In Scandinavian winters, sawmills frequently process frozen logs, often at temperatures below −20 °C. Understanding how low temperatures affect wood cutting behavior is important for optimizing sawmill process control, tool design, and cutting efficiency. Previous studies have explored general cutting force behavior in fresh wood, focusing on factors such as density, moisture content, and grain orientation (Meulenberg et al., 2021, 2022). However, few investigations specifically address frozen, water-saturated wood, particularly regarding its frictional interaction with the saw blade.
As temperature decreases below freezing, water in fresh wood transforms into ice, potentially altering chip formation, lubrication, and friction at the tool–wood interface. Yet, the effect of sub-zero temperature on friction forces is not well quantified, and the influence of high moisture content in sapwood compared to heartwood remains poorly understood.
This study aims to fill this gap by isolating temperature as the main variable and measuring its effect on the friction force between a bandsaw tooth and fresh pine samples under controlled laboratory conditions. The results provide preliminary insights that could help optimize cutting parameters for frozen logs and improve sawmill productivity in cold climates.
Keywords: Cutting force, fresh wood, temperature effect, friction force, frozen wood
Authors
Yunbo Huang
Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
Daniel Chuchala
Gdansk University of Technology, Poland
Magnus Fredriksson
Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
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