Timber-based materials - AQACommercial processes

A commercial process is a method of manufacturing that takes place in industry. For timber this includes:

• routing - using a router
• turning - using a lathe

Routing

A router can either be hand-held, mounted to a table or even computer controlled. All routers work by rotating a cutting bit at high speed. As the cutting tool passes over or along the edge of the timber, a cut or profiled shape is made. Routers can plunge into a material to cut holes. They can follow jigs or patterns, for example kitchen fitters might follow a pattern to join worktops together.

A hand-held router is either plunged down onto the timber or moved along an edge. A table router is fixed upside down so that the cutter protrudes from the table top. Both types of router produce the same effect. A computer controlled router, or computer numerical controlled (CNC) router, works by following a cutting path that has been designed on a computer. The material to be cut is fixed to a cutting bed so that the router is the only part that moves.

Turning

A lathe works by spinning a piece of timber at speed. While the timber is turning, a wood-turning tool is pushed into the timber to change its shape. Some timber can be held in place by compressing it from end to end. This would allow a spindle or cylinder to be shaped. Another way to hold the timber in place is to screw it to a faceplate - the timber then spins on the lathe, and this would allow a bowl to be turned.