Value of Defect Information in Automated Hardwood Edger and Trimmer Systems

Abstract

Due to the limited capability of board defect scanners, not all defect information required to make the best edging and trimming decision can be scanned for use in an automated system. The objective of the study presented in this paper was to evaluate the lumber value obtainable from edging and trimming optimization using varying levels of defect information as input. In an earlier study, a computer-based procedure for estimating optimum edging and trimming solutions was developed. The same procedure was used in the optimization experiments in this study. Instead of complete defect data that the procedure ideally requires, a combination of selected defect types was used for each optimization experiment. The sample for the study consisted of 120 unedged/untrimmed red oak boards collected from three hardwood mills. The value recovery calculated from the different defect information categories is presented and compared to the lumber values calculated from complete board defect data, as well as to the lumber values actually obtained in the sawmill from the same boards. The results showed that it is possible to obtain lumber values higher than actual sawmill output from a computer-based edging and trimming optimization procedure even if not all board defects are considered.

Citation

Regalado, Carmen; Kline, D. Earl; Araman, Philip A. 1992. Value of Defect Information in Automated Hardwood Edger and Trimmer Systems. Forest Products Journal. 42(3): 29-34.