Locating Knots By Industrial Tomography–A Feasibility Study

Industrial photon tomography was used to scan four southern pine logs and one red oak log. The logs were scanned at 16 cross-sectional slice planes located 1 centimeter apart along their longitudinal axes. Tomographic reconstructions were made from the scan data collected at these slice planes, and a cursory image analysis technique was developed to locate the log perimeter and identify and locate internal knots from the reconstructed tomographic images. After scanning, the logs were cut into 1-centimeter-wide cross sections (width included saw kerf) which corresponded to the scan slice planes. It was found that the log perimeters and knot locations identified through the image analysis of the tomograms compared favorably to those same entities found on the actual log slices. Continued research to increase the speed of tomographic detection of defects and develop sawing decision algorithms is encouraged by the study results. Commercialization of the decision making process for increasing the grade of processed lumber could increase the utility of the timber supply.

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