Tool maximizes cutting for structural timber

 
Solid Wood Innovation (SWI) NZ, with support from its shareholders and FWPA, has developed a Cant Optimisation Tool that helps sawmiller’s get the maximum volume of structural timber from each cant. A commercial evaluation trial of over 500 radiata pine logs confirmed the Tool increased the value of processed timber to AU$61 per cubic metre using known average industry pricing mechanisms, an increase of AU$14 per cubic metre from a non-optimised value of AU$47 per cubic metre. The first commercial installation has been operating successfully for six months.

Each cant is measured at commercial mill speed for its sonic resonance and X-ray derived green density profile. The two measures are then processed using SWI-developed algorithms to accurately predict the ‘pith to bark’ green stiffness of the wood in the cant and centres the low stiffness zone. The tool then instructs the sawing system how to optimise cutting for structural product based on timber stiffness.

The technology is available to all SWI shareholders, including Australian FWPA qualified sawlog processors; companies just need to register with SWI and sign a confidentiality agreement. Although terms and conditions are yet to be finalised, SWI will develop a licensing structure for this technology in recognition of shareholders who have contributed to the development but can’t use the technology directly.

Source: R&D Works

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