Search Results (450)

This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the field of surface finishing for wood products, with a focus on three cutting-edge directions: functionalization, intelligence, and sustainability. The article first outlines the fundamental theories and the evolution and modernization of traditional surface-finishing techniques, then delves into the construction mechanisms and performance characteristics of advanced functional surfaces such as superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and smart-responsive coatings. Surface finishing of wood products is transitioning from conventional passive protection and aesthetic enhancement toward active functional empowerment and intelligent interaction. Functionalization, intelligence, and sustainability have become mainstream trends in technological development, supported by the deep integration of materials science, digital technologies, and design disciplines. Finally, the paper identifies current research challenges and prospects for key future research directions, aiming to provide a systematic knowledge framework and developmental guidance for academic studies in wood-product surface finishing. Full article

This study presents the design, development, and experimental validation of an automated flat blade grinding machine for the wood processing and plastic recycling industries in Ecuador. The machine was engineered following the VDI 2221/2222/2225 design methodology, integrating SolidWorks-based 3D modeling and ANSYS finite element analysis (FEA) to validate critical structural components. The selected configuration includes a Type 6 alumina grinding wheel (38A-60-K-VS), a mechanical clamping system, cutting fluid cooling, and a hardwired electromechanical control system that does not require a programmable logic controller (PLC). FEA results confirmed adequate safety factors (ηs > 16; ηf > 14) for the ACME 3/4–8 power screw under operational loads. Experimental testing on blade specimens (thickness: 3 mm; length: 70 mm; steel up to 60 HRC) demonstrated that four grinding passes at a 45° inclination angle reduced mean surface roughness (Ra) from 5.39 ± 1.83 µm (used blades) to 0.162 ± 0.092 µm, achieving values comparable to new blades (Ra = 0.601 ± 0.153 µm): a point-estimate reduction of 97% in mean Ra relative to the used-blade condition. The automated process reduced average grinding time by approximately 30% compared to manual methods, while maintaining noise levels within the 85 dB occupational exposure limit. Operator satisfaction surveys rated the system above 4.5/5.0 across all ergonomic and usability criteria. These results validate the proposed machine as a cost-effective, locally manufacturable solution to standardize blade maintenance in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Latin America. Full article

Despite the significant reduction in the overall cultivated area registered in recent decades, poplar still plays an important economic role in the Po Valley–Italy, where many farms involved in the plantation of this species are present, and the leading wood-processing industries are located. This paper describes the current organization of the poplar plywood wood-chain and explores the challenges in introducing new cultivars into the sector. In particular, it analyzes the main physico-mechanical properties of solid wood from five selected poplar clones (‘Dvina’, ‘Lux’, ‘Mella’, ‘Soligo’, ‘Taro’) that are characterized by fast growth, more sustainable agronomic practices, and increased disease resistance. These clones were cultivated in a seven-year-old linear plantation located in Northern Italy. This model, widely used in the past, is being re-proposed as a complement to the traditional system with square planting distances. The peeling yields and some performances of plywood manufactured from their veneers were also investigated. Results indicate that all clones have a much higher (from +30% to +56%) wood basic density than the ‘I-214’, which remains the lighter and preferred reference. These clones appeared also suitable for rotary cutting, but only ‘Lux’ and ‘Soligo’, and to a lesser extent ‘Mella’, provided veneers of the best quality class. Interesting mechanical features were registered for the sample plywood produced, especially in relation to the age of the harvested timber, which reached a diameter adequate for processing in a shorter time compared to the turnover adopted in conventional plantations. Except for ‘Dvina’, for all the clones, bending MOE and MOR were found to be comparable with those of spruce plywood made of similar thickness and the same lay-up. The findings suggest that the availability of new poplar cultivars and that of different cultivation models designed to enhance fast growth, when supported by targeted research and cooperation among multiple stakeholders (including farmers and industrial manufacturers), can lead to new applications where their plywood performances are valued. This, in turn, allows the resulting panels to meet specific needs in previously unexplored sectors, offering additional market opportunities. Full article

