Panel Industry Research Articles

Life cycle assessment of medium density particleboard (MDP) produced in Brazil

Purpose The wood panel industry is one of the most important forest-based industries in Brazil. The medium density particleboard (MDP) is currently produced and consumed worldwide and represents about 50 % of the wood panel industry in Brazil. Unlike other regions, Brazilian MDP is produced from dedicated eucalyptus plantations and heavy fuel oil is an important energy source in MDP manufacture, which may result in a different environmental profile. This paper presents a life cycle assessment of MDP panel produced in Brazil and suggests improvement opportunities by assessing alternative production scenarios.

Source of Cost Reduction in Solar Photovoltaics

The price of solar panels has fallen rapidly over the last few decades. Using an extensive dataset of prices, costs, output, sales and technical characteristics of firms in the solar industry during 2005-2011, this paper investigates the factors that have contributed to the decline in costs and prices. While previous studies have attributed learning-by-doing and static scale economics as the main drivers of cost reduction, we find that these do not have any significant effect on cost once four other factors are taken into account, namely, (i) reduction in the cost of a principal raw material, (ii) increasing presence of solar panel manufacturers from China, (iii) technological innovations, and (iv) increase in investment at the industry level. Together, these suggest that innovations in the upstream industries that supply the solar panel industry with raw materials and capital equipment have been important drivers of technological progress in the solar panel industry.

Chemical Characterization of Wood-Leather Panels by Means of 13C NMR Spectroscopy

Intelligent resource usage is one of the most challenging tasks for the wood-based panels industry. With respect to this issue, leather shavings, derived during leather preparation, are a promising new raw material, as they offer not only high availability, but also potentially enhance material properties such as panel fire retardancy. In order to improve the performance of these emerging panel binder materials, an understanding of chemical interactions between the different constituents is crucial. This paper investigates the chemical changes that occur during hot-pressing of wood and leather in combination with lignin by means of solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy. These constituents, their binary mixtures, and the influences of panel pressing temperature and pressure commonly used in panel production were investigated. The study showed characteristic chemistry and features of these constituents, quantifying the impacts of both heat and pressure on their interactions. Primarily, analysis revealed that lignin readily connects with both the wood and leather components. Lignin induces chemical change within the protein structure of leather, resembling tanning reactions, or protein complexation. By analogy, it was deduced that this interaction also takes place between leather and the lignin-rich wood fibre surface. This effect may be beneficial in industrial-scale production through improving resin binding properties during panel consolidation.

Regional shifts of employment growth in the European wood-based panel and furniture industries

SUMMARY Wood-based panels, produced from primary processing of raw timber, are a major input for furniture. Both industries form an important production chain in Europe's forest-based sector and face on-going structural changes induced mainly by technological innovation, expansion and relocation in the context of a growing global competition. In an exploratory shift-share analysis, the study investigates these changes and their effects on employment in the two interconnected industries across the European countries from 1999 to 2007. The results reveal opposite growth trends in Western and Eastern countries, as well as dynamic restructuring processes especially in the Eastern industries. Western countries lose employees on a large scale for the sake of new emerging jobs in Eastern countries, however on a smaller scale. The major shifts are induced by widespread outsourcing, relocation and downsizing trends and it can be shown that the regional availability of skilled, low cost labour and raw wood material...

Effect of processing parameters on physical and structural properties of lightweight foam core sandwich panels

Weight reduction is becoming an important topic for the wood-based panels industry. Recent development for foam core particleboard in an integrated process has a great potential to replace heavy conventional particleboards. For further progress of these new types of panels, exploring the physical properties is of high interest. In this study, the effect of two different sets of process parameters (press temperature, pressing and foaming times) on the physical properties and dimensional stability of foam core panels was examined. Panels produced by a lower press temperature (130°C) have a better surface quality. Thickness swelling of panels in short- (2 h) and long-term (24 h, 14 days) immersion shows different trends due to the different attained foam structures. Small inter cellular voids between the foam cells formed during the in situ foaming process play an important role for the water absorption values, especially in short-term immersion. Different process parameters caused different fusion of the beads in the core layer. With increasing panel density, the dimensional stability is significantly decreased because of the increased wood particles in the face layer. With proper selection of process parameters, foam core panels with higher dimensional stability than conventional particleboards can be produced.

