Veneer dryers are essential machines that are used in the manufacturing of veneers. Veneers are thin layers of wood that are used in the construction of different types of furniture. Before the veneers are used in furniture making, they must go through a lengthy process of drying to remove any moisture that can cause them to warp or crack.Veneer drying is part of a complete plywood and LVL production process.
Veneer dryers work by providing a warm, dry environment for the veneers to dry in. The machines feature a conveyor belt that moves the veneers along a series of heated plates. The plates are heated to a temperature that is high enough to dry the veneers quickly but not so high that the veneers will crack or warp.
The veneers are fed into the dryer on one end of the machine, and they move through several heating zones where they are exposed to hot air. As the veneers move through the dryer, they lose moisture and become dry and flat. Once the veneers are completely dry, they are removed from the machine and are ready for further processing.
They are designed to be efficient and versatile. They can handle a wide range of veneer sizes and thicknesses, and they can be adjusted to accommodate different types of wood. Some veneer dryers even feature computerized controls that allow the operator to adjust the temperature, humidity, and other parameters to achieve the best results.
There are several types of veneer dryers that are available, including batch dryers, continuous dryers and vacuum dryers. In this article, we will focus on continuous veneer dryers which are the most efficient and commonly used in modern production facilities.
A continuous veneer dryer consists of several important components
1. The feeding system
This is where the wet veneer sheets are fed into the dryer. The system usually consists of a conveyor belt, which carries the veneer sheets into the dryer. The belt speed can be adjusted based on the desired drying time.
2. The heating section
This is where heat is generated to dry the veneer sheets. The heating section is usually divided into several zones, each with its own heater, and the temperature can be set for each zone separately. This allows for the precise control of heat in different areas of the dryer.
3. The circulation system
The circulation system is responsible for moving hot air through the dryer. The system consists of fans and ducts that push hot air over the veneer sheets. By blowing hot air over the surfaces of the veneer sheets, moisture is evaporated from the sheets.
4. The cooling section
Once the veneer sheets have gone through the heating and circulation system, they are transported to the cooling section. The cooling section is responsible for reducing the temperature of the veneer sheets to the required level before they are removed from the dryer.
The entire process is fully automated, which means that it can be monitored and controlled remotely. Having a fully-automated system saves time and makes the production of veneer sheets more efficient.
In addition to drying veneers, they can also be used to dry other types of wood products, such as lumber and plywood. However, the machines must be adjusted to accommodate different types of wood products.
In conclusion, veneer dryers play a critical role in the production of high-quality veneers. They provide a warm, dry environment that allows the veneers to dry quickly and evenly, ensuring that they are flat and free of moisture-related defects. With the right equipment and adjustments, they can help manufacturers achieve consistent, high-quality results.
