistent in a bank of rollers, or may be varied, for example, a higher force at the entry end of the mechanical fiber processor, with the compressive force gradually decreasing towards the exit end of the mechanical fiber processor. Alternatively, the tensile force may be lower at the entry end of the mechanical fiber processor and increase towards the exit end of the mechanical fiber processor. In order to optimize the method for a specific wood (species, moisture content, integrity (for example, degree of rot)), feed rate, in addition to pressure is adjustable. The strands, which remain in a natural strand orientation and have the same fiber length as in the tree, pass out of the exit end of the mechanical fiber processor and are ready for entry into the two-axis press.

[0116] During the stranding operation, any wood materials that are not forming strands are released and drop from the active stranding zone through the chutes that are between processing units. This includes rot, knots and other non-strand wood and wood particles. The non-strand wood drops onto the waste conveyor, which is located below the active stranding zone and the chutes and is carried from the mechanical fiber processor for use in heat or electricity generation.

[0117] For the production of one batch of strands from pine beetle killed Lodgepole pine, the successful feed rate was about 16 feet/per min, the oscillation frequency was about 1 stroke per 4 seconds and the amplitude was about 2 inches, for a total travel of about 4 inches.

[0118] FIG. 8A-E shows a schematic of the log or wood from the log undergoing processing to provide naturally oriented strands. FIG. 8A is a front view of the log in a processing unit before it is processed. The log is proximate the entry end of the mechanical fiber processor. FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the log in a processing unit in the early stages of processing. The log has been propelled to a processing unit downstream of the entry end. The diameter of the log can be seen to be reduced and it can be seen that it is flattening laterally. This lateral flattening is caused by both the vertical, compressive force and the lateral tensile force. FIG. 8C is a sectional view of the log in a processing unit further downstream. The diameter of the log can be seen to be further reduced. FIG. 8D is a sectional view of the log as it begins to be stranded. It is in a processing unit still further downstream. The oscillations of the lateral tensile force further separate the strands, while retaining them in a natural orientation. FIG. 8E is an end view of the strands in a processing unit proximate the exit end of the mechanical fiber processor.

[0119] FIG. 9 is a top view of the log undergoing processing to provide naturally oriented strands of fibers. It can be seen that the log is gradually flattened and the strands are then released. The oscillations of the laterally actuated rams lead to oscillations in the strands, urging them apart while retaining them in alignment. FIG. 10 is a side view of the log undergoing processing to provide naturally oriented strands of fibers. Debris can be seen falling onto the waste conveyor as the strands are released and non-stranded wood falls through the chutes.

[0120] Engineered Wood Production

[0121] In one embodiment, the method does not involve a strand orientation step after stranding and before pressing as the strands of fibers have maintained their natural orientation.

[0122] Once the strands of fibers were harvested from the mechanical fiber processor the fibers were pushed into the wax application chamber where they were sprayed with a slack wax. A pressure and temperature activated dry chemical bonding agent (existing in Oriented Strand Board [OSB] production) was then added to a bundle of the fibers through a known dry chemical feed system. The adhesive covered fibers were fed into the two-axis press 18, through the aperture 224. Note that covered in the current context means that the surfaces of the strands of wood fiber are substantially covered. The top dynamic wall 210 is static while the lateral press plate 222 is actuated to urge the bundle of fibers into the pressing chamber 202 and is aligned with the vertical wall 204 and is positioned with an appropriate clearance to allow for inward travel of the top dynamic wall 210 to provide the selected dimension specification in terms of width and depth. The top dynamic wall 210 then remains static. The lateral press plate 222, which is normal to the top dynamic wall 210 and the bottom static wall 212, applied a normal force to achieve desired density and length.

[0123] In another embodiment, the method involves a metering step. Once the strands of fibers were harvested from the mechanical fiber processor, they were dried in a dehydrator and then metered as shown in FIGS. 11A to C. FIG. 11A shows the strands of fibers loaded into the metering unit 310. The push gate 321 is in a fully retracted position allowing the chamber 326 to accept fiber. The hold back fingers 346 and discharge fingers 348 remain disengaged. Fiber is fed into the chamber 326 from the outfeed end of the processing unit 50.

[0124] FIG. 11B shows the strands of fibers being aligned and compacted into a bundle. The push gate 321 travels linear through the chamber 326 until the fiber bundle reaches a desired density. The fibers are aligned and compacted against the closed discharge gate 334. The push gate hydraulic ram 322 pressure determine the density.

[0125] Metering is achieved by the positions of the hold back fingers 346 and discharge fingers 348. The hold-back and discharge mechanisms are located above the slotted top 332, opposing each other. Both sets of fingers 346, 348 intersect and are arranged to penetrate the fiber on the same plane, parallel with the push gate 321. Once engaged, they simultaneously pass through the slotted top 332 and penetrate the fiber.

