The wood industry’s source for
independent testing, evaluation, and technical service.
Located on the North Carolina State University campus with 21,000 sq. ft. of floor space is the Hodges Wood Products Laboratory is the premier wood testing and technical service facility for the wood products industry. Serving the wood products industry since 1960 Hodges Wood Products Laboratory is staffed by the world-renowned wood products faculty of North Carolina State University.
Through the generosity of industry Hodges Wood Products Laboratory is equipped with some of the latest wood working equipment including a Weinig 5 HSK head molder and 3 CNC routers. These machines are complimented by a wide range of traditional wood processing equipment including dry kilns, finishing room, hot presses for making plywood, particleboard and fiberboard, and a wide range of production woodworking equipment.
For testing there is a wide range of moisture and weathering conditioning chambers, three universal test frames and one Metriguard tensile tester for mechanical strength testing, and a wide array of laminate testing equipment.
Hodges Wood Products Laboratory serves as the testing center for the evaluating laminates, laminated panels, and laminated flooring according to NEMA LD3 and NALFA LF01 standards and also cooperates with industry associations in the development, evaluation and maintenance of product testing methods of product standards.
Hodges Wood Products Laboratory boasts the best Wood Machining and Tooling Program.
The Hodges Wood Products Laboratory provides technical services on various aspects of wood utilization. Assistance ranges from informal talks and tours for civic and professional groups to a detailed analysis of technical and production problems, supplemented with testing of materials and wood utilization techniques. Laboratory testing and evaluation services include: ASTM tests for solid wood and engineered wood composites; mechanical testing of wooden structural materials, connections, and furniture parts; sample conditioning; kiln drying of lumber; NEMA tests of laminates and laminated panels; NALFA testing of laminate floor; troubleshooting and evaluation of defective or failed products; and software for wood identification.
Moisture content cycling and weathering – A range of chambers are available for conditioning and weathering wood specimens at a variety of temperature and relative humidity conditions.
ASTM tests for solid wood and engineered wood composites – standard physical and mechanical ASTM test for solid wood and engineered panel composites can be conducted and the results analyzed.
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) tests for laminates and laminated panels – all NEMA LD3 tests can be performed on high pressure laminates and laminated panels and the Laboratory frequently called upon to evaluate new surface materials and test methods.
Testing laminate flooring – All NALFA LF01 tests can be performed for evaluation or certification of laminate flooring. The laboratory is involved with the continuing development of standards for this industry.
Troubleshooting and evaluation of defective or failed wood products – Products are often submitted for evaluating failures and recommending necessary corrective actions.
Kiln drying of lumber – Conventional and high-temperature drying of lumber can be performed in either a 1000-board-foot masonry kiln or a 1500-board-foot aluminum kiln.
Mechanical properties of wood, structural materials, connections, furniture parts – Computer controlled servo mechanical and hydraulic testing equipment allowing static and dynamic tests is available.
Wood machining and Surface Quality Assessment – The Hodges laboratory is well equipped to conduct machinability tests on wood and as well as evaluation of tool designs and tool materials and acceptable machining parameters. Analytical equipment includes: a CNC two axis optical surface assessment system, video optical microscope, tool material integrity evaluation system, as well as a variety of acoustic emission and vibration analysis equipment.