LORCAT: a log recovery analysis tool for hardwood sawmill efficiency
| Authors: | Ed Thomas, Urs Buehlmann, Debbie Conner |
| Year: | 2021 |
| Type: | Research Paper |
| Station: | Northern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.2737/NRS-RP-33 |
| Source: | Res. Pap. NRS-33. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 9 p. |
Abstract
The LOg ReCovery Analysis Tool (LORCAT) was developed to enable researchers and mill personnel to examine the impact and relationships among various factors that influence hardwood mill recovery. LORCAT is a spreadsheet-based tool that was developed for use with the Microsoft Excel® or LibreOffice® spreadsheet applications. LORCAT allows users to interactively view the results from a single log or view trends by using hundreds of logs with a batch interface. The analysis tool requires users to specify the log length, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service log grade, species, small- and large-end diameters, and processing specifications, including: opening face dimensions, cant size, board thickness, green allowance, sawing variation, kerf size, and taper sawing method. Given this data, LORCAT reports the expected total number and volume of lumber and cants produced and the projected recovery by National Hardwood Lumber Association grade.
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