Chipless Machining : Challenges in Manufacture of Laminated Veneer Products

A laminated veneer product (LVP) consists of veneers bonded together with adhesive under pressure into a predetermined shape and, in general, under increased temperature to shorten the curing time of the adhesive. The process is commonly used in furniture design to manufacture complex forms such as thin shells. In the industrial production of LVP and when the ready-for-use components are exposed to climate variations, rejection due to distortion of the laminates is a major problem. The shape stability depends on a variety of material and process parameters, and this study has focused on the influence of fibre deviation in a single veneer. Recent research on the shape stability of LVP and how distortion is influenced by various material and production parameters is presented. A finite-element model for LVP is introduced and the use of this model is exemplified by predicting the shape of a LVP with fibre distortion in a single veneer. The results show that it is possible to improve the shape stability of LVP if knowledge of various material and process parameters is implemented in the manufacturing process, and that a simulation based on a model of the wood material can be helpful in estimating the risk of an undesired deformation of the product.