Abstract: A laminated veneer lumber product utilizes low density veneers and is able to provide an edge stiffness value or MOE of at least 2,000,000 psi. This is the same strength as attained with high density veneers. The product has adjacent surface layers formed of low density incised veneer sheets having a moisture content of at least about 6% or adjacent surface layers formed of low density incised veneer sheets impregnated with phenolic resin and dried to a moisture content not exceeding about 5%. The surface layers are positioned on both sides of adjacent core layers which are either formed of high density veneer sheets or are formed of low density incised veneer sheets impregnated with a phenolic resin and dried to a moisture content not exceeding about 5%. The surface layers of low density incised veneer sheets having a moisture content of at least about 6% are densified against the core layers by at least about 5%.

Abstract: A system of drying veneer sheets for manufacturing wood products such as plywood, measures the moisture content of the sheets and controls drying to a predetermined moisture content. By drying veneer sheets to the predetermined moisture content, avoids excessive drying to ensure all sheets are below the 11% moisture content level. A process of drying comprises incising a veneer sheet, sensing the moisture content of the incised veneer sheet, steam drying the sheet under pressure and controlling the drying based on the sensed moisture content of the veneer sheet, to dry the sheet to the predetermined moisture content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly determining the moisture content of a substance. An area of one surface only of the substance is subjected to a predetermined intensity of radiant energy for a selected period of time and the temperature rise is measured. The rise in the surface temperature of the substance such as pieces of wood, is approximately inversely proportional to the moisture content of the wood and thus is easily determined. This is obtainable by transporting the substance on a fixed speed conveyor past a heat source, variations in the rise and fall in the surface temperature readings immediately following the application of heat are representative of its moisture content; low readings indicating high moisture content while high readings being indicative of low moisture content.