Select Veneers: The UK's leading supplier of natural wood veneers
Our production processes have been developed over many years with a continual programme of investment in new technology to ensure our veneers offer outstanding quality. Quick links: Veneer Production | Slicing Methods | Layons | Matching |Inlays | Pressing Veneer Production Producing veneer is the most effective way of developing high quality, genuine wood facing materials. It is both economical and environmentally sustainable. Using the latest production technology maximises the output of veneer allowing between 800 and 1,000 square meters of veneer to be produced from one cubic metre of lumber. No other timber process gives such a high yield. Preparation of Logs The process starts with the selction of the veneer log. How the log is used depends upon the following factors Straightness Heart and tension cracking Visible faults (knots, pin-knots, decay) Dimension Colour Texture Shape Our quality standards dictate a veneer surface should be free of defects, uniformly coloured and evenly textured. This requires a great deal of experience and knowledge to ensure optimal conversion from log to veneer. After debarking the veneer log is cut on the band saw to produce flitches.   Cooking The next step in the production process is the cooking of these flitches. Exceptions are species such as Sycamore or White Beech for example where light or white colouring is desired. Two effects are achieved by cooking in hot water: The wood is given the necessary suppleness to ensure smooth slicing and perfect quality in production. The colour of the produced veneer is influenced by the cooking time. For example, the colour of original white beech is changed by cooking to a pink or salmon-like colour. Depending upon the species of wood and colour demands, cooking periods vary from one day to one week. A different temperature profile is given for the various species of wood for the cooking period. This profile has to be kept precisely to avoid colour defects. Since the quality of the water (hardness, chemical composition) plays a considerable role in the course of the cooking operation, each veneer manufacturer has developed their own time and temperature values. Slicing There are various methods of slicing which give different surface effects to the veneer and this is taken into consideration in processing the log. For the actual slicing operation the flitches are planed on one or both sides to ensure that the flitch lies perfectly flat on the slicing bed. There are two types of veneer slicing machines: Slicing machine, horizontal or vertical. Peeling machine, rotary cutting, eccentric peeling or stay-log. Different results are achieved depending on the machine and slicing method used. Exact knife and pressure bar settings are very important for the quality of the slicing.     Flat Cut A veneer slicing technique where ...     Quarter Cut A veneer slicing technique where ...     True Quarter Cut The cutting of the log into four quarters. In the case of Oak this gives a higher portion of veneers with fine flakes. However, the yield is generally smaller than when converting in other ways.     Curl Curl veneer figuring sometimes termed "crotch" is manufactured from the intersection of the limb or branch with the main trunk.     Rotary Cut step in the production process is the coo colouring is desired. Two effects are     Rift Cut Quartered fliches which are sliced on the knife in a normal way ...     Possible slicing defects include: Scratches: These occur as a result of fine knots (for example, in Sycamore), contamination in or on the trunk (grains of sand, little stones) or ingrown metal in the wood (nails etc.). These will chip the cutting edge of the knife and thus cause scratch marks in the veneer leaf. Such chips are either ground out by using a sandstone or the knife will have to be changed depending on the depth of the chip. Deviating thicknesses: These occur as a result of the log being clamped wrongly in the machine or wrong setting of the pressure bar. Another cause is the flitch not lying perfectly on the slicing bed. Chatter marks: Regular ribs of different thickness which run across part of the veneer sheet. The causes are the same as those which can cause deviating thicknesses. Drying In a modern veneer plant the still moist veneer leaves are dried in the jet drier which also has a flattening effect. Bundles of 24 or 32 sheets each are taken out of the drier to facilitate handling in the warehouse later on. Each wood specie has a different drying program with regards to belt speed and temperature. Veneer of too dry consistency is brittle and no longer workable. On the other hand veneers which are too moist can become mouldy and usable. A final moisture content of approx. 