BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT98-9579 - RTD of sawmilling systems suitable for European Eucalyptus globulus affected by growing stresses

FAIR-CT98-9579
RTD of sawmilling systems suitable for European Eucalyptus globulus affected by growing stresses

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Crops for Solid Wood Products : FAIR Area 1.3 - Forestry-Wood Chain : Process Engineering : Solid Wood Products : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Type of Project	Cooperative Research
	Contract No	FAIR-CT98-9579
	Total Cost	422,645 ECU
	EC Contribution	206,580 ECU
	Start Date	01/01/1999
	Duration	24 months

RTD of sawmilling systems suitable for European Eucalyptus globulus affected by growing stresses

Objectives

Growing stresses are a common characteristic of eucalyptus and they are especially strong in young Eucalyptus globulus trees, which presently covers more than 1 million hectares in Europe. These stresses cause end splits and distortions affecting yield and quality of the boards when the logs are sawn. This limitation strongly contributes to the very small percentage (<5%) of eucalyptus wood being sawn at present in Europe.

Specific objectives of the project are:

To determine the relations between growth stresses and growing conditions and to study the use of techniques for relaxing these stresses.
To optimise sawblade and cutting parameters.

To elaborate a simulation software which should permit to predict the suitability of a determined cutting pattern.

To define industry proved sawing patterns for young eucalyptus affected by growing stresses, which should optimise yield and quality.

Tasks of the project are:

Task 1 Selection of eucalyptus stand and growth stresses measurements.
Task 2 Sawblade and cutting parameters
Task 3 Trials at industry level
Task 4 Wood characterisation and preservation
Task 5 Simulation program optimising cutting patterns
Task 6 Economic analysis

The project is proposed by a core group of 4 SME sawmills from Spain and Portugal, representative of the most experienced companies transforming eucalyptus in Europe. The other proposer is a German leading supplier of complete sawmill equipment. This project is very significant to the proposers. As for the RTD performers, the Spanish CIS Madera is located in the main region where eucalyptus grows and have a first hand knowledge of the problems associated to their processing. The French research organisation, Cirad Forêt has a recognised experience in research on wood technology with eucalyptus all over the world.

To create a real forestry wood chain of Eucalyptus globulus would be a main objective of the European forestry wood sector, which in the concerned areas suffer from the scarcity of other raw wood supplies. The implementation of this CRAFT project should be the most important step given to develop an adequate technology for sawing young eucalyptus trees affected by growing stresses. This will induce a more general development of the entire wood sector, up to the end product manufacturing, and in the plantation areas where it grows, it could induce a renewal of activity, widely profitable to the local economy technical approach.

Growing stresses are a common characteristic of young
Eucalyptus globulus trees, causing the development of strong end splits that result in
poor timber recovery when the logs are sawn.

Sawing tests were made with traditional band saw equipment
in order to determine the relationship between growth stresses in standing trees
and the appearance of board distortions during sawing.

The measurement of board distortions.

Some of the 32 year old trees selected for industrial sawing tests
during the exploratory phase of a project on RTD of sawmilling systems.

The development of adequate technologies for sawing Eucalyptus trees
affected by growing stresses is important to create a forestry-wood chain
for Eucalyptus globulus in which several end uses could be considered
for each portion of the tree.

Tests will be performed in a laboratory in order to determine the variation
of 9 wood properties with age (25-35 years old) and growing conditions.

Contacts

Coordinator

J. SANCHEZ PENA / Hnos. Sanchez Pena S.L. SPAIN

Participant

RTD Performer