Cutting forces in bandsaw processing of oak and beech wood as affected by wood moisture content and cutting directions

Cutting forces in bandsaw processing of oak and beech wood were measured at two levels of wood moisture content (about 12 % and FSP) for four cutting directions (90A degrees-90A degrees, 90A degrees-0A degrees, 0A degrees-90A degrees and 90A degrees-45A degrees). A constant cutting speed of 40 m/s and a feed rate of 20 m/min were applied. A piezoelectric dynamometer (KISTLER type 9257A) mounted on the carriage of the vertical bandsaw machine (ESTERER model EB 1400) was used to measure the parallel, normal and lateral cutting forces. Results revealed that all cutting forces depend on the wood moisture content and cutting direction. The greatest parallel force was observed for oak wood at 12 % MC for 90A degrees-90A degrees cutting direction (44 N/mm) whereas the lowest one was for beech wood at 30 % MC for 0A degrees-90A degrees cutting direction (20 N/mm). In contrast to the little change of lateral force at various cutting directions, the change in parallel force was significant.