It is desirable for timber dealers to be able to ensure that the logs or processed timber products they sell meet consistent quality standards. Since how much moisture there is affects the overall quality of the wood, lumber dealers need to have a reliable way to check and control the moisture content of the wood.
For example, moisture can cause wood to rot or split if there is too much moisture. Or, if the wood is too dry, it may begin to absorb excess moisture from the air once it reaches its destination and expands. This is why the importance of a wood Moisture Meter to the quality control process of a wood dealer cannot be overemphasized.
Lumber dealers want to have a good Moisture Meter for their lumber moisture testing needs, given their importance to ensuring lumber quality. But what makes a good wood Moisture Meter? What equipment should Moisture Meter Dispenser provide its wood industry customers?
The answer depends on the type of wood products the customer is distributing. To help Moisture Meter dealers answer this question, here is a list of some wood Moisture Meters from Delmhorst:
Moisture Meter #1: RDM-3
The RDM-3 is a highly capable wood Moisture Meter for wood dealers with several features that make getting accurate moisture content (%MC) measurements easy. One of the important features of this device is its built-in wood species and temperature correction. These features allow the RDM-3 to adjust readings based on the type of wood being tested and the current temperature of the wood (since extreme temperatures can slightly affect moisture content measurements).
The RDM-3 is a good Moisture Meter choice for lumber dealers who work with many different species of lumber or who need to actively monitor the moisture content of the wood in the kiln. Also, like any pin meter, the RDM-3 excels at helping lumber fabricators determine moisture distribution across a circuit board - especially when used with insulated pins.
The Delmhorst universal probe socket located on the top of the meter (this is part of all current Delmhorst pin Moisture Meters) allows the RDM-3 to be connected to the Delmhorst KIL-MO-TROL ® in-kiln monitoring system.
Moisture Analyzer #2: ProScan
The Progressive Scan Pinless Moisture Meter is one of the applications of Delmhorst's very good Moisture Meters for hardwood floors. Lumber dealers who specialize in hardwood flooring for shipment to flooring stores often use pinless Moisture Meters because they:
1) Excel checks a large amount of wood in a short period of time; and
2) is a non-destructive test method (no pinholes in the wood).
A specific advantage of the ProScan as a wood dispenser Moisture Meter is its built-in species correction function and calibration check. The Species Correction feature allows the user to program the Moisture Meter to automatically adjust its moisture content measurements based on the specific gravity of the wood being measured. A built-in calibration check makes verifying the meter's accuracy as easy as pressing a button.
Note that as a pinless meter, this device is best suited for testing wood that has been processed into a final product with a flat smooth surface, such as hardwood floors. A pin Moisture Meter for wood is a better test for raw or rough-cut wood.
Moisture Meter #3: TotalCheck
The TotalCheck 3-in-1 Moisture Meter combines the benefits of both Moisture Meters above with a thermo-hygrometer to check ambient humidity conditions at wood storage sites.
The Moisture Meter's scan mode quickly finds moisture pockets in the wood being processed. At the same time, pin patterns can be used to determine the moisture distribution between the core and shell of a piece of wood.
The hygrometer feature is useful because it allows lumber dealers to verify the condition of the lumber they are using to condition the lumber being prepared for distribution to the lumber destination. This is very useful in maximizing the quality of the wood for the customer at the receiving end of the supply chain as it minimizes fluctuations in the moisture content of the wood upon arrival.
The sheer number of features on this 3-in-1 device makes it one of the best Moisture Meters for lumber dealers. However, some lumber dealers prefer to offer their hygrometers and thermo-hygrometers as separate devices.
What Moisture Meters can Moisture Meter Distributors stock for wood customers?
Moisture meter dealers who service lumber dealers could benefit from researching their customers and understanding their biggest challenges.
For example, firewood and rough-cut lumber dealers may not benefit as much from the ProScan pinless Moisture Meter as the RDM-3 because this wood rarely has a large, flat surface for a pinless meter Get in constant contact with it. It's scanboard.
A lumber dealer who exclusively serves local customers may not be as concerned about relative humidity conditions as he is who serves customers in different states or countries. Therefore, the RDM-3 may be a better wood Moisture Meter choice than the TotalCheck for dealers serving local needs - and vice versa for dealers serving more remote areas.
Also, for hygrometer distributors to provide a true one-stop shop for their wood industry customers, they need to carry more than just hygrometers - they need to carry thermal hygrometers, spare gauge needles, optional electrodes and Additional Moisture Meter accessories can help lumber dealers with specific moisture testing challenges. The KIL-MO-TROL ® system, for example, helps lumber manufacturers monitor the condition of their lumber while it is still in the kiln.
