Ace Co English Catalog

www.aceco.
com
Wood Tooling Catalog
& Technical Manual
www.aceco.com
AceCo Precision Manufacturing
Order / Technical Service
Toll Free: 1-800-359-7012
Phone: 208-343-7712
Fax: 208-345-0740
e-mail: woodtool@aceco.com
website: www.aceco.com
Copyright 2002 by AceCo Precision Manufacturing
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction
in whole or in part in any form without notice.
Printed in U.S.A.
Published by AceCo Precision Manufacturing
4419 Federal Way Boise, Idaho USA 83716
ORDERING INFORMATION:
F.O.B. Point All shipments are F.O.B. Boise, Idaho USA unless quoted otherwise.
Terms of Payment Net 30 days. A service charge of 1.5% per month
(18% per annum) will apply on the unpaid amount
of any accounts 30 days past due.
Discounts Quantity discounts are available upon request.
Prices Prices are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change without notice.
Specifications Product specifications are subject to change without notice.
Delivery AceCo maintains an inventory level on many items displayed in this
catalog. Contact the factory for a delivery date on custom tooling
and high volume requirements.
www.aceco.com
Moulder Heads 17 - 18
Shear Cut Moulder Heads 19
Planer Heads 20 - 21
Moulder & Planer Accessories 22 - 23
Tenon Heads 24
Custom Tooling 24
Hydraulic Cartridges 25 - 26
Hydraulic Saw Collars 26
Information 1
Quality 3
Product Preview 4
Types of Finger Joints 5
Finger Joint Cutters (HSS) 6 - 7
Specialty Finger Joint Cutters 8
Finger Joint Heads 9 - 10
Head Maintenance Program 11
Finger Joint Accessories 11 - 14
Hydraulic Tooling 62 - 63
Balance 64
Precision Centering 65
Conversion Chart 66
C40 Finger Joint Cutters 15
C40 System 16
Cutter Stack Dimensioning 27
Cutting Conditions 28
Knife Marks per Inch 29
Chip Load 30
Material Removal Rate 31 - 32
Tooling Maintenance:
Preparing a Finger Joint Head 33 - 36
Aligning a Grinding Machine 37 - 38
Sharpening Cutter Heads 39 - 42
Joint Length Adjustment 43
Troubleshooting 44 - 48
Tear-out 49
Trim Saws 50
Rip-out 51
Measuring Joint Length 51
Joint Saving Analysis 52
Spindle Perpendicularity 53
Tilted Head Syndrome 54
FJ Tooling Comparison 55
Knife Marks Per Inch 56
Geometry of Angles 57
Surface Finish 58
Cutting Angles 59
Jointing 60
Gib Screw Tightening 60
Shear Head Resharpening 61
www.aceco.com
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
AceCo is driven by a dedication to quality in every aspect of our business, from further
educating our skilled work force to investing in the most advanced tools and CNC
(computer numerical control) machines. This dedication to quality results in AceCo
tooling that will save you maintenance time and replacement tooling money.
All AceCo tooling is made from only the highest grades of hardened alloy steel in
order to handle the daily abuse of an industrial millwork operation. It would be
cheaper and easier to use softer materials, cast or injection molded tools like
many other manufacturers, but we decided long ago never to compromise our
quality. As a result, our tooling lasts longer and performs better.
PRECISION MACHINING AND BALANCING
AceCo has invested heavily in advanced CNC milling, turning, and grinding
machinery that allows us to achieve accurate repeatability and precise
tolerances of .0001 of an inch (.0025mm).
The FINITE FINISH on our cutters improves flatness beyond industry tolerances,
yielding better cutter compression for more consistent and accurate wood joints.
All of this adds up to an unmatched ability to provide the highest quality tooling available
for your woodworking needs.
Every AceCo cutter head is dynamically balanced to ISO
Grade 1.0, far exceeding industry standards, for
performance. This precision balancing improves wood surface finish, extends cutter life,
and reduces vibration, noise, and bearing wear.
INSPECTION, SPC & TRACEABILITY
Advanced inspection methods and Statistical Process Control (SPC) procedures
insure that we produce only the very best tooling. SPC procedures control compli-
cated manufacturing processes and help effectively manage our production proce-
dures. Documented standard operating procedures assure consistent parts every
time. Traceability of all AceCo products includes information about the raw material
vendor and chemistry, sampling, heat treatment reports, machinists that worked on
the specific parts, and documented measurement reports. The last step in the finish
process is to stencil the parts with a serial number that allows the complete history of the
part to be revisited.
WORLD CLASS SERVICE & SUPPORT
High quality goes beyond our fine tooling. We pride ourselves on unmatched customer
service and superior technical support. We meet your specific requirements with quick
response and express delivery. Our engineering department can resolve many of your
production and product quality problems. From common joint remedies to ways of
increasing production, AceCo has the answers to help your operation succeed.
OUR GUARANTEE
All of our products are guaranteed against defects in material and workmanship under
normal use and service for a period of one year from the date of purchase. AceCo Precision
Manufacturing also guarantees our products to meet standards and tolerances as noted or
specified per customer order. This warranty applies to all AceCo products when used in a
normal industrial environment. Any tampering, misuse, or neglect will make this warranty
null and void. AceCos liability under this warranty is limited to repair of the product and/or
replacement of parts and is given to purchasers in lieu of all other remedies, including
incidental and consequential damages. There are no express warranties other than those
specified herein. There are no warranties that extend beyond the description on the face
hereof. No warranties, including but not limited to warranty of merchantability, shall be
implied. AceCo will obligate itself only for normal freight charges in cases of prepaid
warranty shipments; special freight rates are not included.
www.aceco.com
Ace-Loc Hydraulic
Straight Bore
Corrugated
Flatback
Custom
Ace-Loc Hydraulic
Straight Bore
Corrugated
Flatback
Custom
Ace-Loc Hydraulic
Straight Bore
L and LV Styles
Side Heads
Taper Bore
Custom
Finite Finish
M2 HS Steel
Solid Carbide
Micro-Joints
Structural
Custom
C40 Plate Cutters
Finite Finish
M2 HS Steel
Ace-Loc Hydraulic
Ace-Loc Hydraulic
Collet Style
Class II
Custom
Ace-Loc Hydraulic
Welded
Type A
Type B
Custom
Tenon Heads
Expandable Arbors
Hydraulics
Specialty Cartridges
www.aceco.com
USES OF FINGER JOINTING
Structural
Because of their exceptional
strength, finger joints are utilized
in a multitude of load bearing
applications including laminated
beams, I-beams, and a variety of
other structural components.
Sub-Structural
Typical applications for finger
jointed sub-structural lumber
include pallets, dimensional
construction lumber (i.e. 2x4, 4x4,
etc.), overhead door parts and
furniture.
Non-Structural
Non-structural finger jointed
products consist of door and
window mouldings, doorjambs,
cores, casings, interior trims, and
shelving material. These operations
benefit from the recovery of scrap
lumber and from the upgraded
clear lumber produced.
Specialty
Finger jointing keeps growing in
the specialty wood products market
as hundreds of specialty manufac-
turers realize the great financial
returns possible from finger
jointing. Specialty finger jointed
products include curtain rods, tooth
pick and pencil stock, cutting
boards, toys, round top windows,
floor material, as well as many
other products.
Vertical
Common in Europe and Asia, verti-
cal finger joints are used in a variety
of wood products - most commonly
in furniture and components.
With the introduction of the C40
finger joint system, AceCo can now
offer a precision vertical tooling
option.
Reverse
Male - Female
Feather
Reverse Resaw
Male - Female Resaw
Vertical
TYPES OF FINGER JOINTS
www.aceco.com
FINITE FINISH
Thickness accuracy and flatness are the key elements that guarantee cutter
stacks will meet finger joint tolerance expectations. Through research and
process evolution, AceCo has developed FINITE FINISH - a process that
achieves new levels of flatness and accuracy far exceeding current industry
standards.
Thickness Accuracy
FINITE FINISH guarantees thickness accuracy tolerances to be held to under
.0001 (one ten thousandth of an inch or .0025mm), which is at least
twice as accurate as other manufacturers cutters. FINITE FINISH elimi-
nates many of the tolerance accumulation problems associated with stacked
cutters and ensures that all cutters follow the
same tracking plane.
Flatness
FINITE FINISH produces cutters so flat they actually adhere to each other. When two AceCo cutter faces
are pressed together with a slight twisting motion, essentially all the air between them is compressed out,
and a vacuum is formed. This physical law can only be obtained with flatness tolerances below .00005
(50 millionths of an inch) (. 0012mm). FINITE FINISH also improves the remaining physical dimensions
of the cutters, because the FINITE FINISH surfaces are used in subsequent processes as critical location
surfaces.
FINITE FINISH cutters compress better, have tighter tolerances, and produce more consistently accurate
wood joints.
FINGER JOINT CUTTERS
AceCo finger joint cutters are the ultimate in quality and
cutting precision. Our cutters are manufactured using
American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) rolled and billet
stock M2 tool steel, hardened and ground to specific
dimensional tolerances of . 0001 of an inch (.0025 mm).
We do not cast or injection mold our cutters. Using
advanced statistical process control and inspection
procedures, our skilled workforce produces the most
uniform, high-quality cutters on the market today.
AceCo maintains a large volume of standard production
cutters that can be shipped overnight if needed. We also
have the capability of producing custom cutters to meet
your specific requirements. Some of the innovations
pioneered by AceCo include micro joints that save lumber,
special cutter treatments that reduce downtime, and our
new C40 Vertical Finger Joint System.
www.aceco.com
FINGER JOINT CUTTERS (HSS) - CUSTOM
AceCo has over 300 finger joint cutters on print. If your finger jointing needs go beyond our standard line of stocked M2 cutters, please
request a quote on custom M2 HSS cutters, carbide cutters, or treated cutters.
FINGER JOINT CUTTERS (HSS) - STANDARD
AceCo Joint Cutter Cutter Cutter Remarks Hook
Part # Length Thickness Radius Tip Gauge #
C16-237 4mm (.157) .100 (2.54mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .038 (.96mm) Extended Life G17-018
C16-238 4mm (.157) .302 (7.67mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .240 (6.10mm) Extended Life G17-018
C16-249 4.5mm (.177) .1210 (3.07mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .044 (.96mm) Extended Life G17-018
C16-250 4.5mm (.177) .3270 (8.31mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .250 (6.10mm) Extended Life G17-018
C16-235 5mm (.197) .125 (3.18mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .044 (1.12mm) E. L./No Back Notch G17-018
C16-236 5mm (.197) .331 (8.41mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .250 (6.35mm) E. L./No Back Notch G17-018
C16-104 1/4 (6.35mm) .139 (3.53mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .047 (1.19mm) Extended Life G17-018
C16-150 1/4 (6.35mm) .125 (3.18mm) 1.250 (31.75mm) .045 (1.14mm) 9/16 Bolt Hole G17-024
C16-151 1/4 (6.35mm) .200 (5.08mm) 1.250 (31.75mm) .120 (3.05mm) 9/16 Bolt Hole G17-024
C16-052 3/8 (9.53mm) .1775 (4.51mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .063 (1.60mm) G17-026
C16-053 3/8 (9.53mm) .355 (9.02mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .2405 (6.11mm) G17-026
C16-154 10mm (.394) .140 (3.56mm) 1.250 (31.75mm) .045 (1.14mm) 9/16 Bolt Hole G17-024
C16-168 10mm (.394) .1496 (3.80mm) 1.250 (31.75mm) .0236 (.60mm) 9/16 Bolt Hole G17-024
C16-090 1/2 (12.70mm) .1516 (3.85mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .030 (.76mm) G17-026
C16-091 1/2 (12.70mm) .4642 (11.79mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .3426 (8.70mm) G17-026
C16-190 .585 (14.86mm) .1685 (4.28mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .044 (1.12mm) 1/8 Gullet G17-019
C16-191 .585 (14.86mm) .3746 (9.51mm) 1.500 (38.10mm) .250 (6.35mm) 1/8 Gullet G17-019
C16-159 5/8 (15.88mm) .185 (4.70mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .029 (.74mm) G17-028
C16-179 5/8 (15.88mm) .316 (8.03mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .160 (4.06mm) G17-028
C16-032 11/16 (17.46mm) .214 (5.44mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .062 (1.57mm) G17-020
C16-033 11/16 (17.46mm) .495 (12.57mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .343 (8.71mm) G17-020
C16-028 .987 (25.07mm) .2225 (5.65mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .031 (.79mm) Spacers Required G17-021
C16-029 .987 (25.07mm) .5515 (14.00mm) 1.875 (47.63mm) .360 (9.14mm) Spacers Required G17-021
C16-007 1.113 (28.27mm) .248 (6.30mm) 2.125 (53.98mm) .030 (.76mm) Spacers Required G17-022
C16-008 1.113 (28.27mm) .560 (14.22mm) 2.125 (53.98mm) .342 (8.69mm) Spacers Required G17-022
C16-016 1.113 (28.27mm) .243 (6.17mm) 2.375 (60.33mm) .032 (.81mm) Spacers Required G17-023
C16-017 1.113 (28.27mm) .494 (12.55mm) 2.375 (60.33mm) .283 (7.19mm) Spacers Required G17-023
C16-139 1.113 (28.27mm) .2635 (6.69mm) 2.125 (53.98mm) .030 (.76mm) G17-022
C16-107 1.113 (28.27mm) .576 (14.63mm) 2.125 (53.98mm) .342 (8.69mm) G17-022
In order to process orders efficiently, please have the following information available when ordering:
Part number or Joint length, Radius of Cutter, Lumber Size, Joint Size
Note: - Cutters are shown with their mating thin and thick pairs.
- Joint length can vary due to radial runout of tooling and/or spindle.
- A sample cutter may be required in some cases to provide an exact match. AceCo can provide customers with a joint layout
drawing and material savings data for analysis.
www.aceco.com
SPECIALTY FINGER JOINT CUTTERS
CARBIDE FINGER JOINT CUTTERS
The demand to salvage wood with high hardness and abrasive characteristics
is escalating. AceCos solid carbide cutters make finger jointing these materi-
als economically feasible. The carbide option enables wood processors to
salvage materials such as:
l Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
l Lumber with high silicon content
l Plywood and composite materials
l Exotic hardwoods
l Materials with abrasive glue lines
AceCos solid carbide cutters also increase production, because resharpening
rates can be dramatically decreased. Increased production and cutter life
depend primarily on the type of material and profile being cut. AceCos
carbide finger joint cutters are designed for materials that cannot feasibly be
processed with standard high speed steel cutters.
Solid carbide cutters offer significantly longer life over carbide tipped cutters, since they can be resharpened many more times to take
advantage of the full radius. This provides almost 2 of usable life on most cutters.
CUTTER TREATMENTS
Treated cutters are used to cut tough materials or to increase cutter life between
sharpenings. Our treatments offer a low cost way to increase machine uptime,
machine production, and your plants net profits. Production time between sharpen-
ings can be increased up to 50% depending on the application. These treatments
are offered in all of the AceCo standard cutter styles, as well as any custom cutter
you may need. After extensive analysis, we have discovered that some treatments
work far better in a particular cutting operation than others. Therefore, AceCo
offers a variety of treatments suited for your specific material and cutting applica-
tion.
DiaMax*
The DiaMax Cutter Treatment is a diamond coating that increases edge life and
performance of the cutter between sharpenings. Depending on the density of the
wood, DiaMax can substantially increase output per sharpening. DiaMax coating has
a lubricating characteristic that decreases pitch buildup. DiaMax does not affect the
metallurgical properties of M2 steel, therefore it can be applied to all cutter sizes.
DuraMax*
The DuraMax Cutter Treatment dramatically increases cutter life between resharpenings in
high-abrasion applications. Testing shows up to a 50% reduction in wear over conventional
cutters. The DuraMax treatment is a proprietary process that hardens only the outer surface
of the steel cutting edge (72 Rc), which allows the cutter to hold a sharp edge longer while
still offering a flexible inner core to reduce breakage. This process also reduces oxidation and
pitch buildup on the cutters. Please note that this treatment is not recommended on cutters
with one of the following: a gullet radius of less than 1/4,
a tip of less than .030, or a joint length of 5/8 or longer.
Brittleness may be enhanced with this treatment.
StressMax*
The StressMax treatment is used in applications when cutters are in high stress cuts, or rough,
interrupted cuts. The StressMax treatment works well for cutters that cut joints over 1/2 in length.
