FAIR-CT97-5022 Stem modelling and simulation of sawmill outputs in Pinus pinaster for optimising the wood conversion chain

Contacts




To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Crops for Solid Wood Products : FAIR Area 1.3 - Forestry-Wood Chain : FAIR Marie Curie Research Training Grants

Objectives:

The project deals with the technological quality of pinewood (Pinus pinaster Ait.), using material with known silvicultural management, by modelling stem wood quality and simulation for the optimisation of sawmill outputs. The project will involve the conversion of real stems into computer models and the use of simulation software for converting stems into end products. The project, will use a simulation software developed by the host institution (VTT - Simulog) and apply it to the Pinus pinaster Ait., the most important species in Portugal for timber production.

Activities and Results:

The application of image processing techniques for Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) wood resulted in an accurate mathematical 3D model for the studied logs. The WOODCIME sawing simulation process has shown potential to optimise the operating instructions in the sawing process of this wood species and to clarify the influence of different production variables on the recovery of sawn timber. The model allowed the internal defect distribution and features for Maritime pine to be studied. The analysis clearly shows that the studied material has a large proportion of defect (knot) free wood. The average volume percentage of knots compared to the total volume of the log varies from 0.06% for butt logs to 1.7% for top logs. The results show that correct management of Maritime pine forests can provide Portugal with high quality wood, ensuring competitiveness of the Portuguese wood industry through value added production.

Keywords: Pinus pinaster , sawmill, optimisation, simulations

Contacts

Scientific Supervisor

• Arto USENIUS / Techincal Research Centre of Finland VTT / FINLAND