This study uses linguistic evidence to examine the cultural dimensions of the term “matchmaker” within Liangshan Yi society, Sichuan, China. The present linguistic analysis reveals that two distinct Chinese words related to marriage were borrowed into the Liangshan Yi language, based on morphological analyzability, cognate comparison within Sino-Tibetan languages, and phonological and semantic adaptation. Specifically, (i) the Chinese word 伐 (fá), meaning ‘to hew, chop, or matchmake’ was borrowed as a standalone verb, phonologically adapted as ho³³/fu³³ depending on dialect into Liangshan Yi with the meaning ‘to marry (generally)’; and (ii) the term 伐柯 (fákē), originally meaning ‘to cut wood for an axe handle’ and later to ‘matchmaking, matchmaker,’ was borrowed into Liangshan Yi as a noun meaning ‘matchmaker’ (hɔ⁴⁴ka³³/fu⁴⁴ka³³, depending on dialect). Phonological evidence suggests these borrowings occurred during the Late Middle Chinese period, prior to the completion of labiodentalization, but after the shift of labial consonants to labiodental sounds, between the late Tang and Song dynasties (ca. 9th to 13th centuries). The lower limit is 1324 CE, when Zhōngyuán Yīnyùn was compiled. The dating of these borrowings is corroborated by our further corpus analysis of the usage of 伐柯 fákē and 伐 fá in ancient Chinese texts. This analysis reveals that while the two Chinese words originated in Shījīng (Book of Odes, 11th–7th centuries BCE), their usage frequency was extremely low in Early Middle Chinese; a resurgence subsequently occurred in Late Middle Chinese, with the highest frequency attested in the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE). Moreover, a survey of additional Loloish communities shows that 伐柯 fákē serves as the common source of the borrowing for the term “matchmaker” in many Northern Loloish and some Central Loloish varieties, reflecting the influence of Chinese marital customs across a broad range of Yi communities. Although the borrowing derives from a common source, given the similar phonetic forms, the terms for “matchmaker” in these Loloish languages lack sound correspondences. This indicates that the Loloish languages had already diverged from one another by the time the borrowing took place. Finally, the linguistic evidence from the present study illuminates the historical processes that shaped marital customs among Yi ethnic societies, demonstrating that the concept of matchmaker is a recent innovation within Yi cultural practice, linguistically and culturally borrowed from Han Chinese—probably during 9th century to early 14th century—rather than being an indigenous tradition. Full article

Global particleboard production reached almost 123 million m³ in 2024. Such quantities require intensified search for alternative lignocellulosic materials in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. The research aim was to determine the total energy consumption (E_max) and specific cutting work (SCW) when drilling holes in boards made from 100% forest biomass, agricultural biomass, and wood-based post-production residues. The experiments were carried out on a CNC (computerize numerical control) center at a constant speed of 6000 rpm and variable feed rates of 0.2, 2, and 20 mm/min, using conventional particleboard as a reference. The results showed that the feed rate has a dominant influence on energy consumption. As the speed increased, the average SCW value decreased from 22.32 J/mm³ to 6.11 J/mm³. Conventional board required the highest energy input in all variants, and statistical analyses showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between boards made from alternative raw materials and the reference. This proves that the variability of energy consumption depends mainly on the process parameters and not on the material itself. The research confirms the technological feasibility of using alternative biomass sources in the furniture industry without increasing energy consumption during processing, which promotes the implementation of sustainable development principles. Full article

