Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Review report for manuscript forests-2202098, “Design of Decorative Wooden Wall Panels from Sliced Pedunculate Slavonian Oak (Quercus robur L.) from Veneer Production Waste”

I am writing about the manuscript “Design of Decorative Wooden Wall Panels from Sliced Pedunculate Slavonian Oak (Quercus robur L.) from Veneer Production Waste”.

It is an interesting study about valorization of  high qualitative waste veneer , with dimensions that are not suitable for veneer-based composites or for decorative veneers.

The manuscript is well written, with minor errors, as follows:

-       Pls. eliminate hyphens in the entire document (are obsolete);

Abstract: Pls. reformulate: “initial proposals for solutions are presented”.

Introductions: Page 1, line 31: reformulate: “Production of non-wood products”

Page 2, line 50 – add information about the use of veneers, because are not only used for decorative products (e.g. plywood, LVL)

Page 3, line 91: the production starts with shaping of sawn wood into blocks…

Page 3, line 91: check the sentence “classification is made by trained workers…”

Page 3, line 98: the authors should discuss if the interview with employees should be included as “expert interview” and if the citation of this interview should be included in text and references;

Page 3, line 101: what do the authors mean with “correct veneers”?

Page 4, lines 141-143: please reformulate the sentence more precise and clear;

Page 4, lines 161-162: check repetitions (design)

Page 5, line 180: replace 0.52 mm (eliminate comma)

Page 9, line 288: reformulate “in order for the flitch to be fixed” ..

Page 9, line 268: replace “further needs” with, eventually, “further applications/utilizations)”

Page 11, line 292: “replace greater utilization” with e.g. “upcycling”

Best regards.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 1, thank you for all the suggestions and comments. You can find our answers in the attachment and additions in the revised article.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

 

The Authors presented a very interesting problem of managing the by-products of veneer production (there is no waste in wood processing)

 

Despite the important issue presented in the article there are many comments to the Authors:

Line 17 - winter and spring 2022 or actually winter (December) 2021 and spring 2022?

The introduction unfortunately does not have an introduction to the raw material base of the pedunculate oak. It is appropriate to highlight the high quality of oak wood for veneer production. The quality of oak wood is linked to its social and economic value. It is worthwhile to present a literature review on the resources of this raw material and its share in the wood market and its importance for furniture making. The decrease in the availability of high-quality oak wood promotes the search for rational methods of using the by-products of its processing. This applies not only to the production of veneers but also to furniture or flooring materials.

The authors pointed to the use of a by-product in the form of a board from the rift cut process. Only in line 102 do they indicate that rejects from the veneer harvesting process will also be the focus of the study. Perhaps the contribution of these products should be more broadly related in the description of the bdn methodology?

No broader reference to the commercial use of boards from crown cut and quarter cut techniques. This material is widely used as high quality destination lumber for the furniture industry.

With regard to wall panels (wall cladding), reference should be made to European standards for application requirements. The elements for the evaluation of the wall cladding prouct are indicated. However, insufficiently presented the requirements that must be met by products in addition to the form of visualization. In addition to the pattern, it is worth noting the dimensional and structural requirements of manufactured products. In public use, there is often a requirement for fire safety. Reference to these additional issues is missing. Can the authors provide national and European requirements? There is no literature review in this area.

The purpose of the article and the research conducted is very broad, and practically presents several separate issues that can be presented in different articles, which I highly encourage.

Very little information was presented in the description of the material. Where did the wood raw material come from, what dimensions did it have, what were the processes for preparing the roundwood, what dimensions did the prisms have, what processes affect the final yield of veneer production to what extent, etc.

The methodology lacks information on why the share of by-products of veneer production was not calculated? What is the potential of these products? It would be useful to use empirical data or literature sources.

In the Results, the rules for describing the defects that determine the recognition of veneer as "waste" were introduced. This part should be presented in the materials. The description of classes in the Results should indicate the quantity and not the description.

How is the veneer production process affected by edging (cutting off the edges of veneer parcels on guillotines)?

The methodology lacked a description of techniques for using "waste" for bonding and pressing. General data should at least refer to the literature if the authors do not have the opportunity to present those techniques that affect the form and appearance of the product: wall cladding.

 

In the presentation of the use of rift cut ponzi plank, the authors interestingly presented the technique of obtaining side elements or stabilizing the plank itself. However, they did not take into account the stabilization of the plank as a result of longitudinal cuts and changes in wood stresses resulting from hydrothermal treatment. There is a rich literature describing wood changes and wood stabilization. 

Despite the significant shortcomings of the presented publication, its importance can be indicated. This work can serve the development of knowledge in improving rational wood processing.

There is no significant discussion in relation to the research results obtained. References to other studies related to the problem of utilization of by-products of oak wood processing should be indicated. 

The conclusions are very general and should indicate the importance of using by-products of processing valuable oak wood.

 

 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 2, thank you for all the suggestions and comments. You can find our answers in the attachment and additions in the revised article.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The Authors indicated the use of a by-product in the form of a board or scraps of veneer. Are there studies confirming the need for these products?

There is no reference to these additional fire safety issues.

The methodology lacks information why the share of veneer production by-products was not calculated? What is the potential of these products? It is worth using empirical data or literature sources.  In the presented publication, its great cognitive and innovative importance can be indicated. This work confirms the development of research in the field of rational wood processing.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 2, thank you for your comments. Our responses and indicated corrections are attached below. Best regards.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx