Abstract

Delamination is the most common defect in plywood manufacturing. In this thesis, a simulation study of plywood pressing process is conducted to study the impact of critical parameters causing delamination of a certain type of plywood product in mass production. This research work is conducted on specifically the adhesive and pressing step as most of the delamination defects are observed. The modeling of the hot
pressing of veneers inside a frequently used mold is performed by ABAQUS/Explicit and COMSOL software and the results are presented. A multi-factor experimental design methodology is used to analyze computer simulation results in determining the relations between the level of delamination and some of the controllable factors. A multivariate non-linear regression is established based on the results of experimental
design and analysis. The regression model can be used to find optimized parameter values in minimizing the level of delamination with significant effects. Numerical examples based on real production settings were used to validate and verify the developed regression model. The solution approach including numerical simulation, experimental design, and non-linear regression can easily be extended for process improvement of similar plywood production systems.