Software

VHP 2.0 - An innovation booster for the wood-based panel industry

Software Description

Features
Industry

Applications
Scientific Basics

Model
Minimum Requirements

Hardware
Options

Licenses
Free Download

Software

VHP 2.0 - An innovation booster for the wood-based panel industry

Features - Software Description

Applications - Industry

Model - Scientific Basics

Hardware - Minimum Requirement

Licenses - Options

Download - Free Download

Features

VHP 2.0 - A simulation platform for the hot pressing process of wood-based panels

The VHP 2.0 application can be considered as a digital twin to continuous presses for the production of particleboard, MDF/HDF and OSB. The software is based on a comprehensive mathematical model which has been developed at Oregon State University (USA), University of Hamburg (Germany) and Bern University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland), with Siempelkamp (Germany) as main industry partner. The model describes the physical processes inside a wood furnish mat when moving through the continuous press.

UI GRAPHICS

The intuitive user interface is structured in such a way that the user is guided through the central control panel to organize the simulation runs.

PROPERTIES

Relative changes of mechanical properties, due to adjustments of the production parameters, are calculated and displayed on the graphical user interface.

INDICATORS

Technological and economic KPIs displayed on the graphical user interface include the final gas pressure, the production volume and the pressing factor, to name only some.
VHP 2.0 can be used for all types of continuous presses, regardless of the press supplier. Press design and press program may be varied in a wide range. The application is capable to simulate the hot-pressing of one or three-layered panels made of wood particles, MDF fibers or OSB strands. By setting adjustment factors, the raw material properties can be adapted to the specific conditions of individual production lines.
VHP 2.0 can be used for all types of continuous presses, regardless of the press supplier. Press design and press program may be varied in a wide range. The application is capable to simulate the hot-pressing of one or three-layered panels made of wood particles, MDF fibers or OSB strands. By setting adjustment factors, the raw material properties can be adapted to the specific conditions of individual production lines.

TEMPERATURE

Temperature conditions inside the fiber or particle mat define the bond strength development, as well as the formation of the density profile. This graph displays the simulated temperature conditions in different mat layers.

GAS PRESSURE

During hot-pressing, excess gas pressure develps inside the mat. This is due to the compression of air at the press infeed, and as a consequence of water evaporation. VHP 2.0 is a tool to analyze and minimize the gas pressure.

DENSITY PROFILE

The cross-sectional density profile depends on the pressing program in combination with the temperature and moisture conditions during hot-pressing. Computer-based simulation can help to optimize the density profile.
Important simulation results of VHP 2.0 are the cross-sectional density profile, the temperature and moisture conditions during pressing in different mat layers, the build-up of gas pressure inside the mat, and the development of further relevant variables. Relative changes in internal bond strength and bending modulus, due to adjustments of the production parameters, are calculated. Furthermore, technological and economic key performance indicators are displayed.

An intuitive user interface allows convenient operation of the software. Results are displayed graphically and stored in data files for later processing.

Applications

The simulation software VHP 2.0 is a powerful tool for the wood-based panel industry

The software may be used for training of technologists and operators, for process analysis and optimization, for product development, and for research and development. Potential users are wood-based panel producers, machinery suppliers, adhesive manufacturers, universities, research institutes and consultants. By facilitating computer simulation, time consuming and costly trail-and-error series can be significantly reduced.

Typical optimization tasks which can be supported by the use of VHP 2.0 are:

• Increase the production speed
• Adjust and optimize the cross-sectional density profile
• Understand density profile variations over the panel width
• Reduce the internal gas pressure inside the mat
• Enhance internal bond strength and bending modulus
• Develop low or high-density panels
• Analyze effects of equipment modifications

• Increase the production speed
• Adjust and optimize the cross-sectional   density profile
• Understand density profile variations over   the panel width
• Reduce the internal gas pressure inside   the mat
• Enhance internal bond strength and   bending modulus
• Develop low or high-density panels
• Analyze effects of equipment   modifications
This list is not conclusive.

Model

VHP 2.0 is based on a mathematical-physical model

The model describes the physical processes relevant during hot-pressing of wood fiber, particle or strand mats. A complete description of the model can be found here.

Physical processes described in the model:

• 3-dimensional convective and diffusive gas flow within the void system of the mat
• 3-dimensional conductive and convective heat transfer
• Phase change of the water between bound and gaseous phase
• Mat densification, as well as stress development and relaxation
• Bond strength development due to adhesive cure 

• 3-dimensional convective and diffusive gas   flow within the void system of the mat
• 3-dimensional conductive and convective   heat transfer
• Phase change of the water between bound      and gaseous phase
• Mat densification, as well as stress   development and relaxation
• Bond strength development due to   adhesive cure

Model boundaries:

• Horizontal planes: Mat surfaces in front and behind press, heating circuits inside the   continuous press
• Vertical planes (edges): Interface between mat and surrounding atmosphere
• Symmetry planes: Central horizontal plane is optional; always symmetry at central   vertical plane.

• Horizontal planes: Mat surfaces in front and behind press, heating circuits inside the continuous press
• Vertical planes (edges): Interface between mat and surrounding atmosphere
• Symmetry planes: Central horizontal plane is optional; always symmetry at central vertical plane.

• Horizontal planes: Mat surfaces in front and   behind press, heating circuits inside the   continuous press
• Vertical planes (edges): Interface between   mat and surrounding atmosphere
• Symmetry planes: Central horizontal plane is   optional; always symmetry at central vertical   plane.

