Development of Image Processing Technique for Determining Wood Drying Schedules

Image processing technique was adapted for exploring the more convenient ways to investigate the drying characteristics of wood. The acquisition of information about drying characteristics is indispensable for the development or improvement of dry-kiln schedules. A small internal fan type wood dry kiln was combined with image-processing and data-acquisition systems to monitor continuously the formation of checks and moisture reduction during drying. All the images and data were analyzed to improve or estimate the dry-kiln schedules and predict the drying time which would be required to dry green wood to 10% moisture content in internal fan type kiln. Samples of 20 mm- and 50 mm-thick Metasequoia glyptostrobodies, Paulownia coreana Uyeki, Pinus densiflora Sieb. Et Zucc., Platanus occidentalis L., Quercus acutissima and Robinia pseudo-acacia were used to verify the potentiality of this technique.