Theses Presentations (Part III) 7-5-2017

Specifically, the following thesis topics were completed and presented:

1. "Utilization of fast-growing plants that grow in the Greek area for the production of particleboard by the postgraduate student Ms. Rammou Aikaterini, supervised by professor Mr. G. Ntalos and members of their supervisory committee Professors: Michael Skarvelis and John Papadopoulos.

In this work, the possibility of utilizing the stems of industrial hemp, as well as the leaves of Posidonia oceanica, was investigated in order to be used as materials for the production of particle boards. After the appropriate pre-processing of the materials was done and the required specifications were measured, single-layer chipboards were manufactured in the laboratory, which were pure or in a mixture and in different proportions with industrial wood chips. Then these new products were conditioned in an air-conditioning chamber under normal conditions and then subjected to an experimental measurement process based on European standards.

The results of the entire research showed that the participation of the two plants (hemp and Posidonia oceanica) in the manufacture of particleboards compared to the industrial material had a negative effect on static bending, indifferent on screw retention and positive on modulus of elasticity, absorption and width swelling on immersion in water. Nevertheless, it can replace wood in small percentages without prohibitively reducing the properties of particle boards.

2. "Investigation of mechanical properties of spruce wood (Abies sp.) of Greek origin, used in structural constructions" by the postgraduate student Mr. Mousilopoulos Kon/no, with supervising professor Mr. M. Skarveli and members of the supervision committee Professors: Ntalos Georgios and Papadopoulos Ioannis.

In this research, a very important attempt was made to certify the characteristics and properties of sawn spruce timber for structural constructions for the first time in Greece, according to Eurocode 5 and applying CEN standards. The experimental part of this research included the creation of samples, their qualitative classification into strength classes and the carrying out of comparative evaluations by various methods, such as optical, ultrasonic and destructive.

From the various tests carried out it appeared that the Greek fir wood can be highlighted, as the results showed that it can be classified in strength classes C18, C24, C30 and C35 and thus have a greater economic value.

3. "Determination and optimization of cutting conditions for the processing of objects from different types of wood using CNC rapid prototyping devices", by the Cypriot postgraduate student Mr. Onoufriou Andreas, supervised by Prof. Mr. Ioannis Ntintakis and members of the supervision committee Professors: Kyratsis Panagiotis and Ntalos Georgios.

This research was carried out for the first time in Greece and had the purpose of highlighting important aspects, both in the use of CNC machines at the level of prototyping objects, as well as the prototyping of objects with rapid prototyping devices, as well as in the existing problems that arise through the these procedures. The SolidWorks design program was used, and then various samples of Wenge and Maple wood were processed on the Roland MDX-40A laboratory CNC to study the roughness of the surfaces with the roughness meter comparing various parameters, such as: type of wood, type of cutter, depth of cut, speed cutter feed, cutter turns, roughing and finishing. All parameters were correlated with time and surface quality, so it was shown which cutting tools are the most necessary and which are not, in order to avoid unnecessary actions and make a relative saving of money, but not at the expense of the final quality of the produced products.

The results obtained from the three (3) above research diploma papers are interesting enough for both the academic community and the Greek businesses in the sector to utilize any findings in the best way.

Sixteen (16) more equally important and interesting research diploma theses of the students of the 1st cycle of the Master's Program are coming to completion, which are awaited with particular interest.

It is noted that the 1^th swearing-in of the graduates of the MSc will take place on Friday, July 28, 2017.

Finally, interested parties are informed that the submission of applications has begun for the registration and monitoring of the 3^th cycle of the "Advanced Product Manufacturing Methods" Master's Program from Wood" and the submission deadline is until 31/8/2017  (see related Call for expressions of interest)

.

The Director of MSc

Ioannis Papadopoulos

Professor TEI of Thessaly