The distortion of sawn timber products is normally related to moisture content (MC) changes during the drying process or under end use conditions. Methods for measuring MC and assessing distortion are very important. WG 2 will focus on the following topics:

• Establishing MC and distortional requirements for particular timber products (in co-operation with TG RSP)
• Defining quality control and assigning limits for assessment (in co-operation with WG 1)
• Improving methods for drying to lower MCs
• In-line determination of MC and improving quality control and scanning systems by utilising MC information
• Implementation of improved quality control techniques and strategies for minimising deformation during drying and under end use conditions
• Implementation of improved quality control techniques and strategies for minimising deformation during drying and under end use conditions
• Provide knowledge on how to improve quality of sawn timber in terms of straightness of end products

In-line MC measuring system and non-invasive hand-held MC meter
Courtesy of Pieter Rozema