PANEL TESTING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

Apparatus and method for non-destructively testing the stiffness of wood panels having opposed panel surfaces and ends. The apparatus comprises a support framework having infeed, centre and outfeed support assemblies mounted to the framework in spaced, successive positions. Each support assembly is adapted to contact the opposed panel surfaces of each panel to define a travel path along which the panel is advanced through the assembly. A first deflection member is provided intermediate the infeed and centre support assemblies and is movable to contact one of the panel surfaces as each panel extends between the infeed and the centre support assemblies with one end of the panel being supported by the infeed support assembly and the opposite end being supported by the centre support assembly. The first deflection member acts to bend the panel to a first pre-determined curvature. In a similar manner, there is a second deflection member intermediate the centre and outfeed support assemblies movable to contact the same panel surface to bend the panel to a second pre-determined curvature. Load cells associated with the first and second deflection members measure the force require to bend the panels to the pre-determined curvatures for calculation of the stiffness of the panels. The infeed, centre and outfeed support assemblies are movable relative to each other to position the support assemblies such that the travel paths through the support assemblies define a generally "C" shaped path through the apparatus that accommodates the curvatures that each panel adopts in travelling through the apparatus. The apparatus provides a compact panel testing unit by virtue of the novel "C" shaped travel path through the apparatus that is able to operate at the high speeds of a production line.