1. Formulate Goal

Formulate Your Goal (Step 1).

Before you begin experimenting with new and hopefully much better kiln drying schedules and programs, which will offer faster drying times; more energy efficiency; and/or better drying quality, it is important to structure your research. This is best done by setting clear and singular goals. By singular we mean, that we should only set one goal and try to change the drying process to achieve this goal. By setting only one goal we will know the cause and effect of the changes we make, which will provide clear results and help us make better decisions. If we were to try and solve two or more goals at once, we would probably need to change several parameters. With more parameter changes and several goals we will make it difficult to analyze the collected data for exact cause and effect. In addition, by changing one parameter to achieve a modest goal we would not be running as big a risk. Since it is easier to predict the effects of changing one parameter versus changing many parameters.

A few examples of "singular" goals:

• Lower the electrical energy consumption without increasing drying time or degrade.
• Drying a certain species at lower temperatures without increasing the drying time (in order to create a lighter color).
• Reduce the drying time by 5% without increasing degrade.
• Prevent excessive case-hardening (and checking) during the length of the drying process by using the interval fan operation.

A multiple goal could be:

• Reducing drying time and decreasing drying temperatures without increasing the degrade.

The last example has conflicting goals, which will be difficult to incorporate into the same test run; however, you may get there by dividing the test into two or three experiments. You would then be able to monitor the effects of your program improvements more exactly and then later combine the two new test schedules into a third (and hopefully final) schedule.

Be sure to establish exact and clear "singular" goals for your kiln drying experiment, it will make it much easier to learn valuable lessons and gain a precise understanding of the changes and their effect. This kind of knowledge will help you build and develop better schedules in the future.