Evolution of a Quality Control System for Particle Board

The quality control program at U S Plywood’s Novoply operation is described. The objective is only to reduce the variation in the finished product to the greatest practical economic extent. The man on the job is motivated to become quality conscious. Automation in industry turns the operators into quality control men. Assistant foremen are responsible for the quality of a product. They are trained and tested periodically in statistical methods. Samples are cut from the finished product every l-l/2 hours in a completely random manner for testing in tension, for density, screw holding power, face strength, swelling, and residual moisture content. Modulus of rupture is not considered critical for this product from the customers’ point of view. Since the company’s product is a three-ply sandwich construction, interpretation of test results requires special considerations. Tensile test is made on 2 by 6 samples, kerfed to the center on opposite sides and pulled apart along a single shear plane. Density is measured on tensile specimens before kerfing. Screw holding power is determined with an 8 by 5/8-inch sheet metal screw. A face strength test is devised to check quality of face material as well as its bonding quality to the core. For swelling, samples are tested by 30 minutes immersion in 100?F. water. The finished product is tested at regular intervals for panel weight, uniformity of thickness, core and face appearance, surface smoothness, and aging.

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