Application of fracture mechanics for energetic effects predictions while wood sawing

Abstract

In the classical approach, energetic effects (cutting forces and cutting power) of wood sawing process are generally calculated on the basis of the specific cutting resistance, which is in the case of wood cutting the function of more or less important factors. On the other hand, cutting forces (or power—more interesting from energetic point of view) could be considered from a point of view of modern fracture mechanics. Cutting forces may be employed to determine not only toughness but also shear yield strength, which are then applied in the models. Furthermore, forecasting of the shear plane angle for the cutting models, which include fracture toughness in addition to plasticity and friction, broadens possibilities of energetic effects modelling of the sawing process even for small values of the uncut chip. Mentioned models are useful for estimation of energetic effects of sawing of every kinematics. However, for band saws and circular sawing machines, the chip acceleration power variation as a function of mass flow and tool velocity ought to be included in analysis of sawing at larger cutting speeds.