Logging causes damage on residual trees, with differing characteristics and severities. The causal agent, as well as the size and type of injury, is influenced by the type of machines, the harvesting technology adopted, and the machine operator. This study descriptively documents residual tree damage observed in two sledge-yarding operations conducted under contrasting stand and operational conditions: a beech stand managed with a full-tree system and a Scots pine stand managed with a cut-to-length system. Two stands were selected: the harvesting intensity was 50% in the coniferous stand (salvage logging) and 20% in the deciduous stand (thinning). In each stand, six 20 × 20 m plots (0.04 ha) were delineated to assess residual tree damage. In the two observed cases, the beech operation showed a higher proportion of damaged residual trees, 32.2%, than the Scots pine operation, 5.3%. In the deciduous stand, bark injuries were mainly slight wood exposure (75%), whereas in the coniferous stand, crushed bark (42.9%) was most frequent, followed by slight wood exposure (35.7%). No concerning damage to seedlings was detected. In general, the number of damaged trees and the severity of injuries were considerably lower than those typically observed when extracting with a cable skidder, and especially with an adapted farm tractor. To reduce mechanical damage to residual trees, protective devices can be deployed around trees at risk of root and stem injury. Another effective measure is to financially motivate workers to implement environmentally sound forest operations. Full article

An isolate of Peniophora lycii was obtained from grapevine, and its interactions with several grapevine-associated fungi and the plant host were examined. The fungus was not able to infect intact leaves, but necrotized the margins of foliar disks and caused necrosis and white rot in woody tissues. In dual cultures, P. lycii and Aureobasidium pullulans showed mutual antagonism. Mycoparsitism of P. lycii was observed on epiphytic Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria sp., and endophytic Botryosphaeria dothidea interaction partners. In contrast, P. lycii showed trophic growth towards endophytic Phaeomoniella chlamydospora without any signs of harmful interactions. Dual inoculations of foliar disks with epiphytic fungi revealed no effects of fungal interactions on necrosis development by pathogens and verified mycoparasitic interactions in planta. Co-infection assays of cuttings with endophytic pathogen fungi showed cumulative effects of fungal interactions on wood symptom expression, with the exclusive contribution of P. lycii to white rot development. In addition to providing the first isolation of P. lycii from grapevine and the description of its mycoparasitic behavior, the present study suggests that the fungus may act as an opportunistic grapevine pathogen, probably as a secondary colonizer in trunk diseases. The observed dual host preference may allow trunk disease pathogens to initially feed on fungi, followed by damage to the grapevine. This may be in connection with the exceptionally long latency of these syndromes. Full article

Tool wear remains a critical limiting factor in machining performance, particularly in dry cutting conditions where friction and tribological interactions dominate. This study investigates the influence of a 5–8 μm PVD-deposited TiN coating on the wear behavior of high-speed steel (HSS) end mills during milling of three representative wood species (oak, beech, and fir). A spatially resolved wear evaluation methodology was employed, based on ten measurement points distributed along a 20 mm active cutting edge, enabling simultaneous assessment of mean wear and maximum localized wear (Umax). A factorial experimental design combining material type and feed rate (1500–2500 mm/min) was analyzed using two-way ANOVA with effect size quantification (η²). The results reveal a statistically significant reduction in mean wear for TiN-coated tools (F = 7.46, p = 0.0195, η² = 0.34), corresponding to an average decrease of approximately 46% compared to uncoated tools. Maximum wear was influenced by both coating (F = 14.73, p = 0.0028, η² = 0.399) and material (F = 4.37, p = 0.040, η² = 0.237). The experimental findings are interpreted through a tribological framework, indicating a transition from abrasion- and micro-chipping-dominated degradation in uncoated tools to a controlled wear regime in TiN-coated tools, characterized by reduced asperity penetration, delayed crack initiation, and limited tribochemical interactions. These results demonstrate that coating effects dominate global wear evolution, while material properties influence localized degradation. The proposed combined experimental–statistical–mechanistic approach provides a robust framework for understanding and optimizing tool performance in dry machining environments. Full article

