Veneer Recovery and Losses Through the Green-End Clipper

Previous studies indicated that the largest loss associated with veneer production occurred at the green-end clipper, where from 16 to 26 percent of the block volume was lost. However, because those loss figures had never been determined by direct measurement, no conclusions could be drawn regarding the potential for improvement. In this project, a direct measurement, noncontact system was developed in which the veneer was filmed and the veneer images digitized to produce detailed and previously unmeasurable data on green-end veneer recovery and loss. Six hundred Douglas-fir blocks divided evenly into four diameter classes ranging from 10 to 30 inches in small-end diameter were peeled at five Pacific Northwest mills. All veneer volumes and resulting recovery values are reported. The merchantable veneer volumes recovered up to and including the clipper ranged from 65 to 82 percent of the total block volume; veneer recovery factors varied from 3.5 to 4.3. Veneer volume lost at the clipper ranged from 5 to 10 percent of total block volume. The merchantable veneer volumes could potentially be increased from 1 to 4 percent at the clipping operation. This technique and the study results are useful to veneer mill managers for green-end recovery improvement and to clipper and scanner manufacturers for equipment improvement.

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