System for catalyzation of thermoset resin adhesives for wood composites using computerized in-line metering and mixing equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a process and system for the manufacture of wood-based composites that implement feedback adjusted in-line addition of a curing accelerator/catalyst to a thermosetting resin adhesive based on at least one of: present moisture content of the wood substrate being bonded and the temperature of the wood substrate being bonded. The method includes: measuring the flow rate of a flowing stream of resin adhesive; measuring the flow rate of a flowing stream of accelerator/catalyst; mixing the flowing stream of accelerator/catalyst and the flowing stream of resin adhesive to form a mixed catalyzed resin adhesive in a proportion of resin adhesive and accelerator/catalyst determined by said flow rates; applying the mixed catalyzed resin adhesive to the wood substrate in an application area; measuring a present moisture content and a present temperature of the wood substrate prior to applying the mixed catalyzed resin adhesive thereto; varying on a continuous basis, the proportion of the accelerator/catalyst and resin adhesive in the mixed catalyzed resin adhesive in accordance with at least one of the present moisture content and the present temperature and bonding together said wood substrate to form said wood-based composite.