Flat and rotary cut explained
Wood veneers are one of the most versatile products of the wood industry that we can find. It is an ideal solution for those who seek the appearance of hard or noble woods in their work. Consumer demand for furniture that provides the beauty and naturalness of wood has led many manufacturers to update and increase their product portfolio, with elements that use wood veneers. There are different ways to categorize wood veneers. We can find classifications according to the color of the veneer, the species of the log, the obtaining of the veneer. For this reason, in today’s article we are going to learn about the differences between obtaining flat or uncoiled sheet metal, one of the most used classifications.
What is a wood veneer?
We could define wood veneers as one of the most demanded first transformation products of wood. They are thin sheets of wood, with thicknesses between 0.6 and 0.7 millimeters that are obtained by unrolling or cutting flat on pieces of wood specifically chosen to obtain certain shapes. It is quite a versatile product. That is why it is used to cover boards, carpentry elements, such as wooden doors, furniture… Also, they are used in the art of inlay, a craft technique that is used to cover floors, walls, furniture, in which different pieces cut from wood veneers are fitted.
Types of wood veneers
Before learning about the two different types of wood veneers depending on how they are obtained, we must bear in mind that it is essential that the logs of wood meet certain characteristics in terms of dimensions. In order to obtain the wood veneer, both flat and peeled, it is essential that the log has a diameter of 40cm and a minimum length of 2.6 meters. We also want to remember that before starting to obtain the wood veneer, it is necessary to prepare the logs, that is, clean and debark them. Next, they undergo a process called softening, which is determined by the density of each species of wood. Now that we know the common specifications, we are going to know the specific characteristics of the two types of wood veneer production.
Flat cut
Before starting to obtain the wood veneer as such, in obtaining flat veneer, the logs are processed to eliminate the cylindrical shape and obtain a rectangular section, leaving 4 parallel faces 2 by 2 by means of a saw. Once this process is finished, the log is subjected to vertical or horizontal movement against the blade. The obtained wood veneers are of tenths of millimeters, it is very important that the continuity of the veneers is preserved to preserve the grain of the wood in the gluing process. Once the entire gluing process is finished, sheets of wood are obtained that are ideal for use in panel cladding, carpentry or furniture.
Rotary cut
Do you visualize how you sharpen pencils? We could say that obtaining wood veneer by peeling is quite similar to a giant pencil sharpener. The process consists of grasping the log by the ends and applying it with rotating movements against a blade, obtaining a continuous sheet of millimeter thickness. Once this process is finished, they are taken to the production line where they are cut and sized to be used in the manufacture of other products such as plywood.
