Prediction of Optimum Veneer Drying Parameters with Artificial Neural Networks for Production of Plywood with High Mechanical Properties

Veneer drying is the manufacturing process in the plywood industry that most affects energy consumption and panel properties such as bonding and bending. Therefore, the veneer drying temperature and moisture content should be accurately adjusted. Moreover, the determination of veneer thermal conductivity is as important as these two parameters and the thermal conductivity values should also be specified when forming the drying programs. This study aimed to predict the optimum values of the veneer drying temperatures, moisture content and thermal conductivity, which gave the best mechanical properties, by artificial neural network (ANN) analysis. Poplar (Populus deltoidesI-77/51) and spruce (Picea orientalis L.) veneers and urea formaldehyde (UF) resin were used in the production of plywood. The thermal conductivity of veneer and the bonding, bending strength and elasticity modulus of the panels were tested by the relevant standards. The most accurate and reliable prediction models were obtained by analyzing the experimental data with ANN. The optimum veneer drying temperature, moisture content and thermal conductivity values that gave the best values for all three mechanical properties were 149 degrees C, 6.2 % and 0.02668 W/mK for poplar and 116 degrees C, 4.4 % and 0.02534 W/mK for spruce.