The StressMax Cutter Treatment changes the cutters molecular arrangement to improve the grain
structure of the cutting edge.
*These treatments are accomplished after final grind and may affect flatness in critical applications.
www.aceco.com
FINGER JOINT HEADS
All AceCo finger joint heads are precision machined
from hardened alloy steel to resist the daily abuse of an
industrial millwork operation. AceCos heads are known
to run smoother and to last longer than any other
finger joint head made. From 2 to 20 bolts, AceCo
offers the widest selection of standard and custom
finger joint heads to fit most finger joint machines.
Finger Joint Head Features:
Plunger Style Grease Zerks
This style fitting uses a plunger rather
than a ball to seal the back pressure
flow - no more leaks from dirt and grit
under the check ball
7200 RPM Balancing
Precision balanced on a
computer-aided, dynamic
balancer to ISO Grade
G -1.0, far beyond industry
standards
Available Hydraulic Centering
Ace-Loc hydraulic sleeves ensure
repeatability, accuracy, and balance.
Heat-treated sleeves are available for
keyed spindles.
High Tensile Alloy Steel
4150 Heat-treated steel
for maximum durability
and performance
Hardened Steel Nuts
Grade 8 - High Strength
Hardened Steel Bolts
High Strength
Class II Option
.0005 Bore to Bottom
Plate Perpendicularity
Finger Joint Head Ordering Options
To order a Finger Joint Head, please specify the following:
Description AceCo Standard Options *
# of Bolts 4 6 8 10
Extreme Swing ** 9.0 10.5
Cutter Radius 1.50 1.875 2.125
Rotation Clockwise or Counterclockwise
Spindle Diameter 1.50 1.813 50mm
Spindle Type Keyed or Keyless
Centering Ace-Loc Hydraulic or Collet Style
Please Note: * Other options are possible - contact us for anything not shown
** Extreme swing can limit # of bolts possible
www.aceco.com
Ace-Loc Heads
The Ace-Loc finger joint head represents the most accurate
advancement in hydraulic, self-centering cutter heads. Ace-Loc
finger joint heads offer longer cutter life, more accurate cuts,
and quicker tool changes. Ace-Loc finger joint heads are a
necessity for cutting joints of 1/4 or less in length.
Collet Heads
AceCo collet heads are less accurate than hydraulically
centered heads. However, they offer an economical and
reliable alternative for many applications.
Custom Application Heads
Please contact our engineering staff for applications not
covered by our standard product line, 1-800-359-7012.
AceCo CLASS II Premium Heads
Finger joint cutting accuracy has evolved with the introduction
of Finite Finish
TM
and other dimensional tolerance improve-
ments to AceCo finger joint cutters.
These technological advances required that we hold the tolerances of our finger joint
heads to the same exacting standards as our cutters. If the head is not as accurate
as the cutters, then the full benefit of precision cutters is not realized.
Therefore, we have introduced our CLASS II premium heads for these exacting wood
machining requirements. CLASS II heads have the most accurate relationship of the
bottom plate cutter face to the spindle bore, with perpendicularity held to .0005
(five ten thousands of an inch or .0125 mm). The CLASS II premium perpendicular-
ity dimension is twice as accurate as a stock AceCo finger joint head, and four times
as accurate as accepted industry standards.
As the perpendicularity accuracy improves, the finger joint cutters run behind one
another on a more precise plane, which allows for more uniform chip load and tool pressure. Because all the finger joint cutters in a
CLASS II head are working together precisely, you will experience less tool wear, longer run times, and an overall better joint. If you want the
ultimate technology and accuracy for your finger joint wood machining, then call us and inquire about AceCo CLASS II premium heads.
Ace System - 1
If you are thinking of finger jointing on a small scale, AceCo has what you need. The patented Ace System-1 finger joint head with long life
cutters can be mounted on any standard shaper with a sliding table. *
Quality finger jointing requires precise squaring of board ends and length adjustment
capability. The Ace System-1 provides a unique combination of standard finger joint
cutters and trim knives. With one simple adjustment, the Ace System-1 allows
for fine tuning of the straight knives simultaneously, without removing the head from
the shaper. With convenient, fast, and accurate setup, this AceCo innovation makes
quality joints possible. These heads are also available with shear-cut trim knives for
improved board end surface finish, longer knife life, and reduced chip loading that
requires less horsepower.
Note: l Maximum spindle diameter = 1-1/4
l Maximum board height = 2
l Maximum joint length = 7/16
*Your machine will require adaptation to adequately hold the board (without operator
participation) and the addition of appropriate protection guarding.
www.aceco.com
FINGER JOINT TOOLING ACCESSORIES
AceCo FINGER JOINT HEAD MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
AceCo recommends all finger joint heads be inspected once a year to maintain peak
performance of the tooling. Just like a high-performance automobile, our tooling
should be tuned-up on a regular basis to ensure long life and optimum performance.
The AceCo Finger Joint Head Maintenance Program provides a complete tune-up
service for all AceCo finger joint heads and includes:
l Full inspection of the head both visually and with the assistance of a computer-
aided Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).
l Complete verification of all geometry including radial run-out, bolt circle to
bore concentricity, bolt to bolt spacing, bottom head plate to bore
perpendicularity, collet face perpendicularity to bore, and balance.
l Fully documented report from the CMM with the head serial number attached.
Each time the head is re-measured, a comparison will be done with the last
report to identify any changes (all new AceCo finger joint heads are inspected
before leaving the factory).
l Recutting the face of the bottom plate,
regrinding the top plate, balance and
reassemble (only performed if head is
out of specification).
l Precision balanced on a computer-aided,
dynamic balancer to ISO Grade G -1.0.
The turn-around time for the inspection
is three to four days after we receive
the head at AceCo. The heads must be
shipped to our factory with the cutters
removed. If additional work is needed that
goes beyond the scope of the standard
program, AceCo will issue a quote before
any work is performed.
CMM Inspection
Balancing
Recutting knife face
Multi-post set-up stands
Single-post set-up stands
www.aceco.com
Safety Lock Collars
Safety Lock Collars act as a
retaining device and prevent
accidental spinning of the
cutter head, which can
damage the spindle and/or
head if hydraulic pressure is
not properly maintained. We
strongly recommend lock collar use with all hydraulically centered Ace-Loc
heads.
Hook Gauges
Hook Gauges play a crucial role in maintaining cutter performance. AceCo Hook Gauges provide a template for measuring proper hook
angle and cutter face length.
An improperly sharpened cutter can adversely change
joint geometry. As shown on page 40, the relationship
of the cutter face to the cutter radius affects the
geometry of the joint profile. The cutter face length
must be maintained to ensure proper joint length and
to prevent the gullet area from doing any cutting.
AceCo hook gauges have a scribe mark indicating the
minimum cutter face length for that particular cutter,
so the cutter face will not gradually decrease in length
as the cutter is resharpened throughout its life.
The AceCo hook gauge is a precise instrument that will
guarantee a properly resharpened cutter every time. Hook gauges are made of softer steel
than that of the cutter; therefore, the gauge will wear and could be bent if mishandled or
dropped. Under normal industrial conditions, replace hook gauges every six months.
HOOK GAUGES
Part #
G17-018 Refer to FJ
G17-019 cutter chart
G17-020 on page 7 for
G17-021 correct Hook
G17-022 Gauge.
G17-023
G17-024
G17-026
G17-028
Pull-Up Tool
Part # T-02
Zerk & Relief Valve Installation Socket
Modified deep well socket (11mm hex) for installing
grease fittings
Part # T14-005
Grease Zerks
Part # GFS1/8NPTZ
Pressure Relief Valves
Part # GFS1/8NPTR
Pull-Up Tool
By inserting it in the back notch of the cutter, the T-02 Pull-up Tool is used to rotate the finger joint cutter
forward against the alignment post of the setup stand. Using other tools to pry against the alignment post or
against the cutters could damage the tooling and/or setup stand.
High Pressure Grease Gun (600 BAR)
Part # M-06
AceCo also stocks Grease Gun rebuild kits and
parts
Brass Head Cleaners
(customized to your joint layout)
Designed to clean out fiber buildup in between
cutters - helps maximize performance
Collets
(1.25, 1.5 & 1 13/16, 50mm ONLY)
Part# Spindle Size Top or Bottom
C20-008-1 1.5 Bottom
C20-012-1 1.5 Top
C20-008-2 1.813 Bottom
C20-012-2 1.813 Top
C20-021 50mm Top
www.aceco.com
Shim Stock Spacers
(Doughnut style)
Standard thickness, under .040
DOG BONE Hardened Index Spacers
.0001 tolerance/ .015 to .030 thickness
A precision alternative to Disk or Pie spacers,
providing the accuracy of .0001 as compared to
approx .0007 tolerance for Disk spacers
(Patents Pending)
Offset DOG BONE
Hardened Index Spacers
.0001 tolerance - For use on a staggered knife
head set-up to help eliminate knife rollback on
taller stack configurations. Thickness is equiva-
lent to the cutter used. (Patents Pending)
DISK Style
4 to 10-Bolt Spacers
Standard thickness, under .040
Mast Lock Hardened Index Spacers
.0001 tolerance - For use on difficult set-ups
requiring precision spacers, such as staggered
knife head set-ups or three bolt heads. Helps
eliminate knife rollback on tall stack configura-
tions. (Patents Pending)
Hardened Index Spacers
(Doughnut style)
STANDARD = .0003 tolerance
PRECISION = .0001 tolerance
(same thickness tolerance as all
AceCo FJ Cutters)
Bolts
Part# Diameter Length Threads
B30-004-1 3/4 3.5 16
B30-004-2 3/4 4 16
B30-004-3 3/4 4.5 16
B30-004-5 3/4 6 16
B30-004-6 3/4 8 16
B30-007-1 9/16 3.5 18
B30-007-2 9/16 4 18
B30-007-6 9/16 8 18
B30-011-2 3/4 4 16 (LH)
Nuts
Part# Size Grade Threads
N10-006 9/16 9 18
N10-007 3/4 8 16
N10-011 3/4 8 16 (LH)
Hardened Washers
Part# Size (ID) Thickness
W11-003-1 3/4 1/8
W11-003-2 3/4 1/4
W11-003-3 3/4 3/8
W11-003-4 3/4 1/2
W11-003-5 3/4 3/4
W11-004-1 9/16 1/16
W11-004-2 9/16 1/8
W11-004-3 9/16 3/16
W11-004-4 9/16 1/4
W11-004-5 9/16 3/8
W11-004-6 9/16 1/2
W11-004-7 9/16 3/4
W11-004-8 9/16 1
www.aceco.com
RADIUS EDGE FINGER JOINT GRINDING WHEEL
AceCo offers custom grinding wheels specifically designed for resharpening
finger joint cutters. This unique, radius-edge grinding wheel features a body
of aluminum and a rim of Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN), also known by its trade
name Borazon.
This CBN wheel incorporates a radius edge that reforms the gullet each time
you grind the face. Maintaining the gullet profile reduces fracture stresses
(stress risers), which helps reduce cutter breakage. The wheel removes just
enough material to clean the cutting edge without leaving a heavy burr, which
can cause deformed or loose-fitting joints.
Compared to other grinding wheel materials like Aluminum Oxide, CBN offers
significant advantages including:
l Self-Sharpening: CBN will load and dull only to a point, when it then breaks down and exposes new crystals. Once it is initially dressed,
CBN never requires resharpening like other wheels.
l CBN Longevity: Because it is second only to diamond in terms of hardness, CBN remains sharp even after grinding High Speed
Tool Steel.
l Cool Cutting Action: CBN is a thermal conductor, so it conducts heat away from the steel being ground.
Comparatively, Aluminum Oxide is a thermal insulator that causes heat build-up in the steel and substantially
decreased tool life.
l Less Metal Fatigue: Grinding operations have normal heating and cooling cycles that cause surface
tension on the work piece. If the temperature
extremes are far apart, minute fissures in the
steel result and can cause the cutting edge to
rupture. CBN absorbs heat generated from
the grinding process, so the work piece does
not expand or contract to produce fissures.
l Higher Quality Cut: CBN particles remove a
more uniform chip from the work piece. The
result is a very keen cutting edge that
produces a better surface finish on the wood.
A sharp cutting edge also helps reduce tool
pressure resulting in increased tool life.
WOOD CUTTING LUBRICANT
Clear Lube from Technichem is a mineral oil-based, mist-applied lubricant that
enhances cutter life and performance by reducing heat and residue build-up.
Clear Lube also aids in machine and tool clean up. Most of the fluid is used up
during the application process; however, if any fluid needs to be disposed of, simply
take it to any facility that recycles motor oil.
HEAD AND CUTTER CLEANING SOLUTION
Designed especially for the lumber industry and sawmills, Blade Clean from
Technichem is a cold or hot tank cleaner that removes the baked on pitch and
gum from the tooling. It is water-based and can be diluted as much as 5 to
1 with water. Always dispose of in accordance with Federal, State, and Local
regulations.
WARNING: Do not use abrasives, such as sand blasting, to remove pitch.
Abrasive cleaning methods will wear metal surfaces and change clearances
between parts. We only recommend Blade Clean Solution.
AceCo CBN Grinding Wheels (available from stock)
Part# Diameter Grit Bore Radius
CB80-R-5.5-1/8 5.5 80 20mm 1/8
CB80-R-5.5-1/4 5.5 80 20mm 1/4
CB120-R-5.5-1/8 5.5 120 20mm 1/8
CB120-R-5.5-1/4 5.5 80 20mm 1/4
CB80-R-6-1/8 6 80 1 1/8
CB80-R-6-1/4 6 80 1 1/4
CB120-R-6-1/8 6 120 1 1/8
CB120-R-6-1/4 6 80 1 1/4
CB80-R-8-1/8 8 80 1 1/8
CB80-R-8-1/4 8 80 1 1/4
CB120-R-8-1/8 8 120 1 1/8
CB120-R-8-1/4 8 80 1 1/4
www.aceco.com
C40 VERTICAL FINGER JOINT SYSTEM
Designed specifically for vertical-style finger joint machines, the innovative AceCo C40
system represents a significant leap forward in vertical finger jointing technology.
AceCo has utilized all of our advanced capabilities to design a vertical system that
offers:
l High Precision Cutting
l Ease of use
l Versatility
l Economical Operation
l Longer Cutter Life
The C40 System is designed to accommo-
date smaller cutting circles (extreme swing),
while maintaining the tight tooling tolerances
AceCo is known for. The C40 system com-
bines the advantages of hydraulic centering
with the convenience of drop-on plates.
C40 Plate Cutter Advantages
FINITE FINISH Flatness and Thickness
The C40 plate cutters are precision ground using our FINITE FINISH process to ensure thickness accuracy tolerance of .0001 and
flatness accuracy of .00005, which eliminates tolerance accumulation problems associated with other vertical tooling.
Better Cutting Circle Retention
As the C40 cutters are resharpened, the change in cutting circle is less than
conventional vertical tooling. This helps ensure that joint quality is not
compromised over the life of the cutter.
Longer Usable Cutter Tip
The C40 plate cutter offers a usable cutter length of .640, which is nearly twice as
much as the .375 length for most conventional vertical tooling.
Easy, Economical Cutter Replacement
If a cutter needs to be replaced, the C40 plates can easily be interchanged one by
one. Because cutters can be replaced as individual plates, cost is much lower than
some other vertical systems.
Multiple Set-up Options:
l Standard
l Staggered
l Spiral
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Quick Setup - Setup bar is easily
attached and cutter plates are all
aligned simultaneously. Only one side
needs to be aligned, because of cutter
plate design. The assembly is then
energized on the grinder spindle for
resharpening.
Hydraulic Sleeve - Expands against
both the spindle and the cutters
simultaneously. This expansion against
the cutters prevents the cutter plates
from rolling back out of alignment or
from slipping against the sleeve.
Easy Assembly - Simply drop cutter
plates one by one onto an unenergized
sleeve and then tighten top nut - no
need to torque because hydraulic sleeve
grabs cutter plates.
www.aceco.com
MOULDER HEADS
AceCos precision moulder heads represent the finest tooling available for your moulding operation. We provide our customers with high-
quality tooling, superior technical support, and competitive pricing. All AceCo moulder heads are designed on computer aided equipment
and machined on fully automated, precision CNC equipment.