A Model of Competition in the Solar Panel Industry

We develop a model of competition in the solar panel industry. Solar firms manufacture panels that are differentiated both vertically and horizontally, and compete by setting quantities. The equilibrium of the model is consistent with a set of stylized facts that we document, including variation in prices, markups and market shares across firms. We calibrate the model using a new dataset data on prices, costs and shipments of leading solar companies, as well as solar sales in four leading markets. The calibrated model is applied to evaluate the impact of a decline in the price of polysilicon, a key raw material used in the manufacture of solar panels, on the equilibrium price of solar panels.

정전용량방식 터치스크린에 작동하는 전도성 가죽장갑 소재의 제조

Smartphone is integrated into the daily lives of all types of people not even young generation. A touch screen display is a primary input device of a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc. While there are many tough technologies in existence, resistive and capacitive are dominant and currently lead the touch screen panel industry. And a capacitive touch screen panel widely used in smart phones is coated with a material that stores electrical charges. In this study, we tried to manufacture gloves produced with electro-conducting leather as a tool to operate a touch panel screen. Therefore, electrically conductive materials, Polyaniline(PANI), Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), and Carbon nanotubes (CNT) were applied to the surface of leather to be used as a touching operator for capacitive touch screen panel. The leather samples were treated by simple painting method; firstly, they were painted with aqueous solution containing each of the electrically conductive materials and then dried. This cycle was repeated three times. Consequently, the treated leather samples showed electrical conductivity and reasonable working performance to the capacitive touch screen. And, PANI showed the best performance and highest electrical conductivity, and then PEDOT and, CNT in decreasing order. This is because the solubilities of PANI and PEDOT show higher than dispersibility of CNT. Thus, the concentration of conducting polymers was greater than that of CNT in the treating solutions.

Economic crises: Impacts on the forest-based sector and wood-based energy use in Austria

In light of the recent economic crisis, the authors have assessed the effects of different types of economic crises' scenarios on the Austrian forest-based sector using a simulation model (FOHOW) written in the System-Dynamics (SD) language. The model addresses the interactions between the general economy and the forest sector, including forestry, forestry-based industries and energy. The simulation period for all of the scenarios ranged from 2006 to 2025. As compared to the past, the development of the sector substantially changes, even in the base scenario. These changes are primarily caused by increased demand for wooden biomass for energy due to the assumed execution of the National Action Plan for Renewable Energy. All crises' scenarios resulted in declining production and lower prices compared to the base scenario, differing only in magnitude. Forestry, sawmill and paper industries perform better in an export crisis than in a local crisis, because decreased exports can, to a certain extent, be compensated for by increasing domestic demand, while the domestic shortfalls are difficult to compensate by raising exports. By contrast, the export-oriented panel industry does better in a local crisis simulation. In general, economic crises only moderately change the assortment composition of timber supply within the forestry industry. The results also show that the sawmill industry plays a vital role in the allocation of wooden biomass in all of the scenarios. When developing policies for forest-based industries, specifically the procurement of wooden raw material, the key role of the sawmill industry must be considered in each case.

Identifying innovation barriers using a Delphi method approach: the case of technical lignin in the wood-based panel industry

About 50 million tons of lignin are produced annually in the pulping industry worldwide. A traditional example for lignin research is its use as a resin additive in wood based panels. The aim of this study was to find out why technical lignin has not so far succeeded in substituting for phenolic resins in the wood based panel industry. Interviews were carried out using a multistage expert interview approach adapted from Delphi methods. After the principal factors were identified and verified, quantitative data were taken for the valuation. Technical product properties received the highest ratings by the consulted experts, followed by security of supply, price difference and productivity, which received almost the same overall ratings. Interestingly, researchers rated security of supply much lower than the industry representatives. Depending on fulfilment of criteria identified, the experts expected that between 10 and 30% of phenolic resin can be potentially substituted within the next 10 years.