[0126] FIG. 11C shows the fibers being pushed into the waxing chamber 316 where they are sprayed with a slack wax. The hold back fingers 346 remain static in the fully engaged position. The discharge gate 334 opens, providing a flow path for the fiber. The discharge fingers 348 then pull the desired quantity of aligned and metered fiber into the downstream unit. The push gate 321 returns to the start position and the hold back fingers 346 and discharge fingers 348 retract through the slotted top 332 into the start position. Residual fiber remains in place below the hold back fingers 348 for the next cycle. Note: There may be enough fiber to repeat the metering and completion steps before reloading the chamber with fiber. Infeed quantity and desired end-product dimension will determine the cycle efficiency.

[0127] A pressure and temperature activated dry chemical bonding agent (existing in Oriented Strand Board [OSB] production) was then added to a bundle of the fibers through a known dry chemical feed system. The adhesive covered fibers were fed into the two-axis press 18, through the aperture 224. Note that covered in the current context means that the surfaces of the strands of wood fiber are substantially covered. The top dynamic wall 210 is static while the lateral press plate 222 is actuated to urge the bundle of fibers into the pressing chamber 202 and is aligned with the vertical wall 204 and is positioned with an appropriate clearance to allow for inward travel of the top dynamic wall 210 to provide the selected dimension specification in terms of width and depth. The top dynamic wall 210 then remains static. The lateral press plate 222, which is normal to the top dynamic wall 210 and the bottom static wall 212, applied a normal force to achieve desired density and length.

[0128] FIG. 12A is an end view of the strands in the two-axis press before the rams are actuated. FIG. 12B is an end view of the strands in the two-axis press after the vertical ram has been actuated. FIG. 12C is an end view of the strands in the two-axis press after the horizontal ram has been actuated.

[0129] The dual forces of the two-axis press allow for varying densities and dimensions of engineered wood to be produced. When specific densities are desired, the density of the source wood is determined by cutting a block into a selected dimension and measuring its mass. The density of a batch of logs is quite consistent, therefore, this measurement can be used for the whole batch.

[0130] A computer with a processor and a memory, which is configured to instruct the processor, is in electronic communication with the digital controller. The computer calculates the amount of feedstock and the pressure required to provide a selected density of engineered wood based on the density of the source wood. The digital controller then controls the pressure exerted by the horizontal press plate 222.

[0131] The engineered wood can be formed into structural beams and columns, architectural and decorative columns, I beams, joists, floor beams, posts, framing lumber, railroad ties, power poles, building panels, bridge beams and decking, fencing, residential decking, flooring and custom designs. All the wood products are natural orientation strand engineered wood products.

[0132] The densities that can be obtained using the two-axis press are shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Densities of a range of woods. Density Density Species ((kg/m.sup.3) (lb/ft.sup.3) Alder 400-700 26-42 Afrormosia 710 Agba 510 Apple 650-850 41-52 Ash, white 650-850 40-53 Ash, black 540 33 Ash, European 710 Aspen 420 26 Balsa 160 7-9 Bamboo 300-400 19-25 Basswood 300-600 20-37 Beech 700-900 32-56 Birch, British 670 42 Birch, European 670 Box 950-1200 59-72 Butternut 380 24 Cedar of Lebanon 580 Cedar, western red 380 23 Cherry, European 630 43-56 Chestnut, sweet 560 30 Cottonwood 410 25 Cypress 510 32 Dogwood 750 47 Douglas Fir 530 33 Ebony 1100-1300 69-83 Elm, American 570 35 Elm, English 550-600 34-37 Elm, Dutch 560 Elm, Wych 690 Elm, Rock 820 50 Gaboon 430 Greenheart 1040 Gum, Black 590 36 Gum, Blue 820 50 Gum, Red 540 35 Hackberry 620 38 Hemlock, western 500 Hickory 830 37-58 Holly 750 47 Iroko 660 Juniper 550 35 Keruing 740 Larch 500-550 31-35 Lignum Vitae 1170-1330 73-83 Lime, European 560 Locust 650-700 42-44 Logwood 900 57 Madrone 740 45 Magnolia 570 35 Mahogany, African 500-850 31-53 Mahogany, Cuban 660 40 Mahogany, Honduras 650 41 Mahogany, Spanish 850 53 Maple 600-750 39-47 Meranti, dark red 710 Myrtle 660 40 Oak 600-900 37-56 Oak, American Red 740 45 Oak, American White 770 47 Oak, English Brown 740 45 Obeche 390 Oregon Pine 530 33 Parana Pine 560 35 Pear 600-700 38-45 Pecan 770 47 Persimmon 900 55 Philippine Red Luan 590 36 Pine, pitch 670 52-53 Pine, Corsican 510 Pine, radiata 480 Pine, Scots 510 Pine, white 350-500 22-31 Pine, yellow 420 23-37 Plane, European 640 Plum 650-800 41-49 Poplar 350-500 22-31 Ramin 670 Redwood, American 450 28 Redwood, European 510 32 Rosewood, Bolivian 820 50 Rosewood, East Indian 900 55 Sapele 640 Satinwood 950 59 Spruce 400-700 25-44 Spruce, Canadian 450 28 Spruce, Norway 430 Spruce, Sitka 450 28 Spruce, western white 450 Sycamore 400-600 24-37 Tanguile 640 39 Teak, Indian 650-900 41-55 Teak, African 980 61 Teak, Burma 740 45 Utile 660 Walnut 650-700 40-43 Walnut, Amer Black 630 38 Walnut, Claro 490 30 Walnut, European 570 35 Water gum 1000 62 Whitewood, European 470 Willow 400-600 24-37 Yew 670 Zebrawood 790

