System and method for measurement of adhesive resin distribution on wood flakes using a scanner

A method for determining adhesive resin distribution on wood flakes to be formed into a wood-based composite, where an adhesive resin has been applied onto the wood flakes, said method comprising the steps of:

• collecting a sample of wood flakes blended with adhesive resin and output from the blender wherein the wood flakes are approximately at least 1 inch×2 inches;
• heating at least 30 wood flakes for one minute at 350° F.;
• placing at least twenty of the at least 30 wood flakes on a scanner bed;
• preview scanning the wood flakes using at least 1200 dpi resolution with 1800 dpi interpolation while maximizing settings for color resolution and setting dimensions to a width of 0.5 inch and a length of 1.5 inches;
• starting a macro for scanning and inputting a filename and an input number of wood flakes;
• scanning an image of each wood flake;
• for each wood flake, adjusting an exposure setting using an auto-setting for the wood flake, editing the image of the wood flake and copying the image, using image analysis software with resin analysis macros to determine data for a percentage coverage of the wood flake by the adhesive resin, and saving the data until all desired wood flakes have been processed;
• and
• importing the data in data files and generating a report.

A method for determining adhesive resin bond quality on wood samples pulled from a wood-based veneer composite that has been vacuum/water-soaked for a predetermined amount of time, to provide a grade for the wood-based veneer composite, said method comprising the steps of:

• heating the wood flakes pulled from the wood-based composite for one of:
• a predetermined time and until the wood flakes are substantially dry;
• placing said wood samples on a scanning bed;
• scanning said wood samples using at least 1200 dpi resolution with 1800 dpi interpolation to provide image data;
• using image analysis software with resin analysis macros installed on a computer wherein the image data of each wood sample is filtered to provide a high contrast image that shows each adhesive resin spot differentiated from a bare wood on which the adhesive resin spot is situated;
• and
• measuring and analyzing the high contrast image, using the image analysis software with resin analysis macros, to provide an output showing at least a percent resin coverage/wood failure percentage of the wood sample.