CV Dr Raymond John Roberts Employment History Consultant 2005-2011
2010
Carter Holt Harvey Timber Products to improve blending efficiency in high-speed blenders and to improve the performance of decor paper impregnation operations
I was employed by Proline Floors to optimise high-density fibreboard (HDF) for the manufacture of laminated flooring in China specifically in relation to swell and machinability. A list of specifications was drawn up so that Proline Floors can take their specific requirements to HDF substrate manufacturers. I also optimised paper-treating specifications for the decorative overlay.
2009
I developed a multi-phase wetting enhancing system Rezex A that improves spreading and penetration of simple and complex water based fluids on previously difficult to wet surfaces. It is very effective in improving blending efficiency with high-speed particleboard blenders, reducing resin use and improving properties.
Employed by Carter Holt Harvey (Panels) to further improve machinability of particleboard at the Gympie site using the newly developed multi-phase wetting system Rezex A.
As a result of the detailed resin distribution analysis carried out in 2008 for Carter Holt Harvey, full-scale plant trials were undertaken at the Oberon factory involving the multi-phase wetting system Rezex A made by Oxford Technologies and significant changes to the blender setups to improve blending efficiency resulting in better resin distribution leading to improvements to physical properties and reductions in overall board density.
2008
Employed by Carter Holt Harvey (Panels) to conduct a detailed study on resin blending efficiency at all of the particleboard plants of the group, Tumut, Mt Gambier, Oberon and Gympie. This was done to a detailed level by examining resin distribution at a flake level for both core and surface as opposed to the standard Kjeldahl analysis commonly used.
2007
Employed by the Rexcel C.A. Zitacuaro Mich Mexico to solve machinability problems in LPM and white spots on dark coloured laminates. In doing so I also improved the general efficiencies of the impregnation line, laminating presses and the particleboard press particularly blending and pressing cycles.
2007
Employed by the Just Bench Group in Queensland to improve the efficiency of the pressing of high-pressure laminates onto particleboard substrates to produce benchtops. This also involved optimising the post-forming of the laminate after pressing. As a result there has been a large reduction in the generation of defective product. The work involved determining the interfacial energy between the resin and the substrate and optimising it to improve resin efficiency.
2007
Consultant for Carter Holt Harvey Panels (Gympie) to improve machinability
of LPM particleboard. Gympie board was unusable on flat bed routers. The cause of the problem was found, to be ineffective blending and was more prevalent on the local species used. This was identified through the use of SEM, light microscopy and the use of a goniometer at ANU. It was caused by high interfacial energies between the resin and the surface of the flake. A solution was found using pre-treatment of the flake as well as modifying the resin. There was no additional capital expenditure required. The board is now as good as any board in Australia. Savings to Carter Holt Harvey of $6m per year were realised.
2006 - 2007
Consultant for Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Council
investigating the need for undergraduates in the Australian wood processing sector and identifying options for establishing an undergraduate education program specifically for wood science and technology in Australia, (report to be published see below).
Consultant for Carter Holt Harvey Pinepanels for impregnation and panels operations.
Visiting fellow Department of Applied Mathematics, Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, The Australian National University working on complex fluid flow in paper.
2005 - 2006
Consultant for Carter Holt Harvey Pinepanels for impregnation and panels operations.
Visiting fellow Department of Applied Mathematics, Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, The Australian National University working on complex fluid flow in paper.