10-14% is considered to be the optimum value as a result of correct drying. Veneers tend to buckle after drying due to the different densities given in the veneer leaf. Press driers are used which both presses and dries the veneer. However, this is only suitable for slightly buckled veneers. Veneers which are severely buckled (as occurs in Beech) have to be pressed again. Clipping Finally, the veneers are clipped on the clipper to get them ready for distribution. Veneer leaves are stored in the sequence of cutting enabling leaves to be selected and matched as required. The bundles are clipped into rectangular dimensions, as much as possible, with each bundle containing 24 or 32 sheets. Grading After the veneers have run through the production process they are graded into different qualities. These grades vary according to length, dimension and quality. Generally a difference is made between: Interior architectural quality Furniture quality Panel quality Door quality Coffin quality Measuring Bundle by bundle the veneers move over photocells on a conveyer belt. These measure the average width of the bundle in centimetres and record the length of each bundle. After this a computer calculates the square metre content of each bundle on account of its length, number of sheets and average width and stores these figures which eventually can be printed out on measurement lists. Further inspection, grading and selection are carried out at our UK factories. At this point the veneers are ready for inspection by our customers and immediate delivery.       Layon Production After careful selection of veneers it is possible for “layons” or sheets of veneer to be produced with specific dimensions. This minimises natural defects in the veneer and enhances the natural features for use in a production environment. Layons are produced by cutting the veneer to width and length using a guillotine and jointing the leaves together to make sheets. The layons are then ready to be used on panels, doors and furniture pieces. The methods of jointing involves edge-gluing the veneers together or stitching the veneers together using a zigzag thread. This allows the veneers to be put together to create desired pattern effects. Matching Veneer leaves are stored in the sequence of cutting, enabling leaves to be selected and matched as required. Each leaf is subtly different but related to the adjacent leaves, so that different forms of matching can be achieved. The gradual variation of grain through the log gives veneers their special quality of subtle variations. Because of the variation, and because the size of leaves is obviously limited by the size of log, the selection and matching of veneers for each job is critical. The art of veneer matching is to make use of the natural repeat of the grain of the wood from leaf to leaf to arrange the leaves or slices of veneer to form a variety of different decorative patterns and effects in keeping with the grain characteristics of the particular species. Book Matching This traditional method of matching is achieved by taking successive leaves of veneer and reversing each alternate leaf so as to bring corresponding opposite edges together in a mirrored effect. This produces a symmetrical balanced pattern of grain and figure. Random Matching Veneers of the same species, but not necessarily from the same log, are deliberately mixed and mismatched to produce an overall grain effect with no particular pattern. Butt or end grain jointing may be introduced in some leaves to add to the planking effect. Mismatching Leaves from one log are deliberately mixed to give a random planking effect whilst maintaining an overall consistent grain and colour. Slid matching Successive leaves are taken from the same stock or flitch of veneer and jointed without turning alternate leaves over as in book matching. This produces a repeat pattern which varies gradually across the panel. This method is usually most effective when straight grain veneers are used. Quarter Matching This is a traditional way of jointing veneers based on the nature of the growth of the tree from which the veneers are cut. A veneered panel is made up from four pieces which are book matched both from side to side and from top to bottom. This method is useful in making up larger panels and when using species where only small leaves are available. It would normally be applied to butts, burrs and curls. Skilful matching ensures that each leaf is subtly different but related to the adjacent leaves so that different forms of matching can be achieved The finished layons are cut to length and taped at the ends to improve handling, finally inspected, packed and delivered to customers The advantages of layons for manufacturers of doors, panels and furniture is in the control and financing of stocks and the improved quality of the finished product. Our layons can usually be supplied on a “just-in-time” basis       Inlay Layon Production Intricate design patterns often involving different species and bandings, are created by jointing veneers together using hand tools and skills gained over many years.     Pressing We offer a further process of pressing veneers onto suitable substrates such as MDF, chipboard, and doors, cut to size. Panels can be lipped or unlipped. A light sanding can be applied afterwards.		Home Page Company Products Veneer Range Production Process Orders/Enquiries Glossary Sustainability Links Contact Us
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