Every log consists of two parts. The dark color “heartwood” is the inner part of a tree. “Sapwood” is the outer part of the tree and it normally looks lighter in color.
Cutting a tree in different methods you can get different looking veneers. The appearance is also affected by the matching method.
Table of Content
Veneer Cuts
Rotary Slicing
Rotary cuts make the most of a log by cutting in a spiral. These cuts are less expensive to use as they vary in patterns.
Plywood core veneers are rotary sliced. Commerical plywood veneers such as Okoume, Bintangor, Pencil Cedar, Birch are rotary cut veneers.
Plain Slicing
The half log is mounted against the flitch table of the slicer. The slicing is done parallel to a line through the center of the log. Plain slicing produces a distinctive figure.
This methods are used to produce decorative plywood veneers such as oak, black walnut, burma teak, etc.
Rift Cut
A cut angle of 15 degrees to the radius of the flitch (half log). This method is used to reduce the ray flake effect in oak.
Quarter Slicing
QS cutting method creates a series of straight stripes. A flake pattern is produced when slicing through medullary rays in some species, especially oak. Most species produce the same looking as a rift cut veneer.
Veneer Matching
There are three matching methods used in our plywood production factory in China.
Whole Piece
One single piece of veneer is laminated on the plywood. With continuous grain characteristics running across the sheet.
Book Match
Every piece of adjacent veneer is turned over, resulting in identical but opposing patterns. Just like the opposite pages of a book.
Random Match / Mix Match
Veneers intentionally do not match at the joints, providing a casual and natural effect.