Moulder Head Features:
4150 Heat-treated steel for maximum
durability and performance
Hydraulic Centering
Ace-Loc hydraulic sleeves
ensure repeatability,
accuracy, and balance.
Heat-treated sleeves are
available for keyed spindles
Standard Cutting Angles
12 or 20 standard angles
to handle hard or softwood
Wider Knife Pockets
Pocket width can
accommodate up to
10mm thick knife steel
Knife Pocket Options
16 - 60 Corrugated or Flat Back
Allen Head Gib Screws
Square head screws are optional
Hardened Radius Gibs
Heat-treated all the way through
to resist screw wear; radius
design provides better chip flow
7200 RPM Balancing
Precision balanced on a com-
puter-aided, dynamic balancer
to ISO Grade G - 1.0, far beyond
industry standards
This style fitting uses a plunger
rather than a ball to seal the
back pressure flow - no more
leaks from dirt and grit under
the check ball
Outside Diameter Grease Zerks
Additional fittings, on the outside
diameter of all standard heads,
provide better access when sides
of head are restricted
Deeper Knife Pockets
Allows for use of
larger knife steel
400 BHN
300 BHN
200 BHN
100 BHN
BRINELL HARDNESS TENSILE STRENGTH
AceCo - 4150 HT Alloy Steel
Brand X - 1020 Steel
Material Comparison
150,000 p.s.i.
120,000 p.s.i.
100,000 p.s.i.
75,000 p.s.i.
50,000 p.s.i.
25,000 p.s.i.
www.aceco.com
Moulder Head Ordering Options
To order a Moulder Head, please specify the following:
Body Diameter 150mm 163mm 195mm
# of Knife Pockets ** 4 6 8 10 12
Body Width 60mm 76mm 100mm 130mm 150mm 180mm 230mm 260mm 310mm
Pocket Style Corrugated (16-60) or Flat back
Gib Screws Allen Head ***
Cutting Angle 12 or 20
Spindle Diameter 40mm 50mm 1.813 2.125
Centering Ace-Loc Hydraulic or Straight Bore
Please Note: * Other options are possible - contact us for anything not shown here
** Body size can limit # of knives possible
*** Square head screws are available at an additional charge
www.aceco.com
Shear Direction Left Hand or Right Hand
Body Diameter 150mm 163mm 195mm
# of Knife Pockets ** 4 6 6 8 8 10
Body Widths 150mm 60mm 130mm 60mm 100mm 60mm
76mm 150mm 76mm 130mm 76mm
100mm 100mm 150mm
130mm
Pocket Style Corrugated (16-60) or Flat back
Gib Screws Allen Head ***
Cutting Angle 18
Shear Angle 10
Spindle Diameter 40mm 50mm 1.813 2.125
Centering Ace-Loc Hydraulic or Straight Bore
*** Square head screws are available at an additional charge
SHEAR CUT MOULDER HEADS
Moulder heads with shear angle knife-edges provide better surface finish, especially on end grain. The shearing action reduces chip loading,
which in turn reduces horsepower requirements and noise levels. The reduced chip loading also results in longer knife sharpness and life.
AceCo Shear Cut Heads are available in a variety of shear angles and cutting angles and either right or left hand orientation.
This style fitting uses a plunger rather
than a ball to seal back pressure flow - no
more leaks from dirt and grit under the
check ball
Shear Cut Moulder Head Features
4150 Heat-treated steel for maximum
durability and performance
Hydraulic Centering
Ace-Loc hydraulic sleeves
ensure repeatability, accuracy,
and balance - heat-treated
sleeves available for keyed
spindles
Shear Angles
10 Shear Angle standard
Cutting Angles
18 Cutting Angle standard
Wide Knife Pockets
Pocket width can accommodate
up to .375 thick knife steel
Knife Pocket Options
16 - 60 Corrugated or Flat Back
Square head screws are
optional
Heat-treated all the way
through to resist screw wear;
radius design provides better
chip flow
7200 RPM Balancing
Precision balanced on a
computer-aided, dynamic
balancer to ISO Grade G-
1.0, far beyond industry
standards
Shear Cut Head Ordering Options
To order a Shear Cut Head, please specify the following:
Shear Knife Sharpening Guide
Refer to page 61 for proper
resharpening of shear heads.
Part # G12-006
www.aceco.com
PLANER HEADS
AceCo manufactures a full line of precision planer and side heads.
These include L-V style heads as well as straight knife heads. AceCo
can manufacture planer heads to your specifications.
Planer Head Features:
Choice of Pocket Style
Straight Knife (16-60 Corrugated or Flat Back)
L-V Type Knife (16-90 Corrugations)
L Type Knife (16-90 Corrugations)
7200 RPM Balancing
Precision balanced on a computer-aided, dynamic balancer to
ISO Grade G - 1.0, far beyond industry standards
Choice of Cutting Angles
On Straight Knife Heads only
Heat-treated all the way through to resist screw wear; radius
design provides better chip flow
4150 Heat-treated steel for maximum durability and performance
Standard gib screws are allen head -
square or spline head screws are optional
This style fitting uses a plunger rather than a ball to seal the back
pressure flow - no more leaks from dirt and grit under the check ball
Choice of Centering
Ace-Loc Hydraulic or Taper Bore centering
(heat-treated sleeves available for keyed spindles)
www.aceco.com
PLANER HEAD TERMINOLOGY
Body Diameter From 6 to 13.5
# of Knife Pockets ** From 4 up to 24
Cutting Width 60mm and up
Pocket Style Corrugated (16-60) Flat back L Type L-V Type
Cutting Angle From 10 to 30
Spindle Diameter Wide range available
Planer Head Ordering Information
To order a Planer Head, please specify the following:
www.aceco.com
MOULDER & PLANER TOOLING ACCESSORIES
Pressure Relief Valve
Part # GFS1/8NPTR
Grease Zerks
Part # GFS1/8NPTZ
Square Head Gibs Screws
Socket Head Gibs Screws
Hardened Steel Gibs
Zerk & Relief Valve Installation Socket
Modified deep well socket (11mm hex) for installing
grease fittings.
Part # T14-005
Moulder Safety
Lock Collars
Part# Spindle Size
C20-050-1 40mm
C20-050-2 1.813
C20-050-3 50mm
C20-050-4 2.125
Gib Screws
Part# Type Threads
S34-003 1/4 Square head M12 x 1.75
S34-005 3/8 Square head 9/16 - 18
S34-006 6mm Allen head M12 x 1.75
S34-008 1/4 Square head 3/8 - 16
Gibs
Part# Angle Available Sizes
G11-002 33 60mm,76mm,100mm,130mm,150mm
G11-006 26 60mm,76mm,100mm,130mm,150mm
G11-007 10 60mm,76mm,100mm,130mm,150mm
G11-014 18 60mm,76mm,100mm,130mm,150mm
G11-022 42 60mm,76mm,100mm,130mm,150mm
High Pressure Grease Gun (600 BAR)
Part # M-06
AceCo also stocks Grease Gun rebuild kits and
parts
www.aceco.com
MOULDER & PLANER TOOLING ACCESSORIES
Knife Steel
Corrugated or flat back knives are available in M2, T1, or D2 tool steel. Our knives will provide the extra
strength and long life needed for your wood working applications. Bars from 25 to 39 long and 1/8
to 3/8 thick are available in widths from 1-1/4 to 3.
M2 - HSS, one of the best materials available for high feed rates, and long runs.
Hardness: 63 Rc.
D2, has excellent grinding properties, and is lower priced than M2.
However, run times are up to 50% less than M2. Hardness: 57 Rc.
T1 - HSS, excellent for long runs and abrasive applications
such as glue lines. Up to 30% longer life than M2.
Hardness: 63 Rc.
L-V Knife Holders
L-V Type & L Type Knives
WOOD CUTTING LUBRICANT
Clear Lube from Technichem is a mineral oil-based, mist-applied lubricant that
enhances cutter life and performance by reducing heat and residue build-up.
Clear Lube also aids in machine and tool clean up. Most of the fluid is used up
during the application process; however, if any fluid needs to be disposed of, simply
take it to any facility that recycles motor oil.
HEAD AND CUTTER CLEANING SOLUTION
Designed especially for the lumber industry and sawmills, Blade Clean from
Technichem is a cold or hot tank cleaner that removes the baked on pitch and
gum from the tooling. It is water-based and can be diluted as much as 5 to
1 with water. Always dispose of in accordance with Federal, State, and Local
regulations.
WARNING: Do not use abrasives, such as sand blasting, to remove pitch.
Abrasive cleaning methods will wear metal surfaces and change clearances
between parts. We only recommend Blade Clean Solution.
www.aceco.com
TENON HEADS
Our standard line of Ace-Loc tenon heads are offered in a variety of configurations to meet your exact requirements. We can deliver
heads from 1/2 to 12 wide.
Our unique carbide saw-style heads deliver the finest finish possible without
tear-out or chipping. Because of the spiral design, a shear cutting action
produces smooth cuts through any type of solid or composite material.
AceCo is not limited to stock head styles and take-it-or-leave-it standardization.
Different operations and materials require unique specifications to allow for
optimum cutting and maximized production. Custom heads can be produced
to fit the exact requirements you need for almost any application.
The following information is required to process your tenon head orders more
efficiently:
l Outside diameter / Cutting Circle
l Spindle size
l Cutting Width
l Type of Centering
l Depth of Cut
CUSTOM TOOLING CAPABILITIES
Top Lock
Patented hydraulic cartridge built for
Mereen Johnson for use on their
double end tenoner with automatic
tool changer
Tapered Hydraulic Adapter
Built for Progressive Mill Supply for
use on their ProEdge-Tec fully
automatic cutter head grinder
Log Notching Head
Custom built for E and J Company for use in the
log home industry
Expanding Gang Rip Saw Arbor
Built for Mereen Johnson
www.aceco.com
HYDRAULIC CARTRIDGES
Hydraulic Cartridges are used where precision centering, quality finish, and
maximum versatility are required.
One cartridge can be used in many different pieces of tooling, which makes your
operation run smoothly and economically.
Ace-Loc cartridges are commonly used with wing-body tools, gang rip saw collars,
and for upgrading old profile heads to hydraulic-centering.
Hydraulic Cartridge Features:
4150 Heat-treated steel for maximum durability and performance
Precision Hydraulic Centering
Ace-Loc hydraulic sleeves ensure repeatability, accuracy, and balance
(heat-treated sleeves available for keyed spindles)
This style fitting uses a plunger rather than a ball to seal the back
pressure flow - no more leaks from dirt and grit under the check ball
Standard or Custom Length
Cartridges are available in a variety of standard usable lengths, as well
as any custom length you may need
Sleeve Style
AceCo can provide either welded or mechanically sealed sleeves
(contact us to find out which one may be better for your application)
Types
Non-threaded (A-type) and threaded (B-type) cartridges available
www.aceco.com
Ace-Loc SAW COLLARS
AceCo manufactures a diverse line of custom, hydraulically centered, precision saw collars for your rip saw operation. We can custom
design collars to meet your exact requirements. With our quick response and automated CNC equipment, AceCo can deliver your tooling in
weeks, not months. Please call for details and additional information.
HYDRAULIC CARTRIDGES
Description AceCo Options *
Spindle Diameter 30mm and up
Cartridge Diameter 40mm and up
Flange Diameter Various
Cartridge Type A-type (non-threaded) or B-type (threaded)
Usable Length Wide variety available
Sleeve Style Ace-Loc (Mechanically Sealed) or Welded
Hydraulic Cartridge Ordering Options
To order a Hydraulic Cartridge, please specify the following:
www.aceco.com
FINGER JOINT CUTTER STACK DIMENSIONING
Determining correct stack dimensions is an essential first step in starting to finger joint. The following example will lead you through the
steps required to calculate how many cutters are needed, what size shoulder will be cut, and what size washers should be used. If you are
unsure how to calculate number of cutters or shoulder size for your particular application, please contact AceCo for technical support.
EXAMPLE ASSUMPTIONS: Ace-Loc Hydraulic Head with
4 bolt length
Reverse type joint using C16-048 (thin) and
C16-049 (thick) cutters
No spacers required
1.563 Board Height
STEP 1. Determine the number of cutters needed to
cut a reverse joint for a 1.563 board height.
Divide Board Height by the Thin Cutter Index Thickness
(see page 7 for index thickness)
Example: 1.563 0.1685 = 9.27
For a reverse joint, round down to 9 to get the number
of thin cutters.* Then add the one thick cutter.
= 9 THIN CUTTERS + 1 THICK SHOULDER CUTTER
This answer needs to be verified in STEP 2
STEP 2. Verify that the number of cutters determined in STEP 1 will cut a proper shoulder - if not, reduce number of thin cutters
and recalculate.
Use this formula to calculate shoulder height (with our answer from STEP 1):
{Board Height - [# of thin cutters x (thin cutter thickness + spacer)]} - {[(thin cutter thickness + spacer) - (2 x thin cutter tip)] 2 }
2
Example: {1.563 - [9 x (0.1685 + 0)]} - {[(0.1685 + 0) - (2 x .046)] 2} = .00825 = .004 Shoulder
2 2
So, 9 thin cutters and 1 thick cutter result in a shoulder of only .004, much too small; thus, the number of thin cutters needs to be
reduced to 8 and the shoulder recalculated:
Recalculate: {1.563 - [8 x (0.1685 + 0)]} - {[(0.1685 + 0) - (2 x .046)] 2} = .1768 = .088 Shoulder
2 2
.088 shoulder is a good size, so our original answer in STEP 1 needs to be changed to:
8 THIN CUTTERS + 1 THICK SHOULDER CUTTER
STEP 3. Determine what size washer should be used.
Stack height is the sum of all of the cutter thicknesses on one bolt (pages 7 & 8).
Assuming cutter stack has 8 thin cutters and one thick:
Stack Height = (8 x .1685) + (1 x .3735) = 1.7215
Minimum Washer Thickness = Bolt Length - [(bottom plate thickness) + (top plate thickness) + (stack height) + (thread length)]
Example: 4 - [(.750) + (.500) + (1.7215) + (1.00)] = 4 - 3.9715 = .0285
Maximum Washer Thickness = Minimum Washer Thickness + .250 = .0285 + .250 = .2785
Based on the example, it would be suggested to use a 1/8 or 1/4 washer (all washers come in 1/8 increments)
.500 Top Plate
1.00
Threads
Stack Height =
8 thin cutters +
1 thick cutter
Max. Washer Thickness = .2785
4
.
0
0

B
o
l
t

L
e
n
t
h
Min. Washer Thickness = .0285
.750 Bottom Plate
.600 Nut
1
.
5
6
3
Thick
Cutter .088 Shoulder
.088 Shoulder
Thread Lengths: 1.00 (3/4 Bolt)
0.75 (9/16 Bolt)
www.aceco.com
FINGER JOINTING CUTTING CONDITIONS
Cutting conditions that determine the rate of material removal are cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut.
Cutting Speed: The speed at which the cutter passes through the wood.
Feed Rate: The speed at which the wood is fed through the cutter head.
Depth of Cut: The amount of wood removed when each cutter passes through.
Cutting conditions and the type of material to be cut determine the power required to make the cut. Cutting conditions and tool life
are related.
Optimum cutting speed and feed rate should be used if longer tool life is expected. Tool life is influenced mainly by cutting speed, then by
feed rate, and lastly by the depth of cut. The appropriate cutting speed is a relationship derived from relative hardness, properties of the
material doing the cutting, and the material being cut.
Most commercial finger jointer machines use specified head sizes and fixed RPM, therefore cutting speeds are set.
D = 10.5
N = 3,600 R.P.M.
D = 9
N = 3,600 R.P.M.
CUTTING SPEED
These formulas are helpful in establishing cutting speed for materials that are not typical.
Cutting Speed Formula - English
Examples: Commercial finger joint machines - English
Cutting Speed Formula - Metric
Examples: Commercial finger joint machines - Metric
V =
DN
12
V = Cutting Speed (surface feet per minute)
= 3.1416
D = Dia. (extreme swing of cutter head in inches)
N = Spindle Speed (R.P.M.)
V =
DN
1000
V = Cutting Speed (surface meters per minute)
= 3.1416
D = Dia. (extreme swing of cutter head in mm)
N = Spindle Speed (R.P.M.)
V = = 9896 ft/min.
