An Analytic Approach to Estimating the Increase in Lumber Recovery Due to Reduced Target Sizes and Saw Kerfs

Lumber recovery can be increased by reducing target sizes and saw kerfs, but quantifying the improvements can be difficult. Two approaches have generally been used to estimate such an increase: one is by sawmill simulation using a digital computer, and the other is by simple estimation. The sawmill simulation method is impractical for small companies without a computer and the expertise. The simple estimation is intuitively logical, but seems oversimplified. Therefore, a need exists for a better analytic procedure for estimating the increase. The analytic approach derived easy to use equations. Application of the equations is illustrated by examples. The full benefit of reduced target sizes or saw kerfs can be captured by reducing the diameter range within which a given sawing pattern is used. Equations for estimating the amount of downward shifting were also derived.

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