A next generation processing system for edging and trimming

This paper describes a prototype scanning system that is being developed for the processing of rough hardwood lumber. The overall goal of the system is to automate the selection of cutting positions for the edges and ends of rough, green lumber. Such edge and trim cuts are typically performed at sawmills in an effort to increase board value prior to sale, and this depends on a balance between large board size and the removal of undesirable wood characteristics, such as wane and surface defects. This paper is primarily concerned with image acquisition and analysis. Off the- shelf hardware components are used with in-house developed software to capture images of a board as it moves longitudinally on a conveyor. Unlike most board-scanning systems, the system described here analyzes rough (unplaned) boards. There are some advantages to this approach, such as increased image contrast due to surface moisture. There are also disadvantages, however, resulting from the appearance of the wood in its unplaned state, which pose new challenges in the development of image-analysis algorithms.

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