12
3.1416 x 10.5 x 3,600
V = = 8482 ft/mi n.
12
3. 1416 x 9 x 3, 600
V = = 3016 M/min.
1000
3.1416 x 160 x 6,000
D = 180mm
N = 6,000 R.P.M.
D = 160mm
N = 6,000 R.P.M.
V = = 3393 M/min.
1000
3.1416 x 180 x 6,000
D = 250mm
N = 6,000 R.P.M.
V = = 4712 M/min.
1000
3.1416 x 250 x 6,000
www.aceco.com
FINGER JOINT KNIFE MARKS PER INCH (CHIP LOAD) (Based on 3,600 R.P.M.)
Feed Rate Number of Bolts Lug Spacing
Feet/Min. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 6 9 12
Lugs per Minute
11.3 53.3 (.019) 22.5 15.0 11.25
15.0 40.0 (.025) 80.0 (.013) 30 20 15
18.8 32.0 (.031) 64.0 (.016) 37.5 25 18.75
22.5 53.3 (.019) 45 30 22.5
26.3 45.6 (.022) 68.4 (.015) 52.6 35 26.3
30.0 40.0 (.025) 60.0 (.017) 60 40 30
33.8 35.5 (.028) 53.3 (.019) 71.0 (.014) 67.6 45 33.8
37.5 32.0 (.031) 48.0 (.021) 64.0 (.016) 75 50 37.5
41.3 29.0 (.034) 43.6 (.022) 58.1 (.017) 82.6 55 41.3
45.0 26.7 (.038) 40.0 (.025) 53.3 (.019) 66.7 (.015) 90 60 45
48.8 36.9 (.027) 49.2 (.020) 61.4 (.016) 97.6 65 48.8
52.5 34.3 (.029) 45.7 (.022) 57.1 (.018) 68.6 (.015) 105 70 52.5
56.3 32.0 (.031) 42.6 (.023) 53.3 (.019) 63.9 (.016) 112.6 75 56.3
60.0 30.0 (.033) 40.0 (.025) 50.0 (.020) 60.0 (.017) 70.0 (.014) 120 80 60
67.5 26.7 (.038) 35.6 (.028) 44.4 (.023) 53.3 (.019) 62.2 (.016) 90 67.5
75.0 32.0 (.032) 40.0 (.025) 48.0 (.021) 56.0 (.018) 100 75
82.5 29.0 (.034) 36.4 (.028) 43.6 (.023) 50.9 (.020) 110 82.5
90.0 26.7 (.038) 33.3 (.030) 40.0 (.025) 46.7 (.021) 120 90
97.5 30.8 (.033) 36.9 (.027) 43.0 (.023) 97.5
105.0 28.6 (.035) 34.3 (.029) 40.0 (.025) 105
112.5 26.7 (.038) 32.0 (.031) 37.3 (.027) 112.5
120.0 30.0 (.033) 35.0 (.029) 120
Feed Rate Number of Bolts Bar Spacing
Meter/Min. 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 200mm 223mm
4 3.0 (0.33) 20.0 17.9
6 2.0 (0.50) 30.0 26.9
8 1.5 (0.67) 3.0 (0.33) 40.0 35.9
10 1.2 (0.83) 2.4 (0.42) 3.6 (0.28) 50.0 44.8
12 2.0 (0.50) 3.0 (0.33) 60.0 53.8
14 1.7 (0.58) 2.6 (0.39) 3.4 (0.29) 70.0 62.8
16 1.5 (0.67) 2.3 (0.44) 3.0 (0.33) 80.0 71.7
18 1.3 (0.75) 2.0 (0.50) 2.7 (0.38) 3.3 (0.30) 90.0 80.7
20 1.8 (0.56) 2.4 (0.42) 3.0 (0.33) 100.0 89.7
22 1.6 (0.61) 2.2 (0.46) 2.7 (0.37) 3.3 (0.31) 110.0 98.7
24 1.5 (0.67) 2.0 (0.50) 2.5 (0.40) 3.0 (0.33) 3.5 (0.29) 120.0 107.6
26 1.4 (0.72) 1.8 (0.54) 2.3 (0.43) 2.8 (0.36) 3.2 (0.31) 130.0 116.6
28 1.7 (0.58) 2.1 (0.47) 2.6 (0.39) 3.0 (0.33) 140.0 125.6
30 1.6 (0.63) 2.0 (0.50) 2.4 (0.42) 2.8 (0.36) 150.0 134.5
32 1.5 (0.67) 1.9 (0.53) 2.3 (0.44) 2.6 (0.38) 160.0 143.5
34 1.4 (0.71) 1.8 (0.57) 2.1 (0.47) 2.5 (0.40) 170.0 152.5
36 1.7 (0.60) 2.0 (0.50) 2.3 (0.43) 180.0 161.4
38 1.6 (0.63) 1.9 (0.53) 2.2 (0.45) 190.0 170.4
40 1.5 (0.67) 1.8 (0.56) 2.1 (0.48) 200.0 179.4
42 1.7 (0.58) 2.0 (0.50) 210.0 188.3
44 1.6 (0.61) 1.9 (0.52) 220.0 197.3
46 1.8 (0.55) 230.0 206.3
48 1.8 (0.57) 240.0 215.2
50 1.7 (0.60) 250.0 224.2
FINGER JOINT KNIFE MARKS PER MILLIMETER (CHIP LOAD) (Based on 6,000 R.P.M.)
M.P.I. =
R.P.M x Number of Bolts
12 x Feed Rate in Feet/Min.
=
Lugs per Minute x Distance Between Lugs (in.)
12
Feed Rate
in Feet/Min.
M.P.mm =
R.P.M x Number of Bolts
1000 x Feed Rate in Meters/Min.
=
Feed Bars per Minute x Distance Between Bars in Millimeters
1000
Feed Rate
in Meters/Min.
Note: The above chart shows Marks per Inch (M.P.I.) and chip load, with the figures in parenthesis indicating chip load. The chart shows ideal average ranges.
Some long joints and certain species of wood will require a different M.P.I. or feed rate. 45 to 65 M.P.I. is ideal for most conditions.
Note: The above chart shows Marks per Millimeter (M.P.mm.) and chip load, with the figures in parenthesis indicating chip load. The chart shows ideal
average ranges. Some long joints and certain species of wood will require a different M.P.mm. or feed rate. 1.8 to 2.6 M.P.mm. is ideal for most conditions.
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Packet style finger joint machines use somewhat different feed rates for cutting through lumber. A packet style machine will have
several boards stacked together and clamped as they are machined by the tooling. Therefore, the finger joint cutters are generally in solid
wood longer than a chain fed machine (one piece at a time). Feed rates on packet machines are generally higher, so the heat build-up in
the tooling is kept to a minimum. However, higher feed rates decrease the Marks Per Inch which will increase the cutting pressure by
increasing the Chip Load. A typical feed rate for a packet machine ranges between 25 to 35 Marks Per Inch (0.98 to 1.38 Marks Per
Millimeter), which results in a chip load ranging from .0285 to .040 (0.72 mm to 1.02mm).
CHIP LOAD
Chip load is defined as the amount of material removed by each cutting tooth or edge with each revolution of the spindle. By calculating
chip load per cutter, we can determine how hard the cutters are working within the cutter head and provide a benchmark on the range of
force that is applied from each cutter to the lumber itself.
As chip load increases, tool pressure and heat will increase. Both of these factors increase the rate of wear on the cutting face of the
cutter, thus reducing the operating time between sharpenings. Increased chip load will also contribute to excessive tear-out because
of the elevated tool pressure.
As chip load decreases, tool pressure and heat will decrease. If chip load is reduced too much, the cutters will just rub rather than cut an
efficient chip. This excessive friction dulls the cutting edge prematurely and could possibly burn the wood enough to seal the wood from
glue penetration. This rubbing still requires significant horsepower, but the chip load to horsepower ratio is inefficient.
To calculate chip load per cutter use the following formula:
Chip Load Feed Rate (Feet per minute) x 12 Chip Load Feed Rate (Meters per minute) x 1000
(English) Number of Cutters x R.P.M. (Metric) Numbers of Cutters x R.P.M.
Chip loads can be compared to one another only if the joint length and geometry are the same. The same chip load will remove a greater
area of wood for a longer joint than for a shorter joint. The figure below illustrate the effect feed rate has on chip load. Feed rate must
be adjusted to achieve the recommended chip load range.
Recommended chip load range = .015 to .021 (0.38mm to 0.53mm) for optimum tool life.
Some chip loads can be as small as .015 (0.38mm) without producing any burning of wood, dulling of cutters, or tear-out. Generally, this is
common for machines with small cutting circles or low cutting speeds.
= =
Feed Rate
81 ft./min
(24.7M/min)
Joint Length
Feed Rate
60 ft./min
(18.3 M/min)
Path of single cutter
Joint Length
Path of single cutter
.027
(.686mm)
.020
(.508mm)
Chip Load Comparison
(Assumptions: 10 Cutters, 3600 RPM)
Too fast of a feed rate results
in too large of a Chip Load
Adjusted feed rate results
in proper Chip Load
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MATERIAL REMOVAL RATE
Definition of MRR: Volume of material removed by each cutter expressed in cubic inches
per minute.
MRR is a measurement that can be used to compare the total work load of different cutters
or heads that cut different joint lengths and geometry. This method examines the total
volume removed by a cutter, unlike the Chip Load calculation which only allows comparison
if the joint length and geometry are the same. The MRR can be used to fine tune the
productivity of a machine and the quality of the joint given the machine and tooling variables.
This method is considered superior to either the Marks Per Inch or Chip Load calculations.
MRR FOR ALL THIN CUTTERS =
Joint Length x [Thin Cutter Tip Thickness + (Thin Cutter Index - Thin Tip Thickness) / 2] x Feed Rate in Inches Per Minute x Number of Thin Cutters
MRR FOR THICK CUTTER =
Joint Length x [Shoulder Thickness + (Thick Cutter Index - Thick Tip Thickness) / 4] x Feed Rate in Inches Per Minute x Number of Thick Cutters
TOTAL MRR = MRR FOR ALL THIN CUTTERS + MRR FOR THICK CUTTER
MRR Example - ENGLISH
Assumption: Reverse joint in two inch material. Cutters are C16-048 for the thin cutter and C16-049 for the thick shoulder cutter. The
wood joint will have eleven thin cutters and one thick cutter cutting a .056 shoulder thickness.
Joint Length = .375 (3/8) Shoulder Thickness = .056
C16-048 Tip = .046 C16-049 Tip = .251
C16-048 Index = .1685 C16-049 Index = .3735
Feed Rate = 50 Feet Per Minute = 600 Inches Per Minute
MRR FOR ALL THIN CUTTERS = .375 x [.046 + (.1685 - .046) / 2] x 600 x 11 = 265.44
MRR FOR THICK CUTTER = .375 x [.056 + (.3735 - .251) / 4] x 600 x 1 = 19.49
= 265.44 + 19.49
TOTAL MRR = 284.93 Cubic Inches Per Minute
MRR Example - METRIC
Assumption: Reverse joint in two inch material. Cutters are C16-048 for the thin cutter and C16-049 for the thick shoulder cutter. The
wood joint will have eleven thin cutters and one thick cutter cutting a 1.4mm shoulder thickness.
Joint Length = 9.5mm Shoulder Thickness = 1.4mm
C16-048 Tip = 1.2mm C16-049 Tip = 6.4mm
C16-048 Index = 4.3mm C16-049 Index = 9.5mm
Feed Rate = 15.2 Meters Per Minute = 1520 Centimeters Per Minute
9.5 x [1.2 + (4.3 - 1.2) / 2] x 1520 x 11
100
9.5 x [1.4 + (9.5 - 6.4) / 4] x 1520 x 1
100
= 4368 + 314
TOTAL MRR = 4682 Cubic Centimeters Per Minute
MRR FOR ALL THIN CUTTERS = = 4368
MRR FOR THICK CUTTER = = 314
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These guidelines identify MRR and horsepower for different joint lengths and wood types, given the following assumptions:
1.562 Board Height 10.5 Cutting Circle 3600 RPM 2.5 Board Width
Wood Type Examples:
Softwoods: Pine, Fir, Spruce, Hemlock, Cedar, Redwood, Basswood
Medium Density: Alder, Myrtlewood, Western Larch, Poplar
Hardwoods: Walnut, Maple, Oak, Birch, Beech, Mahogany
Please Note:
Horsepower requirements may be more or less if the MRR is not kept within the appropriate range.
For different board heights or joints lengths not listed, please call AceCo for technical support.
MRR RANGE Vs. HORSEPOWER REQUIREMENT GUIDELINES
JOINT Softwood Medium Density Hardwood
LENGTH Low High Low High Low High
4mm MRR Range 110 128 110 128 110 128
10-bolt HP Required 5 6 9 10 16 19
4.5mm MRR Range 122 142 122 142 122 142
5mm MRR Range 134 156 134 156 134 156
1/4 MRR Range 170 198 170 198 170 198
10-bolt HP Required 9 10 14 16 27 31
3/8 MRR Range 242 282 242 282 242 282
10-bolt HP Required 11 13 18 21 35 40
7/16 to 5/8 MRR Range 374 435 374 435 374 435
10-bolt HP Required 17 19 28 32 54 62
11/16 to .987 MRR Range 429 511 429 511 429 511
8-bolt HP Required 19 23 32 38 62 74
1.113 MRR Range 381 439 381 439 381 439
6-bolt HP Required 22 25 37 42 65 75
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FINGER JOINT TOOLING MAINTENANCE
Maintaining your AceCo finger joint tooling is critical to the success of your finger joint operation. This section provides the necessary
information needed to keep your AceCo tooling performing at its peak and includes step-by-step procedures for:
Preparing a Finger Joint Head
Balancing Cutter Stacks
Setting up the Head Using a Single or Multi-post Stand
Properly Torquing the Head
Aligning the Grinding Machine
Sharpening Finger Joint Cutters
Proper Grinding Wheel Use
Maintaining Cutting Angle and Gullet
How often you perform these procedures is dependent on many different factors. In particular, resharpening rates are influenced by many
factors including feed rate, spindle RPM, species of lumber being finger jointed, type of machine used and types of joints being cut. Joint
length also determines when the tooling needs to be resharpened. As shown on page 43, joint length increases as the cutter edge dulls. If
the measured joint length is more than 20% longer than the specified length, the tooling needs to be resharpened. Other common signs of
dull cutters include excessive tear-out, rip-out, or joints that splinter excessively.
Recommended intervals for the maintenance procedures are:
Sharpen Cutters: Every 1 to 3 shifts, or as needed depending on conditions
Align Grinding Machine: Once every ten uses
Balance Cutter Stacks: Once a month, or every 5 postings
Post on Setup Stand: After every 5 resharpenings, or when the cutters are 0.025 inches away from the alignment post
Torque Head: Every time the head is loosened or disassembled
AceCo also recommends that you maintain a logbook for keeping records of all maintenance performed on the cutters and heads.
The steps listed below are in order, however all the steps may not be performed every time. For example, if you have recently balanced and
posted your cutters, you may only need to perform Steps 1 and 6.
STEP 1 - PREPARE FINGER JOINT HEADS
If head is new, clean all cutter mating surfaces on the index and around the cutter bolt hole, and then proceed to balancing cutters.
If head has been used, clean tooling using Technichem Blade Clean. For tooling that is relatively clean, proceed to posting on the set-up
stand. For heavy pitch buildup, use medium grade Scotch-Brite and WD40 to clean. It may be necessary to remove the cutters from
the head and clean thoroughly if there is excessive pitch buildup, rust or corrosion present. Never use abrasives to clean cutters or
the cutter head.
STEP 2 - BALANCE CUTTER STACKS
Balancing is critical to the smooth performance of
your finger joint head. In order to maintain an equal
balance, cutter stacks must be cross-balanced. This
means the stack of cutters, along with any washers or
spacers, that are 180 degrees from each other must
be weighed and balanced equally to within one-tenth
(0.1) of a gram. If one stack is heavier, carefully grind a
small amount off the back of the cutter only, as shown.
Typical industrial usage requires cutter stacks to be
balanced once a month.
1b
Original edge
Fig. 1a Cutter Tip Fig. 1b
Sharpen until
corners are full.
