Development of a Continuous Wood Surface Charge Detection Device

Almost all woodworking processes involve mechanical friction and contact electrification, i.e. triboelectrification, between the wood surface and the woodworking tool. An electric charge is transferred from one solid surface to another when two materials come into contact with each other. Currently, there are no continuous inline-capable electrical surface charge measuring devices. The goal of this work was to create a measurement setup that can be used with a variety of woodworking processes. The proposed continuous surface charge detection (ConSurChaD) device connects an electric fieldmeter (EFM) to a Faraday cage-style measuring box. Individual elements of the box can be mounted or dismounted to fit various wood working processes. The application of electrostatic induction principles permitted quantification of the electrostatic surface charge by measuring the accumulated electric field strength generated, expressed in kV/m. The device was compared to a reference method using a commercial discontinuous detection approach. Measurements were made simultaneously using an electrostatic voltmeter, a hand-held instrument that measured the surface charge in volts. The validation confirmed the accuracy of the ConSurChaD device ensuring the applicability for continuous measurement of electrostatic surface charges. This approach allows for a more efficient and targeted application of triboelectrification to wood surfaces, leading to improved surface coatings and other enhancements.