Input parameters:

• Material type: MDF fibers, particles (surface and core), OSB strands
• Material property adjustments
• Adhesive type: Four predefined adhesives; additional adhesive data can be imported.
• Adhesive content
• Panel structure: One or three layers
• Initial conditions of the individual mat layers in front of the press (density, thickness, moisture content, temperature,   adhesive type, adhesive content)
• Water spray on mat surfaces
• Press dimensions
• Pressing schedule: Pressure and/or thickness control
• Size and temperature of heating circuits
• Temperature infeed drums
• Feed speed
• Asymmetric conditions for water spray and heating temperature possible
• Material type: MDF fibers, particles (surface and core), OSB strands
• Material property adjustments
• Adhesive type: Four predefined adhesives; additional adhesive data can   be imported.
• Adhesive content
• Panel structure: One or three layers
• Initial conditions of the individual mat layers in front of the press   (density, thickness, moisture content, temperature, adhesive type,   adhesive content)
• Water spray on mat surfaces
• Press dimensions
• Pressing schedule: Pressure and/or thickness control
• Size and temperature of heating circuits
• Temperature infeed drums
• Feed speed
• Asymmetric conditions for water spray and heating temperature   possible

• Material type: MDF fibers, particles
  (surface and core), OSB strands
• Material property adjustments
• Adhesive type: Four predefined adhesives;      additional adhesive data can be imported.
• Adhesive content
• Panel structure: One or three layers
• Initial conditions of the individual mat layers   in front of the press (density, thickness,          moisture content, temperature, adhesive        type, adhesive content)
• Water spray on mat surfaces
• Press dimensions
• Pressing schedule: Pressure and/or   thickness control
• Size and temperature of heating circuits
• Temperature infeed drums
• Feed speed
• Asymmetric conditions for water spray and   heating temperature possible

Simulation results:

• Mat temperature at various positions
• Internal gas pressure
• Mat thickness (when pressure control)
• Specific pressure (when thickness control)
• Cross-sectional density profile
• Cross-sectional moisture profile
• Internal bond strength and bending modulus (relative values)
• Key performance indicators (technological and economic)

• Mat temperature at various positions
• Internal gas pressure
• Mat thickness (when pressure control)
• Specific pressure (when thickness control)
• Cross-sectional density profile
• Cross-sectional moisture profile
• Internal bond strength and bending   modulus (relative values)
• Key performance indicators
  (technological and economic)
The listed simulation results are displayed on the graphical user interface. In addition, most of the listed results and further variables are stored in data files for further processing.

Hardware

VHP 2.0 must be installed on a PC that meets the following minimum requirements:

• Processor: intel i5, 2.2 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB
• Disc space: 128 GB
• Display resolution: HD (1920×1080)
• Operating system: Windows 10 / 64 Bit Edition Home or above
• Network: Internet needed for product download and installation; after installation, VHP 2.0 can be operated offline
• Supports virtual machine: No

• Processor: intel i5, 2.2 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB
• Disc space: 128 GB
• Display resolution: HD (1920×1080)
• Operating system: Windows 10 / 64 Bit Edition Home or above
• Network: Internet needed for product download and installation;   after installation, VHP 2.0 can be operated offline
• Supports virtual machine: No

• Processor: intel i5, 2.2 GHz
• Memory: 8 GB
• Disc space: 128 GB
• Display resolution: HD (1920×1080)
• Operating system: Windows 10 / 64 Bit   Edition Home or above
• Network: Internet needed for product   download and installation; after installation,   VHP 2.0 can be operated offline
• Supports virtual machine: No

Licenses

VHP 2.0 Basic – free license
VHP 2.0 Basic with reduced functionality is free of charge. Click here to start the download.
VHP 2.0 Professional – perpetual licenses for single workstations
Life time ownership, 6-month technical support, half-day interactive webinar. The software licenses are each locked to a single computer.

First workstation
Additional workstations:
 • Simultaneous order with first license
 • Separate order, incl. half-day webinar

€ 9’800

€ 5’200
€ 7’500
Additional services

Half-day training workshop onsite, in connection with a perpetual license:
 • Europe
 • Rest of the world
Individual calibration of simulation model to production line
Scientific monitoring of process optimization


€ 1’800 plus travel expenses
Price upon request
€ 2’000 per product
Price according to expenditure

Half-day training workshop onsite, in connection with a perpetual license:
 • Europe
 • Rest of the world
Individual calibration of simulation model to  production line
Scientific monitoring of process optimization



€ 1’800 plus travel expenses
Price upon request

€ 2’000 per product
Price according to expenditure

Teaching and research institutes

Perpetual licenses for workstations
Classroom license

Price upon request
Price upon request

Licenses

VHP 2.0 Basic – free license
VHP 2.0 Basic with reduced functionality is free of charge. Click here to start the download.
VHP 2.0 Professional – perpetual licenses for single workstations
Life time ownership, 6-month technical support, half-day interactive webinar. The software licenses are each locked to a single computer.
First workstation
€ 9’800
Additional workstations:
• Simultaneous order with first license
€ 5’200
• Separate order, incl. half-day webinar
€ 7’500
Additional services
Half-day training workshop onsite, in connection with a perpetual license:
• Europe
€ 1’800 plus travel expenses
• Rest of the world
Price upon request
Individual calibration of simulation model
to production line:
€ 2’000 per product
Scientific monitoring of process optimization
Price according to expenditure
Teaching and research institutes
Perpetual licenses for workstations
Price upon request
Classroom license
Price upon request

Download

For both VHP 2.0 Basic and VHP 2.0 Professional you need to download the software here and install it on your computer.

You can start working with the free version VHP 2.0 Basic immediately after installation.
To activate VHP 2.0 Professional you need a license key from us. Click here to contact us.
Download software