Grind Here
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STEP 3 - SET UP CUTTERS IN THE HEAD
After the cutters have been resharpened 5 times (0.025 steel removal), the head must be reset to the correct cutting angle and cutting
circle. This recommendation assumes that you are removing .005 of material during each grind. This will give a consistent joint length and
minimize finger joint machine adjustments during production.
Using a Single Post Set-up Stand:
proceed to page 35 if using a multi-post set-up stand
Single post set-up stands offer a simple, economical way to properly align the cutters within
the head.
1. Secure the base portion of your set-up stand into a large vise so that the alignment
holes are easily accessible with the L-pin.
2. Carefully slide the head onto the center post of the set-up stand.
3. Slip the torquing L-pin into the hole-offset, adjacent to the center hole and push up
through the bottom of the set-up stand and into the locating hole in the bolt head.
4. Loosen all the nuts in a crisscross pattern to reduce excessive bolt stress, and to
prevent the top plate from warping. Single-post set-up stands come with two L-pins;
one should be used for torquing and the other only for indexing the cutters in the
center hole.
5. Pull the torquing L-pin out of the torquing position. Reposition the head body by rotating it
slightly forward to allow the alignment L-pin to fit into the bolt head hole.
6. The head is now ready to be setup for the correct cutting alignment. When setting up a
collet style head, always use collets on the set-up stand spindle post to increase the
accuracy of the setup.
7. Pull forward the first stack of cutters. Hold all cutters tightly against the setup post
so that a .002 feeler gauge cannot pass between the cutter faces and the setup post.
8. Apply thread lubricant to the threads (Anti-Seize or equivalent).
9. Hand tighten the nut while holding the cutters in their forward position. This will keep the
cutters from rotating out of alignment while setting up the other stacks.
10. Remove the torquing L-pin and slowly roll the head body away from the alignment post. Be careful not to knock any cutters out
of position.
11. Lift the head up and rotate it to the next stack of cutters to be setup.
12. Repeat this procedure until all cutter stacks are in their proper alignment position. Note that every time the cutter head is reset,
it must be resharpened afterward to maintain a constant cutting circle. To eliminate the lift and rotate procedure previously
mentioned, multiple alignment post setup stands are available (see picture of ten-post
set-up stand on page 35).
13. The nuts must be tightened to the correct torque setting using the same set-up stand
and a heavy duty torque wrench.
14. Special care must be taken in torquing finger joint nuts - see page 36 for details.
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STEP 3 - SET UP CUTTERS IN THE HEAD
Using a Multi-post Set-up Stand
Multi-post stands offer an easier and quicker way to set-up the head. Multi-post stands
come with a stationary posting positioning pin which is pressed into the stand and a
moveable torquing positioning pin that fits into the offset hole.
1. Secure the set-up stand by bolting to a bench or stand.
2. Place the torquing pin in the correct offset hole depending on the rotation of the
head. For clockwise rotating heads, the pin will be placed counterclockwise of the
center pin. For counter-clockwise rotating heads, the pin will be placed clockwise
of the center pin.
3. Roll the cutters back for easy clearance and carefully slide the head onto the center
post of the set-up stand.
4. Slip the bolt onto the offset torquing positioning pin adjacent to the center hole.
5. Loosen all the nuts in a crisscross pattern to reduce excessive bolt stress, and
to prevent the top plate from warping. Never use a torque wrench for loosening
nuts, only use a breaker bar.
6. Lift the head and rotate to slip the bolt onto the center posting pin.
7. The head is now ready to be setup for the correct cutting alignment. When setting
up a collet style head, always use collets on the set-up stand spindle post to increase
the accuracy of the setup.
8. Pull forward the first stack of cutters. Hold all cutters tightly against the setup post
so that a .002 feeler gauge cannot pass between the cutter faces and the setup
post.
9. Apply thread lubricant to the threads (Anti-Seize or equivalent).
10. Hand tighten the nut while holding the cutters in their forward position. This will
keep the cutters from rotating out of alignment while setting up the other stacks.
11. Repeat steps 8, 9 and 10 on each cutter stack until all bolts have been hand
tightened and secured enough so cutters do not shift or roll out of position. Every
time the cutter head is reset, it must be resharpened afterward to maintain a
constant cutting circle.
12. Lift the head up and rotate back to slip the bolt onto the torquing pin.
13. The head is now ready for the Torquing procedure - see page 36.
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STEP 4 - TORQUE HEAD
Once the cutters are setup, you need to secure the top plate against the cutter stacks with AceCo hardened washers and nuts. This is a
simple process; however, a few critical steps must be followed to ensure safe operation of your cutter head.
1. Once the cutter stacks are all setup, slowly rotate the head away from the alignment post into the off-center torquing position:
Single post Set-up Stand: re-insert the torquing L-pin into the off-center hole and into the bolt head.
Multi-post Set-up stand: insert the bolt head into the positioning torque pin
2. AceCo highly recommends using a metal base thread lubricant (Anti-Seize or equiv.) before torquing the nut down - do not use oil. The
use of thread lubricant will dramatically increase the clamping force (as much as four times) on the cutters for the same amount of
torque. Less torque can then be used and less head distortion will result. It is important not to allow any lubricants or debris to come in
contact with the mating surfaces of the cutters or the top and bottom plates of the cutter head. Lubricants or other debris on these
critical surfaces will allow the cutter stack to roll out of alignment. Always apply the Anti-Seize after the top plate is installed - this will
prevent any excess lubricant from lodging itself between the top of the cutter stack and the underside of the top plate.
3. At this point, the nuts should all be hand tight. Inspect the bolt threads; if more than 1/8 is sticking up through the nut, you should
use an additional or thicker hardened washer to take up the excessive space. This will guarantee a firm hold and prevent any thread
damage. Always try to use washers that allow all the threads in the nut to be utilized. The threads of the bolt should exit the nut. Always
put washers under the nut on the outside of the top plate. The top plate will give more surface area for holding cutter stacks in place.
4. When torquing, you must tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure level tension is maintained on the top plate. First, tighten
one nut (#1 position) to 50 foot-pounds (68 Nm), then tighten the nut directly across from it (#2 position) to the same 50 foot-pounds
(68 Nm).
5. Next, tighten the remaining nuts; following the number order of the chart until all nuts have been torqued to the same 50 foot-pounds
(68 Nm).
6. Complete the same torque sequence and tighten the nuts to 100 foot-pounds (136 Nm). If counter-clockwise rotating heads
have problems with cutters pulling away from alignment post when torqued to the first 50 lbs. increment, then only torque to 15 lbs.
increments until 50 lbs. is reached. AceCo offers left-handed bolts if problem persists.
7. Repeat this step while increasing torque in 50 foot-pound (68 Nm) increments each time, until the ideal range is reached. For 3/4
bolts, a minimum of 150 foot-pounds (204 Nm) is required, as a general rule. Tool pressure and stack height variations may require
more torque. For 9/16 bolts, 100 foot-pounds (136 Nm) is generally required. Over or under tightening can result in bolt and/or
cutter damage. Next, the cutter heads will need to be resharpened (see pages 37 through 40). Call AceCo for assistance if torque
value is uncertain.
NOTES: Always have your torque wrench calibrated at least once every year.
Never use a torque wrench to break loose a tightened nut.
When loosening nuts to replace or repost cutters, loosen in gradual increments using the same sequence as torquing.
Always use a breaker bar to loosen the nuts.
Centrifugal force can also influence the torque needed. The amount of torque required to keep a stack of cutters from rotating will
increase as the Surface Feet Per Minute (SFPM) of the cutting circle increases. For instance, the normal operations of a 10-1/2 or
9 cutting circle rotating at 3,600 RPM will have a SFPM of 9,896 ft./min. and 8,482 ft./min., respectively. If a larger diameter head
or higher RPM is used, then an excessive amount of centrifugal force could roll the stack of cutters. Most cutter stacks will actually roll
forward since the central mass of the cutter is set back in the head and will spin away from the center of the rotating axis. Even spindle
motors with slower start-ups (Soft Start) will ultimately roll stacks if the eventual RPM or SFPM is too high. We recommend a SFPM of no
higher than 11,000 ft./min. This can be calculated using the Cutting Speed formula on page 28 of this manual. Higher SFPM values will
require disc spacers in between the cutters to assist the friction between cutters; however, when spacers are added between cutters, the
effective cutter index is increased and joint length is also increased.
3
3 3 5
5
5
7
7
9
10
1
6 BOLT 8 BOLT 10 BOLT
1
1
2
2
2
4
4 4 6
6
6
8
8
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STEP 5 - ALIGN GRINDING MACHINE
It is important to maintain grinding machine alignment to ensure properly ground finger joint heads. The following alignment steps and
checks should be repeated on a regular basis to ensure that the finger joint heads are ground consistently shift after shift. The tight
tolerances that AceCo holds in the manufacture of finger joint tooling can be compromised if your grinder tolerances are not maintained.
Use a magnetic base dial indicator (.001) for the following tolerance checks.
Grinder Work Head: Run-out Alignment
1. Check the run-out on the arbor end nearest the workhead base first, zero the
indicator, then rotate the arbor one full turn (360 degrees) - it should be within
+/-.001.
2. Repeat the measurement on the other end of the arbor - again it should also
be within +/-.001.
3. If run-out is more than +/-.003, most likely the tapered mating surfaces are
dirty or have burrs or scratches. Remove the arbor from the workhead; clean
the male taper of the arbor and check for any burrs. If burrs are found, use
an India stone to lightly smooth out the taper surface.
Repeat the cleaning process on the female taper of the workhead.
4. Do a final cleaning of both surfaces with WD-40 and a clean rag.
5. Carefully reinstall the arbor.
6. Repeat the run-out inspection (1 & 2) with the dial indicator.
7. If manual cleaning is not enough to correct run-out, professional grinding may be
required to get the mating surface back into tolerance, or the arbor should be
replaced.
Grinder Work Head: Vertical Alignment
1. Mount the dial indicator mag base to a stationary position on the machine, so the table can pass freely.
2. Align the dial indicator needle on the side of the arbor.
3. Pass the arbor across the stationary indicator - the reading should be no more than +/- .003 over a 6 length of the arbor.
4. If found to be out of
alignment, workhead bolts
must be loosened and the
work head shifted into
alignment on the table.
5. Repeat this measurement
with the indicator and
repeat the fine adjustment
process until the arbor is
within the +/-.003
tolerance.
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Grinder Work Head:
Horizontal Alignment
1. Similar to the Vertical Align-
ment procedure, the dial
indicator needle is aligned on
the top of the arbor and
mounted to a stationary
position so the arbor can
pass freely.
2. Pass the arbor across the
stationary indicator - this
reading should also be within
+/- .003 over a 6 length
of the arbor.
3. If found to be out of alignment, the top half of the work head must be shimmed into alignment. If shims are added, you will need
to re-check vertical alignment.
4. Repeat the alignment measurement with the indicator and continue the fine shimming adjustment process until the arbor is within
the +/-.003 tolerance.
Grinding Wheel Alignment: Check Run-out of Wheel Spindle
1. Mark a starting point on the flat surface of the spindle collar (wheel sits flush
against this surface).
2. Align the dial indicator with the starting point and rotate the spindle 360 degrees.
This run-out should be within +/-.001.
3. If spindle run-out is out of tolerance:
- Spindle collar may need to be faced
- Spindle may be bent
- Spindle bearings may be worn
Grinding Wheel Alignment:
Lead Adjustment
1. The grinding wheel must be adjusted to have a
lead of .003 - .005 on the front of the wheel.
This will prevent the trailing edge of the wheel
from causing a double grind on the knife face.
2. Mount the dial indicator on the grinding table
and zero indicator on the trailing side of the
spindle collar with enough clearance for the
indicator needle to pass below the wheel
mounting shaft of the spindle.
3. Carefully slide the table and take the indicator
reading on the opposite side of the spindle
collar. The lead side should be at +.003 to
+.005 of the trailing side.
4. To adjust lead, the headstock bolts need to be
loosened in order to move the whole headstock.
Retighten bolts when correct lead is obtained.
It may take several attempts to get the correct
lead adjustment.
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STEP 6 -
SHARPEN CUTTER HEADS
The most common method for sharpening finger joint cutters is described
below. Most finger joint cutters will last approximately 1 to 3 shifts (28,000
to 90,000 joints cut for 10-bolt heads). The cutters can be sharpened while
torqued tight in the cutter head by using an arbor and a common tool grinder
or side head grinder.
When grinding heads, the indexing should always be done using the most
accurate surface area of the head. These surfaces are the outside diameter
of the head of the bolt or the inside diameter of the indexing hole in the head
of the bolt. Indexing on these surfaces eliminates the accumulated tolerances
and clearances from the bolt diameter, cutter bolt hole diameter, cutter radius,
cutter face, and the grinder indexing plate.
Cutter Head Alignment Procedures on Grinding Machine
1. Mount the cutter head on the work head arbor as close to the work head mast
as possible for the best rigidity.
2. Secure head to the arbor:
- For hydraulic heads, pump up to specification stamped on the head
- For collet heads, use proper spacers, collets, washer and locking nut
3. Using a felt tip marker, color each knife face of each stack - this enables
you to see how flush your grinding is.
4. Select a stack of cutters as a starting point. Only one stack of cutters can
be sharpened at a time.
5. Adjust headstock (usually on the rear of the machine).
6. Set the index pin on the work head.
7. Align the cutters with the grinding wheel by rotating the spindle and head to
line up the wheel to the face of the cutters. Fine-tune the alignment
with the VERTICAL (Z) head stock adjustment (located on top of the
machine) and the HORIZONTAL (X) head stock adjustment.
8. Grinding wheel should be perfectly aligned with the properly posted cutters,
giving a very accurate starting point to maintain proper hook angle. Note
that only the face of the cutter is to be ground for sharpening.
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Cutter Head Grinding Procedures
1. Perform set-up pass by dusting cutters (only remove 0.0005 of material, 2 to
3 passes on first stack).
2. Inspect the cutters and see if the ink from the marker was removed uniformly
across each knife in the whole stack. If not, make required alignment
adjustments and perform 2 to 3 more passes with no more than 0.0005
of material removal.
3. Once the grind is uniform, use the hook gauge to ensure a good starting point.
4. Leave the adjustments set at this point and zero mag base indicator on the rear
of the machine.
5. Grind each cutter stack on the head at this zero point.
6. Inspect each cutter for grind uniformity. Any mistakes made during the posting
process will now be apparent. If .005 of material removal will not clean up the
stack, the head should be removed and re-posted.
7. If the entire stack looks uniform, you are now
ready to grind the head - .003 to .005 of
total material will be removed from each
knife in the grinding process. The material is
removed over a total of 4 passes.
8. First pass: adjust the wheel to remove
.0015 of material. For the most accurate
adjustments use a mag base indicator.
9. Check with hook gauge*. Adjust if needed.
10. Second pass: repeat, removing .0015 of
material.
11. Check with hook gauge*. Adjust if needed.
12. Third pass: adjust wheel to remove
.0010 of material.
13. Forth (final) pass: adjust wheel to
remove .0005 of material.
14. Inspect the entire cutting edge of the
face of the cutter under 10x or 20x
magnification to ensure that the
corners are full and the edges are
sharp. Dont remove any burrs on
the cutter face by buffing, stoning, or
filing. This will dull the cutting edge
and produce a ragged joint.
This example is only a guideline. Each
grinding machine, grinding wheel and
cutter stack is different. Create the best
procedure for your conditions and docu-
ment the procedure for repeatability.
*Note: If hook angle is different from
first cutter in stack to the last cutter in
the stack; this indicates too much wheel
pressure, which is causing wheel deflec-
tion. Reduce the amount of material
removal per pass.
Correctly resharpened
finger joint cutter.
Too sharp of hook angle
will cut concave fingers.
A blunt hook angle will cut
convex fingers.
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GRINDING WHEEL INFORMATION
Fine-grit CBN wheels (60-120) and slow traverse speeds across the cutters will
produce a light burr. This burr will be removed in the first few minutes of production,
leaving a keen edge. However, coarse grinding wheels and heavy feed rates can cause
a heavy burr that is not readily removed during the first minutes of production. This
affects the geometry or joint profile for up to an hour of production and can cause
gaps on one side of all fingers.
A 4 - 8, 80 to 120-grit CBN (Borazon) wheel works best when grinding M2-steel
finger joint cutters.
