A study was carried out based on a previously developed continuous MDF hot press model (Deng, 2004) to further refine and advance the model and to validate the model with actual MDF mill data. A significant amount of work was also conducted on the software development for easy application.
The scope of the work in this study included:
MDF continuous hot press model modification
MDF continuous hot press model validation
MDF continuous model software design and development (MDFContiPress)
PB continuous model development
Software operating menu and documentation
Based on the results of this study, the following conclusions are made:
The model for MDFContiPress can be used to predict distribution and variation of most physical variables in the mat during hot pressing.
Coupling effect between mechanical and thermal procedures which exists in the hot pressing of the mat is considered in the model.
Validation of the model by experimental results shows its accuracy and flexible modeling ability.
Graphic user interface (GUI) is adopted to make the MDFContiPress software more user-friendly.
Appropriate design for data exchange and database interface makes simulation and visualization more efficient in a multi-platform software environment.
Parametric study and optimization become much easier to conduct through a series of simulations for different press configurations, processing parameters and environmental conditions by MDFContiPress.
Major characteristics which differentiate the PB model from the MDF model are panel structure and particle geometry, which affect material behaviour during hot pressing.
Batch hot pressing is more suitable for further validation of the hot pressing models for both MDF and PB.