Abstract

Wood machining is strongly influenced by the wood texture. Thus, it is a very important field of research in order to achieve the optimum wood machining conditions. This study focusses on MDF, a far more homogeneous wood based material than solid wood. First of all, MDF cutting is described in function of moisture content and density. For constant machining conditions, the behavior of the cutting force components were observed as a function of density changes. Then the surface roughness was analyzed. The same method was further applied for variable cutting conditions. The evolution of cutting power and forces was observed with the aim to forecast it, if the species factor (Ke) and moisture content factor (Kh) are known. After the values of these factors have been adequately determined, the cutting forces and power cutting levels for the different layers of density found in MDF can be easily calculated.