Oriented Strand Board Surface Smoothing and Release Agent Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of sticking type resins like polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pmdi) in wood particle board production leads to significant sticking issues with press platens, requiring excessive amounts of release agents to prevent adhesion, which increases production costs and causes corrosive damage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving steam prepressing to smooth the top surface of the wood layup, reducing the initial mat height by 20-80% and applying a controlled amount of steam, followed by a release agent to minimize sticking during consolidation in a press.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sticking type resin (e.g., isocyanate resin, pmdi) is used as the binding resin, then superior product quality and lower cost are achieved, but significant sticking to the press platen occurs during consolidation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidsticking to press platen

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A release agent is introduced as an intermediary substance between the sticking type resin and the press platen. The release agent forms a protective barrier that prevents direct adhesion between the resin and metal surface, allowing the resin to maintain its superior bonding properties while eliminating harmful sticking to the equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The release agent is applied to the press platen surface before the wood flake mat is placed for consolidation. This preliminary application ensures that the protective barrier is in place before the resin makes contact, preventing sticking from occurring in the first place rather than attempting to remove it after consolidation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a release agent is used to prevent sticking, then sticking to the press platen is reduced, but significant quantities are required which increases production cost and causes corrosive damage to the carbon steel press platen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesticking reductionVSAvoidrelease agent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the concentration, composition, or formulation parameters of the release agent to achieve effective sticking prevention with minimal application rates. By modifying these parameters, the release agent becomes more efficient, reducing both quantity consumed and corrosive impact on the platen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a release agent is sprayed directly on the top surface of the uneven flake mat, then the top face release from the press platen is achieved, but a substantial amount of release is required to cover all surfaces including shadowed or hidden areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetop face releaseVSAvoidrelease agent quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The release agent is applied to the press platen surface before the flake mat is positioned, rather than spraying it onto the uneven mat surface. This preliminary application to the platen ensures complete coverage of all contact surfaces including shadowed areas, as the release agent is already in position to meet the mat when it is placed against the platen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying the release agent to the mat (traditional approach), the invention inverts the process by applying the release agent to the press platen first. This reversal allows the release agent to be applied to a flat, accessible surface and ensures complete coverage of the contact interface without requiring excessive spray volumes to reach shadowed areas of the uneven mat

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Significantly reduces the amount of release agent needed, minimizing costs and preventing platen damage while maintaining effective bonding in oriented strand board production.

Implementation Method 1

steam prepressing to smooth the top surface of the wood layup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteam heating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

reducing the initial mat height by 20-80%

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

applying a release agent to minimize sticking during consolidation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRelease agent protection: Lubrication

Implementation Method 4

The adhesive is activated by heat and pressure to consolidate the layup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal activation of adhesive: Heating

Implementation Method 5

consolidate the layup under heat and pressure to consolidate the layup into a board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure consolidation: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11524424B2Production of oriented strand board

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 NORBORD

AI summary

A method of making a wood particle board containing sticking type resin coated wood particles wherein the top of a layup of the coated wood particles is smoothed to provide a smooth a top surface on the layup and a release agent is applied on the top surface and the so coated layup is consolidated into a board in a consolidating press under heat and pressure with the coated top surface in direct contact with a press platen.