Effects of the log's rotational orientation and the depth of the opening cut on the value of lumber produced in sawing hardwood logs

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2005

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a sawing simulation study examining the effects of the rotational orientation of the log and the depth of the opening cut on the value of hardwood lumber produced with 1995 and 2004 lumber prices. First, three-dimensional virtual logs were reconstructed on the computer using computed tomography (CT) images of seven red oak logs. To determine the optimal opening cut face, simulations of live sawing 4/4-inch lumber were conducted by rotating the virtual logs at 15-degree increments and increasing the cutting depth for the opening face in 1/16-inch increments. Results suggest that rotational orientation and depth of the opening cut significantly affect the value of lumber produced. The optimal rotational orientation and opening position outperformed the mean of 432 possible combinations by 19.5 percent with the 1995 lumber prices. With the 2004 lumber prices, the gain was 14.7 percent. With either set of prices, a combination of the right rotational orientation and a random opening cut depth increased the value of lumber produced by 5 percent over the mean of 432 possible combinations, and 8 percent when the depth chosen was within 1/8 inch of the optimum, On the other hand, with either set of prices a combination of the optimal opening cut depth and a random rotational angle resulted in no gain over the mean value derived for the 432 combinations. This improved to 6 percent with the 1995 lumber prices and 4 percent with the 2004 lumber prices as the control for rotational orientation improved to within 30 degrees of the optimum. When both the rotational orientation of the log and the depth of the opening cut were jointly considered, with the 1995 lumber prices the gain increased from 3.6 to 5.7 percent over the average of all 432 combinations as control over the rotational orientation and opening depth improved from within 30 degrees and 1/8 inch to 15 degrees and 1/16 inch, respectively. Similarly, with the 2004 lumber prices, the gain increased from 2.9 to 4.4 percent. As such, early log scanners need not be highly precise to deliver significant value to hardwood sawmills that adopt this technology. © Forest Products Society 2005.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Forest Products Journal

First Page

49

Last Page

55

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