The optimum adjustment the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) processing parameters is extremely important, especially in finishing processes such as coating, painting, and varnishing where surface quality is required. This work aimed to determine the CNC processing parameters for the best wood surface quality by ANN (Artificial Neural Network). For this aim, the surface roughness values of intermediate values not used in experimental studies were also estimated and the effects of parameter variables for each wood species were revealed. Surface roughness measurements (Ra) were made according to the DIN 4768 to determine the surface quality of wood materials. The prediction model with the best performance was determined through statistical and graphical comparisons. It has been observed that ANN models achieve quite satisfactory results with acceptable deviations. As a result of ANN analysis, the optimum values of tool diameter, spindle speed and feed rate for spruce wood were determined as 2 mm, 10000 rpm and 5 m/min, respectively. These values for beech wood were determined as 4 mm, 12500 rpm, 5 m/min, respectively. The findings of this study can be effectively applied in the furniture industry to reduce time, energy, and cost for experimental research within the range of experimentation conducted.

The processing of wood-based panels such as plywood, particleboard and fiberboard, which are widely used in the furniture industry, with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machines has been increasing recently. Even though CNC milling machines have many advantages for furniture producers, it is difficult to set process parameters to obtain the desired surface quality of the material. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the most suitable of these parameters for the surface quality of each wood-based panel. This study aimed to determine the effects of processing parameters on the surface quality of plywood, particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels processed in CNC milling machines. Furthermore, the average surface roughness values of these panels were compared after CNC processing. Three spindle rotational frequencies (10.000, 14.000 and 18.000 rpm), three feed rates (5, 7, and 9 m/min) and two cutting tool diameters (2 and 5 mm) were selected as CNC processing parameters. To determine the surface quality of wood-based panels, the surface roughness measurements were performed according to DIN 4768 standard and three surface roughness parameters (Ra, Rmax and Rz) were determined. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the surface roughness values of wood-based panels decreased with increasing spindle rotational frequency and feed rate, while they increased with increasing cutting tool diameter. Among the wood-based panels used in this study, the lowest average roughness values were obtained for plywood samples.

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of birch wood, one of the most important wood species used in the plywood industry, especially in Europe, the Nordic countries, Poland, Belarus and Russia as an alternative to beech wood. For this purpose, comparison was made of their economic and technological properties. In five-ply plywood manufacturing, beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and birch (Betula pendula) veneer sheets were used with melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF) and urea formaldehyde (UF) resins. Some mechanical properties such as shear strength, bending strength and modulus of elasticity of plywood panels were conducted according to EN 314-1 and EN 310, respectively. Mean mechanical strength obtained for birch plywood panels was quite above the limit values specified in the related standards. When taking into consideration the annual increment of beech and birch trees in 1 ha and the time they need to reach suitable diameters for the manufacturing of rotary cut veneers, it was calculated that birch trees provide 2.46 times more physical harvesting than beech trees.

Shear walls are one of the envelopes of light-frame wooden buildings where thermal insulation is most required. The thermal performance of shear walls can vary according to the type, properties and thickness of the wood and insulation materials used in their production. This study, it was aimed to compare the thermal performances of plywood shear walls produced with different thermal insulation materials. For this aim, the archetype walls with properties similar to commonly used plywood shear walls were designed and produced for each thermal insulation material type and wood specie. The shear wall groups were formed by using Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), black pine (Pinus nigra) and spruce (Picea orientalis) as wood species and cellulose, flax, felt, XPS, EPS, sheep’s, rock and glass wool as thermal insulation materials. The thermal conductivity of the shear wall groups was determined according to the standard. Thermal resistance and other thermal performance parameters were calculated using the thermal conductivity values. As a result of the study, rock wool was the best thermal insulation material among the Scots pine shear wall groups while glass wool was the best thermal insulation material among the black pine and spruce shear wall groups. The shear walls produced with EPS foam boards indicated the worst thermal performance among all groups.