Interrelationships among the Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean TFT-LCD panel industry stock market indexes: An application of the trivariate FIEC–FIGARCH model

The purpose of this study is to analyze the interrelationships among the Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean TFT-LCD panel industry stock market indexes by applying a trivariate FIEC-FIGARCH model. The empirical results confirm that the FIEC-FIGARCH model can be used to capture long memory behavior and allow us to conclude that mean and volatility spillover, and long memory effects are found in these three markets. Furthermore, we found that deviations in the long-run equilibrium for Japanese TFT-LCD panel industry adjust back very slowly in comparison to the other two countries; and that, in terms of conditional covariance, dynamic interrelationships exist among the TFT-LCD panel industry stock market indices of these three countries.

Edge Glued Wood Panel Technology and an Assessment on the Development of Edge Glued Wood Panel Industry

In this research, it is aimed to determine the gene ral situation of edge glued wood panel industry that is rapidly developing in Turkey with the reasons of this development similar to the development edge glued wood panel industry in the world. Besides, starting from its definition, there are information about edge glued wood panel, comparison with other panel products and technology preferences of production. As the result of this st udy, there are 3 essential reasons of the rapid development of edge glued wood panel industry in Turkey. These are; (1) Environmental health and ecological approaches as a movement of thought having impact on the consumer behaviors and rapidly improving throughout the world, (2) Having less pro duction and investment cost compared to the other wood based material production and investments and (3) In addition to the advantages owned when compared to the other wood based materials, having the production technology involving flexible production systems to respond to every demand level. According to the data related to edge glued wood panel demand and supplies, the production of edge glued wood panels replace to East Europe where there is also Turkey. It is determined that i nvestment and cost of Turkish edge glued wood panel are mainly in Marmara region (43.3%) and raw material (43%) respectively. 67% coniferous and 33% broad leaved tree species are used in Turkish edge glued wood panel production. The most preferred edge glued wood panel thicknesses are 16, 19, 30 an d 42 mm. The technological preferences of the manufacturers depend on their machines and production line with optimization systems where as the users' preferences are price and quality by 90%. It is determined that with its structural condition, the sector is open for investment and development.

Suitability of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) stalks for medium density fiberboards production

The main objective of this study was to investigate the possibilities of utilizing stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) stalks as a fiber–nettle mixture at various percentages to produce fiberboards for general purposes. Also, we aimed to investigate the possibility of utilizing stinging nettle in panel production, thus helping overcome the raw material shortage that the industry is facing. As wood fiber, pine (Pinus nigra V.), beech (Fagus orientalis L.) and oak (Ouercus robur L.) fiber mixtures (30%, 35% and 35%, respectively) were utilized. In panel production the only variable tested was the addition of nettle stalks at various percentages to the wood fibers. The resultant panels were compared with the panels produced using 100% wood fiber. The results indicated that panels could be produced utilizing nettle stalks up to 40% addition without falling below the properties required in the standards. Higher addition levels diminished the elastic modulus and bending strength below the acceptable level. The observed results indicated that adding nettle stalks to the wood fibers to produce fiberboards at certain percentages would result in panels acceptable to the standards and would be of assistance to the raw material shortage in the Turkish panel industry.