Grinding Wheel Flex
Grinding Wheel Safety
1. Never exceed the recommended RPM of the grinding wheel manufacturer.
2. Always allow a newly mounted grinding wheel to run for a moment at the operating speed before you use it. Sometimes grinding
wheels will fly apart if they are damaged.
3. Always have the safety shield on the grinder before starting it. If damaged wheels fly apart, the shield will divert much of the
stone down.
4. Never stand in line with the wheel when the grinder is turned on. Grinding wheels will throw pieces of stone in a lineal direction
if they happen to break apart.
5. Always use safety glasses when grinding.
6. Always turn the coolant off first so the grinding wheel will throw it off. If coolant settles on the wheel, it can cause an imbalance.
7. Always make sure the arbor hole of the grinding wheel and the arbor are the same size for a tight fit. A loose fitting wheel will not
be centered and will vibrate if its circumference is not centered to the arbor. Failure to do this check could result in serious injury.
8. Never grind material for which the wheel was not designed.
The hook gauge is an inspection
tool. Never grind on the hook
gauge so it will clear the gullet
radius. Always grind the cutter
to fit the gauge.
Excess tool pressure causes
flex in the grinding wheel.
Thick knife at end of
stack may cause wheel
flex, resulting in an
uneven grind.
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PROPER GULLET GRINDING
Proper grinding of finger joint cutters can help reduce breakage and extend cutter life. Breakage occurs in finger joint cutters for
various reasons:
l When lumber hold-downs do not work properly and the lumber gets drawn into the tooling
l When foreign objects are fed through the system
l When cutters are not sharpened properly
The finger joint cutter in Figure 1 has the gullet area identified. Most AceCo cutters have a 1/4 gullet radius designed to disperse cutting
pressures and eliminate a stress concentration at one point. Compared to other manufacturers, AceCo cutters have a larger gullet radius
that reduces cutter breakage. The gullet radius, when properly maintained, also acts as a chip breaker and provides better chip flow.
Typically, as cutters are sharpened with a standard wheel, the cutting face is sharpened back, and the gullet produced at the factory is
unintentionally ground to an acute angle. Figure 2 shows the grind lines that develop over the life cycle of a cutter that has not been ground
properly. This improper grinding of the gullet will result in cutter breakage.
The concentration of force is then brought to one point which makes the cutter more susceptible to breakage. Sharp corners allow fiber
buildup and compaction which can negatively affect cutting, balance, and cutter clean-out. To eliminate this problem, a rework operation
needs to be done to return the gullet back to its original shape.
The CBN radius edge grinding
wheel accomplishes face sharpen-
ing and gullet maintenance in a
one-step operation. This procedure
will keep the gullet radius formed
throughout the life of the cutter.
The picture on page 14 shows
how the radius edge grinding
wheel forms and maintains the
gullet, whether starting with new or
reworked cutters.
CUTTING ANGLE
Definition: The angle at which the cutter face enters the
wood at the start of the cutting process.
POSITION A: Angle too steep
- Insufficient back clearance causes cutters to rub
instead of cut, resulting in dulling from heat.
- Diameter of cutting circle increased causing cutters to
cut excessively into lugs or to interfere with housing.
- Geometry of joint will change resulting in convex
fingers or joint length inconsistency.
POSITION B: Angle too shallow
- Insufficient shear cut causes increased tool pressure
and tool wear.
- Diameter of cutting circle is decreased leaving cutters
unsupported by lugs when exiting wood and causing
tear-out.
- Geometry of joint will change resulting in concave
fingers or joint length inconsistency.
POSITION C: Correct cutting angle
- Accomplished by using:
-Setup Stand (page 34)
-Hook Gauge (page 40)
B
15
C
20
A
25
POSITION C
Correct
Geometry
POSITION B
Concave Finger
POSITION A
Convex Finger
Figure 1 Figure 2
Gullet
Area
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JOINT LENGTH ADJUSTMENT
There are three stages of cutter edge wear that require joint length to be adjusted.
3rd STAGE
The cutter edge dulls. Interior tip is thinner, so the joint
is lengthened again to get thinner exterior tip. This stage
indicates cutters need to be resharpened.
2nd STAGE
The edge smooths out as the burr wears off and interior tip
width is reduced. Joint is lengthened to match the thinner
exterior tip. This stage is the majority of run time
1st STAGE
Sharpening creates a burr on the cutter edge. This burr cuts
a wider interior tip. The exterior tip must be wider to match,
so the joint is shortened. Do not attempt to deburr cutting
edge as dulling of cutters will result.
WOOD
CUTTER
WOOD
CUTTER
WOOD
CUTTER
Length adjustment is normally accomplished with a trim saw.
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FINGER JOINT TROUBLE-SHOOTING
PROBLEM #1 - Pressed board has bend to thin side
Possible Cause Board end is not perpendicular, so trim saw wont cleanup the end. If the trim saw doesnt cut perpendicular, then the
boards will develop a bend when pressed together. This problem worsens when too much pressure is used in the press
assembly.
Cure Adjust chop saws to cut perpendicular.
Possible Cause Boards have moved during cut so board ends are not being trimmed perpendicular.
Cures 1. Too much tool pressure during cut. Reduce cutting pressure by either: sharpening tooling, slowing feed rate,
increasing RPMs, or increasing number of cutting teeth.
2. Check air bag for leaks or twists which would affect hold down pressure.
3. Board height varies too much and shorter boards do not get adequate hold down pressure. Sort boards closer to
the same height dimensions.
4. Replace worn bedrail inserts, which may be allowing board movement.
Possible Cause Lugs are misaligned and not square to bedrails.
Cure Square lugs to bedrails. Square lugs in front of drive motor. May need to check the drive and tail sprockets.
Possible Cause Centerline of board is beyond the centerline of the anvil and ram of the press. More pressure is asserted on one side of
the board than the other.
Cure Adjust anvil and ram closer to centerline of board width. Always have anvil and ram slightly to the outside of centerline of
the board to avoid accidents if board comes apart in press.
Possible Cause Press assembly has indexing fence on the opposite side of the lug side of board. Boards have been profiled and
trimmed while indexing on the lug side. The indexing fence in the press should always be on the lug side of the board.
Cure Move press assembly to opposite side of scarfer unit.
PROBLEM #2 - Pressed board has bend to wide side
Possible Cause Trim saws have too much lead, thus, cutting a concave board end.
Cure Adjust lead of saw blade to no more than .004.
Possible Cause Long board sections have too much bow.
Cure May have to cut the longer board sections and finger joint again.
Possible Cause Trim saws are tilted from top or bottom causing an unsquare board end to be cut.
Cure Square saw blades from top to bottom with bedrails (flying cut-off saw may also need adjustment).
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PROBLEM #5 - Pressed board separates at joints after the moulding operation
Cause Too much pressure is being used in the press assembly.
Once the moulder cuts into the board, it relieves over-stressed fibers,
and the fibers separate from the glue line.
Cure Check the total force being applied to the boards in the
assembly press by using a load meter. The load meter reading should
be between 400 to 500 lbs. per square inch for the cross section of
the end of the board. For example, a 2x4 has eight square inches
of cross section and would require 3,200 to 4,000 Lbs. of force.
Pressure will vary somewhat with finger joint length.
To calculate the total force of the press:
1. Determine the diameter of the cylinder of the press and the
Pounds per Square Inch (P.S.I.) of the hydraulic line leading into
the cylinder. Put these figures into the formula:
(3.1416 x D 4) x (P.S.I. of hydraulic line to cylinder) = Z
where D = Diameter of hydraulic cylinder
2. The answer, Z, is then divided by the square inches of the cross section of the board. This will yield the force in pounds per
square inch of the board cross section and should range between the 400 to 500 Lbs. per square inch as stated above.
Note: This force is at the front of the pressure cylinder. As this force travels down the board, some will be lost due to the length of the
board, number of joints, board height/width, and joint length.
FINGER JOINT TROUBLE-SHOOTING - Continued
PROBLEM #4 - Pressed board has misaligned joints (joints jumped a tooth)
Possible Cause Shoulder of finger joint is too thin and is being forced in between fingers.
Cure Always set the thickness of the shoulder of the finger joint to be larger
than the tip thickness of the thin finger joint cutter.
Possible Cause Infeed roller bearings are worn out.
Cure Replace roller bearings.
Possible Cause Too much thickness variation in the boards.
Cure Sort boards for closer height dimensions.
Possible Cause Boards are being crowded together before being held down by infeed rollers.
Cure Adjust feeder assembly, so boards are under the infeed rollers before crowding begins.
Possible Cause Crowder roller feed table is not flat, which allows boards to bounce and misalign before final crowding.
Cure Replace or resurface infeed support table.
PROBLEM #3 - Pressed board falls apart
Possible Cause Too little pressure used in press assembly.
Cure Use load meter to adjust assembly pressure to 400 to 500 lbs. per square
inch for the cross section of the end of the board. Less pressure than this
will leave too much of a glue line and wont allow glue into the wood fiber.
Adequate pressure is also needed to ensure contact on the sides of the
fingers. More pressure will be needed for joints longer than 5/8.
Possible Cause Glue penetration into wood is not adequate.
Cure Moisture content of wood is too high (i.e. above 15%). Dry and reduce
moisture content.
Possible Cause Temperature is too cold to allow glue to coagulate and form a reliable bond.
Chalking of glue is evidence of this condition.
Cure Keep boards and surrounding work area above freezing temperatures.
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PROBLEM #6 - Some joints in board are not pressed together (may occur at end furthest from press cylinder)
Cause Insufficient force used to close joints due to: length of board, joint length, wood species, or board height/width. As these factors
absorb more of the total force, less and less pressure is applied at the end of the board. For example, as board width
increases, more force is required to close the joints furthest from the press.
Cure Calculate needed force required and adjust P.S.I. to hydraulic cylinder. Always check with the machine manufacturer to verify the
maximum allowable pressure for your machine. Never exceed this recommended pressure.
Note: A load meter can identify the total force. When using a load meter, always place it at the board end away from
the hydraulic cylinder to record the lowest pressure. Always place a piece of metal on each side of the load meter donut to
prevent it from being crushed into the wood and to ensure a more accurate reading of the force.
PROBLEM #7 - Joint open on one side (board has varying tip thickness from one side to the other)
Possible Cause Excessive tool pressure, which causes board movement while cutting.
Cure Calculate Chip Load, Cutting Speed, and MRR, as shown on pages 28-32, and verify that all are within acceptable range.
If not, make the appropriate changes to reduce tool pressure.
Possible Cause Board is moving during cutting process because of worn bed rails, low air bag pressure, or a twisted air bag. As a
result, board end is not square to machine spindle.
Cure Contact machine manufacturer for replacement or rebuild parts.
Possible Cause Board end is too unsquare to trim.
Cure Sort boards to eliminate scrap.
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PROBLEM #9 - Joint fingers too short or too long
In this figure, the fingers are too long. Dimension X is smaller than Y. The fingers must
be shortened by increasing the amount of wood the trim saw removes.
In this figure, the fingers are too short. Dimension X is larger than Y. The fingers
must be lengthened by reducing the amount of wood the trim saw removes.
A good finger joint will have no gaps, allowing very little room for excess glue. This is
accomplished when dimension X = Y.
PROBLEM #10 - Joint Length Shorter Than Normal
Possible Cause Excessive radial run-out at the top of the cutter stacks.
Cure Check spindle for excessive run-out or warped spindle.
Possible Cause Excessive radial run-out at the bottom of the cutter stacks.
Cure Have the heads bottom cutter face checked by AceCo for bore
perpendicularity.
Possible Cause Excessive radial run-out at the spindle, caused by bad bearings.
Cure Contact machine manufacturer.
X
Y
Y
Y
X
X
X < Y
X > Y
X = Y
PROBLEM #8 - Joint open across one board end
(joint length varies from one side to the other)
Cause Board is being trimmed unevenly.
Cure Review finger joint machine operation manual
for trim saw adjustment. Check the transfer
belt to determine if belt is moving too fast and
pushing the board away from the lug before it
enters the air bag section. This will cause the
trim saw to miss the board end.
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PROBLEM #11 - Joint Fingers Have Concave Gap on Side
Possible Cause Cutters were not resharpened according to hook gauge. Cutters have too sharp of a hook angle.
Cure Grind the cutters to match the hook gauge (see page 40).
Possible Cause Cutter stack moved during setup and rotated too far forward for the correct set-up angle.
Cure Reset the head on a set-up stand and check alignment of cutter stack to alignment post. Check set-up stand for
damage or excessive wear.
PROBLEM #12 - Joint Fingers Have Convex Gap on Side
Possible Cause Cutters were not resharpened according to hook gauge. Cutters have too blunt of a hook angle.
Cure Grind the cutters to match the hook gauge (see page 40).
Possible Cause Cutter stack was not pulled up to the alignment post of the set-up stand.
Cure Set cutter stacks against the alignment post of the set-up stand and re-torque the bolts.
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TEAR OUT
Tear-out is defined as excessive splintering and chipping of the wood surface that
the tooling is exiting.
Conditions That Cause Tear-out:
Dull Cutters: Sometimes tear-out can be eliminated by simply resharpening your
cutters more often and verifying that your grinding procedures are correct.
Too High of Feed Rate: Tear-out can occur if your feed rate is too high. To see
if this is a problem, you need to calculate the number of knife Marks per Inch
(see page 29).
Gullet Radius: An improperly maintained gullet radius can prevent wood chips from
flowing clear of the stack of cutters. Compacted fiber builds up until the tips of the
wood joint are ripped out because of a lack of clearance. A properly formed gullet
radius acts as a chip breaker.
Grain Orientation: Direction of wood grain can reduce or accentuate tear-out (see
graphic below).
Bad Lugs: Lack of proper backing support can cause tear-out. Lugs will not function
properly if they are excessively worn or rounded on the supporting edge. The brush
system in front of the hold-downs should not run on the lugs themselves, or it will
cause excessive wear and rounding of the supporting corner on the lug face. Lugs
that are out of adjustment can also contribute to tear-out. The finger joint cutters should just touch the lug.
Species of Wood: The type of lumber and grain structure can further add to tear-out. Materials that splinter and clog the finger joint head
quickly (e.g. Hemlock Fir) will produce excessive tear-out.
Cutting Angle: Proper cutting angle is critical in producing a good joint. If cutters are sharpened without using a proper hook gauge,
tear-out can occur. Using a blunt cutting angle (under 18) can cause tear-out due to excessive tool pressure. Also, using an improper
or damaged set-up stand to set-up your heads can cause tear-out. Double-check your set-up and sharpening procedures to be sure
this is not a problem.
Moisture Content: Dry lumber will promote tear-out. We recommend moisture content to be between 8% and 15%.
Excess Radial Run-out: Tendency of the head and cutters to fluctuate up and down as they rotate is known as radial run-out. This is caused
by component inaccuracy, tolerance buildup, worn spindles, or imprecise systems used to attach the head to the spindle.
Joint Length: The amount of tear-out decreases directly as the tip and shoulder sizes decrease. Switching to a shorter joint can
greatly reduce tear-out.
Saws: Chop and trim saws often cause tear-out (see page 50). It is important that the proper saws are used and that sharpness is
maintained. This will prevent tear-out on the exit side of the board which is caused by excessive saw tooth pressure.
This grain orientation will cause tear-out. This grain orientation will reduce tear-out.
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TRIM SAWS
Trim Saws perform precision squaring
of the board end and precision trimming
of finger joint depth. Trim saw blades
should have directional left or right-hand
teeth (9 and 1 pattern suggested) with
the finish side toward the board. Like
chop saws, dull and improper trim saws
will cause fiber separation. The kerf
of the trim saw should always be less
than the saw blade thickness, while not
exceeding the thickness that is required to clean up and square the boards. In other words, there should never be a board end slice
left over after trimming.
How much wood is being trimmed off the board? To find out, let the board go through the trim saw, pull it out and then send it through the
same saw again. The distance between the scribed bed rail marks is the amount being trimmed off by the saw.
For proper squaring, the trim saw needs to be perpendicular, both vertically and horizontally, to the board with a lead of no more than .004.
A bit of lead is desirable, or the saw will double-cut the board, causing bowed stock at the assembly press. Conversely, too much lead will
produce open-concave board ends, which will also bow when pressed in the assembly. If the trim saw motor bracket doesnt have its own
mechanism for adjusting lead, then simply shim under the bracket itself to obtain the correct lead.
