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Vacuum technology is well suited for thick and refractory species that are commercially desirable such as oak (Hee-Suk et. al2004). In a very demanding market, a one-day difference in lead time can improve the competitiveness of an industry. Consequently, any reduction in drying time can have great potential benefits (like small batches, reduced costs, less inventory spaces, and faster throughput) for wood product manufacturers. In addition, the industry could benefit from a technology that allows it to dry lumber rapidly and in small batches, avoiding the need to dry mixed loads (different species at the same time), which can lead to a higher occurrence of drying defects and longer drying times, or to accumulate excessive lumber inventories (Rice et. al 1994). As the secondary wood products industry tries to increase their competitiveness, many are moving towards using business improvement concepts such as lean manufacturing. However, no matter how streamlined and efficient a hardwood manufacturing and supplying process can be, one single process contributes to the bulk of process lead-time: the drying of lumber. For example, one supply chain study found that in the production of kitchen cabinets, lumber drying takes up to 60 percent of the total lead-time (Espinoza 2009). Research is needed to develop the best alternative for traditional lumber drying that would reduce lead times, allowing for order flexibility, while maintaining quality and reducing costs. Vacuum drying technology has the potential to dry very small batches of lumber in very short times, and with comparable or better quality. However, this technology has not been as widely adopted as its advantages would suggest. Probable reasons for its limited implementation include higher initial cost of equipment (especially when heating is carried out by radio frequency), higher complexity of maintenance and operation than conventional drying, and industry resistance to change. Research is very limited regarding the economic and technical feasibility of vacuum drying compared to traditional drying methods from a present value of the investment, rate of return on investment and total unit cost perspective. Benefits of this technology, mainly dramatically reduced drying times and higher flexibility, must be weighed against a higher initial investment. Lean manufacturing can lead to higher customer satisfaction 3PDF Image | Impact of Vacuum-Drying on Efficiency of Hardwood Products
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