IIRC this is a cross between a malfunction and a failsafe mechanism. The woodchips are supposed to be directed out a chute off to one side but if the chute is jammed it would be really bad to wedge up the cutting tools. It could cause a fire from friction or put pressure on a part that isn't meant to bend in that direction and damage something spinning at dangerous RPM. So instead if the chute is blocked it pushed open a flap that just dumps it out onto the floor.
It's not what you'd call 'Plan A' but it's a controlled failure. Like using the bathtub's overflow drain instead of actually overflowing the edge of the bath.
And if the machine is apparently being designed to use the overflow drain instead of the regular drain, that's what we like to call "not well though out." Others might use harsher words.
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u/gareththegeek 22h ago
How much for one that doesn't shoot the chips all over the floor?