Abstract: Hydraulic systems are disclosed for operating a press comprising a press ram, a press cylinder including a primary side for activating the press ram and press ram return cylinders for returning the press ram, and at least one flow amplifier comprising a piston including a primary side and a secondary side, the primary side of the piston including a large piston area and a secondary side of the piston having a small piston area, the primary side of the piston being connected to the primary side of the press cylinder and the secondary side of the piston being connected to the press ram return cylinder, at least a portion of the hydraulic system comprising the connection between the primary side of the piston and the primary side of the press cylinder is pressurized.

Abstract: Continuous methods for manufacturing finished board are disclosed which include disintegrating lignocellulose material prior to drying, gluing, and forming into mats, and in which the pressing of the mat into a board includes a first step in which the mat is pressed in the presence of steam in a heating medium to produce a partially pressed board having a substantially uniform density, and a second compressing step in which the outer layers of the partially pressed board are increased in density as compared to the center of the board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a web having a predetermined grammage profile in its transverse direction is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing a flow of particulate material into the distribution chamber of a forming head through an oscillating nozzle and depositing the material on an air permeable belt to form a web while changes in the upper surface of the web are detected downstream of the distribution chamber, signals are generated in response to any change which are compared with predetermined set points, and an output control signal is generated as a result of the comparison. The pattern of movement of the nozzle is controlled in response to the output control signal to provide the predetermined grammage profile for the web. In addition, the speed of the web may be measured and used to control the frequency of the nozzle so that a web having uniform grammage in the longitudinal direction is also provided.