Waves on wood

The rotary machining process as applied to timber is introduced and compared with the milling and grinding of metals. The emphasis of this work is on the waviness surface quality of the machined timber and initially focuses on a review of the techniques applied to improve surface quality at higher workpiece feed velocities—typically 120 m/min. The main work concentrates on mathematical and computer-based modelling of surface waviness defects generated by two classical woodworking machine engineering science phenomena, caused primarily by forced structural vibration. Surface assessment of machined timber is discussed, with results from contact and non-contact methods highlighted. The causes of surface waviness defects are presented and possible solutions are outlined.