Large-diameter logs (>600 mm)
High-value timber requiring precise veneer thickness (e.g., Okoume, Keruing, Pine)
Thin and high-precision veneers where minimal material waste is critical（thickness tolerance is less than 0.05mm)
Wood species with high density that require stable peeling
During the peeling process of the spindle veneer lathe, both ends of the wood log are firmly clamped by the spindle shafts, ensuring that the log remains stable without slipping or vibration.
The center position of the log is precisely determined before peeling and remains unchanged throughout the entire process.
Peeling is carried out around this fixed central axis, and the height of the log’s center always matches the knife carriage.
The thickness of the veneer is determined by the feeding speed of the knife carriage.
Since the log’s center is fixed, the only variable is the feed rate of the knife carriage, which is precisely controlled by a servo motor and synchronized with the spindle rotation speed.
This ensures that the peeled veneer has uniform thickness and minimal tolerance.
Standard spindle veneer lathe: Thickness tolerance within ±0.05 mm
High-precision servo-controlled model: Thickness tolerance within ±0.03 mm or less
Both the knife carriage feed motor and spindle motors use servo synchronization, ensuring excellent peeling accuracy and stability.
Softwood: 50–80 m/min
Hardwood: 30–60 m/min
Reason:
Hardwood has higher density and greater cutting resistance.
If the peeling speed is too fast, it may cause spindle vibration and knife instability, resulting in veneer surface waves, fuzz, or uneven thickness.
| Veneer Thickness (mm) | Recommended Speed (m/min) |
|---|---|
| 0.3–0.6 | 60–90 |
| 0.8–1.5 | 80–120 |
| ≥2.0 | 40–70 |
Reason:
Thicker veneer means greater cutting resistance.
If peeling speed is too high, it may lead to spindle vibration and knife instability, affecting veneer flatness and thickness accuracy.
A spindle veneer lathe is equipped with dual spindles at both ends of the log.
It requires high-precision main spindles, bearings, and chucks to ensure rotation stability — these are the most critical parts of the machine.
Each component must be made with high-quality materials and precision assembly.
The main spindle system has an extremely low concentricity error (within 0.02 mm).
The spindle–bearing fit is precise to reduce vibration, and the manufacturing and assembly requirements are much higher than those of spindleless machines.
The spindle drive system usually adopts servo motors and encoder closed-loop control, ensuring the knife feed and spindle rotation remain synchronized — a more complex and costly control system.
Logs with Diameter > 600 mm
Spindle veneer lathes fix the log with a central spindle, ensuring stable rotation.
Even if the log diameter exceeds 600 mm, the machine does not require adjustment.
In contrast, spindleless lathes rely on rollers and the knife carriage to drive the log; larger logs require larger machine sizes, limiting their capacity for big-diameter wood.
High-Value Timber, High Precision Requirement
For expensive timber such as Okoume, Keruing, or Pine, where veneer thickness accuracy is critical, a spindle lathe is ideal.
The stable rotation around a fixed center ensures uniform veneer thickness and minimum waste, maximizing yield from valuable logs.
Thin, High-Value Veneer with High Accuracy Requirement
When veneer is thin and valuable and production volume is moderate, a spindle lathe is the best choice.
The stable clamping system ensures consistent thickness, smooth surface, and minimal material loss, meeting the strict requirements of high-end veneer production.
Hi, I’m Luna, Head of Sales at Guoyu. My team and I would be delighted to learn more about your specific requirements and support your plywood production.
*We respect your confidentiality and all information are protected.
I’m Leo, the head of sales team at E-abel. Me and my team would be happy to meet you and learn all about your business, requirements and expectations.
*We respect your confidentiality and all information are protected.
lunamachines@outlook.com
Yitang Industrial Zone, Lanshan District, Linyi City, Shandong Province, China
*We respect your confidentiality and all information are protected.
Hi, I’m Luna, Head of Sales at Guoyu. My team and I would be delighted to learn more about your specific requirements and support your plywood production.
