Rotary cutting for the valorisation of small-dimensions walnut assortments

The poster illustrates the outcome of a feasibility study on a potential and non traditional industrial use of walnut logs (Juglans regia L.) of small-diameter. The analysis was motivated by the presence of a large number of new plantations of hardwood species (in particular, walnut and cherry), of medium-long rotation, that have been set up in Italy in the past 15 years, in the framework of regional forest policies. Specifically, the work provides preliminary indications in the aim of finding, through the manufacturing of products with greater added value, a more economical use of timber coming from the thinning of the above stands in comparison to that of biomass for energy production. Today, these assortments do not record remunerative market outlets, since their size and quality are not suitable for processing that would lead to the realisation of wooden elements adequate for the decorative and furniture sectors. The above timber, in fact, is characterised by a number of critical factors, particularly a small diameter, irregular shape and other defects that compromise their final destination. An innovative aspect of the work is the promotion of peeling as a mean for manufacturing a selected sample of bolts in order to obtain veneered-based material suitable for further processing. The results confirmed, with the fabrication of a modern model of chair, the potential uses of the examined wood resource in this industrial sector. Moreover, the object realized is an example of how the combination of material and design can suggest new interesting prospects for the valorisation of small walnut timber which at the moment is not enough appreciated and is recording some marketing problems