Accurately determining log and bark volumes of saw logs using high-resolution laser scan data

Accurately determining the volume of logs and bark is crucial to estimating the total expected value recovery from a log. Knowing the correct size and volume of a log helps to determine which processing method, if any, should be used on a given log. However, applying volume estimation methods consistently can be difficult. Errors in log measurement and oddly shaped logs can make log and residue volume estimates inaccurate. Laser log scanning systems consistently measure the surface points on a log to accuracies of 0.01 inch and finer. Using the measurement data from a laser scanning system and traditional volume equations, or using volume measurements directly from the laser scanning systems, provides highly accurate volume calculations. Such volume measurements are comparable to those obtained using water immersion and displacement methods.