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Abstract
Virtually all nations have an under-utilized resource of small-diameter, low-grade hardwoods of mixed species in a range of densities. The shaping-lathe headrig, now in the final stages of commercialization, is a key to utilizing these hardwoods for pallets, industrial lumber, and-with further development-railroad crossties. Lathe residues in the form of flakes can be the raw material for a new major industry manufacturing structural exterior flakeboard competitive in price and function with sheathing grades of plywood. In an eight-hour shift, a single shaping-lathe headrig will convert 51 tons of barky hardwood bolts (at 40 lbs per ovendry cubic ft) into cants containing 12,500 board ft of 7/8-in. thick pallet lumber, plus sufficient flakes for 19,200 square ft (18.1 tons) of 1/2-in. structural flakeboard plus 11.2 tons of residues in the form of bark, sawdust, and panel trim (ovendry weight basis). These data assume that the headrig processes 2,400 bolts during an 8-hour shift. A 3-shift operation utilizing two such lathes appears to be economically feasible.
Citation
Koch, Peter. 1975. Shaping-lathe headrig will convert small hardwoods into pallet cants plus flakes for structural exterior flakeboard. In: Proc. Ninth Praticleboard Symp., Wash. State Univ. Pullman, Wash