Rotation of the trim saw blade can reduce tear-out. The blade should enter the board surfaces where tear-out is least desired and exit the
board where quality is least impacted. The following figures show tear-out minimized on reverse type joints by configuring rotation and saw
exit in areas that are removed with the thick finger joint cutter. By design, the tear-out is cleaned-up by the thick finger joint cutter.
Saw tips should exit no more than 1/8 through board in order to keep more teeth in the cut, reducing tool pressure and tear-out
from the saw.
Minimize the amount to be cut by the
trim saw - not to exceed 1/8
Saw Blade
.004 Max.*
*Exaggerated for clarity Saw Blade
Saw exit (Tear-out) area removed by thick finger
joint cutter
Trim Saw
Front
View
Conventional Cut
Climb Cut*
joint cutter
Trim Saw
Front
View
Side
View
Side
View
Conventional Cut
Climb Cut*
joint cutter
joint cutter
Side
View
Side
View
Trim Saw
Trim Saw
Saw center is above bed rails. Saw center is below bed rails.
*Hold down pressure on the board must be adequate to keep the board from pulling away from the lug during a climb cut.
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RIP-OUT
Rip-out is defined as the removal of fingers in the center of the profiled board and
the jamming or embedding of this material between stacked cutters. In turn, this
clogged material produces more rip-out by prohibiting the clean cutting of adjacent
fingers.
Conditions That Cause Rip-out
Species of wood: Materials that splinter and clog up finger joint heads quickly (i.e.
Hemlock fir) will experience rip-out, because the wood has erratic grain structure
with different degrees of strength.
Moisture content: Extremely dry lumber will promote rip-out. We recommend that
finger jointed lumber remain above 8% moisture content.
Cutter tip thickness: Tips thinner than .030 tend to cause rip-out. One cure for
this problem is to setup your finger joint cutters in a staggered profile. The quickest
way to try this cure is to rollback every other cutter out of the cutting circle, so they
will do no cutting. On the next stack of cutters behind the first ones, roll back the
opposite cutters from the first stack. In effect, this will make a 10-bolt head cut like
a 5-bolt head. AceCo can provide spacers in place of the rolled back cutters, if this is
a problem. Keep in mind, you will need to slow your feed rate by 50%, because you
have 50% of the normal amount of cutters. Another potential cure for this situation
is to mount a brass head cleaner on the machine shaper. (See Page 12)
Gullet Radius: An improperly maintained gullet radius can prevent wood chips from flowing clear of the stack of cutters. Compacted
fiber builds up until the tips of the wood joint are ripped out because of a lack of clearance. A properly formed gullet radius acts as
a chip breaker.
MEASURING JOINT LENGTH
Periodically, joint length measurements must be taken
from the finger-jointed boards produced. Joint length
measurements are used for:
Machine setup - Trim saws: Each end must have the
same length to prevent end gaps as the boards are
pressed together.
True Joint Length: Resharpened tooling will produce a
shorter finger than the nominal design length. This is
caused by burrs on the cutter face which are removed
during the first few hours of production.
Dull Tooling: As the tooling dulls, joint length increases.
When a determined length is reached, the tooling needs
to be resharpened.
The graphic illustrates correct and incorrect methods for
measuring the length of a finger joint. Please note that
the correct method uses longer surfaces of the digital
caliper for location. By locating on these long surfaces,
joint lengths have better repeatability, to within .003.
Inaccurate method
because jaw is
aligned by sight.
Incorrect Method Correct Method
Caliper tip may not
fit into valley of
finger joint.
Non-perpendicular
Long locating
surface of caliper.
Do not measure
along finger slope.
Keep caliper
perpendicular
to shoulder for
correct length.
Long locating
surface of caliper.
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JOINT SAVINGS ANALYSIS
The following is a method to evaluate your savings by shortening your joint length. The lumber saved from this conversion will usually pay
for the tooling in just a few months time. AceCo offers cutters that can produce joints as small as 1/4, 4mm, and 5mm. To find out how
much you can save simply follow the example below, then fill out the Joint Savings Analysis Work Sheet.
Assumptions used in the example: (1) Joint Conversion from 3/8 to 1/4
(2) Board Size is 6/4 (1.562 height x 3 width)
(3) 80 joints per minute average for two 8-hour shifts
Example: Step 1: Calculate lineal feet of lumber saved.
1. 3/8 - 1/4 = 1/8 or .125
2. .125 x 80 joints per minute x 60 minutes = 600 lineal inches saved per hour.
3. 600 lineal inches saved per hour x 16 hours (2 shifts)
= 9,600 lineal inches saved per day.
4. 9,600 12/ft. = 800 lineal feet saved per day.
5. Assign cost per lineal foot x amount of lineal feet saved per day
= Cost Savings per lineal foot per day.
Assume: $.30 cost per foot x 800 lineal feet saved = $240.00 saved per day.
Step 2: Calculate board feet of lumber saved.
1. 9,600 lineal inches saved x 1.562 board height x 3 board width
= 44,985 cubic inches saved.
2. 44,985 cubic inches 144 (the volume of inches in one board foot)
= 312 board feet saved per day.
3. Assigned cost for 1,000 board feet 1,000 board feet = savings per board foot per day.
4. Example of $900.00 1,000 board feet = $.90 per board foot.
5. $.90 x 312 board feet saved = $280.80 worth of lumber saved per day.
Joint Savings Analysis Work Sheet:
Step 1: A. Current joint length = ______________________
B. Joint length converting to = _________________
C. A - B = __________________________________ lumber saved per joint.
D. Average number of joints ran per minute = _____________________________
E. C x D x 60 minutes per hour = ________________________________________ lineal inches saved per hour
F. Number of hours of operation per day = _______________________________
G. E x F = __________________________________ lineal inches saved per day
H. G 12 = ________________________________ lineal feet saved per day
I. Cost of lineal foot of lumber = $_______________
J. I x H = $__________________________________ of cost savings per lineal foot per day.
Step 2: K. Board height = ___________________________
L. Board width = ____________________________
M. G x K x L = _______________________________ cubic inches saved per day.
N. M 144 (volume of one board foot) = __________________________________ board feet saved per day.
O. Cost of 1,000 board feet = $ ________________
P. O 1,000 board feet = $ ___________________ savings per board foot per day.
Q. P x N = $_________________________________ worth of lumber saved per day.
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SPINDLE PERPENDICULARITY AND CROSSLINING
AceCo would like to state that we are tooling manufacturers and not machine manufacturers; however, the best tooling in the world wont
perform correctly unless the finger joint machine is also perfectly tuned. Therefore, one of the most important aspects of the machine
is the spindle and its perpendicularity to the bed rail grooves. As shown below, a non-perpendicular shaft will not be found by simply
indicating on the spindle itself. If the shaft is running true, then the indicator will show little or no run-out, even though the spindle may
be tilted in relation to the bed rail grooves.
If a spindle is not perpendicular to the bed rail grooves, the finger joint head will plow through the wood and produce a joint that needs
to be shortened in order to fit together. The finger joint cutters will also be galled on the sides, because there will be little or no side
clearance between the wood and the cutters.
Crosslining is a procedure to check the perpendicularity of the spindle to the bed rail grooves. This procedure utilizes a dial indicator
with a magnetic base attached to the spindle and then swung across the bed rail grooves at four different positions. Measurements
are taken at all four positions and verified to within .003 of each other. Do not take measurements on the bed rails themselves, as
they may be worn.
Remove the bed rail inserts and any spacers that may be under the inserts that were used to level them. Clean out the bed rail grooves and
insert a 1 x 1 x 1/2 metal block into the grooves. Swing the indicator to each of the four locations shown below and let the dial indicator
read off the block at each point. The variance between the four measurements should not exceed .003, as stated above. This variance
may need to be smaller for short joints (i.e. 1/4, 4mm, 5mm joints), as they require more accurate spindle perpendicularity. Adjustments
should be made at the spindle motor mounting bracket on the machine.
Spindle
Side View
Top View
Indicator
with magnetic
base
Precision
Metal Block
Bed Rail
Grooves
Spindle
Spindle
Bed Rail
Grooves
Indicator
Path
Positions where measurements are taken.
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TILTED HEAD SYNDROME
Tilted Head Syndrome is a problem where,
even though the spindle is perpendicular to
the bed rail grooves, the head is not perpen-
dicular to the spindle, as shown in Figure 1.
This problem usually results from the head
not properly locating on the spindle due to
nicks or burrs on the collets (centering cones)
or the collet faces of the head itself. Tilted
Head Syndrome can be detected by placing
a mag-base dial indicator securely to the
machine so that the indicator tip can ride on
the top of the cutter stacks at the tip of the
cutters. With the spindle motor locked out,
rotate the spindle one revolution and read the
variance between the cutter stacks.
If the variance between the tops of the stacks
of cutters is more than .003, then the head is
likely tilted, as shown in Figure 1.
The high and low readings on the cutter
stacks are usually opposite of each other, but
the readings will not necessarily remain on the
same cutter stacks for collet-type heads.
If the spindle nut is loosened and the head is
rotated 180, the high and low readings will
move to different stacks. This tilted condition
makes the cutters act like they have wider pitch than they actually do, which, in turn, produces joints with thinner tips that need to be
shortened to make the joint fit together. However, when the joint is shortened, the tip of the wood finger becomes thicker, producing more
of a butt joint within the finger joint. The result is a finger joint with reduced strength.
The finger joint head will also have only a few opposite stacks cutting while the rest of the stacks are missing the wood. This increases
the chip load for the cutters that are doing the work and decreases the time between sharpenings. It is possible for a 10-bolt collet head
to cut like a 4-bolt head, because all the cutters are not precisely following the same plane. Additional tear-out on the back of the boards
will result because of the increased tool pressure.
The Ace-Loc hydraulically-centered finger joint head was designed to eliminate this misalignment. Hydraulically-centered finger joint
heads grab the entire surface area of the spindle, thus increasing the perpendicularity of the finger joint head to the spindle as shown in
Figure 2. Joint lengths are maintained better, because all the cutter stacks
cut evenly, reducing the chip load on each individual stack. Additional benefits
include reduced tear-out and extended cutter life.
WORN LUGS
Worn lugs allow boards to move as they are being cut by the finger joint head
and will produce a joint much like that of the Tilted Head Syndrome. See
the illustration to the left.
Never allow alignment brushes to ride over the lugs and make contact. This
will eventually wear the lugs down.
If the mating surface of the lug is worn so that less than half of the height of
the back of the board is supported, then the board will move during the cutting
process. Examining the bottom of the board can identify this. Bed rail scribe
marks that are deeper on the front of the board and less on the lug side of the
board indicate that this problem is happening.
Wide inside tips
Thin outside tips
Difference in joint length
due to Radial Run-out
Opposite cutter stacks
are doing the work
Margin of error
increases as
cutting circle
increases
Outside and inside
tips are equal
All cutters are
on the same
cutting plane
Figure 1
Figure 2
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FINGER JOINT TOOLING COMPARISON
WING CUTTERS
The cutting circle is quickly reduced as the cutter is resharpened. Machine adjustments are required to continue to produce an acceptable
joint. The short life cycle and inconsistency of joint quality are major disadvantages of solid wing cutters.
Wing #1 Wing #2
AceCo CIRCLE BIT FJ CUTTERS
The cutting circle is maintained after each sharpening by rotating the cutter to the same, exact position. The precision tolerances provide
the most accurate joint quality and consistency possible.
Wing #1
Wing #2
.375 usable cutter
View of typical wing cutters; showing
alternating cutting sequence of each
wing.
View of AceCo tooling shows advantages
of individual cutters. Finite Finish
TM
ensures flatness of .00005, which
produces a superior joint.
View of AceCo C40 tooling shows
advantages of individual cutters. Finite
Finish
TM
ensures flatness of .00005,
which produces a superior joint.
AceCo C40 FJ CUTTERS
The C40 is AceCos answer to vertical fingerjointing. The C40 is designed to
accommodate a wide range of equipment that has previously been dominated by
Wing Cutter style of tooling. The C40 incorporates the precision tolerances of
AceCos circle bit cutters and maximizes cutting circle life by giving .640 of usable
cutter life compared to .375 provided by wing cutters.
.640 usable cutter
2.00 usable cutter
www.aceco.com
Feed Rate
Feet per
Minute
M.P.I. =
R.P.M. x Number of Knives
12 x Feed rate in Feet/Min.
MOULDER HEAD KNIFES PER INCH - M.P.I.
Based on 3,600 and 6,000 RPM
Note: The chart illustrates average, ideal conditions. Some species of wood will require a different M.P.I. or feed rate. When knives are not
jointed, use the single knife column. See page 60 for Jointing information.
Number of Knives
1 2 4 6 8 10 12
15 20 33.3 40
20 15 25 30 50
25 12 20 24 40 48
30 10 16.7 20 33.3 40
35 8.6 14.3 17.1 28.6 34.3 51.4
40 7.5 12.5 15 25 30 50 45
45 6.7 11.1 13.3 22.2 26.7 44.4 40
50 6 10 12 20 24 40 36 48
60 5 8.3 10 16.7 20 33.3 30 50 40 50
70 7.1 8.6 14.3 17.1 28.6 25.7 42.9 34.3 42.6 51.4
80 6.3 7.5 12.5 15 25 22.5 37.5 30 50 37.5 45
90 5.6 6.7 11.1 13.3 22.2 20 33.3 26.7 44.4 33.3 40
100 5 6 10 12 20 18 30 24 40 30 50 36
110 5.5 9.1 10.9 18.2 16.4 27.3 21.8 36.4 27.3 45.5 32.7
120 5 8.3 10 16.7 15 25 20 33.3 25 41.6 30 50
130 7.7 9.2 15.4 13.8 23.1 18.5 30.8 23.1 38.5 27.7 46.2
140 7.1 8.6 14.3 12.9 21.4 17.1 28.6 21.4 35.7 25.7 42.9
150 6.7 8 13.3 12 20 16 26.7 20 33.3 24 40
160 6.3 7.5 12.5 11.3 18.8 15 25 18.8 31.3 22.5 37.5
170 5.9 7.1 11.8 10.6 17.6 14.1 23.5 17.6 29.4 21.2 35.3
180 5.6 6.7 11.1 10 16.7 13.3 22.2 16.7 27.8 20 33.3
190 5.3 6.3 10.5 9.5 15.8 12.6 21.1 15.8 26.3 18.9 31.6
200 5 6 10 9 15 12 20 15 25 18 30
220 5.5 9.1 8.2 13.6 10.9 18.2 13.6 22.7 16.4 27.3
240 5 8.3 7.5 12.5 10 16.7 12.5 20.8 15 25
260 7.7 6.9 11.5 9.2 15.4 11.5 19.2 13.8 23.1
280 7.1 6.4 10.7 8.6 14.3 10.7 17.9 12.9 21.4
300 6.7 6 10 8 13.3 10 16.7 12 20
325 6.2 5.5 9.2 7.4 12.3 9.2 15.4 11.1 18.5
350 5.7 5.1 8.6 6.9 11.4 8.6 14.3 10.3 17.1
375 5.3 8 6.4 10.7 8 13.3 9.6 16
400 5 7.5 6 10 7.5 12.5 9 15
425 7.1 5.6 9.4 7.1 11.8 8.5 14.1
450 6.7 5.3 8.9 6.7 11.1 8 13.3
475 6.3 5.1 8.4 6.3 10.5 7.6 12.6
500 6 8 6 10 7.2 12
550 5.5 7.3 5.5 9.1 6.5 10.9
600 5 6.7 5 8.3 6 10
700 5.7 7.1 5.1 8.6
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GEOMETRY OF ANGLES
Cutting angle (hook angle) + Knife angle + Clearance angle = 90 degrees
As cutting angle is increased, the knife enters the wood at more of a shear angle, which reduces tool pressure.
As knife angle is increased, cutting edge is strengthened, for longer life, but cutting edge wont be as sharp and will not produce as
good of a finish.
As clearance angle is increased, there is less drag produced against the wood. This results in less heat for the wood and the knife.
If the cutting angle were held constant, you would want to decrease the knife angle (sharper knife angle) for softer woods and increase the
knife angle for harder woods. If the knife angle is increased, knife life can be prolonged in exchange for a lower quality surface finish.
If the knife angle were held constant, you would want to increase cutting angle (more shearing action) for woods with a higher moisture
content.