The order fulfillment planning problem considering multi-site order allocation and single-site shop floor scheduling

The order fulfillment planning process in the thin film transistor---liquid crystal display panel industry is analyzed in this study. A two-phase order fulfillment planning structure is proposed, including the multi-site order allocation among module factories and single-site shop floor scheduling in each factory. In the first phase, the order allocation problem is solved using a mathematical programming model considering practical characteristics, including product structures, customer preferences, alternative bill-of-material, and production constraints. In the second phase, a constraint-based simulation scheduling algorithm is developed to address the scheduling problem in each module factory for determining the ideal order release time. Since production planning and scheduling are dealt with different time scales, the major challenge for the integration lies in the large problem size of the optimization model and becomes intractable. Most of the time bucket-based planning methods in the past literature simplify their scheduling models, but in this paper the detailed shop floor operations and processing behaviors are considered, such as changeover time, processing sequence of orders, and machine characteristics. Finally, a practical case in Taiwan will be employed to testify the feasibility of the proposed order fulfillment planning process; meanwhile, through the analysis of experiments, the adaptability and comparison of different planning approaches in an environment of various market demands are discussed.

Optimization of a light guide plate injection molding stability process by integrating Taguchi quality engineering and the gray sequencing method

The light guide plate is an essential key component in the development of the panel industry. In pursuit of lighter and thinner computer, communication, consumer (3C) electronics products, the panel industry continuously introduces new types of products to meet contemporary needs. Applications of a thinner light guide plate have become increasingly important. However, in the thin injection molding process, the control of geometric size and surface quality may be difficult to achieve owing to variations in conditions, such as injection pressure and temperature. Under the pressure of pursuing higher injection molding speed and lower cost, the injection industry strives to improve injection process capabilities to achieve higher quality yield, reduced production costs and processing time, and enhanced processing quality to maintain profits. Regarding the control of the Y-axis size of injection molding, this study proposed an experimental design method for injection quality improvement and injection process performance enhancement. The relevant injection parameters included temperature, back pressure, holding (dwell) pressure, and length measurement. The purpose of this study is to identify the best light guiding injection parameters to establish stable injection conditions and improve process capability. By employing the five stages of define, measure, analyze, improve, and control, this study conducted empirical research on the injection molding size stability processes of a photoelectric light guide plate, in a specific injection molding plant in Taiwan, in order to establish a process optimization model for injection molding Y-axis size stability. The research methodology integrated the parameter design method of Taguchi quality engineering and the gray sequencing method to identify the combinations of optimization parameters and experimental levels in injection molding. The experimental results suggested that C pk has been improved from 0.6 to 1.44, with a significant increase in process capability. The prediction result error rate meets accuracy requirements, which can help improve the control of capability, stability, and quality of the light guide plate injection molding size process. The research findings can provide Taiwan’s injection molding precision processing industry with a reference in quality.

Detection of UF resin on wood particles and in particleboards: potential of selected methods for practice-oriented offline detection

In the wood-based panel industry, controlling the manufacturing process is crucial for ensuring product quality, using resources efficiently and cutting production costs. One major aspect for the final quality of particleboards is the distribution of resin on particles within a board. This study deals with the comparison of techniques that can be used for a practice-oriented detection of urea formaldehyde resin within an industrial environment. Resin detection was carried out by staining the resin with visible and fluorescent dyes as well as by near infrared spectroscopic (NIR) in combination with CHN elemental analysis. Using the fluorescent dye Brilliant Sulphaflavine, resin as well as single resin droplets could be detected best. NIR measurements did not lead to coherent results and should be further improved, especially because of its potential for online detection.

The ‘Triple-alliance’ perspective for new industry creation: Lessons from the flat panel industry in Taiwan

This paper describes how the development of the microelectronics industry in Taiwan has followed an evolutionary path that eventually led to the formation of the ‘Triple-alliance’. The ‘Triple-alliance’ model postulates that a nation's industrialization is fundamentally underpinned by the arrangement of three distinct institutions: state bureaucracy, domestic business groups and multinational corporations. The paper delineates the role of each participating institution in the context of Taiwan's microelectronics industry, and discusses the interaction between domestic and foreign institutions to demonstrate how the alliance facilitates the transfer and absorption of technology. Using the creation of the flat panel display industry in Taiwan as an example, the paper shows that understanding the interactions among these three institutions is essential for uncovering how technology-intensive industries are created in late-industrializing countries. The paper adopts an evolutionary approach in tracing how the web of linkages and alliances among these three institutions has led to the successful creation of Taiwan's technology-intensive flat panel display industry.