Kerf bending, achieved through precisely patterned cuts, enables the transformation of rigid plywood into flexible, adaptive surfaces for advanced design and ergonomic applications. This preliminary, exploratory study systematically investigates 56 laser-cut kerf geometries—spanning both traditional and novel parametric patterns—in birch plywood sheets of two thicknesses. Mechanical performance was evaluated via standardised testing, with statistical analyses (including Weibull and coefficient of variation) employed to interpret the pronounced variability observed in maximum load (Fmax) values, even among geometrically similar patterns. Due to the limitation of single-specimen destructive testing per pattern, the results should be understood as indicative trends within this experimental set, not as definitive rankings. Observed results suggest that kerf geometry and arrangement—rather than thickness or gross material removal—are the primary determinants of flexibility and strength. Notably, specific parametric and meander-type patterns demonstrated promising balances of deformation capacity and mechanical reliability within this limited dataset. The inherent limitations of experimental replication and natural material heterogeneity are explicitly acknowledged, and the findings are intended as a foundation for future, more statistically robust investigations. This work provides a comparative framework and initial design guidance for kerf-based plywood structures and identifies key priorities for further research in replication, material selection, and real-world applications. Full article

Traditional Chinese paper cutting represents an important intangible cultural heritage. Can artificial intelligence (AI) reactivate the heritage in a new style? The aim of this study was to use AI to reactivate temple arts and paintings by converting them into the style of traditional Chinese paper cuttings. Thirty sets of old images taken 18 years ago and 10 images of ancient paintings from the National Palace Museum were restyled in Nano Banana (Pro)^®. Related design elements included integrated isolated parts, visual depth, details, and solid and void alternation. Three-dimensional stone and wood sculptures were reconstructed using Rodin^® or Meshy^® and converted into AR models in Sketchfab^®. From the generated 2D images and their 3D representations, a reactivated style of Chinese paper cutting was developed that can be interacted with in the AR smartphone platform or RP in the physical world. Approximately 370 images were regenerated, and 167 versions of models were reconstructed. AI should be considered part of culture. Rethinking traditional folk art highlights demand for the cross-reference and cross-reactivation of heterogeneous art forms. This AI model interprets novel 3D structural and visual details and creates a unique 2D and 3D identity for each subject. Full article

Plywood has emerged as a key sustainable material in modern building. Yet, ensuring its consistent performance requires rigorous quality control of the rotary-cut veneers used in its manufacture. This task is complicated by the high-speed nature of industrial conveyors, where motion blur and the complex, varying textures of eucalyptus wood drastically reduce the effectiveness of real-time surface inspection. This study proposes an intelligent, real-time defect detection system specifically optimized for the diverse defect morphology of eucalyptus veneers. A lightweight model, YOLOv11-DMS-Veneers, was developed by integrating MobileNetV4 as the backbone, a Dynamic Head for multi-scale feature extraction, and a Shape-IoU loss function to precisely localize irregular defects like cracks and knots. Additionally, an ERD video enhancement framework (combining ESRGAN, RIFE, and DnCNN) was implemented to mitigate motion blur in dynamic environments. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves a mean Average Precision (mAP@50) of 96.0% and a Precision of 95.7% with a low computational cost of only 4.5 GFlops, significantly outperforming traditional algorithms. Notably, the detection precision for challenging linear cracks reached 93.9%. In dynamic tests at conveyor speeds up to 24 m/min, the video enhancement strategy increased the average detection confidence by 0.288, maintaining a maximum confidence of 0.890. This technology offers a robust solution for the automated quality control of eucalyptus veneers, facilitating the production of high-performance plywood and advancing the efficient application of engineered wood in the building industry. Full article

This work explores the effect of nitrogen ion implantation on the wettability of the cemented tungsten carbide–cobalt (WC–Co) tool surface used for wood-based panel machining. Nitrogen ions with an energy of 50 keV and a fluence of 1 × 10¹⁷ and 5 × 10¹⁷ cm⁻² were implanted into the surface layer of commercially available WC–Co indexable knives using the implanter without a mass-separated ion beam. The wettability was characterized by a contact angle instrument. The implantation of nitrogen ions into WC–Co tools caused a statistically significant and practically useful decrease in the contact angle. This obtained effect was dependent on the fluence of the implanted ions, and it changed over time. This effect may also explain the transfer from the workpiece and the surface capture of carbon atoms in the secondary structure formed during the machining of wood materials on tools with ion implantation. On the other hand, the layer of carbon on the surface of the tool formed during machining explains the reduction in friction coefficient observed in experiments and the increase in tool life during cutting. Full article

