Effects of cutting parameters on the sound level and surface quality of sawn wood

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of cutting conditions effects on sound level and surface quality in softwood and hardwood. The sound emission level caused by cutting process (band saw) as well as the surface roughness and topography of the wood samples were evaluated. A direct relationship was found between sound emission level and density, moisture content, feeding rate, and dimensions of the samples. Straight cutting of the samples caused less sound emission than cutting in a curved direction. The protective effect of the earmuffs was very significant, reducing the sound emission level from 88 dB to 38 dB. The results showed that with increasing the density and dimensions of the samples, the surface roughness decreased, while with increasing the moisture content and feeding rate, changing the cutting direction from straight to curved, the surface roughness of the samples increased.