Wood and Timber Drying Relative humidity along with time and temperature affect wood drying. Normally these parameters are based on previous drying experience, with the goal being to optimize drying time while minimizing wood cracking. The process parameters are unique to the system used, with different woods and seasonal variations affecting the result. This makes wood drying a demanding process. To achieve the best results, relative humidity needs to be continuously monitored. Wood is a porous material, i.e. it is hygroscopic, absorbing moisture to reach an equilibrium with the ambient environment. The mechanical properties of wood vary with the temperature, pressure and moisture content. In most applications the moisture in the wood cells must be removed to allow further processing and to protect wood from blue stain, fungi and mold, as well as from cracks and checks. The initial moisture content of green wood, i.e. freshly sawn timber, varies from 50 to 100%, depending on the species. When used as a construction material in, for instance, a normal temperate zone climate, the timber is dried to a moisture content of 18%, while for joinery and carpentry a moisture content of 10% to 15% is ideal. Read how a sawmill minimized the drying time for timber goods The accuracy of relative humidity measurements really matters. It directly affects the quality of the drying process and indirectly affects facility capacity. Inaccurate measurements can cause the following problems: If relative humidity is inaccurately shown as too moist, wood may crack due to the overly dry conditions. Over-drying wastes energy and ties up expensive facility capacity unnecessarily. If relative humidity is inaccurately shown as too dry, the overly moist conditions will slow the drying process, leading to longer drying times and reduced capacity. Three main factors help to keep measurements accurate: use of the appropriate sensor, ensuring that the measurement device is installed correctly and regular calibration of the measurement device. Watch webinar: Measuring humidity in condensing environments Wood and timber drying related products Relative Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP7 Vaisala HUMICAP® Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP7 is designed for applications which involve constant high humidity or rapid changes in humidity Handheld Humidity and Temperature Meter HM70 Vaisala HUMICAP® HM70 Handheld is designed for demanding humidity measurement in spot-checking applications. It is also ideal for field checking and calibration of Vaisala's fixed humidity instruments. Indigo200 Series Transmitters for Vaisala smart probes Vaisala Indigo200 series transmitters are host devices for displaying measurement values from Vaisala's Smart Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, Moisture in Oil, CO2 and H2O2 Probes. Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Dew Point Transmitters DMT345 and DMT346 The Vaisala DRYCAP® Dewpoint Transmitters DMT345 and DMT346 are designed for humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with particularly high temperatures. Related stories Blog | Aug 25, 2020 Do I need an Indigo transmitter or just an Indigo probe? The Vaisala Indigo family is a modular solution with interchangeable probes, smart transmitters, and Indigo Insight PC software. There are many... Read more Blog | Jun 16, 2020 Built to survive, even outside: the Vaisala Indigo500 Series Some of our customers have applications that require measurement transmitters to be installed outside, so the Vaisala Indigo500 and its family... Read more Blog | May 19, 2020 Indigo500 series dual-probe support Dual-probe support refers to the ability of a single transmitter or monitoring device to interface with two independent measurement devices, and... Read more Blog | May 14, 2020 Optimizing industrial processes helps mitigate climate change Climate change and its mitigation call for innovation and ever more actions from the industry. Resilient and climate-friendly infrastructure... Read more Blog | Jan 21, 2019 Measuring humidity in condensing environments Taking measurements in environments with high relative humidity (over 90%) is always a challenge because the environment is so close to... Read more Blog | Nov 7, 2018 Humidity and Wood Drying – A Fine Balancing Act As a natural product, wood has a unique set of characteristics that can make drying a challenging and complex process – one where relative... Read more Blog | Jul 30, 2018 Gaining In-depth Understanding of the Problem is The Key - Millennium Technology Prize Winner Tuomo Suntola interviewed Doctor Tuomo Suntola, who this spring received the prestigious 2018 Millennium Technology Prize for his technology of atomic layer deposition... Read more Blog | Mar 14, 2018 Smart Measurement Solutions for Drying Process Problems Poor energy efficiency, end-product quality issues, equipment corrosion – Have you ever dealt with these issues? The amount of moisture in air... Read more Customer case Bringing out the beauty of wood Veneer drying with humidity control One of the world’s leading forest product groups, UPM, produces among other things special veneers that are... Read more Customer case Optimal timber drying conditions at the Korkeakoski Sawmill Vaisala’s humidity and temperature measurement probes help the sawmill to minimize the drying time for timber goods. The UPM-Kymmene Korkeakoski... Read more
Relative humidity along with time and temperature affect wood drying. Normally these parameters are based on previous drying experience, with the goal being to optimize drying time while minimizing wood cracking. The process parameters are unique to the system used, with different woods and seasonal variations affecting the result. This makes wood drying a demanding process. To achieve the best results, relative humidity needs to be continuously monitored.
