An automated hardwood log breakdown system for lumber manufacturing

Abstract. The computer integration requirements of a hardwood lumber manufacturing system run parallel to those of metal manufacturing systems, with the exception of some processing practices intrinsic to the properties and end usage of wood as a finished material. The paper describes the results of a study to generate log breakdown instructions designed for a computer-integrated hardwood lumber manufacturing system automatically. The approach, resulting model, and validation results are presented in the paper. A brief review of log processing operations is provided.