KNIFE SLICING OF WOOD ACROSS THE GRAIN

This paper investigates a method for slicing thick pieces of wood acro ss the grain using a sharp steel knife, and it demonstrates the effect iveness of the knife slicing process at an experimental level. In orde r to highlight the key parameters facilitating or hindering the thick slicing process, several factors affecting the cutting forces and the cut surface quality have been studied; the blade geometry, the effect of friction, the cutting speed, the boundary load constraints and the wood moisture content. The results indicate that a large proportion of the cutting force may be related to the wedging action of the blade i n the wood. Therefore, significant reductions in the cutting energy ca n be achieved by optimising the blade shape. A simple homogeneous stra in model has been developed which quantifies the cutting forces in ter ms of the blade angle and the blade surface friction. The results from this theoretical model are compared with the experimental findings an d discussed in relation to methods for improving the cutting technique .