Wood is a porous material, i.e. it is hygroscopic, absorbing moisture to reach an equilibrium with the ambient environment. The mechanical properties of wood vary with the temperature, pressure and moisture content. In most applications the moisture in the wood cells must be removed to allow further processing and to protect wood from blue stain, fungi and mold, as well as from cracks and checks. The initial moisture content of green wood, i.e. freshly sawn timber, varies from 50 to 100%, depending on the species. When used as a construction material in, for instance, a normal temperate zone climate, the timber is dried to a moisture content of 18%, while for joinery and carpentry a moisture content of 10% to 15% is ideal. Read how a sawmill minimized the drying time for timber goods
The accuracy of relative humidity measurements really matters. It directly affects the quality of the drying process and indirectly affects facility capacity. Inaccurate measurements can cause the following problems: If relative humidity is inaccurately shown as too moist, wood may crack due to the overly dry conditions. Over-drying wastes energy and ties up expensive facility capacity unnecessarily. If relative humidity is inaccurately shown as too dry, the overly moist conditions will slow the drying process, leading to longer drying times and reduced capacity. Three main factors help to keep measurements accurate: use of the appropriate sensor, ensuring that the measurement device is installed correctly and regular calibration of the measurement device. Watch webinar: Measuring humidity in condensing environments
Wood and timber drying related products Relative Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP7 Vaisala HUMICAP® Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP7 is designed for applications which involve constant high humidity or rapid changes in humidity Handheld Humidity and Temperature Meter HM70 Vaisala HUMICAP® HM70 Handheld is designed for demanding humidity measurement in spot-checking applications. It is also ideal for field checking and calibration of Vaisala's fixed humidity instruments. Indigo200 Series Transmitters for Vaisala smart probes Vaisala Indigo200 series transmitters are host devices for displaying measurement values from Vaisala's Smart Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, Moisture in Oil, CO2 and H2O2 Probes. Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features. Dew Point Transmitters DMT345 and DMT346 The Vaisala DRYCAP® Dewpoint Transmitters DMT345 and DMT346 are designed for humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with particularly high temperatures.
Relative Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP7 Vaisala HUMICAP® Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP7 is designed for applications which involve constant high humidity or rapid changes in humidity
Handheld Humidity and Temperature Meter HM70 Vaisala HUMICAP® HM70 Handheld is designed for demanding humidity measurement in spot-checking applications. It is also ideal for field checking and calibration of Vaisala's fixed humidity instruments.
Indigo200 Series Transmitters for Vaisala smart probes Vaisala Indigo200 series transmitters are host devices for displaying measurement values from Vaisala's Smart Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point, Moisture in Oil, CO2 and H2O2 Probes.
Indigo500 Series Transmitters The Vaisala Indigo500 series transmitters are host devices for Vaisala Indigo-compatible, stand-alone smart probes. The Indigo500 series include multi-functional Indigo520 transmitter and Indigo510 transmitter with basic features.
Dew Point Transmitters DMT345 and DMT346 The Vaisala DRYCAP® Dewpoint Transmitters DMT345 and DMT346 are designed for humidity measurement in industrial drying applications with particularly high temperatures.