[0133] The natural orientation strand engineered wood products have the same range of hardness as a range of wood species. The range of hardness that can be obtained using the two-axis press is shown in Table 2. Note that the hardness is obtained in the absence of hardening agents.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Hardness of a range of woods. Janka (pounds force) Species 350 Buckeye Burl 380 Aspen 410 Basswood 470 Guanacaste (Parota) 490 Butternut 540 American Chestnut 540 Poplar 540 Mappa Burl 600 Spanish Cedar 800 Genuine Mahogany 850 Quilted Western Maple 850 Western Maple Burl 850 Curly Western Maple 850 Black Ash 891 Lacewood 930 Anigre 950 Cherry 950 Curly Maple (Red Leaf) 950 Cherry Burl 950 Maple (Red Leaf) 950 Curly Cherry 950 Tornillo 960 Peruvian Walnut 1010 Walnut 1010 Figured Walnut 1020 Holly 1055 Curly Pyinma 1100 African Mahogany 1100 Figured Mango 1160 Thuya Burl 1170 Koa 1200 Redhead 1200 Masur Birch 1210 Nicaraguan Rosewood 1220 Red Oak 1220 Curly Oak 1220 Quarter Sawn Red Oak 1220 Spalted Oak 1260 Birch 1260 Flame Birch 1260 Birch Burl 1260 Amboyna Burl 1260 Curly Narra 1260 Narra 1294 Figured Makore 1294 Makore 1320 White Ash 1320 Curly White Ash 1320 Swamp Ash 1330 Shedua 1335 Quarter Sawn White Oak 1335 White Oak 1350 Ebiara 1360 English Brown Oak 1400 Mayan Walnut 1400 Eucalyptus 1439 Quilted Sapele 1450 Birdseye Maple 1450 Hard Maple 1450 Curly Maple (Hard Maple) 1450 Quarter Sawn Maple 1450 Bark Pocket Maple 1450 Hard Maple Burl 1450 Spalted Maple 1450 Rift Sawn Hard Maple 1460 Madrone Burl 1500 Sapele 1520 Canarywood 1548 Honey Locust 1560 Afrormosia 1712 Merbau 1780 Black & White Ebony 1800 Camphor Bush Burl 1800 Figured Camphor Bush 1810 Afzelia Burl 1820 Hickory 1830 Zebrawood 1830 Figured Zebrawood 1860 Jarrah Burl 1878 Yellowheart 1900 Red Palm 1930 Wenge 1960 Bolivian Rosewood 1970 Padauk 1970 Ziricote 2010 Bocote 2020 Black Palm 2140 Sucupira 2150 Leopardwood 2160 Goncalo Alves 2200 Chechen 2200 Honduras Rosewood 2200 Honduras Rosewood Burl 2250 Chakte Viga 2318 Spalted Tamarind 2400 Osage Orange (Argentine) 2400 Santos Mahogany 2410 Figured Bubinga 2410 Quilted Bubinga 2410 Bubinga 2430 Cochen Rosewood 2430 Indian Ebony 2440 E. Indian Rosewood 2480 Tamboti 2490 Red Mallee Burl 2490 Brown Mallee Burl 2500 Tulipwood 2520 Purpleheart 2520 Figured Purpleheart 2532 Marblewood 2620 Amazon Rosewood 2690 Jatoba 2690 Olivewood 2700 Granadillo 2760 Osage Orange (USA) 2900 Bloodwood 2920 Yellow Box Burl 2960 Cocobolo 3000 Mun Ebony 3080 Gaboon Ebony 3080 Royal Ebony 3160 Angelim Pedra 3220 Macassar Ebony 3230 Pink Ivory 3330 Cumaru 3340 Kingwood 3340 Camatillo 3370 Grey Box Burl 3390 Mopani 3590 Brown Ebony 3660 Katalox 3660 Figured Katalox 3670 African Blackwood 3690 Brazilian Ebony 3710 Lignum Vitae (Argentine) 3730 Red Coolibah Burl 3800 Snakewood 4380 Lignum Vitae (Genuine)

[0134] While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein.