CHPVA Info

MEMBER AND INDUSTRY NEWS

A Message from the President, by Steve Umansky
Dimensional variability of wood and interaction with digital and highly automated wood processing equipment, by Pierre Walsh Lebel
CHPVA’s Grading and Finishing Workshops
New ANSI/HPVA HP-1 2009 book now available
Perfecta Plywood introduces 2 new VP’s
The association now member of “La Coalition Québec Bois”
US House Sub-Committee Hearing on HR 4805
New contact information for the CHPVA
Next spring meetings June 2nd, 3rd and 4th
HPVA and WHPP next meetings

A Message from the President

Steve Umansky

The association has just finished its 2010 recruitment campaign. More active than ever, it now counts 49 members, representing the large majority of the Canadian plywood and veneer manufacturers. Detailed information about our members is available on the Association website and in our 2010 newly published buyers guide. This efficient promotional tool which is published in 3 languages, will be distributed free of charge to all our members and to all major distributors, furniture manufacturers, kitchen cabinet manufacturers, educational institutions, architects and designers. It is also possible to order a copy free of charge on the association website.

As usual, feel free to give us your feedback. Ask a question or perhaps a suggestion for future topics.

Sincerely,
Steve Umansky

Back

Dimensional variability of wood and interaction with digital and highly automated wood processing equipment.

More than ever, wood manufacturers are acquiring computer assisted panel-machining equipment (CNC, double end tenoners, grooving machines,etc). The 1980’s computer revolution, combined with the development of efficient servomechanism, gave birth to a new generation of cutting tools and wood processing machines. Nevertheless, such equipments were initially developed mainly for processing metal, glass and plastics. Applications for wood based materials came later.

The challenge is that wood is characterized with an attribute called “the dimensional variability”. This characteristic was not common to the material for which these equipments were originally designed to process.

Hardwood plywood and furniture manufacturers need to adapt such equipment but also simultaneously learn to condition their raw material. They need to learn to cope with dimensional variability caused by warping, thick and thin, flatness, and shrinkage, which characterized hardwood plywood, when it’s sawn, machined, conveyed, transferred and manipulated within variable environments. Remember that wood is a porous and fibrous material such as textile. Whatever you do, it will tend to restore its hygroscopic equilibrium condition with the environment. In other terms, it will adapt to the surrounding air moisture content. This is the main condition responsible for shrinkage and warpage. Also each wood species has its own density which can even vary within a given piece of wood.
All these variable factors will definitely give a headache to a CNC machine operator if the equipment has not been selected specifically to adapt to the dimensional variability of wood.

The variability of wood is mainly caused by its “anisotropy¹” a characteristic specific to certain raw materials, like decorative minerals (granites, marbles).
Wood anisotropy becomes important when it’s time to select, design or adapt computerized or automated wood processing equipment.

When selecting such equipment and their affectation to a given type of raw material (veneer, particleboard, MDF or plywood), three groups of factors have to be taken into account and carefully evaluated.

1 - Dimensional variability of raw material

Manufacturers of computer-assisted or highly automated wood processing equipment should always consult their customers about the variability of their raw materials. The user must also pay special attention when measuring the variation of their panel characteristics. Typical examples are minimum-maximum allowance for thickness, width and length. Special attention should also be paid to “Extreme values” that this minimum/maximum dimensional variable can produce and at which frequency. Neglecting this aspect could lead to costly equipment failure.

The variability of the wood surface characteristics is another factor that has to be taken into account. Vacuum handling tools like robots, palletzer, etc, must be adaptable to the specific surface characteristic of each species. Repetitive test are essential on porous wood species such as fuma and/or wood with non-diffused porosity grain like oak and ash.

2 - Expected tolerances of finished products.

Even if this factor is an integrated part of standard exchanges between a machine buyer and a seller, the dimensional variability of wood must be considered when setting expected tolerances. Often plywood manufacturers will limit the discussion to “expected tolerances” and neglect the impact of the variability of wood. However they are facing variability not only in their finished products but in their raw material as well. It is well known that the physical property of a given species of wood, will vary depending on the growing conditions of a tree. Ex: A birch growing on a steep terrain will adapt to gravity and wind. These conditions will produce a veneer with ‘’tensioned wood’’ which can lead to excess warping of a plywood panel.

3 - Environmental conditions of warehousing and transformation.

Experienced woodworkers will say that wood needs to ‘’rest’’ before you start processing it. Today, automated wood manufacturing processes and computer driven equipment have shortened the manufacturing cycle. Conditioning period is now very brief. For these reasons, end user’s shall consider the following factors:

Hygrometric equilibrium stability of the wood.
Stability of surrounding temperature.
Stability of air relative humidity.

The above variables do not create major problems in mild temperate regions. But in severe cold and dry winter conditions, shrinkage of certain type of species may be spectacular if stable environmental conditions are not respected.² Sudden moisture loss may generate cracks in veneer surfacing. Similarly, machining and finishing plywood at very low or high temperatures, may be risky. Panels, which have travelled at –35 C during 12 hours in winter, may create the same problems as panels freshly pressed. Conditioning and “rest” is the secret.

Conclusion

Acquisition of CNC and computerized wood processing tools, are different than the acquisition of conventional wood machining equipment. Conveying and handling components of these equipments were originally developed to process dimensionally stable material. Their performance with wood-based materials could be deceiving.

However, using these machines could be beneficial to our industry if we learn to deal with the environmental conditions impact, the veneer species behaviour and the variability of wood.

¹ Anisotropy: characteristics specific to natural materials like wood, where physical-mechanical properties are not uniforms in all directions. By opposition, material like glass, steel and most of transformed solids and/or reconstituted materials are “isotropic “in other words, their properties are similar whatever the direction.

² As an example, red oak, a relatively known stable wood has a tangential shrinkage of 8,6% compared with 18% for bamboo. Tangential shrinkage is fundamental in plywood face and back balancing.

Back

Product knowledge Seminar in French

A full day training session on hardwood plywood and veneer manufacturing and grading will take place at the “Palace”, in Laval on Thursday May 6th. The session will be delivered in French.
The detailed program, including registration form, may be viewed on the Association’s website at www.chpva.ca. On the welcome page, click on “Français” and “Seminaire”.

The facilitators are industry specialists. A hands on inspection of some 50 panels is part of the program.

Who should attend?

Hardwood plywood and veneer distributors, their sales and purchasing teams.
Hardwood plywood and veneer inside and outside sales representatives.
Cabinet, furniture, store fixtures and architectural woodwork manufacturers and their purchasing staff.
Architects, designers and specification writers.
Wood technology teachers.

For further information, contact Carole Aussant at the CHPVA head office.

Back

ANSI/HPVA HP-1 2009 now available

The voluntary American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood which establishes nationally recognized marketing classifications, quality criteria, test methods, definitions, product marking and designation practices has gone through major revisions. New formaldehyde emission levels are now part of the standard.

CHPVA is a joint sponsor with HPVA as the ANSI standard was adopted by the association in 2004.

The new book is available through the association for a cost of $30 for non members or $27 for members. Contact Carole Aussant at: caussant@chpva.ca to order your copies. You can also order through the association’s web site at: www.chpva.ca

Back

Perfecta Plywood Announces 2 new VPs

Mr François Dugas, President and CEO of Perfecta Plywood, is pleased to announce that Mr. Jean-François Blais has been promoted as their new Vice-President of sales. Since he joined Perfecta, Jean-François’s exceptional contribution brought strong support to the growth of Perfecta Plywood and its new operations.

Also he would like to announce the arrival of Mr. Alain Landry as Vice-President Finance & Administration. Mr. Landry will act as Vice-President for Perfecta Plywood and its sister company Perfecta Forest. Since Alain joined the team in early January, he gradually took position at Perfecta Forest located in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean region as well as in Perfecta Plywood in St-Hyacinthe. Mr. Landry’s headquarters will be located in St-Hyacinthe at Perfecta Plywood offices. Mr. Landry has 20 years of experience as Senior Executive in corporate and financial management positions and is familiar with forest industry and wood product sector. The arrival of Mr. Landry ties up with the objective of Perfecta Plywood and Perfecta Forest, to develop and consolidate its hardwood plywood sector via new acquisition and sound strategic development.

Back

	[ Version française ] Straight Talk Spring 2010
	MEMBER AND INDUSTRY NEWS A Message from the President, by Steve Umansky Dimensional variability of wood and interaction with digital and highly automated wood processing equipment, by Pierre Walsh Lebel CHPVA’s Grading and Finishing Workshops New ANSI/HPVA HP-1 2009 book now available Perfecta Plywood introduces 2 new VP’s The association now member of “La Coalition Québec Bois” US House Sub-Committee Hearing on HR 4805 New contact information for the CHPVA Next spring meetings June 2nd, 3rd and 4th HPVA and WHPP next meetings A Message from the President Steve Umansky The association has just finished its 2010 recruitment campaign. More active than ever, it now counts 49 members, representing the large majority of the Canadian plywood and veneer manufacturers. Detailed information about our members is available on the Association website and in our 2010 newly published buyers guide. This efficient promotional tool which is published in 3 languages, will be distributed free of charge to all our members and to all major distributors, furniture manufacturers, kitchen cabinet manufacturers, educational institutions, architects and designers. It is also possible to order a copy free of charge on the association website. As usual, feel free to give us your feedback. Ask a question or perhaps a suggestion for future topics. Sincerely, *Steve Umansky* Back Dimensional variability of wood and interaction with digital and highly automated wood processing equipment. More than ever, wood manufacturers are acquiring computer assisted panel-machining equipment (CNC, double end tenoners, grooving machines,etc). The 1980’s computer revolution, combined with the development of efficient servomechanism, gave birth to a new generation of cutting tools and wood processing machines. Nevertheless, such equipments were initially developed mainly for processing metal, glass and plastics. Applications for wood based materials came later. The challenge is that wood is characterized with an attribute called “the dimensional variability”. This characteristic was not common to the material for which these equipments were originally designed to process. Hardwood plywood and furniture manufacturers need to adapt such equipment but also simultaneously learn to condition their raw material. They need to learn to cope with dimensional variability caused by warping, thick and thin, flatness, and shrinkage, which characterized hardwood plywood, when it’s sawn, machined, conveyed, transferred and manipulated within variable environments. Remember that wood is a porous and fibrous material such as textile. Whatever you do, it will tend to restore its hygroscopic equilibrium condition with the environment. In other terms, it will adapt to the surrounding air moisture content. This is the main condition responsible for shrinkage and warpage. Also each wood species has its own density which can even vary within a given piece of wood. All these variable factors will definitely give a headache to a CNC machine operator if the equipment has not been selected specifically to adapt to the dimensional variability of wood. The variability of wood is mainly caused by its “anisotropy¹” a characteristic specific to certain raw materials, like decorative minerals (granites, marbles). Wood anisotropy becomes important when it’s time to select, design or adapt computerized or automated wood processing equipment. When selecting such equipment and their affectation to a given type of raw material (veneer, particleboard, MDF or plywood), three groups of factors have to be taken into account and carefully evaluated. 1 - Dimensional variability of raw material Manufacturers of computer-assisted or highly automated wood processing equipment should always consult their customers about the variability of their raw materials. The user must also pay special attention when measuring the variation of their panel characteristics. Typical examples are minimum-maximum allowance for thickness, width and length. Special attention should also be paid to “Extreme values” that this minimum/maximum dimensional variable can produce and at which frequency. Neglecting this aspect could lead to costly equipment failure. The variability of the wood surface characteristics is another factor that has to be taken into account. Vacuum handling tools like robots, palletzer, etc, must be adaptable to the specific surface characteristic of each species. Repetitive test are essential on porous wood species such as fuma and/or wood with non-diffused porosity grain like oak and ash. 2 - Expected tolerances of finished products. Even if this factor is an integrated part of standard exchanges between a machine buyer and a seller, the dimensional variability of wood must be considered when setting expected tolerances. Often plywood manufacturers will limit the discussion to “expected tolerances” and neglect the impact of the variability of wood. However they are facing variability not only in their finished products but in their raw material as well. It is well known that the physical property of a given species of wood, will vary depending on the growing conditions of a tree. Ex: A birch growing on a steep terrain will adapt to gravity and wind. These conditions will produce a veneer with ‘’tensioned wood’’ which can lead to excess warping of a plywood panel. 