Compression Slicing of Wood

The compression slicing technique is an alternative to ripsawing for producing thick lumber from cants. Lateral pressure, not exceeding the wood’s proportional limit, is maintained while a sharp-edged blade is forced through to divide the cant. No sawdust or other residue is produced. With short blocks of white spruce in a green condition, 1250 kPa (175 psi) lateral pressure was adequate to prevent splitting ahead of the blade. Specimens 100 mm (4 in.) wide were divided into two 50-mm-(2-in.) wide pieces. Damage to the wood and cutting force were lower with a thin blade; blades tapered to the edge gave only small advantage over a blade of uniform thickness. Checks in the wood more or less perpendicular to the wood surface rarely exceeded 10 percent of the 50-mm (2-in.) thickness of the sliced pieces. Lateral pressure required was lower in heated wood, but damage from cutting was about the same. Variation of elastic modulus related to grain orientation or to included knots had a small effect on cutting accuracy. Coating of the blade with chrome or teflon did not lower the friction coefficient significantly.

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