Furniture Manufacturing

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. The Furniture Manufacturing Industry

Abstract

Furniture being fashion and merchandise, is created based on designs, which are converted into tangible products, using the necessary inputs and technologies. Incepted as a cottage-based industry, it has grown to become multi-billion-dollar industries in many countries throughout the world, serving both the export and domestic market.

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Chapter 2. Furniture Design and Innovation

Abstract

Furniture design has evolved over human civilization. It’s a reflection of lifestyle, material, and technology of the time. The study of furniture design involves human civilization, history of art and craft, cultural, social, and economic aspects.

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Chapter 3. Furniture Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

The furniture manufacturing system has evolved from an artisan, skilled-based system, to one that employs high-technology machines. Such a transformation of manufacturing system has enabled significant improvements in production rates, and a wide range of products to be manufactured with precision and quality.

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Chapter 4. Production Flow in Furniture Manufacturing

Abstract

The furniture manufacturing process involves a series of machining, jointing, abrasive sanding, and finishing operations, through which the rectangular sawn wood material is converted into a three-dimensional furniture product based on the design specifications.

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Chapter 5. Preparing the Furniture Parts

Abstract

The machining of furniture parts and components serve two main purposes, which are to machine the final profile and shapes required of each component in the furniture, while at the same time ensuring that the final dimensions of the components are as per the design specification. Unlike the rough milling operations, in this section, the machining is more intricate involving specialized tools.

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Chapter 6. Joints in Furniture

Abstract

The furniture parts and components produced are assembled into sub-assemblies, or furniture, using joints. There are several different types of furniture joints, but the most common are the mortise-tenon and dowel joints.

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Chapter 7. Sanding Process

Abstract

The sanding process is the process of smoothening and flattening the surface of the workpiece using coated abrasive. It is a necessary operation not only to remove surface blemishes, but also to prepare the surface for the subsequent application of finishes or coatings.

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Chapter 8. Furniture Finishing

Abstract

The finishing operation in furniture manufacturing is the most important value-adding operation, which not only imparts the aesthetic appeal, but also protection to furniture. It is a regarded a cosmetic operation, which reveals the beauty of furniture, enticing customers to purchase it.

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Chapter 9. Upholsteries For Furniture

Abstract

Upholstery refers to the application of cushion, padding, and cover material to a furniture frame, to make it aesthetically more appealing and increasing comfort. It is a traditional trade and is still a labor-intensive operation in many parts of the world.

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Chapter 10. Furniture Packaging

Abstract

Packaging is the science, art, and innovation of securing a product for handling, delivery, and utilization. Apart from that, packaging is also important to entice potential customers to purchase the product. In the case of furniture, packaging is mostly accomplished with the use of corrugated carton box as the exterior packaging, while the interior packaging uses materials such as bubble wrap, polyethylene sheet and foam, and polystyrene. Due to the weight of furniture, packaging of furniture must be carried out with utmost care, to ensure no damages occur during handling and transportation. The packages are usually subjected to drop tests to assess its quality, suitability, and sufficiency of protection.

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Chapter 11. Standardization and Environmental Compliance

Abstract

Furniture as a utility product which must comply with market requirements. In this context, furniture manufacturing facilities are usually compliant to several standards to give credence to their compliance to market requirements. Likewise, the health and safety aspects of the work environment in the furniture industry is subjected to scrutiny to ensure that the workers’ well-being is considered always. As the global market grows more in environmental compliance, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, green manufacturing practices, which include product design, materials, and technologies, are increasingly becoming environment friendly, as the market demand for green furniture increases.

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Chapter 12. Strength Design and Furniture Testing

Abstract

Furniture is an engineering structure and is often subjected to a variety of loads during its service life. Therefore, the design and construction of furniture must incorporate the necessary strength features, to ensure it meets the strength and durability requirements in accordance with the standard of the target market. Failure in furniture is often attributed to its joints, which is the weakest link in the structure. Component failure rarely occurs in furniture, though the component size is determined by the joint design and dimension. Furniture testing is often conducted to assess the strength and durability of furniture before it is approved for use.

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Chapter 13. Automation Technology in Furniture Manufacturing

Abstract

The increased application of automation and technology in the furniture manufacturing industry is strongly advocated as solution to minimize its dependency on manual workforce. Being a labor-intensive industry, furniture manufacturing lag in terms of investments in technology compared to other manufacturing industries. Nevertheless, the adoption of low-cost automation technologies, especially the use of pneumatic and hydraulic tools, is increasing within the industry, and will inevitably assist in improving productivity and throughput rate. Further, digital technologies in the realms of marketing activities are also increasing worldwide. As the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies picks up pace globally, the furniture manufacturing industry must also prepare to embrace this technological revolution, which offers many benefits, in almost all aspects of furniture manufacturing.

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Chapter 14. Cost Optimization in Furniture Manufacturing

Abstract

The concept of optimization is being widely adopted throughout the furniture manufacturing industry in the world, both for better cost and quality control. In this context, the engineering approach to the many value-adding processes in furniture manufacturing is a necessity, as without accurate process engineering data on the production rate of each, and every process on the furniture factory shopfloor, achieving optimum production may never be realized. This chapter is the first attempt to bring both engineering and mathematical approaches to the determination of production rate in furniture manufacturing.

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Chapter 15. Emerging Trends in the Global Furniture Industry

Abstract

Furniture manufacturing is a rapidly growing global industry, which is closely linked not only to demographics, but also the economic performance, as well as global trends impacting the global population. The transiting manufacturing strategies employed leads to a gradual development of the industry in terms of the extent of value-addition. On the other hand, the effect of climate change, circular economy, and the rapid pace of development in the digital economy is also having a profound impact on the way business is conducted in the furniture sector. This chapter describes the main trends shaping the furniture manufacturing industry globally.

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Chapter 16. Conclusions

Abstract

Furniture manufacturing is as old as human civilization, and the demand for furniture around the world has been steadily growing over the years.

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Chapter 17. Further Information

Abstract

This book does not claim to give the final word on the issues of furniture manufacturing processes but aims to set the scene for a systematic framework from a production engineering perspective, for the readers in the woodworking, furniture, and related fields. For further information, the following sources including relevant websites are recommended.

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Backmatter