ANÁLISE DAS ESTRUTURAS DE MERCADO DAS INDÚSTRIAS DE PAINÉIS DE MADEIRA (COMPENSADO, MDF E OSB) NO ESTADO DO PARANÁ

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo fazer uma análise das estruturas de mercado das indústrias de painéis de madeira (compensado, OSB e MDF) no estado do Paraná. Para analisar a situação atual da indústria de painéis, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico sobre as principais aplicações, a quantidade de empresas, o número de empregados, o consumo de madeira em tora, a capacidade nominal, a produção efetiva, o preço do painel, o valor e a quantidade de painel exportado e importado e o consumo aparente do segmento. As estruturas de mercado, entre os diferentes segmentos de painéis de madeira, foram analisadas através do Modelo Estrutura–Conduta–Desempenho (ECD), o qual mostrou que as indústrias de painéis de madeira reconstituída (MDF e OSB) são mais competitivas do que a indústria de painel compensado, por serem mais verticalizadas, de capital e tecnologia intensiva. O painel compensado é um produto de alto valor agregado e de qualidade, porém é de elevado custo quando comparado aos seus concorrentes. As perspectivas futuras da indústria paranaense de painéis de madeira indicam aumento no consumo de painéis reconstituídos e queda no consumo de painel compensado, devido à substituição que este vem sofrendo nos últimos anos.

Study on the Recycling Technical Measures of Deserted Wood Furniture Materials

In order to strengthen the recycling of deserted wood material, it is important to use the techniques of furniture product recovery design, establish and improve the deserted furniture recycling system, and develop industry recycling technology. Which can reduce the pollution of the environment, and expand the raw materials sources of wood-based panel industry.

Observation of interference effects in air-coupled ultrasonic inspection of wood-based panels

The air-coupled ultrasonic inspection method is a widely applied non-destructive measuring technique in the wood-based panel industry. The technology is mainly applied to detect panel delaminations by analyzing the transmitted signal. Recent research deals with the use of ultrasonic techniques not only for the qualitative but also for the quantitative characterization of wood-based panels. To achieve a fundamental understanding of the behavior of ultrasonic waves in wooden panels, it is necessary to study the mechanisms that affect ultrasonic transmission and velocity during testing. Impedance and attenuation effects have been examined in previous studies. This article focuses on the interferences of ultrasonic waves. The interferences can be detected in experiments where the ultrasonic transmission is tested against the panel thickness. The results are verified with a mathematical model that explains the interferences due to multiple reflections inside the tested panels. By fitting the experimental data to the model predictions, the ultrasonic velocity and attenuation can be determined. So far, interference effects have not been considered for the non-destructive testing of wood-based panels. This research is a contribution to a better understanding of the mechanisms influencing the air-coupled ultrasonic methods.

Reduction of formaldehyde release from panel products

Most of the synthetic adhesives used for manufacture of panel products contain formaldehyde as one of the constituents. The Residual formaldehyde in the adhesive gets released during the course of the life of the panel products. The emission of formaldehyde from panels bonded with Urea Formaldehyde resin adhesive has been receiving increasing concern in recent years as it is reported to be a health hazard. At international level, there is lot of restriction on use of panel products which releases formaldehyde above certain levels prescribed by the world health organization. However, in India not much importance was given on these aspects until 2007. Increased public awareness and the consumer demand for non-hazardous products have now resulted as a driving force for the panel industries in India to develop E1 formaldehyde emission class panel products. Facilities have also been established to determine the formaldehyde release from panel products as per European standards. Keeping in view the harmful effect on the end users and environment considerations, studies have been made to develop amino resin system using suitable scavengers that could mop up the free formaldehyde during the resin preparation.