Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is utilised in some sawmills today, primarily for enhancing value yield and for process automation, which includes log sorting and sawing optimisation. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of recent research utilising CT to assess the local cutting process. As a preliminary study, this paper addresses this gap by using CT to investigate the connections between local cutting force and local wood properties including density, knots, and annual ring width. Workpieces of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), from Sweden and Poland, were CT-scanned in laboratory conditions. Quasi-linear cutting tests were then performed on both clear and knotty regions of the workpieces using a custom-made laboratory stand with a Stellite-tipped tooth mounted on piezoelectric sensors. It was found that density infuences cutting forces for both clear and knotty wood, and this efect increased noticeably with increasing uncut chip thickness. Changes in wood density, such as between sapwood and heartwood or between clear wood and knot, caused dynamic changes in cutting forces and temporary disturbances to the stability of the system. Normalisation of cutting forces by local density allowed the conclusion that density is not the only property afecting cutting forces. Other structural properties, e.g. annual ring width and latewood–earlywood proportion may afect the cutting process as well, which requires deeper analysis in the future research. This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility and usefulness of coupling CT data with cutting force measurements and suggests further research on the relationship between cutting force and wood properties.

Authors

• Yunbo Huang,
• dr hab. inż. Daniel Chuchała link open in new tab ,
• Dietrich Buck,
• prof. dr hab. inż. Kazimierz Orłowski link open in new tab ,
• Magnus Fredriksson,
• Mikael Svensson