Non-destructive and destructive test methods are applied to wood to characterize this heterogeneous natural material. There have been multiple studies to characterize and investigate the change after the treatment (impregnation, thermal modification, etc.). In terms of thermal modification, there have been few studies on thermo–vacuum treatment, which is performed in a continuous vacuum atmosphere. With this method, the objective was to attempt to reduce the strength decrease after the thermal treatment. The aim of this study was to estimate the flexural properties of thermo–vacuum-treated Scots pine wood with destructive and acoustic-based non-destructive test methods. Wood was treated at 180 °C and 360 mm Hg. Both treated and untreated samples were cut into small specimens to ensure they were free of defects and were tested with acoustic-based non-destructive (longitudinal vibration and stress wave) and static bending test methods. The results show a decrease in equilibrium moisture content, demonstrating the efficiency of the treatment. When the results were compared with destructive test results, higher correlations (R² > 0.858) were found when estimating the modulus of elasticity (MOE) for both the untreated and treated wood, while lower correlations (R² < 0.440) were found for the modulus of rupture (MOR). When an additional equation was developed, stronger correlations (R² > 0.8986) were obtained between the non-destructive and destructive test results. Full article

This study investigates how key planning variables—the number of wood assortments, the geometric shape of clear-cut areas, and the extraction (forwarding) distance—influence greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Twelve plots formed a heterogeneous sample with similar site type and soil moisture conditions. A Komatsu 931 harvester and a 855 forwarder, driven by the experienced operators, were used to ensure consistency in operator skill. For each plot, the isoperimetric quotient was computed to quantify how plot shape correlated with labor hours, fuel consumption, and the resulting volume of GHG emitted. The number of assortments extracted per plot ranged from three to fourteen product groups. The results show that plots with more complex shapes require significantly more operator time and fuel. Increasing the number of assortments amplifies handling time and fuel use. Longer extraction distances further exacerbate the emissions. These findings underscore the importance of integrating spatial geometry and wood assortment planning into harvest scheduling to enhance productivity and reduce the carbon footprint of forest operations. Recommendations for practitioners include prioritizing more compact treatment units, optimizing assortment grouping, and minimizing extraction distances as key strategies for precision forestry. Full article

Sustainable forest operations require operational planning tools that effectively integrate productivity, environmental conservation, and social acceptability, particularly within complex and environmentally sensitive forest systems. In Mediterranean small-scale forestry, harvesting decisions are frequently guided by expert judgment rather than by systematic and transparent planning frameworks. This reliance on subjective decision making can result in heterogeneous management practices and, in some cases, suboptimal operational outcomes. This study aims to validate a GIS-based Analytic Hierarchy Process (GIS–AHP) decision support system for the selection of harvesting and wood systems in the chestnut coppices of central Italy and to assess the robustness of its recommendations when expert judgments are provided by different stakeholder groups. The methodology integrates spatial data and multi-criteria analysis to evaluate the suitability of three extraction systems (forwarder, cable skidder, and cable yarder) and three wood systems (Cut-To-Length, Whole-Tree Harvesting, and Tree-Length) across 162 Forest Management Units (1332.5 ha), using weights elicited from four stakeholder categories (researchers, technicians, forest owners, and workers; n = 144). Results show statistically significant differences in mean suitability values among stakeholder groups for all systems; however, convergence at the operational decision level is high. The cable skidder is recommended over 94%–100% of the area depending on the stakeholder category, with full agreement among all groups in 87.7% of the Forest Management Units. For wood systems, Whole-Tree Harvesting is selected over 96.1% of the analysed area, with agreement in 95.1% of the Forest Management Units. Divergences are therefore limited and attributable to differences in AHP weighting structures. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the GIS–AHP approach provides stable and transferable recommendations despite variability in expert perspectives, supporting its applicability as a transparent and robust decision support tool for operational planning in chestnut coppices and similar Mediterranean forest systems. Full article