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

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for determining adhesive resin distribution on wood flakes to be formed into a wood-based composite. Where a predetermined amount of adhesive resin has been sprayed onto a selected amount of wood flakes being tumbled in a blender, the method includes the steps of: removing a sample of sprayed wood flakes at the output of the blender and placing the sprayed wood flakes on a scanning bed; scanning the sprayed wood flakes with a scanner having at least 1200 dpi resolution with 1800 dpi interpolation to provide image data; using image analysis software with resin analysis macros to filter the image data to provide a high contrast image that shows each adhesive resin spot differentiated from the wood flake on which the adhesive resin spot is situated; and measuring and analyzing the high contrast image to provide an output showing at least a percent coverage of the wood flake by the adhesive resin.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . 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: 
 obtaining a sample of wood flakes having applied adhesive resin and placing the sample wood flakes on a scanning bed;    scanning the wood flakes to provide image data;    using image analysis software with resin analysis macros installed on a computer wherein the image data of a wood flake is filtered to provide a high contrast image that shows each adhesive resin spot differentiated from a bare wood flake 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 coverage of the wood flake by the adhesive resin.