Routing and Shaping of Particleboard

Due to the number of material and operational variables involved in machining particleboard, emphasis is placed on, the importance of power fed machinery. With power fed machinery, clearance on the cutting edge can be kept minimal, resulting in longer tool life. Cutting depths up to 1-1/2 inches at feed speeds of 300 to 400 in./min. can be achieved with a 3/4 inch carbide-tipped two-flute router cutter. Where cutters less than 3/4 inch in diameter must be used a shank diameter of 3/4 inch is recommended to reduce breakage caused by flexing or vibrating of the tool. Other recommendations include the use of air-jets to cool the cutter and aid in chip removal, use of a carbide drill point on the cutter in cases where plunge cutting is necessary, and use of dullness or horsepower indicators to facilitate tool replacement decisions. Tests were run on a tape controlled router to determine the horse power required to cut various densities of particleboard in comparison with softwoods and hardwoods. The materials that were machined in this cutting test under identical operating conditions were pine, hard maple, and particleboard of 28, 45, and 60 lbs./cu.ft. density. The material thickness in all cases was 1-1/2 inches, the feed rate was 300 in./min., and the cutter was a double flute 3/4 inch diameter carbide tipped cutter with 3/4 inch diameter shank and a carbide drill point. The cutter was driven by a 15 HP two speed motor at a spindle speed of 23,000 rpm.

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