Infrared OSB Measurement System

ARC and Edmonton-based VisionSmart have teamed up to create an infrared system that will help the producers of oriented strandboard (OSB) reduce costs and improve uniformity of board density. Variations in density can lead to added production costs. ARC and VisionSmart have developed a far infrared-based system that measures the horizontal density of each OSB panel as it comes out of the press. This is accomplished by analyzing the rate of cooling of each part, which is directly related to density. 

Operators can then determine if density adjustments are needed to make the board uniform. The system also allows producers to reduce raw material costs because uniform panels can be made less dense overall without losing quality. Savings on raw material costs for a medium-sized mill could run as high as $750,000 a year. VisionSmart has applied for a patent on its part of the technology and both partners are now working to commercialize the system. This technology stems from a Canada-wide research consortium established by ARC and Forintek Canada Corp. in the 1990's to develop and apply oriented strandboard (OSB) research. 

Alberta Research Council. Alberta Research Council 2000Annual Report. Edmonton: Alberta Research Council, 2000 with permission from the Alberta Research Council.