WOOD RESEARCH Volume 61, Number 2, 2016
Rongrong Li, Xiaolei Guo, Pingxiang Cao, and Xiaodong (Alice) Wang

Optimization of laser cutting parameters for recombinant bamboo based on response surface methodology

A means for selecting the optimal process parameters for the laser cutting of recombinant bamboo, based on the design of experiments (DOE) approach, was presented. Recombinant bamboo with thicknesses of 5, 10, and 15 mm was cut by a CO2 laser. The parameters investigated were the laser power, air pressure, and cutting speed. The results were compared using a number of process responses which define the efficiency of the cutting, including the upper kerf (UK) width, lower kerf (LK) width, and the ratio of upper-to-lower kerfs. Mathematical models were developed to establish the relationship between the process parameters and response parameters; special graphs were drawn for this purpose. Finally, a numerical optimization was performed to find out the optimal process settings to achieve a minimumupper-to-lower kerf ratio.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 62, Number 5, 2017
Rongrong Li, Wei Xu, Lu Fang, Pingxiang Cao, Xiaolei Guo, and Mats Ekevad

Short Note: Non-standard test method for glue line shear strength

The relevant standards for glueline shear strength testing were summarized and analyzed in this paper. Depending on these existing test standards, the resulting stress in glueline is not pure shear stress, but a combination of shear and normal stresses. In order to overcome this deficiency, a symmetrical structure was proposed for making samples. Some comparative testing was accomplished by using these symmetrical samples, the results showed that the normal stress could be avoided during testing. These results were also confirmed by finite element method (FEM), the simulation results showed that the shear stress in glueline was uniform.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 62, Number 1, 2017
Xiaolei Guo, Huiyun Wang, Qingqing Chen, and Bin Na

The dimensional stability of engineered wood f looring in heating systems

In this work, the effect of decorative veneer type, wood structure and wood shape on the dimensional stability was studied in a laboratory with a simulated heating system. Poplar/seven layer plywood engineered hardwood (structure C) or a 9 mm thick poplar substrate layer wood which contained the two veneer surface layers, structure A and structure B were used. The results indicated that whatever the structure and decorative veneer of flooring were, the dimensional stability of engineered wood flooring had a better performance in length; In width, with the same structure and decorative veneer, the dimension stability of engineered wood flooring with the veneer shape of mono-block was better than the shape of three splice; With the same decorative veneer, the dimensional stability of structure C was best, the second was structure B, and structure A was the worst; With the same structure, the dimensional stability of engineered wood flooring decorated with birch was best, the second was eastern black walnut, the third was eucalyptus, and maple was the worst. Thus, the engineered wood flooring of structure C decorated with birch with mono-block veneer was judged to be better for the dimensional stability.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 62, Number 1, 2017
Zhaolong Zhu, Xiaolei Guo, Bin Na, Xingyu Liang, Mats Ekevad, and Futang Ji

Research on cutting performance of ceramic cutting tools in milling high density fiberboard

The effect of cutting parameters and tool parameters on cutting forces and tool wear were investigated in high density fiberboard (HDF) peripheral up-milling using toughened ceramic cutting tools. The results showed that whether at low speed cutting or high speed cutting, the tangential forces Ft and normal forces Fr increased slowly with the increase of cutting length. The tangential forces Ft and normal forces Fr at low speed cutting were higher than that at high speed cutting. The tangential forces Ft and normal forces Fr decreased with the decrease of wedge angle in the same rake angle. Then, the effect of high cutting speed on the flank wear was greater than that at low cutting speed. The bigger wedge angle tools led to the serious flank wear. The main wear pattern in milling HDF consisted of pull-out of the grain, flaking, chipping and cracking, the main wear mechanism were adhesive and abrasive wear.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 63, Number 3, 2018
Hong Wei, Xiaolei Guo, Zhaolong Zhu, Pingxiang Cao, Baojin Wang, and Mats Ekevad

Analysis of cutting performance in high density fiberboard milling by ceramic cutting tools

In order to study the cutting performance of TiC reinforced Al2O3 ceramic cutting tools in milling high density fiberboard, the effects of cutting parameter on the cutting forces, tool wear and cutting quality were investigated. Under the condition of same average chip thickness, feed per tooth and geometry angles, firstly, the change rate of maximum cutting forces were higher than that of average cutting forces at two different cutting speeds, and the cutting forces at high speed cutting was less than that at low speed cutting. Secondly, the flank wear at high speed cutting was more pronounced than that at low speed cutting, whose abnormal wear were pull-out of grain, cracking, chipping and flanking. Thirdly, the machining quality at high speed cutting was better than that at low speed cutting. Fourthly, the tendencies of cutting forces, tool wear and surface roughness relative to cutting length were similar, but the change rates were different, especially at the initial stage. Finally, high speed cuttingare plausible to use in HDF processing, which not only improves machining quality, but also promotes production efficiency.

WOOD RESEARCH Volume 63, Number 2, 2018
Lingling Huang, Huiyun Wang, Xiaolei Guo, Zhihua Jiang, Feng Xing, and Mats Ekevad

Study on continuous cold-pressing technology of engineered wood flooring with EPI adhesive

The effects of process parameters (adhesive spread, press time, and applied pressure) on the gluing performance of engineered wood flooring bonded with emulsion-polymer-isocyanate (EPI) adhesive were studied. The results showed (shear strength and aging test) that the major factors were adhesive spread and press time. The optimized parameters for best gluing performance of engineered wood flooring were 160 g. m-2, 14 s, and 60 s for adhesive spread, heat time, and press time, respectively, within certain ranges.