Profitability gain expectations for computed tomography of sawn logs

Martin Pernkopf,Martin Riegler,Manfred Gronalt

doi:10.1007/s00107-019-01414-x

Martin Pernkopf, Martin Riegler + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-019-01414-x

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Abstract

As the wood sawing industry in Central Europe is highly competitive, sawmills constantly try to increase their efficiency in the production process. The computed tomography (CT) technology is a promising way to increase the economic outcome of the sawing process. Nevertheless, the number of successful industry applications is still rare. In this study, the potential advantages of a roundwood scanning CT in a sawmill which uses bandsaw technology are analysed. A discrete event simulation model covering most of the sawmill’s activities was developed and six output-altering CT-factors were implemented to identify the effects of the CT on sawing strategies. The CT-factors are applied to all assortments and affect the output of the sawing process. Since the CT scanner presumably affects the selection of logs for the sawing process, each CT-factor scenario was applied to different log selection strategies. By testing several scenarios, the prospective economic impact of a CT scanner could be revealed and an investment appraisal was conducted. Under different assumptions, an internal rate of return of 5% up to 42% was calculated.

Highlights

The wood sawing industry supplies the downstream value chain of many industries such as the building, furniture and paper industry with their valuable products
The simulation study generates data about the whole sawing and logistic process, the profitability and internal rate of return summarise the economic impact of the computed tomography (CT) best
This study shows the theoretical potential of a CT and the importance of its positioning

Summary

Introduction

The wood sawing industry supplies the downstream value chain of many industries such as the building, furniture and paper industry with their valuable products. As the sawing industry is highly competitive, sawmills have to constantly try to increase their efficiency in the production process. The maximisation of the volume and value yield from the sawing process is pursued and many different approaches to reach this aim have been developed. Applying these approaches is often not easy in real sawmills and the applicability depends on the regarded sawing technology. In particular the bandsaw technology, which is often used for large log diameters, is strongly

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