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【Artificial Board Processing 】 Series Ⅱ--Raw Material Requirements and Log Preparation in Plywood Manufacturing

Dec 23,2025

In modern plywood manufacturing, the performance of a plywood machine is highly dependent on raw material quality and log preparation processes. While pressing and finishing stages often receive the most attention, practical production experience shows that unstable raw materials frequently lead to reduced efficiency, higher energy consumption, and inconsistent panel quality.

This article explains the raw material requirements and log preparation process in plywood manufacturing, focusing on how these factors directly influence plywood machine operation and overall production stability.


Understanding Plywood Manufacturing Fundamentals

Plywood is produced by bonding rotary-cut veneers together with adhesive, arranging adjacent layers so that grain directions are perpendicular. This cross-laminated structure provides strength balance and dimensional stability.

Because every veneer layer contributes structurally, plywood manufacturing places strict requirements on raw materials. Poor log quality directly affects veneer peeling, drying behavior, bonding performance, and hot-pressing results across the entire plywood production line.


Raw Material Requirements in Plywood Production

Wood Species Selection for Plywood Manufacturing

Suitable wood species for plywood manufacturing should offer:

Stable anatomical structure

Moderate density, typically between 0.4 and 0.7 g/cm³

Good rotary peeling performance

Low extractive content to ensure reliable adhesive bonding

Improper species selection increases tool wear, adhesive consumption, and downtime in plywood machines.


Log Size Requirements for Plywood Machines

Log Length
Standard log lengths for plywood manufacturing are commonly 4 m, 5 m, and 6 m. Logs are cross-cut according to plywood panel dimensions and defect distribution to improve veneer recovery and machine efficiency.

Log Diameter
Most plywood production lines require a minimum log diameter of 26 cm, with diameter grading in 2 cm increments. Larger diameters provide more stable veneer peeling conditions and higher output per log.


Log Quality and Defect Control

Defects that negatively affect plywood production include:

Excessive curvature

Mechanical damage

Ring shakes and end cracks

Internal decay or hollow cores

These defects reduce veneer yield and place additional mechanical stress on plywood machinery during rotary cutting.


Log Preparation Process in Plywood Manufacturing

Log preparation is a critical stage that directly defines the operating conditions of every plywood machine.


Log Cross-Cutting

Log cross-cutting removes unacceptable defects and produces straight log sections. Proper cutting improves centering accuracy on veneer peeling machines and reduces vibration during operation.


Log Softening Treatment

Log softening improves wood plasticity before veneer peeling. Benefits include:

Reduced cutting resistance

Improved veneer surface quality

Lower energy consumption

Reduced internal stress during peeling

Common softening methods used in plywood manufacturing include hot water soaking, steam heating, and combined water–air thermal treatment.

The heating medium temperature is typically controlled 10–20°C above the target log core temperature to achieve uniform softening without causing end cracks.


Log Debarking Before Veneer Peeling

Complete debarking is essential for plywood machine protection. Bark has no structural value, clogs peeling equipment, and may contain sand or metal that damages knives.

Efficient debarking improves veneer quality, extends knife life, and ensures stable plywood machine operation.


Impact of Raw Material Preparation on Plywood Machines

In practical plywood manufacturing, raw material preparation defines:

Veneer thickness consistency

Knife wear rate

Energy efficiency

Adhesive bonding reliability

Well-prepared logs allow plywood machines to operate within stable mechanical limits, improving production efficiency and product consistency.


Conclusion

Plywood manufacturing is a system-level process. Even the most advanced plywood machine cannot compensate for poor raw material selection or improper log preparation.

By controlling raw material quality and preparation parameters, plywood manufacturers can significantly improve production stability, reduce equipment stress, and achieve consistent panel quality across the entire plywood production line.

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