3 - Environmental conditions of warehousing and transformation. Experienced woodworkers will say that wood needs to ‘’rest’’ before you start processing it. Today, automated wood manufacturing processes and computer driven equipment have shortened the manufacturing cycle. Conditioning period is now very brief. For these reasons, end user’s shall consider the following factors: Hygrometric equilibrium stability of the wood. Stability of surrounding temperature. Stability of air relative humidity. The above variables do not create major problems in mild temperate regions. But in severe cold and dry winter conditions, shrinkage of certain type of species may be spectacular if stable environmental conditions are not respected.² Sudden moisture loss may generate cracks in veneer surfacing. Similarly, machining and finishing plywood at very low or high temperatures, may be risky. Panels, which have travelled at –35 C during 12 hours in winter, may create the same problems as panels freshly pressed. Conditioning and “rest” is the secret. Conclusion Acquisition of CNC and computerized wood processing tools, are different than the acquisition of conventional wood machining equipment. Conveying and handling components of these equipments were originally developed to process dimensionally stable material. Their performance with wood-based materials could be deceiving. However, using these machines could be beneficial to our industry if we learn to deal with the environmental conditions impact, the veneer species behaviour and the variability of wood. ¹ Anisotropy: characteristics specific to natural materials like wood, where physical-mechanical properties are not uniforms in all directions. By opposition, material like glass, steel and most of transformed solids and/or reconstituted materials are “isotropic “in other words, their properties are similar whatever the direction. ² As an example, red oak, a relatively known stable wood has a tangential shrinkage of 8,6% compared with 18% for bamboo. Tangential shrinkage is fundamental in plywood face and back balancing. Back Product knowledge Seminar in French A full day training session on hardwood plywood and veneer manufacturing and grading will take place at the “Palace”, in Laval on Thursday May 6th. The session will be delivered in French. The detailed program, including registration form, may be viewed on the Association’s website at www.chpva.ca. On the welcome page, click on “Français” and “Seminaire”. The facilitators are industry specialists. A hands on inspection of some 50 panels is part of the program. Who should attend? Hardwood plywood and veneer distributors, their sales and purchasing teams. Hardwood plywood and veneer inside and outside sales representatives. Cabinet, furniture, store fixtures and architectural woodwork manufacturers and their purchasing staff. Architects, designers and specification writers. Wood technology teachers. For further information, contact *Carole Aussant* at the CHPVA head office. Back ANSI/HPVA HP-1 2009 now available The voluntary American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood which establishes nationally recognized marketing classifications, quality criteria, test methods, definitions, product marking and designation practices has gone through major revisions. New formaldehyde emission levels are now part of the standard. CHPVA is a joint sponsor with HPVA as the ANSI standard was adopted by the association in 2004. The new book is available through the association for a cost of $30 for non members or $27 for members. Contact Carole Aussant at: caussant@chpva.ca to order your copies. You can also order through the association’s web site at: www.chpva.ca Back Perfecta Plywood Announces 2 new VPs Mr François Dugas, President and CEO of Perfecta Plywood, is pleased to announce that Mr. Jean-François Blais has been promoted as their new Vice-President of sales. Since he joined Perfecta, Jean-François’s exceptional contribution brought strong support to the growth of Perfecta Plywood and its new operations. Also he would like to announce the arrival of Mr. Alain Landry as Vice-President Finance & Administration. Mr. Landry will act as Vice-President for Perfecta Plywood and its sister company Perfecta Forest. Since Alain joined the team in early January, he gradually took position at Perfecta Forest located in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean region as well as in Perfecta Plywood in