A Study on the Wearing Process of Stellite-Tipped and Swage-Set Saws During Sawing with a Bandsaw

The application of modern industrial and management techniques to improve sawmill conversion efficiency is very necessary to control deforestation. Throughout the sawmill industry there is an apparent desire for the most effective utilization of wood resources. Mill efficiency can be improved by using suitable tipping materials. Stellite-tipped and swage-set saws are the most common types of saws that are used in the wood industry especially in the developing countries. This study was conducted in order to determine the wearing process of stellite-tipped and swage-set saws when they are in operation. This is required by operators to enable them develop a schedule upon which saw doctoring operations would be based. The stellite-tipped and swage-set saws were used to process three different species of wood, that is, low, medium and high densities, and the time taken for their kerf widths to wear to an undesirable level was investigated. Equations are presented showing the relationship between actual sawing time and saw kerf width or kerf losses during sawing. The relationship between actual sawing time and the standard deviation of the lumber thickness is also presented. From this relationship, the optimum kerf width for minimum standard deviation of the lumber thickness can be determined for the three wood species.