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Potential advantages of curve sawing non-straight hardwood logs

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Curve sawing is not new to the softwood industry. Softwood sawmill managers think about how fast they can push logs through their sawmill to maximize the yield of 1x and 2x lumber. Curve sawing helps mills maximize yield when sawing non-straight logs. Hardwood sawmill managers don’t want to push logs through their sawmills, because they want to maximize lumber value and not volume yield. Value maximization requires decisions at the headrig, resaws, edgers, and trimmers. Poor decisions equal losses in revenue. This article discusses research by the USDA Forest Service and Virginia Tech scientists on the potential benefits of processing non-straight hardwood logs and smaller diameter roundwood through curve sawing systems similar to those used by softwood mills, also known as “sweep sawing.” The lumber and cants are sawn parallel to the sweep or pith of the logs.

Citation

Araman, Philip A. 2007. Potential advantages of curve sawing non-straight hardwood logs. Hardwood Matters. (70): 5, 10
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/29370