Ripping and planing characteristics of some exotic bamboo species grown in Ghana

Abstract

 In this study, the machining characteristics of eight exotic bamboo species extracted from Daboase, Kusi near Kade and Amantia in southern Ghana were assessed. The bamboo species include Dendrocalamus latiflorus, Bambusa bambos, Guadua angustifolia, Guadua chacoensis, Dendrocalamus brandisii, Bambusa vulgaris var. vittata, Bambusa vulgaris (from plantation) and Bambusa vulgaris (from natural forest). These were cross-cut into the butt and top portions. All the samples for the six planing operations were planed at 20 and 30 cutting angles and at 6, 9 and14 m/min feed speeds. These were evaluated and graded in accordance with ASTM D 1666-87. The results indicate that the ease of ripping was better with the top samples than the butt and ripped surfaces were generally smooth. Ripping of Bambusa vulgaris from the natural was relatively difficult than the other samples. The surface planing quality was better with the butt samples from the three localities than the top portion. Bambusa vulgaris from the natural forest recorded the highest percentage surface quality for each planing condition There were no statistically significant differences between 20 and 30 cutting angles (P≥0.05) Data on ripping and planing of the selected bamboo species that have been generated can form the basis for more comprehensive research on the machining properties of bamboo species in Ghana.