RECOMMENDED CUTTING ANGLES
M.C. - Moisture Content
Species Green Air Dried Kiln Dried
of Wood 12% M.C. or higher 7% M.C. or lower
Ash 25 20 15
Basswood 20 15 10
Beech 25 25 15
Birch 25 20 15
Cedar 30 25 20
Cypress 30 25 20
Douglas Fir 25 20 15
Gum 25 20 15
Hemlock 30 25 20
Hickory 13 11 10
Mahogany 25 20 15
Maple 25 20 15
Oak 25 20 15
Pine, Yellow 25 20 15
Pine, White 30 25 20
Poplar 25 20 15
Redwood 30 25 20
Spruce 30 25 20
Walnut 25 20 15
Cutting
Circle
Cutting
Angle
Knife
Angle
Clearance Rotation
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SURFACE FINISH
Decreasing the feed rate, increasing the number of knives, or increasing the cutter head speed can reduce the distance between pitch
marks. The quality of the surface finish will be improved with a shorter pitch mark. Shorter pitch marks can also reduce tool pressure
and increase the time between sharpenings. However, if tool pressure is reduced beyond recommended levels, the chip load per knife
will be inadequate for proper cutting, and the knives will prematurely dull. Wave height can be reduced by increasing the radius of the
cutter head or by decreasing the feed per knife.
Guidelines: High Quality Avg. Quality Lower Quality
(Furniture) (Moulding) (Const. Lumber)
Pitch Less than .070 .070 to .134 Above .134
(1.78mm) (1.78mm to 3.40mm) (3.40mm)
M.P.I. More than 14.3 14.3 to 7.5 Less than 7.5
Peak to Valley Less than .0002 .0002 to .0007 Above .0007
(.005mm) (.005mm to .018mm) (.018mm)
Assuming moulder head diameter at 163mm (6.417).
F
P
n
D
h
P =
12F P
2
1
Tn 4D P
M.P.I. = h =
P = Pitch; Pitch Mark; Feed per Knife:
Distance between engagement of successive
knives (inches)
h = Peak to Valley Depth; Wave Height (inches)
n = Revolutions per Minute of the Cutter head (R.P.M.)
T = Number of Jointed Knives in Cutter head
D = Cutting Circle Diameter; Extreme Swing (inches)
F = Feed Rate; Feed Speed of Work piece (feet/min)
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Corrugated Heads
Dimension B
Measure back of pocket to parallel centerline or use the following schedule
for AceCo std. heads:
(Assuming K=.375)
Description Cutting Body Dim
Angle Radius B
150mm - 4 Knife 20 2.953 1.418
150mm - 4 Knife 12 2.953 .858
150mm - 6 Knife 20 2.953 1.418
150mm - 6 Knife 12 2.953 .858
163mm - 8 Knife 20 3.209 1.506
163mm - 8 Knife 12 3.209 .902
195mm - 10 Knife 20 3.839 1.721
195mm - 10 Knife 12 3.839 1.012
**Note: Dimension A is the knife thickness minus the depth
of the corrugations.
Note: Flat Back Heads - Measure from the back of the pocket to parallel
with the centerline. Cutting angles decrease as knives are extended out of
the cutter head.
MOULDER HEAD CUTTING ANGLES
How to determine moulder head cutting angles when the knife protrudes at different distances
from the head.
K = Distance knife protrudes from the head
R = Radius of body
0 = Cutting angle
Sample: 150mm corrugated head, 6 knife, 20 C.A., 5/16 knife, K = 20mm (.787), R = 75mm (2.953)
A = .280 Sin = = .30428
B = 1.418
Z = (1.418-.280) = 1.138
Look in trig tables
= 1743
1.138
2.953 + .787
Z = B - A
Sin =
Z
R + K
WARNING: DO NOT EXTEND KNIFE BEYOND THE BOTTOM OF THE GIB, INJURY OR MACHINE DAMAGE
COULD RESULT.
Corrugated Knives Smooth Back Knives
Knife Dim A** Knife Dim A
1/4 .218 1/8 .125
5/16 .280 5/32 .156
3/8 .343 3/16 .188
1/4 .250
5/16 .313
3/8 .375
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JOINTING
To ensure a uniform cutting circle for all knives in a head, the knives
should be jointed on a moulding spindle. A mounted jointing stone hones
each knife-edge as the head spins at actual cutting speed. This brings all
cutting surfaces to an exact radius, while compensating for any tolerance
accumulation or imbalance.
The jointing process can be repeated several times. However, the
chamfer or heel produced on the tip must not exceed the following
recommendations:
Maximum Chamfer:
Softwoods: .020 (0.51mm)
Hardwoods: .028 (0.71mm)
Jointing improves the quality of finish by ensuring that knife cuts are of an even height. A properly jointed knife will also cut cleanly, causing
minimal damage to wood cells and preventing a glazed finish.
The knives can only be jointed a few times before they must be properly resharpened. The frequency of jointing, before grinding, is
related to the amount of heel you leave on the knife. Knives that are jointed in an unbalanced or inaccurately centered manner will
have uneven tip (heel) removal, as shown in Figure C (page 65). The larger heel will eventually result in decreased tool life, increased
sharpening, and potentially poor surface finish. Figure D (page 65) shows the increased tip life of jointed knives from precision-centered
and balanced cutter heads.
MOULDER AND PLANER HEAD GIB SCREW TIGHTENING
Always use a torque wrench to tighten gib screws in moulder and planer heads.
Tighten gib screws starting with the center screw first and torque to
30 - 35 Ft. Lbs. to eliminate distortion. The threads of the gib screws should
be coated with thread lubricant to increase the clamping force. Moulder knives
should be cleaned, inspected, and balanced to within one tenth of a gram
in order to reduce vibration, increase spindle bearing life, and provide better
surface finish.
www.aceco.com
SHEAR HEAD RESHARPENING - Using the Shear Knife Grinding Guide
The AceCo shear knife grinding guide simplifies the sharpening of
shear-cut moulder heads by providing a precise cutting edge on
heads with shear angles up to 15. The guide can be used on both
left and right hand shear-cut heads to create a consistent grind
on the entire knife. The guide easily mounts on most grinders, is
symmetrical front to back, and adjusts from side to side.
The shear guide allows for a smooth transition to be made as the grinding wheel moves across the knife
surface. The direction of the guide and grind pass correlate directly to the angle direction of the knife. At the
right front corner of the grinder, a guide rail and stylus provide the straight line reference. This rail must be
parallel with the arbor of the machine or the moulder head will cut a taper. The knife relief angle is achieved
by moving the center height of the grinding wheel in relationship to the center height of the moulder head. By
increasing this distance, the angle will increase and vice-versa. When setting up the shear guide, the center
of the guide must be aligned with the center of the grinding wheel. It is recommended that the guide be as
close to the wheel as possible, without actually touching, to ensure a rigid set-up and to reduce chatter.
GRINDING WHEEL
MOULDER HEAD
KNIFE GUIDE
TABLE
STYLUS
FIXED ARM
GUIDE RAIL
ARBOR
PARALLEL
Grinding Wheel
(Full Radius Recommended)
Start grind from
RIGHT SIDE if shear
angle is in this direction.
Start grind from
LEFT SIDE if shear
angle is in this direction.
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HYDRAULIC TOOLING INFORMATION
A. General Ace-Loc Head Guidelines
1. Safety lock collars are required. Lock collars prevent the cutter heads from accidentally slipping when hydraulic pressure is not
maintained. They also retain the cutter head if a lock nut is not used.
2. Obey minimum and maximum operating pressures, which are engraved on all heads. O-ring and/or sleeve damage could occur
if the maximum pressure is exceeded.
3. Never attempt to pressurize any hydraulically-centered cutter head that is not on a spindle. Damage to the sleeve will result.
4. Never leave unpressurized cutter heads on unattended machines. The machine could be turned on by mistake, resulting in
damaged spindles or sleeves, and possible operator injury.
5. Machine spindles must be in good condition for hydraulically-centered cutter heads to perform correctly. They must be clean,
dry, and free of any grease or oil. Do not spray the spindle with any cleaning solvent or oil, as it could drain down into the spindle
bearing and contaminate it. Always wipe the spindle clean.
6. Total clearance between the spindle and the bore of the head cannot exceed .003 (.076mm) for keyless shafts. For keyed shafts
(1-1/2 and less) clearance cannot exceed .002 (.050mm). AceCo factory bore sizes are 1.8130 - 1.8135 for the 1-13/16
spindle size and 1.5005 - 1.5010 for the 1-1/2 spindle size.
7. Never use a cutter head with a sleeve designed for keyless spindles on a spindle that has a keyway. The Ace-Loc sleeve could be
permanently deformed and would have to be replaced. However, a sleeve designed for a keyed spindle may be used on a keyless
spindle.
8. Always check the hydraulic pressure each day before starting the machine. Pressure can be monitored using the grease guns
pressure gauge. Hydraulic pressure will change due to temperature variations.
9. To maintain balance and accuracy, all debris such as sawdust and pitch must be removed from the cutter head.
10. It is important to clean cutter heads in a non-corrosive cleaning solution such as Blade Clean or equivalent. If you are unsure
about your cleaning solution, obtain an O-ring from AceCo. Test your cleaning solution by soaking the O-ring for a few days
and then inspecting for deterioration. Recommended cleaning solution temperature should not exceed 140 Fahrenheit (60.0
degrees Celsius).
11. To release the hydraulic pressure in the Ace-Loc sleeve, loosen the allen screw on the pressure relief fitting, located directly
opposite the zerk fitting. The allen screw will release grease from within the Ace-Loc. Always retighten the allen screw before
attempting to re-pressurize the cutter head. (Do not completely remove the allen screw from the relief fitting, as check ball
may be lost)
12. In the event that you need to replace the grease fittings in your cutter head, only use AceCo approved, high-pressure grease
fittings. Other fittings may not work properly with our tapered fittings.
13. Do not use graphite-based grease. Graphite under high pressure will damage the O-rings.
14. When cleaning Ace-Loc heads, always close the pressure release valve so cleaning solvent will not enter the system.
www.aceco.com
High-pressure grease gun
Cross section of Ace-Loc Sleeve
HYDRAULIC TOOLING INFORMATION
B. Grease Gun Technical Information
1. A special grease gun, available from AceCo, is required to pressurize an Ace-Loc sleeve. Please read and understand the
operating and maintenance instructions before using grease gun.
2. To ensure that no contaminants are pumped into the cutter head, always wipe clean the hydraulic connector and grease fitting
before connecting the grease gun to the cutter head.
3. Always use high temperature lithium-based grease in grease gun. Do not use graphite-based grease. Graphite under high
pressure will damage the O-rings.
Cross Section exaggerated for clarity.
Sleeve bore to spindle diameterical clearance = .002 to .003
www.aceco.com
BALANCE
Balance has a dynamic effect on performance-related considerations such as surface quality and tool life.
Imbalance is the result of an uneven distribution of weight on a rotational shaft. This can be caused by an off center alignment hole
in the cutter head body; inaccurate or inconsistent weights of the machined head body, elements of the head or cutters; actual metal
imperfections such as porosity or pockets; and changes caused by sharpening, cutter replacements, or uneven pitch or fiber build up.
All AceCo head bodies are balanced to 7200 RPM and to International Standards Organization (ISO) quality grade G - 1.0. All of the
components on a cutter head body are weighed to 0.1 gram on a digital scale, and equally weighted elements are cross-balanced at
assembly. Finger joint stacks are cross-balanced to within a total of 0.1 gram (page 33). Technicians in the mill should follow these
guidelines when replacing or reassembling components.
An imbalance of 1 gram on a 10-1/2 extreme swing finger joint head, turning at 3,600 RPM, causes a centrifugal imbalance force of 4.25
lbs. This force can be calculated using the following formula:
Example:
As you can see, a small imbalance results in a significant rotational force that can cause vibrations, spindle bearing failure, unequal knife
loading, and poor surface finish.
As speed is increased, the rotational imbalance forces increase exponentially.
When the speed doubles, the imbalance force quadruples. A cutter head
that is acceptable at 3,600 RPM may not be at 6,000 RPM. Similar to
improper centering, imbalance can cause the center of rotation of a cutter
body to be displaced, resulting in an out-of-round condition. This puts an
unequal workload on the cutters and causes a loss of multiple knife finish and
premature dulling.
The utopian way to balance the cutter head and knife assembly would be on
the actual machine it is used on at actual running speeds. The next best
method would be to balance the cutter head and knife assembly on a dynamic
balancing machine prior to mounting. The most common method is to care-
fully cross-balance the assembled elements and cutters on a pre-balanced
cutter head body (all AceCo heads are pre-balanced prior to shipping).
Centrifugal Force = Mass x Radius x Speed
2
W = Weight in grams of unbalance
N = Spindle Speed (RPM)
R = Radius in inches from rotational center to unbalance concentration.
Typically at the cutter peripheral or extreme swing divided by 2.
The formula is simplified to: Force =
W x N
2
x R x .624
10,000,000
Therefore: W = 1 gram
N = 3,600 RPM
R = 5.25 inches
1 x 3,600
2
x 5.25 x .624
10,000,000
= 4.25 lbs.
www.aceco.com
PRECISION CENTERING
Inaccurate centering can be caused by an off-center alignment hole in the cutter head body; or inaccurate joining of the cutter head body
to the spindle shaft; or cutter head body imbalance. All of these conditions result in an out-of-round or eccentric tip path. Ace-Loc hydraulic
centering can help eliminate problems associated with inaccurate joining of the head to the spindle.
Figures A and C show that the problems associated with inaccurate centering. Figures B and D show the benefits of a properly centered
head.
Figure C illustrates the knife depth of
an off-centered or unbalanced cutter
head. To equalize the knife depth
the black tip area shown would be
removed in the jointing process.
Figure A illustrates the knife path of an off-centered or unbal-
anced cutter head prior to jointing. Notice that the outside
knives make heavier cuts while the inside knives make lighter
cuts. This causes premature dulling of outside knives, as well
as a poorer quality surface finish.
.0002
.002
Figure B illustrates how an Ace-Loc hydrualically-centered head can
improve the centering accuracy by 10 times over conventional tooling.
Figure D illustrates the knife depth of
a balanced head with equal amounts
of knife tip being removed in the joint-
ing process.
www.aceco.com
Length
1 meter = 39.37 inches or 3.28 feet or 1.094 yards
1 millimeter = .0394 inches
1 kilometer = 3,281 feet or .6214 miles
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters or 25.4 millimeters
1 foot = .3048 meters or 30.48 centimeters
Area
1 meter
2
= 10.76 feet
2
or 1,550 inches
2
or 10,000 cm
2
1 centimeter
2
= .155 inches
2
or 100 millimeters
2
Volume
1 meter
3
= 1,000 liters or 35.31 feet
3
1 centimeter
3
= .06102 inches
3
1 gallon = .1337 feet
3
or 3.785 liters
1 quart = 946.4 centimeters
3
or .9463 liters
1 ounce (fluid) = .02957 liters
Weight
1 gram = .0022 pounds or 980.7 dynes or .0353 ounces
1 ounce = 28.35 grams
1 kilogram = 2.205 pounds
1 gal. of water = 8.337 pounds
1 ton (short) = 2,000 pounds or .89287 ton (long) or .9078 ton (metric)
1 pound = 453.59 grams or .4536 kilograms or 16 ounces
Temperature
Fahrenheit = (Celsius x 9/5) + 32
Celsius = (Fahrenheit -32) x 5/9
Kelvin = Celsius + 273.18
Pressure
1 lb/inch
2
= 144 lb/foot
2
or 703.1 kg/m
2
or .073 kg/cm
2
1 kg/cm
2
= 14.22 lb/in
2
or .9678 atmospheres
1 kg/m
2
= .2048 lb/foot
2
or 98.067 dynes/cm
2
1 bar = 14.5 lb/in
2
or .9869 atmospheres
1 atmosphere = 14.7 lb/in
2
or 1.033 kg/cm
2
Torque
1 Foot-pound = 1.356 Nm (Joule)
1 In-lb = .113 Nm
1 Nm (Joule) = .738 Foot-pound
CONVERSION CHART
www.aceco.com
AceCo Precision Manufacturing
4419 Federal Way Boise, Idaho 83716 USA
(208)343-7712 - fax (208)345-0740
1-800-359-7012
woodtool@aceco.com
www.aceco.com
Edition VII

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