St-Hyacinthe. Mr. Landry’s headquarters will be located in St-Hyacinthe at Perfecta Plywood offices. Mr. Landry has 20 years of experience as Senior Executive in corporate and financial management positions and is familiar with forest industry and wood product sector. The arrival of Mr. Landry ties up with the objective of Perfecta Plywood and Perfecta Forest, to develop and consolidate its hardwood plywood sector via new acquisition and sound strategic development. Back	ASSOCIATION NEWS CHPVA is now member of the “Coalition Bois Québec” The “Coalition Bois Québec” constitutes the gathering place and the privileged contact point of all individuals or organisations wishing to contribute to the fight against the climate changes and Quebec economy, by promoting the increased usage of wood in the construction industry. By its actions, the Coalition will assume a leadership in the creation of a true culture wood usage in construction in Quebec, while establishing a network of speakers able to act effectively. The Coalition will promote the use of wood and certified wood products according to one of the sustainable forestry standards. It is also committed to promote the increase usage of wood, in structural or decorative applications either in both residential and commercial construction. For further information, visit their web site at: www.coalitionbois.org Back U.S. issues closely monitored Thanks to the close cooperation between our association and the HPVA. CHPVA and its member companies are kept abreast of each and every development that have an inevitable impact of their business. US House Sub-Committee Hearing on HR 4805 On March 18th, a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Sub-Committee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection in Washington about HR 4805 legislation. HR 4805 is the House version of S 1660, which is a proposed legislation to extend California’s technology-based standards for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products nationwide. In the legislator’s opinion, a national standard would, among other objectives, promote green jobs and level the economic playing field so that manufacturers who are willing to meet rigorous standards are not placed at a substantial competitive disadvantage. Witnesses included: The Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (HPVA), The Composite Panel Association (CPA), The American Home Furnishing Alliance (AHFA), The Sierra Club and The Home Depot. Most witnesses including HPVA and CPA expressed their support to HR 4805. Back New contact information for the CHPVA Following the well deserved retirement of Céline Brisebois and *Michel G. Tremblay* on January 1st, 2010, CHPVA is now managed by the team of *Carole Aussant* and Gaetan Lauzon. The transition went smoothly and the new team is fully operational. Don’t hesitate to contact them for any of your association needs Please note the new address and phone numbers of the Head office. CHPVA 89 Ave Godfrey St-Sauveur, Qc J0R1R5 Tel: (450) 227-4048 Fax (450) 227-6536 Courriel: info@chpva.ca Back COMING EVENTS Spring Meetings 2010 The Spring 2010 meetings will be held Wednesday through Friday, June 2, 3 and 4 at the Auberge Godefroy in Bécancour (Québec). Visit the Hotel Web Site at www.aubergegodefroy.com for more information on this fine property. Plant tours, renowned speakers and new thrilling activities will be part of the program which will be posted soon on the association website. Suggestions for future themes and speakers are always welcomed and should be sent to the Executive vice President Gaetan Lauzon at glauzon@chpva.ca or by telephone at (450) 227-4048 The Greater Toronto region has been chosen for the Fall 2010 meetings. Back HPVA Spring Meetings A strong program is planned for the May 23-25, 2010 HPVA Spring Convention at the DoubleTree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Details are available on HPVA web site: http://hpva.org/ WHPP next meeting The Next Western Hardwood Plywood Producers meeting will take place from September 15 to 17 at the Hilton Eugene and Conference Center in Oregon. Back Do you have news you would like to share? Appointments? Company achievements?. You would like to comment on the industry, its association’s endeavours? Contact: Gaétan Lauzon or Carole Aussant Telephone : (450) 227-4048 Fax: (450) 227-6536 E Mail : glauzon@chpva.ca
	© 2010. ACCPBD/CHPVA. All rights reserved. Web site conception by Essensys

A Message from the President

Dimensional variability of wood and interaction with digital and highly automated wood processing equipment.

Product knowledge Seminar in French

ANSI/HPVA HP-1 2009 now available

Perfecta Plywood Announces 2 new VPs

CHPVA is now member of the “Coalition Bois Québec”

U.S. issues closely monitored

US House Sub-Committee Hearing on HR 4805

New contact information for the CHPVA

Spring Meetings 2010

HPVA Spring Meetings

WHPP next meeting