Scanning technology and process optimization are indispensable in today’s competitive forest products industry, particularly considering the high cost of logs which accounts for almost 80% of the cost of lumber. To operate profitably, mills must utilize logs to their maximum potential. Optimization of any operation requires machine vision technology that can accurately determine log geometry and external and internal features considered as defects, as well as computer technology that provides a solution at production speed. Electronic scanning is one of the most rapidly changing technologies in the wood industry mostly due to tremendous advances in data processing. This book provides an overview of various scanning methods and their application to the wood industry in order to maximize processing efficiency and value recovery. Topics include: enterprise optimization using scanning and process control as management tools; optimizing log bucking and sorting; three dimensional log scanning for automation of log breakdown; lumber scanning for optimized edging, ripping, and cross-cutting; and automated defect detection for lumber grading. This book contains a selection of papers which were presented at International Conferences on Scanning Technology in the Wood Products Industry and provides mill managers with practical guidance on the selection of scanning and process optimization systems for primary and secondary wood processing.

This manual contains a wealth of important information on the design, construction, finishing, and maintenance of wood decks that is not available in other deck construction publications, including:

1. Span tables for deck design.
2. Unbiased technical information that clearly outlines the dos and the don’ts of wood deck design and construction.
3. Information on the properties of various wood species used in deck construction and how these properties affect the quality and longevity of wood decks.
4. Detailed discussion of proper materials and procedures for finishing wood decks.
5. Proper procedures for inspecting and maintaining various deck components and finishes.

Wood Decks: Materials, Construction, and Finishing is an invaluable resource for designers, home builders, remodelers, and do-it-yourselfers who are interested in wood decks.

This results-oriented book explains the profitable philosophies behind sawing and describes high-yield equipment, simple and efficient mill layouts, quality lumber drying processes, and value-added techniques. Developed as a hands-on guide for the small mill operator who wants more than the status quo and needs to prepare the mill for the future, this book is also an excellent introduction for novices who need a good understanding of the theory and practical aspects of sawmill operations. With dozens of photos and illustrations showing how sawmilling principles are put into practice, the book’s contents cover: the raw material; sawing patterns (the key to yield and productivity); sawmill equipment for primary breakdown; secondary breakdown; edging, trimming, and sorting; mill layouts; lumber drying; and value-added manufacturing. If your sawmill produces 3 to 20 million board feet annually, this book shows you how to survive, prosper, and ensure future profitability.

Mill maintenance today is no longer a simple series of “break it/fix it” tasks. Instead, it’s a complex system of procedures and techniques aimed at capturing the competitive edge in productivity, quality, yield, and profits. But how do you use it? This book is a guide to maintenance management techniques for winning the competitive edge. Supervisors, machine operators, owners, and senior managers alike can put the system described to use immediately. Emphasizing increased mill efficiency in the forest products industry, the book cites examples of competitive mills throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. Key topics include: creating and sustaining an effective maintenance program; managing for results; predictive maintenance: tools and techniques; budgets and cost controls; maintenance support systems; obtaining more from the mill; innovation, involvement, and quality circles; and designing away from maintenance. This book is a hands-on guide to devising a new system for mill maintenance that is based on lower costs, optimum equipment performance, maximum effectiveness of each function, less downtime, and simpler maintenance efforts.

This updated edition of the definitive book on lumber manufacturing techniques looks at the modern, efficient mill as a total system – from the handling of raw materials through the finished product. It also includes coverage of developments in scanner-computer systems, automatic grading, sorting and packaging systems, and automatic data collection. Each unit of the mill is examined and described in detail. Every method, operation, and technique is illustrated and documented with easy-to-read graphs and tables. More than 30 chapters examine five central topics: supplying and preparing the raw material; rough lumber manufacturing; manufacturing dry lumber, chips, and fuel; measuring performance, controlling quality, and maintaining equipment; and principal sawmill types. This practical book is indispensable for management, technical, and operations people who must keep up with the best methods and techniques for producing profitable yield from available raw materials.

A computerized lumber mill with a series of automated subsystems can save 25%, or more, on raw material costs. Since raw material can be as much as 90% of the total cost of sales, the savings potential is enormous. This hands-on guide shows you how to evaluate your needs and implement process controls which measure and control raw material and machine variables. The three main sections are: process control equipment; applications in the yard and mill; and process management and quality control. In addition there are detailed tables of performance standards, log yields, and conversion factors; a glossary of terms; and a check list of programmable logic controller capabilities. This book is an essential reference for anyone who plans, designs, operates, and maintains facilities for processing logs, lumber, and other wood products.

Along with 15 other industry experts responsible for successful quality control programs in North America, lumber authority Terry Brown has compiled the first how-to guide for starting and improving lumber quality control programs. With an emphasis on maximizing your company’s value and profits, this book takes you through the entire manufacturing process step by step. You’ll learn about efficient, standardized procedures and useful tools for controlling lumber size, monitoring machinery, and evaluating personnel. In addition, this guide fully explains how to: establish the best quality control program for your mill; improve your existing quality control program; sell the importance of quality control to management; and keep your quality control program simple.

The papers contained in this 128-page proceedings were presented in 1994 at the Forest Products Society Southeastern Section Workshop on Environmental Quality in Wood Processing. The focus of the workshop was to examine the current environmental issues related to wood processing industries. The goal of the workshop was to provide technical information to the wood processing industry which could be used to develop plans and programs related to the enhancement and maintenance of environmental quality. Research on the development of environmentally friendly processing and end use technologies was also examined.

Along with 15 other industry experts responsible for successful quality control programs in North America, lumber authority Terry Brown has compiled the first how-to guide for starting and improving lumber quality control programs. With an emphasis on maximizing your company’s value and profits, this book takes you through the entire manufacturing process step by step. You’ll learn about efficient, standardized procedures and useful tools for controlling lumber size, monitoring machinery, and evaluating personnel. In addition, this guide fully explains how to: establish the best quality control program for your mill; improve your existing quality control program; sell the importance of quality control to management; and keep your quality control program simple.