Maximum operation speed of splined saws

Abstract

In the wood processing industry, splined arbour saws are widely used in the breakdown of logs to boards of varying dimensions. In a splined saw, the inner radius of the blade is splined and matches a splined arbour that provides the driving torque for the saw. Lateral constraint for these saws is provided by space fixed guide pads which constrain the lateral motion of the saw. Experiences indicate that the splined saw is able to operate at speeds in excess of its lowest critical speed. This paper presents analytical and experimental investigations of a guided splined saw. A computer model is developed to consider the idling characteristics of the system. The model considers relevant geometrical details, friction, contact between components, geometrical non-linearity, interaction between the splined arbour and the splined blade. Experimental results are presented that support the validity of the analysis. The experimental results indicate that flutter instability occurs at speeds when a backward travelling wave of a mode meets a reflected wave of a different mode. The maximum stable operating speed of the splined saw is defined as the initiation of flutter.

Keywords:

• Guided splined saw
• flutter instability speed
• wood cutting

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to record their gratitude to Mr John White, and Dr Bruce Lehmann from FPInnovations, for their supports.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.