Influence of log temperature in irregularities on strand geometry detected by digital image analysis

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Published: 2007

Author(s):

Stephen Shaler

Abstract:

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) wood strands, while often idealized as being rectangular and slender objects, are in fact typically very complex in shape. This complexity is important to the manufacture and performance of OSB as it influences forming, screening, blending, formation and ultimately performance of the panel. In a mill setting, strand geometry is defined by average length, width and thickness values as determined through simple caliper measurements and/or screen analyses (Gilson). The application of CCD cameras and digital image analysis techniques to rapidly acquire and analyze complex strand geometry will allow the processing of large amounts of data, thereby creating the potential for statistical process control applications. Aspen (Populus grandidentata) strands were produced from logs subjected to -6ºC (20F), 21ºC (70F) and 60ºC (140F). Grey scale digital images of individual strands were acquired using a CCD camera (1296 x 1016 pixels) under direct lighting. The complexity of strand geometry was characterized by a variety of automated measuring procedures. As a result of this research the feasibility of applying this methodology to study geometrical distributions in strands was established. Area, length and width presented changes in their distributions due to the effect of log temperature. It was found that the irregularity ratio of strands was variable and strongly influenced by log temperature at time of stranding as well as other geometries. Statistical correlation between strands irregularity and log temperature was found (p-value<0.001).

Documents:

Influence-of-log-temperature (application/pdf)