Wood machining is a procedure employed to evaluate the
performance of various wood species following planning, shaping, turning,
boring, mortising, and sanding. Inadequate wood machining produces excessive
waste, resulting in diminished recovery in wood processing. Consequently, the
accessibility of suitable wood machining processes can enhance the efficient
use. Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Senna siamea have not been widely advocated
for use in the wood industry in Ghana due to a lack of technical information on
their machining properties, categorising them as lesser-used timber species.
This study investigated the planning and turning properties of Neem (A. indica
A. Juss) and Cassia (S. siamea), two wood species from Ghana. The trees were
selected based on the straightness of their trunks to ensure their suitability
for construction purposes. Sample preparation was performed according to the
American Society for Testing and Materials International D1666-87-2004 method
for evaluating machining qualities of wood. Six planning operations were
conducted, producing 100 test specimens per operation and rated according to
ASTM D 1666-87. The grading of the planned samples was conducted via visual
inspection, and the samples were assessed and categorised into four quality
grades, based on the severity of the identified defects. The turning test was
performed via a single-point lathe, with the turning shapes adhering to the
ASTM D 1666-87 criteria. The results showed that Cassia heartwood, with an
average of 76.3%, outperformed Neem heartwood, which averaged 70.1%, in the
planning process. Optimal surface quality was achieved with a 15° rake angle
and a feed speed of 9 m/min for both sapwood and heartwood of the species. The
intensity of chipped or torn grain defects decreased with reduced rake angles
of 15° at a feed speed of 9 m/min during planning. A rotation speed of 2000 rpm
produced favourable turning outcomes for both Neem and Cassia, suggesting it as
a suitable speed for machining these woods. The planning and turning properties
of Neem and Cassia are comparable to those of Oak, Poplar, and Pine. Therefore,
these two species could be utilised in the timber sector to alleviate pressure
on declining primary timbers, reduce the destruction of vital timber species,
sustain the timber industry, support sustainable forest management strategies,
and enhance revenue generation in Ghana. The study recommends further research
on the natural durability, preservative treatability, and broader working
properties of these species to facilitate their full integration into the wood
industry.
Author(s) Details
John Lawer Narh
Accra Technical University, P.O. Box GP 561, Accra, Ghana.
Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi
Constuction and Wood Technology Department, Akenten Appiah-Menka University
of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Kumasi, Ghana.
Peter Kessels Dadzie
Faculty of Built and Natural Environment, Department of Interior Design and
Materials Technology, Kumasi Technical University, Kumasi, Ghana.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nhstc/v6/6818
No comments:
Post a Comment