Studying of the effects of some varnish types used in the furniture industry on woodworking performance of laser

In recent years, laser wood processing has become increasingly common. However, to ensure the longevity of wooden materials, it is necessary to cover their upper surfaces. This study investigates the effects of laser beam-induced changes on various preferred types of wood surface treatments using CNC laser wood processing technology. Beech wood test specimens were coated with cellulosic varnish, synthetic varnish, polyurethane varnish, and acrylic varnish and their layer thickness was measured. Based on the data obtained, it was evaluated how different varnish layers affect kerf depth and upper kerf width in laser cutting compared to control samples without varnish. Additionally, the impact of varnish layers on laser wood engraving was examined. The findings suggest that certain varnishes can compromise the laser cutting performance of the control samples, while others can enhance it. Furthermore, all varnish types positively influence laser cutting performance by reducing the upper kerf width of the laser cutting notches. However, in laser wood engraving, all varnish types weaken the laser engraving performance.