Industrial Technology

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NEW AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN TIMBER PRODUCTS & FURNISHING INDUSTRIES

This unit addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:

A student:

H7.2 analyses the impact of existing, new and emerging technologies of the focus industry on society and the environment

Source: Stage 6 Syllabus, Industrial Technology, NSW Board of Studies

Introduction

The study of any of the Focus areas in Industrial Technology will require students to consider the impact of a range of new production techniques, equipment, and materials on that technology.

But what are the new production techniques, equipment, and materials that are emerging in the 21st century?

Many new technologies are constantly being introduced across a wide range of applications. At the same time, numerous applications are still in the development stage and these will become commonplace in our lifetime.

The information available on the internet on emerging technologies is vast and impossible to cover here. However, by learning about some of the most recent developments we can start to appreciate the influence of these new materials, equipment, techniques and production methods on the timber products and furniture industries.

New production equipment

Timber products and furniture manufacturing in Australia is a thriving industry, with over $2 billion worth of exports yearly. Timber furniture makes up around 4.5% of all manufacturing employment in Australia, and there are more than 3,000 manufacturers in the industry. This industry is responsible for the production and assembly of all types of timber furniture, including office and outdoor furniture, and upholstered seats. This industry also manufactures and packages disassembled (flat pack) furniture for domestic assembly.

Contemporary Australian furniture is made from a wide variety of timbers, including, cedar, redwood, and jarrah. In addition, pine and other inexpensive timbers are used for other parts, such as those that are hidden from view.

A range of manufacturing processes takes place in the production of timber furniture and upholstered seating. Highly developed woodworking skills are required in order to cut, shape and finish timber furniture. Upholstery involves the fitting of padding, springs and webbing to seats and can incorporate specific methods of trimming and fitting.

There are career opportunities to work in a number of different styles, specialising in the design, fabrication or fitting of particular types or models. Australian timber furniture is world renowned for the quality, not only of the materials, but also the manufacturing processes. For this reason, the industry is able to supply top-quality timber furniture to both local and international markets.

Case study
The National Educational Trust of the Australian Forest Products Industries

Gottstein

Visit the website http://www.gottsteintrust.org/media/PAshley.pdf (external website) and answer the following questions

The major furniture manufacturing sectors in Australia are timber, lounge-suite, metal, project, flat-panel and mattress. CNC woodworking machinery is used in the timber, lounge-suite, project and flat-panel sectors. Stairs, doors, windows and other joinery products are also manufactured with CNC machinery.

The use of CNC machinery in the flat-panel sector is reasonably well advanced. In addition, the production of components using flat-panel construction is a (generally) much simpler process than solid wood based manufacturing. Flat panels (manufactured board) require only edge treatments, borings for proprietary mechanical fasteners, and small amounts of routing using mainly straight tools.

The focus of this report is based more on solid timber and this includes manufacture of bedroom, lounge-suite, dining room and other occasional furniture, doors, stairs, windows and joinery manufactured primarily from solid timbers.

CNC woodworking machinery is available in many forms. Solid timber machines include edge -profiling machines such as tenoners, moulding machines and CNC window production lines, and CNC profiling machines such as “point to point” and “routing” machines. Profiling machinery is generally used in the solid timber furniture, stair making, window, and joinery and door sector. In Australia the most used CNC profiling machine is the CNC “point to point” machine, or processing centre and this was the principal machine considered in this study.”

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Activity 1
Technology and the Australian Furniture Industry

Describe the situation surrounding the use of technology in the Australian furniture industry in relation to worldwide trends. [Refer p11.]

Answer

Activity 2
Discuss this statement.

“CNC machinery has changed little over the last ten years. The most significant change is in the software.” Refer p45.

Answer

Activity 3
Identify the high-technology production issues that affect the Australian Furniture Industry. Refer p12

Answer

Activity 4
Recommendations for CNC manufacture
Identify some key Recommendations for CNC manufacture in Australia. [Refer p8]

  1. ______________________________________________________________________________
  2. ______________________________________________________________________________
  3. ______________________________________________________________________________
  4. ______________________________________________________________________________
  5. ______________________________________________________________________________
  6. ______________________________________________________________________________
  7. ______________________________________________________________________________
  8. ______________________________________________________________________________
  9. ______________________________________________________________________________
  10. ______________________________________________________________________________
  11. ______________________________________________________________________________
  12. ______________________________________________________________________________
  13. ______________________________________________________________________________
  14. ______________________________________________________________________________
  15. ______________________________________________________________________________

Answer

Further References

New Techniques
An area which has caused some concern within the timber and furniture industry is the use of chemicals and solvents for timber processing and finishing.

In recent years, however, the installation of new technology has eliminated the use of solvents and thinners in applying stains and lacquers on to wood panels used in furniture production. The new technology has reduced dissipation of solvents and thinners into the atmosphere with additional benefits being resultant savings and materials.

Also evident is the improved quality of timber products as well as an increase in production efficiency. The new technology has enabled the industry to 'catch up' with emerging overseas competitors and it has provided opportunities for the development of export markets.

