Wood processing is an
engineering
Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...
discipline in the
wood industry comprising the production of
forest products, such as
pulp and paper,
construction materials, and
tall oil.
Paper engineering is a subfield of wood processing.
The major
wood product categories are: sawn
timber
Lumber is wood that has been processed into uniform and useful sizes (dimensional lumber), including beams and planks or boards. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, window frames). ...
, wood-based
panels,
wood chips, paper and paper products and miscellaneous others including poles and
railway sleepers.
Forest product processing technologies have undergone extraordinary advances in some of the above categories. Improvements have been achieved in recovery rates,
durability and protection, greater utilization of
NTFPs such as various grain
stalks and
bamboo, and the development of new products such as reconstituted wood-panels. Progress has not been homogeneous in all the forest product utilization categories. Although there is little information available on the subjects of technology acquisition, adaptation and innovation for the forest-based industrial sector, it is clear that
sawmill
A sawmill (saw mill, saw-mill) or lumber mill is a facility where logging, logs are cut into lumber. Modern sawmills use a motorized saw to cut logs lengthwise to make long pieces, and crosswise to length depending on standard or custom sizes ...
ing has been far less affected by the spread of innovations than the manufacturing of panel products.
See also
*
Engineered wood
*
Wood product
*
Wood flooring
References
Wood
{{Forestry-stub