Purpose, design and self-assembly of a cylindrical machine

Houses, cottages, log houses, bathhouses made of rounded wood are always popular. High-quality wood processing is carried out on special machines that make it possible to obtain a log of the same diameter along the entire length.

The latest models of rounding machines perform a number of other functions, but for simple operations you can make such a unit with your own hands.

Functions

The main function that any rounding machine has is the processing of logs as a body of revolution by milling. But to assemble a log house, simply cylindrical blanks are not enough. And in this case, additional equipment capabilities will come to the rescue:

• excavation of grooves to form various locking connections;
• production of parquet dies, timber;
• sawing of linear products;
• sawing timber into carriages and then into edged boards;
• all stages of log rounding, from roughing to final;
• removal of mounting bowls and compensation grooves.

In this case, the log itself is not reinstalled, but cutters and individual components are changed during the work. The result is parts with a wide range of diameters. The limitation concerns the length of the processed logs: the sleds are designed for seven-meter workpieces. A skillful combination of cutters and working techniques allows you to produce complex wooden structures.

Where to start producing log rounding

A log rounding workshop can be located in a production room, a hangar, or even just under a canopy. The equipment must be protected from the sun and precipitation. Wood blanks and the final products themselves are quite larger in size. The equipment for working with them is also impressive in size. This must be taken into account when choosing premises for production.

The workshop is subject to fire safety requirements. Floors and walls are finished with fireproof materials. The drying chamber is usually installed in a separate room. Blanks and finished products are stored separately. In addition, it is necessary to arrange office space for the administration.

Depending on the volume of production, you need to calculate the required number of workers. In one shift, 3-4 people can handle the rounding of logs at the site. From the administration you will need a director, an accountant and a sales manager.

Device

The installation has several main components. The bed is made in the form of a metal frame. It can have a rigid welded connection in the form of a rectangular pipe or a mobile connection of individual metal elements using bolts and nuts. It is the basis for fastening all structural elements.

The rounding machine contains guides along which the sawing tool moves. They usually form a single structure with a metal frame. In certain types of installations, the log moves along guides.

There may be one or two (front and back) headstocks. Their purpose is to secure and twist the log. On the headstock in some models of machines there is a dividing head, which serves to set a certain angle of rotation for different stages of processing.

The unit for fastening tools and moving mechanisms is a caliper.

The main purpose of the cutter is to fasten the cutting tool. It also provides reduced vibration, increased accuracy of operations and ease of entry into the workpiece. There are shaped and universal cutters.

The knives of the rounding machine are made of high grade steel. The cutting tool is attached to the cutter so that it can be easily replaced or removed for sharpening.

In addition, additional elements are installed. These are levers that make it easy to install the workpiece on the frame, and stop rollers that prevent it from sagging. There are also brakes and a carriage lock. They are used in machines with the function of removing the crown bowl and are installed at the end of the carriage. To excavate a longitudinal groove, a log rotation regulator is used.

Modern manufacturers of woodworking equipment equip such rounding machines with automated computer-controlled modules.

Features of modern industrial models

The main feature of machine models produced by well-known manufacturers today is the use of a laser pointer to control the movement of the carriage. This point determines high processing accuracy and the ability to carry out the entire process without reinstalling the workpiece. Thus, a CNC-controlled carriage with a set of tools moves along guides and performs various types of operations.

Log rounding machine

As practice shows, you can make a model with your own hands that will have manual control and the ability to process workpieces up to 7 meters long.

Classification

Experts propose to classify rounding machines according to five parameters:

• type of mechanism;
• the method of moving the log;
• level of automation;
• drive power type;
• diameter of the workpiece used (minimum – 80 m, maximum – 500 m).

Two types of mechanisms are used in installations. The first is a pass-through (rotary) one, which allows you to continuously move the wood through the cutter. The second is cyclic (turning), in which processing is performed by repeating a cycle of actions.

If cyclic actions are performed by a cutting tool, the machine is classified as a cyclo-pass type, and if a log moves, it is classified as a cyclo-positional type. In the mechanisms, logs have the ability to both rotate and move rectilinearly along the guides.

Types of machines

The cost of a rounding machine is based on the power of the device and the availability of additional options to increase the speed and comfort of work. In the simplest equipment modifications, the workpiece is moved manually, but usually a motor drive is installed for this purpose. The carriage speed can reach up to 14 m/sec. Rounding the workpiece in different models takes from 10 to 15 minutes, and when completely processing a log, the time required is about half an hour. Properly organized operation of the machine ensures a finished product output of 100 linear meters per shift.

The equipment has significant power and weight, therefore, before buying a rounding machine, you should make sure that you have a 380-volt power supply and prepare a level area with a concrete base that will compensate for vibration and reduce the noise of the unit during operation. The performance of the device is determined by the modification that allows the number of working operations to be performed and the quality of the wood processed.

Recommendations before purchasing

For the chosen level of productivity, it is important to consider the degree of automation of the rounding machine.

In mechanized models, the operator loads and unloads logs, configures and adjusts the mechanisms. He also monitors the quality of work performed at all stages of operations.

In automated rounding machines, the specialist servicing it is assigned the role of process controller.

In semi-automated installations, the master joins the process after the machine has completed one cycle of operations.

Note! To create optimal and uninterrupted operating conditions, it is important to select the appropriate type of drive power supply.

Electric can work without interruption, provided that the power lines are reliable or there is an additional power generator. Gasoline requires constant refueling, but does not depend on external factors.

But the main choice is between pass-through and loop types. The pass-through will provide high productivity, sometimes at the expense of the quality of processing. Most models of such machines do not have the ability to make the surface of the log smooth, without burrs and roughness. Cyclic installations work much slower, but at the same time they have a number of advantages:

• provide very high quality processing;
• perform the entire set of operations;
• have compact dimensions;
• The design is stable and easy to maintain.

In addition to all of the above, price, equipment manufacturer and required processing quality play an important role.

Preparation of necessary documents

If you plan to cooperate with government agencies, large woodworking companies or foreign companies, then it is better to issue LLC documents.
In addition, a legal entity is the only option if several founders are involved in the business or you are afraid that the company will go bankrupt (the founders of an LLC do not risk their personal property in such situations). Entrepreneurs who plan to sell products to individuals or small firms can save on registration by completing individual entrepreneur documents. But, regardless of the organizational and legal form of your business, you must choose OKVED codes that correspond to your activity. In this case, the following are suitable:

• OKVED 20.30 (production of wooden carpentry and building structures).
• OKVED 20.10.1 (production of lumber whose thickness is more than 6 mm).

In addition, you need to fill out paperwork with Rospotrebnadzor and the fire inspectorate, and also receive a quality certificate confirming that your product meets established standards. No more permits or licenses are required.

Offers for professional work

On the woodworking equipment market there are offers of any price category and for different technical needs. The most popular models are “Sherwood”, “Termite”, “Cedar”, “Taiga”, “Terem” with a full range of functions.

Technical characteristics are presented in the table.

How much profit does a company specializing in log rounding make?

Monthly expenses for a woodworking shop include:

• Rent (industrial premises and office).
• Staff salaries.
• Public utilities.
• Raw materials and consumables.
• Transport costs.
• Electricity.
• Advertising.
• Depreciation.
• Taxes.
• Administrative expenses.

An enterprise that processes 250-300 m3 per month spends 25 thousand dollars on all of the above purposes. At the same time, its monthly revenue is 30-34 thousand dollars, which means profit before tax is 5-9 thousand, and after settlements with by the state - 4-7.5 thousand dollars.