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South Australian Case Study: Business Profile

Coating Australia Pty. Ltd. was established in the late 1990s to increase competitiveness and improve business practices in the furniture industry in South Australia. The business is focussing on assembling and polishing furniture made from solid timber, timber veneer and particle board.

Activity 5
Visit the website below then answer the questions:

http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/cp_coating.html (external website)

Given that the South Australia furniture industry uses approx 1.2 ML of paint and solvent per annum, identify the problems associated with using the “traditional approach” in furniture finishing in each of the areas listed below:

Answer

Activity 6
Benefits recommended and implemented – resulting improvements
Identify the equipment which was installed to achieve the benefits which resulted.

Technology and Equipment installed: _______________________________________

Describe the improvements made in each of the areas listed below:

  1. Environmental
    1. Air quality
    2. Storage, usage and handling chemicals

  2. Economic
    1. Investment
    2. Operational and maintenance costs

  3. Productivity
    1. Savings, outcomes
    2. Payback period

  4. OHS

Answer

Activity 7
Process Flow Diagram
Draw flowcharts which compare and contrast the “traditional approach” and new method.

Answer

Activity 8
New Materials
The furniture industry in Australia prides itself on the use of Australian made sustainable resources within the Australian furniture manufacturing industry.

There are many benefits to using locally produced materials but in particular it is the quality and environmental benefits of Australian materials that rival overseas product.

Visit the website and answer the questions below:

http://www.australianfurniture.com.au/ausmadeindustry.aspx?pageID=sb1 (external website)

Identify the primary reasons why timber compares favourably to other materials:

  1. ________________________________________________________________________________
  2. ________________________________________________________________________________
  3. ________________________________________________________________________________
  4. ________________________________________________________________________________

Answer

Activity 9
As an allied material, foam is used extensively in the manufacture of Australian furniture products. Identify FIVE main reasons why the use of foam purchased in Australia is now widely adopted

  1. ________________________________________________________________________________
  2. ________________________________________________________________________________
  3. ________________________________________________________________________________
  4. ________________________________________________________________________________
  5. ________________________________________________________________________________

Answer

Wood-based Composite Building Materials

The shortage of high-quality timbers has led to a rapid increase in the cost of larger formats of timbers. Globally, large and old trees are becoming increasingly scarce to the point of being endangered - particularly some of the favoured rainforest species.
In order to avoid logging these rare tree types to extinction, there are various new glued-wood products which are being used for furniture production. There are various composite and reconstituted timber boards which have become available such as plywoods and hardboards.

The conversion-rate from tree to useful material can be 80 to 90 percent for these composite products, compared with only about 40 percent for solid timber. The look of solid timber can be attained through the use of plantation-timber veneers.

Visit the website and answer the questions below:

http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/good_wood/wb_compos.htm (external website)

'Bioboard'

European chipboard makers have for some time been attempting to produce a “Bio-board”. Manufacturers are aiming to deliver a board which belies chipboard's traditional "groggy" image, consistent with high formaldehyde glue values.

Activity 10
Identify the three basic conditions which European and Australian manufacturers hope to accomplish in order to improve their products' quality and environmental-friendliness:

  1. _____________________________________________________________________________
  2. _____________________________________________________________________________
  3. _____________________________________________________________________________

Identify the other benefits which would result:

This would produce a product with ………………………………………………………

Answer

Activity 11
Composite Products
Composite timber products have many advantages over various ordinary timbers.

Identify and list these advantages:

  1. _______________________________________________________________________________
  2. _______________________________________________________________________________
  3. _______________________________________________________________________________
  4. _______________________________________________________________________________

Identify and list one disadvantage of composite products

  1. _______________________________________________________________________________

Answer

Activity 12
Glue-laminated Timber
Other composite materials have been developed which utilise laminating technology.

Glulam

Describe how Glulam is made, identify where this product is best used and compare its strength properties to solid timber.

Answer

Activity 13
Valwood
Describe where Valwood was developed then identify its base material and an advantage of its method of manufacture.

Answer

Activity 14
New Materials – Traditional materials.
“The environment in which we live and work influences our mood, our sense of well-being and our performance. It is a basic human need to shape our surroundings. Wood creates a pleasant, natural ambience, with different species each offering their own unique characteristics for enhancing our living and working environments.”

Visit the website, download the PDF file and answer the questions below.

http://www.germantimber.com/media/downloads/germantimber-hardwood_en.pdf (external website)

Beech – a heavy-duty wood. It is tough, durable and resistant to abrasion and, while it is not a “new” material, there are new manufacturing techniques which make it ideal for use in modern furniture production.

Activity 15
Identify and list those properties which make beech an ideal wood for furniture production and interior finishing. Identify typical areas of use.

Answer

Activity 16
Beech is the most commonly used wood in chair manufacturing.

Identify the range of applications beech is used for in chair making.

Answer

Activity 17
Identify and describe these techniques with specific reference to DRYING and STEAMING.

Answer

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