Related stories Blog | Aug 25, 2020 Do I need an Indigo transmitter or just an Indigo probe? The Vaisala Indigo family is a modular solution with interchangeable probes, smart transmitters, and Indigo Insight PC software. There are many... Read more Blog | Jun 16, 2020 Built to survive, even outside: the Vaisala Indigo500 Series Some of our customers have applications that require measurement transmitters to be installed outside, so the Vaisala Indigo500 and its family... Read more Blog | May 19, 2020 Indigo500 series dual-probe support Dual-probe support refers to the ability of a single transmitter or monitoring device to interface with two independent measurement devices, and... Read more Blog | May 14, 2020 Optimizing industrial processes helps mitigate climate change Climate change and its mitigation call for innovation and ever more actions from the industry. Resilient and climate-friendly infrastructure... Read more Blog | Jan 21, 2019 Measuring humidity in condensing environments Taking measurements in environments with high relative humidity (over 90%) is always a challenge because the environment is so close to... Read more Blog | Nov 7, 2018 Humidity and Wood Drying – A Fine Balancing Act As a natural product, wood has a unique set of characteristics that can make drying a challenging and complex process – one where relative... Read more Blog | Jul 30, 2018 Gaining In-depth Understanding of the Problem is The Key - Millennium Technology Prize Winner Tuomo Suntola interviewed Doctor Tuomo Suntola, who this spring received the prestigious 2018 Millennium Technology Prize for his technology of atomic layer deposition... Read more Blog | Mar 14, 2018 Smart Measurement Solutions for Drying Process Problems Poor energy efficiency, end-product quality issues, equipment corrosion – Have you ever dealt with these issues? The amount of moisture in air... Read more Customer case Bringing out the beauty of wood Veneer drying with humidity control One of the world’s leading forest product groups, UPM, produces among other things special veneers that are... Read more Customer case Optimal timber drying conditions at the Korkeakoski Sawmill Vaisala’s humidity and temperature measurement probes help the sawmill to minimize the drying time for timber goods. The UPM-Kymmene Korkeakoski... Read more
Blog | Aug 25, 2020 Do I need an Indigo transmitter or just an Indigo probe? The Vaisala Indigo family is a modular solution with interchangeable probes, smart transmitters, and Indigo Insight PC software. There are many... Read more
Blog | Jun 16, 2020 Built to survive, even outside: the Vaisala Indigo500 Series Some of our customers have applications that require measurement transmitters to be installed outside, so the Vaisala Indigo500 and its family... Read more
Blog | May 19, 2020 Indigo500 series dual-probe support Dual-probe support refers to the ability of a single transmitter or monitoring device to interface with two independent measurement devices, and... Read more
Blog | May 14, 2020 Optimizing industrial processes helps mitigate climate change Climate change and its mitigation call for innovation and ever more actions from the industry. Resilient and climate-friendly infrastructure... Read more
Blog | Jan 21, 2019 Measuring humidity in condensing environments Taking measurements in environments with high relative humidity (over 90%) is always a challenge because the environment is so close to... Read more
Blog | Nov 7, 2018 Humidity and Wood Drying – A Fine Balancing Act As a natural product, wood has a unique set of characteristics that can make drying a challenging and complex process – one where relative... Read more
Blog | Jul 30, 2018 Gaining In-depth Understanding of the Problem is The Key - Millennium Technology Prize Winner Tuomo Suntola interviewed Doctor Tuomo Suntola, who this spring received the prestigious 2018 Millennium Technology Prize for his technology of atomic layer deposition... Read more
Blog | Mar 14, 2018 Smart Measurement Solutions for Drying Process Problems Poor energy efficiency, end-product quality issues, equipment corrosion – Have you ever dealt with these issues? The amount of moisture in air... Read more
Customer case Bringing out the beauty of wood Veneer drying with humidity control One of the world’s leading forest product groups, UPM, produces among other things special veneers that are... Read more
Customer case Optimal timber drying conditions at the Korkeakoski Sawmill Vaisala’s humidity and temperature measurement probes help the sawmill to minimize the drying time for timber goods. The UPM-Kymmene Korkeakoski... Read more
